The rest of the story....

After getting all lubed up and sunscreened, I made my way down the helix to get in the water with the rest of the swimmers. It was very emotional for me. All day long, I wanted someone to pinch me. I have volunteered at this race five times. NOW, I'm on the inside..living the dream!

I met coach near the bottom of the helix and started tearing up again. "Just a little bit emotional", I said. Then... I met The Bean. He and I took a quick photo and then my friends left so I could continue down the helix. I followed Bean into the water. He had been here before. And even though we had many love and hate moments this year, it felt good. We hopped in and positioned ourselves to the inside of the ski jump. Another teammate came over to say hi, and then my friend Mary. She gave me a huge hug and said, "you're gonna have a great day." I heard Mike O'reilly say "One minute to go" AND then without any other warning... we heard the cannon. It was shocking! I had prepared myself mentally to get pushed around a little on this swim. BUT, it was more combative then you can imagine. I was getting shoved and punched and kicked from every direction. I was a little stressed when I reached the first buoy. BUT thankfully V was there. She and I popped up together to get through the masses. It was fantastic to see her! She said, "good job Jen!" How cool! There was much more pushing and kicking and we were off. I did manage to lose my swim cap on my way back of the second loop. Some guy hit me in the back of the head and ripped it off. As I swam to shore, my friends were right there on the rock yelling for me. Off to the wetsuit strippers, then up the helix. All my coaches were there to scream and yell! And my friend Tribabe too!

T1: I was nervous about the changing areas. BUT they went so smoothly. I grabbed my own bag and a volunteer followed me in to help me change. GUESS WHAT! V was there too! What a nice thing to train as a team! They were everywhere all day long! We changed, porta-pottied, and then off we went to get My Precious. On Ironman day ONLY, you can call out anything you want and your number and you will GET IT! I'm serious.. VIP all day long! So, I'm telling every green shirt out there where My Precious is and she is delivered to me. SWEET! Off I go down the helix and ready to roll!

Bike: If you had asked me what I would like most about Ironman before the race, I would tell you the swim. BUT, now that's it done. The bike was by far my favorite. I took it slow and steady. I followed coach's rule.. low heart rate, high cadence, eating all along the way. It was so fun! There were people cheering EVERYWHERE! I "cat and moused" with a couple of guys all day long. And on my way to Mt Horeb, I was met by McD. As you know, McD and I rode alot together this year! It was so COOL to talk about our mornings and wish each other luck for the rest of the day. I even beat Bean out of the water! He reminded me that the race starts in another 40 miles. Check! Then it was just me, My Precious, and the route I knew so well. Ahh! Life was good! I saw coach at Midtown hill and she asked, "How's it going?" AWESOME! She said, "Follow the plan." And off I went. Special needs was uneventful. My bottles were there and then I was off again for more fun! The heat and wind were picking up as the day went by. SO, I made a decision that slowed me down, but I don't regret it. I stopped at each aid station on the second loop for ICE. I put it in my sports bra and the hat in my helmet. It took a few minutes at each station but made a huge difference in my overall comfort. On my way back to town, I felt like I was ready to run on my legs! At about a mile to go, I thanked my Southern Mama for praying for a safe ride! I had had the best ride anyone could ask for.. no accidents, no flats, and no major incidents! All with a HUGE smile on my face!

