continuing to recover… and, what’s next.

In the two-plus weeks since Ironman Canada I’ve continued to eat like I’m still training – coconut macaroons for breakfast? Yes, please! – and occasionally have to remind myself that I did, in fact, race 140.6. It seems like eons ago and at times almost like it didn’t happen. Weird.

My body, however, tells me otherwise. I’ve ran just once since the race and while it wasn’t nearly as painful as I anticipated, I definitely could feel my legs. On the tired scale, three miles felt like 11.

There’s been quite a few miles put on the Madone since we’ve been home… 103 the second week after IM and another 110 this week. And, as much as I miss my Argon, it’s been enjoyable to hop on my bike and just ride, for fun and to explore some new routes around MSP.

heart center + the cardiologist.

Boom-boom.

Boom-boom.

Boom… … boom-BOOM.

My heart beat, at heart center. So clear that’s all I heard at yoga practice. So loud that it distracted my drishti.

I normally sink deeper into warrior two, farther into back bends and hold dancer longer, not modify postures and spent extra time in supta baddha konasana and child’s pose. My sole focus at a recent vinyasa practice: my heart beat. It was all I could do to stay in the heated room on my mat, even as I tried to focus on my breath and my mantra be present.

Since high school, I’ve known my heart occasionally skips a beat. A slight heart murmur, my doctor told me, but nothing to be concerned about.

The past month, though, it’s beat a little louder, thumped a little harder, skipped a little more often, reminding me of my heart center.

So, after chatting with my primary care PA and my good friend, Dr. Sonia Karimi, I scheduled a visit to the cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital. I’m a worrier (thanks for the worry gene, Dad!), and given how much I’ll be training for Ironman Canada in the coming months, I needed to rule anything out.

Dr. Johnson was fantastic from the get-go. He asked tons of questions – family health history, my life, my health history, my fitness – and answered all of mine. It was calming just to visit with him.

After two EKGs (a couple nodes were attached upside down the first time; the first, wonky, the second, normal) that day, Dr. Johnson recommended I have an echocardiogram and wear a holter monitor for 24 hours.

I went in the following Monday morning, and after a quick change and attaching five nodes to my chest, my heart appeared on the monitor. I’ve had cool medical procedures in the past – including a cortisone shot + dye for a functional MRI injected in my hip, all while watching on monitor – but this was… wow. Clearly seeing my heart’s four chambers, its valves opening and closing, and the blue and red of oxygenated blood and non-oxygenated blood flowing in and out was amazing. Clearly seeing MY HEART was amazing.

Sooo… I probably should have clarified this picture a bit more on instagram and twitter! It’s my heart, not a baby! The two dark spots are chambers of my heart.

The holter monitor… attached to me for 24 hours. I didn’t even notice it on a 5.2-mile run

After a couple days of anxiety… waiting… and still feeling my skipping heart beat, my doctor’s office called.

All tests were normal.

Thank. God.

However, Dr. Johnson was out this week, so once he returns next week, he’ll review test results, and we’ll reassess next steps, if any, since these tests didn’t determine what’s causing my abnormal heartbeat.

Not gonna lie… my worst fear is finding out I have some crazy heart condition and can no longer swimbikerunyoga. Because that would be devastating and dream crushing and… just… there are no words, and it brings me to tears to even think about it.

But, I’m not going to think about it.

Instead, I’m focusing on my heart center, my mantra.

Be present.

I’ll update you next week 🙂

Have a warm weekend, friends!

sherpa report | ironman florida

My Ironman Florida sherpa duties started early: Hauling three tri bikes + two road bikes cross country to Panama City Beach.

bikes.

Two days, 1,300 miles and 19.5 hours later, we arrived at the beach house, ready to relax. After a delicious dinner of fresh royal red shrimp, I picked up Nick at the airport. A couple hours of catching up and talking race logistics later, we hit the hay for a good nights sleep.

Bright and early Thursday morning, Nick and I joined teammates D2, Kyle and Rob for a morning swim in the Gulf of Mexico. Since I don’t have a wetsuit (yet), I watched their gear on the white sand beach and tried to keep an eye on them in the four-foot swells. Not gonna lie, while I love swimming in salt water, I was glad not to this morning; the waves were massive, the water was cold and it just looked daunting. About 15 minutes after they started swimming, I nearly had a heart attack when I only saw three guys instead of four. Frantically, I scanned the water for the second lime green swim cap. Ten seconds later and much to my relief, I finally spotted him on the far left; the current had pushed him a bit off-course. Whew! Gulf waves stole Nick’s shiny new goggles, too.

morning gulf swim.

After bacon + eggs brunch at Waffle House, everyone’s first-ever visit…

waffle house!

…we hit the race expo so the boys could check-in and snag some swag. Holy energy! Fit athletes everywhere, sweet IM gear, a Mirinda Carfrae sighting (still kicking myself I didn’t get a picture with her!) and some tasty hydration samples. One of the coolest things: An m-dot made of every participating triathlete’s name.

there’s nick! #anythingispossible

post packet pick-up on the beach.

kyle was really excited for 140.6!

so was nick.

