Post-Ironman Life; What’s Next?

Finishing Ironman wasn’t the life changing event I thought it would be. I’m not exactly sure I’ve ever had a life changing event in my life other than moving across country to live in Colorado five years ago.

However, I can’t stop thinking about June 21st. Every thing fell into place that day. Every thing worked for me that day. Nothing hurt. Nothing broke. I finished with a time I am proud of. I can't help wondering: what’s next?

If I had all the money in the world, I would sign up for Ironman Lake Placid 2010. I love going back to the area where I grew up and perhaps my entire family could be there too. I would enter more triathlons this summer in Colorado (off road and on road). I would buy a tri bike.
But alas, I do not have all the money in the world.

For now, I will work on my running and mountain biking; get back on the trails instead of the road. I will sign up for a mountain bike race at Winter Park Resort. I will run the Boulder Marathon in September. I will buy a Winter Park Season Pass and downhill ski as much as I can. I will spend a week next summer with my family at Disney World and ride all the roller coasters with my nieces and nephews. I will work on getting my book published and get more writing assignments. I will go to Writer’s Group every Monday morning at the Fraser Library. I will remember every family and friend’s birthday this year.

Thank you My Nemesis’: the hills, the wind, the cold temperatures, the rain, and especially the elevation – 8,000 feet. You all helped me become Ironman. You made every workout tough. You made me exhausted. You made me strong.

But most of all, Thank you to my support team: Mom & Dad.

Thank you Kim & Lyle for calming me and reassuring me that I was on the right path. And for reminding me, in so many ways, what is really important.

Thank you to my Ironman Training Friends & Bloggers (and you know who you all are). Thanks for the training rides and runs. For answering a zillion questions and inspiring me to train harder.

There is another Ironman in my future. I can’t wait for the training to begin.

Race Report - Ironman Coeur d'Alene June 21, 2009

The waves in the lake tossed me around for 90 minutes. I swam into people. They swam into me. But it was manageable. I swallowed a lot of water and thought about all the lakes and oceans I swam in throughout my life and the time went by. The waves kept pounding me.

I just kept breathing.

Out of the water into the transition. A woman and man stripped my wet suit and told me where to go. In the tent, another volunteer took my transition bag, opened it, took out socks and bike shoes and put them on for me. I moved very, very slowly, put my bike jersey over my head, then my helmet. Another volunteer put sun block on my legs, arms, and face. I grabbed my bike, with the help of volunteers pointing me in the right direction. I got on my bike and reminded myself to take it easy. The course was less challenging terrain than my training rides so I felt great. I drank every 15 minutes. I ate every 30 minutes. I stood up every 40 minutes. I didn’t want to look at my odometer too soon. But before I knew it, I was at 88 miles. My bike cooperated. I kept talking to her: “You’re doing great.” She didn’t let me down. It was a bit cool but I was used to this temperature and I sucked it up. Long sleeves would’ve been better but it was okay.

I just kept spinning. And doing my nutrition.

Back into transition, a volunteer took my bike and I walked into the tent. I was helped again with socks and shoes. Put on my visor and off to the run. I saw Mom and Dad and smiled; I felt amazing.

I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. And eating and drinking.

I looked at my watch; I had been doing this for 13 hours and I was 2 miles away from the finish. I couldn’t believe it. I thought I’d finish closer to 15 hours. I walked a bit longer through the aid stations. I walked past the aid stations. As soon as I turned the corner and saw the finish line, I ran again. Past the people cheering in town. Past the people on the bleachers. Over the finish line, and the announcement I wanted to hear more than anything: “Kristen Lodge, You are Ironman”. I got my finisher hat and walked through the chute to my mom who hugged me for a very long time.

It was awesome. It was hard. It was fun.

I am Ironman.