T2: Another big hurrah to the volunteers! I handed My Precious off to a volunteer, grabbed my bag and off I went. The volunteer in the change tent, changed me so fast that I looked up and she muttered, "Go Run!". OK! Another portapotty visit and off I went. The WIBA leader was on the corner on the way out, so we bumped fists and then my friend Tom was at the turn around. He picked me up there and ran me to the end of the square. I told him, "I was awesome, feeling good and had plenty of time to be an Ironman tonight. " My friends were at the end of the square and saw me... same thing.. I feel great and ready to go. It was between mile two and three that the trouble started. I was beginning the Porta Potty parade. It was so disappointing to me. I was strong enough to run, but my stomach wouldn't have it. SO.. I tried running for the first six miles or so... but it became to hard on my stomach. I decided to give up eating/drinking and walk. I figured, if I gave it an hour.. the sun would go down (cooler) and my stomach would even itself out. It was hard to do, but Lorie supported my Plan B idea. She was telling everyone that I had a "Great Attitude with bathroom issues!". HA! That's really what my run became! I did make it through the first loop. AND on my way back to the turn around, a volunteer asked if I was all right. In true form, I said "I'm dreaming about my special needs bag." As I rounded into the turn around, I saw my parents and my family friends, collected Tom and off to special needs. Tom helped me with my running shoes, after we taped my feet. Then, it was off to run! V was at Special needs with me too. I did run most of the second loop, some of it with V. My stomach had recovered and I started to get hungry. A good sign in my book! I started consuming chicken broth. I was looking for liquid calories to make my stomach happy but not overload the system. I would find out later, this was not a smart idea. On my way up the big hill for the last time, I met John. He and I rode my first 100 miler together this year. We chatted for awhile. He had a tough day, but was making do. My mantra during the run was, "Dreams do come true." I left him with about 8 miles to go and picked up Rhonda. She was having a tough day too! I encouraged her, saying we had two hours to make 5 miles. Anyone can do that! It's weird looking back on it now. I wanted to run, but my body wasn't ready. It's frustrating but I did make my goal. So.. off we go.. past "dark and scary" and then into the city to make me an Ironman. With about a mile to go, Coach Sharone met me on a mountain bike. He had come out to make sure I would finish. AND.. he said.. "Are you going to run it in?" And I replied, " Nope. I waited two years to be an Ironman, I'm just going to savor this moment." It was FABULOUS! There were people cheering all the way in and toasting their glasses!! Talk about a rockstar moment! When I reached the left hand turn for Finisher's Row.. I started to run. I gave Tom a bump, on my way in... and then heard the words I wanted to hear for so long.. Jennifer Green, from Chicago, IL.. You are an IRONMAN!

After getting caught by the finish line catchers, I was off to medical. It turns out my feet were a mess of blisters and cuts and my salt content was HIGH. REALLY HIGH! They didn't really help me, but gave me some advice and then it was off to the hotel. Thanks to Tom and Lorie for their shoulders home! What a great ride!

Ironman Morning

Before Ironman Sunday ever comes, you have already checked in your bike and your transition bags. You are left with swim gear, nutrition and special needs bags. There is a difference of opinion about Special Needs bags but I gotta tell you I loved mine!

I was up at 3:30am to make bottles of nutrition for the bike and then it was coffee time. And back to the room, for stretching and breakfast! Then off to drop off special needs bags. I had Erin and Lorie do it, as I was a bit shook up. I sat on the street corner and thought about what the day would hold. Then it was time to check my bike. I added nutrition and bottles and air to the tires. They let EVERYONE into transition. Which is really unusual! But I was happy to have the gurls with me. We took a bathroom break, then more meditating and waiting. It was time for sunscreen, glide and wetsuit. You can see the sun was coming up on the lake as we worked. I was slimmed from head to toe! There is no such thing as too much glide and sunscreen during an Ironman. AND.. A special thanks to Erin. I had ZERO chaffing! See what I mean?

Luckiest Gurl in the World

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who added to my LONG, wonderful Ironman day. Everyone in the pictures above gave me a little bit of Strength through SHOUTING and encouragement! It was AWESOME! Tom was at the turnaround for me! Oh, and the flowers were from some of my cyber cheerers and the lawyer I "met" at mile 18. Also my aunts that live in Ohio and Colorado, who stayed up on the phone to each other while watching the live feed online. I don't think I could ever feel more loved! Add to that the volunteers that make you feel VIP all day long by giving you anything you asked for! (handed me my bike, dressed me twice, put away my bike, gave me ice, food, and drink, and made sure I was coming back for more!) THANK YOU! Like I told my sherpa Lorie when she flew home yesterday.. I raced the Ironman myself but everyone of you helped me out there in some way. XOXOXO

I'm an Ironman!

Yesterday I became an Ironman. And I wanted to share these photos for today. I will (as I recover) share more of my journey with you. What I can say for sure.. It was the best day of my life so far and the HARDEST I've ever had to work both mentally and physically. The reward.. sweeter then you can imagine! Thank YOU to everyone who CHEERED me ON! I appreciate it!

We made it!

So far.. Hotel check in has been great! There was the finding of the bike gloves :o) I went to grab my prerace breakfast and then off to dinner at my favorite place. AND then I had to show Lorie a lil bit of Madison. The Union... where she got Babcock Ice Cream.

Today is a BIG day.. registration and mandatory athlete meeting. OH and we're taking a team picture! I hope you enjoy the photos!