I scored some sweet Newton tri shorts and tested them out during a fast 24-mile afternoon ride with Nick, Kyle and Sam. What a ride! I missed my Madone, but didn’t realize just how much. It felt good to be back in the saddle in the sunshine!

afternoon spin.

Friday was pretty low-key and relaxing. Nick and I ran a quick 2.5 miles in the morning (dang it, I’m out of decent running shape again!), organized all his gear (triathlon requires a LOT… eight bags!) and ate a pretty tasty homemade dinner (chicken, broccoli, tomatoes and butternut squash sauce). We crawled into bed a bit before 10p to rest up for the 4a alarm.

I swear my head had *just* hit my pillow when the alarm went off. Still half asleep, I brewed two double shots and kept Nick company during his PB toast pre-race breakfast.

espresso love.

Our pre-race plan was to meet near T1 so I could get Nick’s backpack filled with post-race gear (flip-flops, clean dry clothes, iPhone). Our #deterMiNICK crew – mom Mary, sister Amanda + husband James and friend Sonia – left for race start just before 6a. We had just parked when my phone rang: Nick was wondering where we were. I ran the half-mile to T1, grabbed his backpack and posed for a quick pic. After a hug and kiss, he raced off to the beach.

ready to race!

I met the crew shortly after, and we made our way through the sea of people to find a good spot near the water to watch the start. So many wetsuit clad triathletes – 2,800! – in lime green and hot pink swim caps! I searched for Nick and teammates with no luck, but turns out, he wasn’t too far away. After the race, I spotted him in a photo I took; he was just 25 feet away!

beach start.

swim start (photo courtesy of amanda).

birds (photo courtesy of amanda).

A two-lap swim for safety reasons (1.2 miles in, triathletes had to exit the gulf and run over a timing mat on the beach), Sonia and I found a front row spot near where triathletes re-entered the water. Other spectators had the same idea and our wading quickly turned into knee-deep salty waves and splashes waist high; my clothes were soaked (thank goodness we packed dry clothes)! We even saw teammate Sam smiling and ready to take on lap two.

sam always smiling 🙂

me and sonia.

paparazzi.

part of the crew.

mid swim.

As soon as we got word from Amanda that Nick had exited the water – she was on paparazzi duty on that side of the course – Sonia and I made a mad dash for bike out. There were too many people lined up yet so we found a spot and cheered like crazy when Nick cruised by (adjusting his Garmin). We stuck around until we saw our Performance Power teammates head out for the 112-mile ride (and then went to Waffle House for brunch, obviously).

nick on the bike out.

go, rob!

After brunch, we made a pit stop at the car to recharge our iPhones before making our way back to the bike in. Five hours goes by pretty quickly when you’re not going all out on the bike! Mary, Amanda and James positioned on one side, while Sonia and I scored a sweet spot right at bike dismount next to some super nice triathletes from Atlanta. They were volunteering to get first dibs on 2013 race registration (as were nearly all the other volunteers).

Anyway, I couldn’t believe how many triathletes didn’t see the line marking the bike dismount. Nearly everyone flew by it despite volunteers yelling to dismount. Nick’s dismount to T2 was actually pretty graceful – he didn’t even look tired after his 5:10 bike!

bike dismount.

determination.

Right after snapping pics, I raced around to the other side of the bike in to cheer for Nick on the run out. I made it over just in time to see him turn the first corner. With a huge smile on his face, he looked awesome, strong and ready for 26.2. I even got a high-five as he ran by!

lookin’ strong at run start.

A spectator-friendly two-loop run, we saw all of our P2 teammates twice – right at the start and again halfway through. Everyone looked strong and happy to be racing. While we waiting for everyone to come back around on the second loop, Sonia and I made a quick run to a nearby convenience store to refill our water and get a few snacks… spectating and cheering in the Florida sunshine is hard work! 😉

solid stride, D2!

team kyle 😉

more paparazzi.

By the time Nick came back around at 13.1 – after running the first half at about eight-minute per mile pace – the heat had crept up to the low 80s, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Not ideal when there’s zero shade for almost the entire 26.2, and immediately, I could tell he was tired and hurting. Pretty sure he had 10 sponges shoved down the back of his tri top and another tucked in his visor… perfect way to keep cool!

I walked with him for about a quarter-mile, encouraging him to power through. Just 13.1 miles to go! You got this! Right before he took off again, he handed me half a homemade frosted sugar cookie running buddy Hadley gave him and half deliriously told me to save it for him at the finish 🙂 (OK… I had a teeny bite… holy yum. She sure makes some tasty cookies!)

the second 13.1 was tough.

you got this, baby!

We cheered on the course for a bit longer after Nick went by and then made our way to the finish. So, so awesome to watch these dedicated triathletes cross the finish line, many emotional and all radiating happiness and pure joy. I even welled up as they finished. It’s tough not to when you know just how much dedication, determination and sacrifice goes into the months and months of training leading up to just one day.

Thanks to the IronTrac app, we had a pretty good idea of when Nick would be rounding the final corner down the chute. I made my way under the blue Ironman arch, ready to snap a few pictures and made some small talk with the official photographer sitting on the other side of the fence. He showed me a few of his shots… impressive finisher photos!