I Finished

Official Time: 13:34:28

La Quinta - spanish for free internet

I love La Quinta's marketing campaign; they change what La Quinta means in spanish each month. Since I have free internet I get to post and tell you what's going on.
First, I love saying La Quinta. Second, they have a pool and hot tub. Did I mention free breakfast with waffles. And, the most important thing, they welcomed me today with this:

















When I drove across country 5 years ago I was a Motel 6 girl. The motels allowed dogs and they always "left a light on for me"; and I was on a budget. Now I just like La Quinta.

I had a tough couple days driving out. Car problems. After talking to Kim and Lyle, I feel better about the situation. Kim told me, "You have one job to do, to finish Ironman. Don't worry about anything else." Aren't sisters and brother-in-law's awesome? They talked me down, off the ledge.

I can do this.

Then I got on my bike. I love that I can breathe at 2,000 feet. (I also don't get winded when I run up the stairs in my hotel) I rode outside of town into the suburbs with manicured lawns and softball games. I rode next to the Spokane River. My 30 minute ride turned into 60 minutes; I felt so good riding.

I can do this.

Tomorrow is a practice swim in Lake Coeur d'Alene. I hear the temperatures is "warm" - 65 degrees. That is so awesome.

I might just do this.

Summer's here and the time is right For racin' in the street - Bruce

Tomorrow I head out to Coeur d'Alene.
I'm so excited.
I'm not scared today. Perhaps tomorrow and all the days leading up to it.

5 days.

Thanks to everyone who emailed, called, text'd. You are all awesome.

My next post will hopefully be about me finishing. Stayed tuned.

"Not a care in the world, not a worry in sight, everything’s gonna be alright cuz you’re the lucky one" ~Alison Krauss

I practiced riding in a rain/thunder/lightening storm last night. It was good practice in case the rain keeps up in Coeur d’Alene. I didn’t sleep well last night. I had my reoccurring dream of forgetting to do something before Ironman. I wake up and run to the kitchen in a panic and then realize that it doesn’t make any sense; I’m not forgetting anything. “not a worry in sight” – I wish.

I got some things done on my list:
New Bike Tire – Check
Consult with an Ironman Finisher on last minute questions – Check
Father’s Day Present – Check

Lots of things left to do including buying more GU, neoprene cap, arm warmers, goggles, and pack.

Tonight is the Adopt a Trail meeting in Winter Park. I hope to have time for a quick bike ride/run after the meeting.

Week 2 Almost Over

I’m heading over to the pool in a few minutes for an hour swim. Then, a 2 hour bike after work, then week 2 of 20 is over. A 9 hour week. I’m feeling good. My foot bothered me a little running yesterday but the interesting part of feeling the pain – it kept my mind off the monotony of running. It wasn’t screaming pain, just a low-grade pain. Even while running, the pain comes and goes.

The Good:
I finally reached my Ironman weight goal this week.
I made a road trip cd this morning.
I’m making lists. I have lists all over the place. Lists for equipment to bring. Lists of what not to forget. Lists of all the things to do before I leave. I love making lists.

The Bad:
I’m not eating ice cream, chips, or chocolate; my addiction this week has been blueberry muffins.
I still need to get a new back tire for my bike and I’m procrastinating.
It’s raining in Coeur d’Alene. I hope it doesn't rain on race day. I’ve never raced in rain.

I have my Ironman Number

Bib # 2319 - You can follow me here http://ironman.com/ on race day.

A Great Day at Boulder Res - I'm Just Breathing

I have a love/hate relationships with Boulder, Colorado. I love it when I do well in races and I hate everything about the town when I don’t do well.

Today, I had a great afternoon at Boulder Res. I did the 2 loops that have been evading me, and confidence has been restored. I think I just needed to get used to the choppy, cold water and the people all around me. At one point there was an annoying swimmer who kept swimming into me so I had to swim faster to get ahead of him (his swim cap looked manly). That kept my mind occupied.