T minus THREE DAYS

Today is Get-Away Day. I've been packing and making lists. And I've got the last minute "gotta buy" list. I went to my last swim class this morning with Coach. It's all starting to become VERY real now. I'm looking forward to it! There is one thing... I can't find my bike gloves. I have looked and looked and looked... no good?! I will have to keep looking..and if not then I have a backup pair.

I pick up my favorite Sherpa at 2pm today and then off we go. I'll register on Friday morning and then its Ironman cave time. I'm going to crawl into my hole and get ready! It's gonna be a fun NUT PARTY on Sunday!

The picture above is my first tattoo. I got it to celebrate my first Half Ironman. It means strength in Chinese. I will have to draw on that strength on Sunday. AND then.. my second tattoo will come soon! That's right, I will be getting the M dot to celebrate my Ironman finish.

You can track me all day long on Sunday. I'll be smiling and making a dream come true! AHHH! I can't wait!

Ironman Packing

It has started.. One week from today I will be having the time of my life earning my Ironman medal! It sounds like one grand party where I get to do all my favorite things all day long! I can't wait! This dream has been mine for a very long time.

But before every big party, there must be planning and packing. I'm almost done with all the planning. I do need to still pick restaurants/meals I'd like to eat leading up to the race. The packing is a different story. It sounds like it will be a cool day with rain likely. This could only mean LAYERS! I love layering! Who doesn't? There are the vests in my closet waiting to be used, long sleeve shirts anxious to be worn again, and don't forget the gloves. I'm starting to feel like I'll need the largest suitcase I own to be well prepared. I'd hate to leave my favorite booties at home only to wish I had them. I've come to the conclusion that I must find the PERFECT long sleeve shirt to cross the finish line with. Afterall, everyone knows that's the picture that will be on my Christmas card this year. And then there's the pose. What should I "say" when I cross the line? And more importantly, will I remember to do it after slogging along for 140.6 miles?

I'm so lucky! I've already picked some things I MUST do during the day! I have to sing "Happy Birthday" to Madeline while I'm on the bike. She is lucky enough to have a birthday on our special day! AND.. a section of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" as a tribute to my boss who will be hung over from his brother's 40th Birthday Party. And my absolute favorite part, My Big Sis in Ironman and I have a "date" from mile 18 - 21 of the run. I've been told in no uncertain terms that I better show or I may have a lawsuit on my hands. I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again. It takes a village to make an Ironman. I'm just lucky enough to have a village that spans the entire US! Let's finish the last minute details, so I can get this party started! I've been waiting for the Happy Ending for far too long!

Tapering ... Loving IT!

I arrived in Ohio yesterday midday to enjoy some tapering. I have been here before and enjoyed the lovely trails and swimming pools. My aunt, bless her heart, treats me like a princess! I woke up this morning to a home cooked breakfast and coffee. My plan was to ride to another favorite place "nearby" and meet her there for my second breakfast. It was LOVELY! I rode about 20 miles through the Xenia and Yellowsprings and then up to Youngs! This dairy farm is FAMOUS! It serves a mighty good breakfast, delicious dinner and ice cream! YUM! I always make a point to stop here when I come to town. Most people grab a FAMOUS red t-shirt, take a picture some where FAMOUS and then send it back to be hung on the wall of FAMOUS people!

It's been great so far! I'm looking forward to putting my feet up and just enjoying being a princess for a little while. We are 9 day, 19 hours from Ironman! YIKES!!

OH.. BTW.. we got our bib #s yesterday. I am 2240...kinda blends with the 2010 that's still sunburnt in my arm. AND that's not all.. SueFe's first Ironman.. she was 2244!!! The vibes are sweet!

DT becomes an Ironman..AGAIN

On Sunday, I woke up to track Dan on the swim. All was well.. he got out of the water in 1:28. If you remember, DT was my swimming buddy on Mondays. He was the reason I never missed a Monday swim workout. It didn't matter that we didn't swim the same speed, it just forced me to show up. Then DT had FAST transitions! I giggle now because I was impressed with 7 minutes and coach is impressed with 3 minutes. I need to get thinking about that! DT got out on the bike and had a VERY smart bike! You could tell from the splits that he started out holding it back and gradually negative split his times. I was so excited for him when he got out on the run. DT is a runner! He started by putting down 8:37! I'm hoping to put down 11:00. I'm looking forward to meeting him tonight at Ironman class for a congratulatory hug and more stories about his day. Thanks DT for the photo summary of becoming an Ironman. I have learned from your journey!