After a lull in finishers – about a two-minute break – we finally spotted Nick. Happiness beamed – beamed – from his face. And, as he ran closer, soaked in sweat and sponges still tucked down the back of his jersey and visor, he broke into a huge smile, gave some high-fives and kicked it across the finish line.

10:35.11.

Awesome.

finishing strong with high-fives from former P2ers!

you are an ironman!

I raced through the crowd the finishers’ area and gave him huge hug… and, got all sweaty and salty 🙂

post-race hugs.

recovery (notice the sponges).

so proud.

What a day! I’m inspired, motivated, in awe, proud and cannot wait – CANNOT WAIT! – for Ironman Canada on August 25, 2013!

BIG congratulations to every rock star Ironman and Iron{wo}man who raced IMFL!

it’s happening…!

After a lot of discussion, some hesitation, and the grace and generosity of two of the most amazing people on the planet, this happened yesterday…

registered.

Registration for Ironman Canada 2013 in Whistler is official.

OFFICIAL.

Whoa…!

I’m a little nervous already – and, keep pinching myself that I’m actually going to DO an ironman – but mostly ecstatic to race with my partner in crime at the first-ever 140.6 in Whistler. And, I can’t thank my parents enough for this incredible opportunity… truly the best birthday + Christmas present ever 🙂

ironman inspiration.

Last Sunday’s Ironman Wisconsin can be summed up in one word.

Inspirational.

From the moment the gun went off at 7a until 10:30p (and later) when triathletes were still pounding the State Street pavement, there wasn’t a second when I wasn’t accutely aware of the effort and determination that went into training and actually doing 140.6.

Nick and I arrived just in time for the start on Lake Monona – and, what a sight: thousands of lime green and hot pink swim caps bobbing in the water. Never having been to a WTC triathlon (just local tris and Nick’s 140.6 last year in Oklahoma), I had no idea it was an in-water swim start. Holy terrifying. I need to quell this fear if I plan on doing an iron[wo]man next year!

good morning from ironman wisconsin!

swim start.

After the swim started, we found a spot on the spiral ramp to cheer for triathletes running to T1. It was pretty cool to see the pros race by, but even cooler to see age-groupers, enormous smiles plastered on their faces.

the pros… i was too busy cheering when the age groupers ran by to snap any pics.

Even after most triathletes were on the bike, the energy on shore was contagious. The crowd roared as the last triathletes neared the end of the 2.4-mile swim – and neared the swim cutoff of 2:20. Not gonna lie, I teared up as the final rock star woman stood up and ran out of the water and then again when a couple others missed the cutoff by thismuch. After all that training, how heartbreaking.

last rock star woman out of the water.

kayaks.

Coffee in hand, we made our way back to the car and out to the hill on Old Sauk Road. It didn’t seem tough walking up it, but whoa… Nick and I biked it the following day, and I completely understand why some people walk their bikes up it. It is steep. At one point my Garmin read 12 percent grade.

The hill is also the place to cheer. The entire ascent was lined with cowbell-banging, speedo-wearing, sign-holding, wig-wearing, Sherpa-ing super fans who supported and helped motivate every single triathlete climbing that hill. Nick, teammates Suraya + Eric and I hollered our heads off, especially when we saw our teammates; all of them – Michele, Deion, Chris, Sarah, Vince, Chuck and Brian – beamed as they biked by.

wooo, michele!

yea, deion!

go, mo!

rock star sarah!

vince owning the hill.

nice climb, chuck!

one of the climbing crews, complete with a unicorn head + speedos.

super fans.

The hill crowd thinned out toward the end of the second loop, so we made our way back to State Street downtown Madison to get some food (cheering works up a voracious appetite…!) and cheer along the marathon course. People were everywhere, lining the streets and spilling into the sidewalks. Seeing so many race fans – support crews, volunteers, families, friends – was pretty awesome. Of all the races I’ve done or spectated, ironman fans take the cake. Never have I seen so many personalized t-shirts, crazy costumes and inspirational (and hilarious… ironman = worst threesome ever) signs at a race.

brian strong as he starts the second 13.1.

We snagged a sweet spot on the last corner before the finisher’s chute and hooted+hollered when friend Nick ran by en route to a third place age group finish – and a trip to Kona 2013. Wowza. Determination and hard work add up to incredible accomplishments. Big congrats, Nick!

what a race… nick is KONA bound!

We didn’t stop cheering until most of our teammates crossed the finish line (14 hours of yelling = hoarse voice for five days). And, as every single one ran by – several 140.6 first-timers – I couldn’t help but swell with happiness and excitement at their amazing accomplishment. I mean, it’s 140.6 miles. In a row. Pushing yourself to the very edge for nine to 16 consecutive hours. After months of training and many 20+ hours a week training.

So, so awesome.

Well done, ironmen and iron[wo]men! Thank you for motivating me to push a little harder on each and every workout, for showing me what can be done with dedication and persistence, for inspiring me to put 140.6 on my 2013 calendar. You are all amazing!

And, I can’t wait to be inspired again at Ironman Florida in November!