But the real thing that kept me going was a song. I’m not a religious person, but I love the music of Peggy Mann. She is a musician who lives in Grand Lake and I’ve seen her perform many times. My favorite song is I’m Just Breathing. I kept this song in my head during the entire swim and it had such a calming influence on me. She hasn’t released a CD with this song on it but I’m hoping to get a mp3 of it soon.

The beginning of the song that I like:

“I’m just breathing. Breathing in and out. Taking it all in and living with some doubt. I’m just breathing taking one day at a time. Try to figure out this thing called life. Sometimes it takes my breath away, sometimes it takes me by surprise. Sometimes there are no words to say, some times all you can do is cry.”

My foot didn’t bother me during the run and I feel like I finished strong.

Now I’m just catching up on the Ironman Athlete Guide and all the rules.














Life is Good. Or like the RV I saw today with the wheel cover on the back: Vida est Bien.

My first injury 10 days before Ironman

I have a neuroma. It's in my left foot. The pain has been bothering me off and on for the last week. When I run some times it's aggrevated and some times there is no pain at all.

This is where the pain is:




Hopefully it doesn't get worse. Maybe I can wrap it in bubble wrap.

Last Long Run and Coyotes

This morning was my last long run. I did a loop by the Headwaters Golf Course. As I was heading up the last hill a coyote runs out in front of me. At first I thought it was a dog but there are no houses nearby. I stopped running for a minute and was afraid to look to see where it went. After a minute I looked over and it was looking at me. Scary! I started walking slowly then began running again. Holy Cow.


It looked like this:

I finished my run and felt good and wasn't killed by a wild animal.

Tomorrow will be my last long ride with George. I’ll do a brick. I will hope for good weather. Then really, I’m going to start tapering.

I can’t believe I will be heading to Idaho in a week. I’m excited and scared to death. I’m ready physically but mentally, not sure.

Last full week, and taper.

I wish I did more long swims
I wish I did more long rides.
I wish I did more bricks.
I wish I did more long runs.
But what can you do?
You do the best you can with what you have.
You hope for the best.
And with this, I start Week 2.
This morning I am heading to the pool to do an unscheduled, 60 minute swim.
This week I have one more Stroke & Stride where I plan to do 2 loops.
I hope to ride a little everyday despite snow and rain every day in the forecast.

The world you desire can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours. (Atlas Shrugged)

Stroke & Stride

I had a tough day at the Boulder Reservoir.
I have mixed emotions about any race in Boulder. It’s good to get out of the mountains but whenever I race down there, I always come home feeling inferior.
The athletes at any race in Boulder are amazing. Driving into the venue, every car has Ironman stickers. The people are all beautiful with amazing physiques.
They all seem to know each other. I hear them talking about their ailments: hips, feet.
I hear them talk about the water temperature at Coeur d’Alene.

I find my transition spot and put on my wetsuit.
It feels tight. I warm up in the water; it’s cold but feels okay. I can do this. 2 loops.

Once I start swimming I can’t get into a groove. The water is so cold and I can't breathe out when my head is in the water. At one point I swallow water and can’t breathe. I’m almost hyperventilating. I look up and see 3 men in a boat. They don’t look alarmed at all. Will they save me? I catch my breath. I start to breaststroke. I decide to only do one lap.

Ego busted.

I run the 5K as fast as I can. I think about Ironman. Can I do the 2.4 mile swim? Will I even make it to the bike?

I get to my car and my phone is ringing. It’s my ole friend Brad from Maine via South Carolina. I tell him what happened. He asks, “Did you finish?” I say, “Yes”. He says, “You had a bad day. Try it again. You’ll do it.” I ask, “What about Ironman? What if I can’t do it?” He states, “You will do it.”

Bike Ride 43 degrees

I'm heading out for my ride. It's 43 degrees, windy, and it took me forever to get ready: tights, layers. Coeur d'Alene was 80 today. I never even trained in weather this warm.

water temperature

Lake Coeur d'Alene water temperature as of today 62.02F.
I can live with that.