sh!t just got real, IMMD training camp, and Xena's maiden voyage

And just with that, a click of a button, shit. just. got. real.

Yikes!  I've been thinking and talking about Ironman for years... as in one day, before I'm 40, but always in the abstract, never any solid plans.  At some point, I stumbled upon a race report, the story of a women I have never met, and suddenly I wanted it, Ironman Cozumel.  It's what I set my mind on... what a great place to do Ironman!  Then the years passed, I went to grad school and took a break from racing, and then joined Team Z last spring.  Unfortunately [for me], the team is racing Ironman Cozumel *this* year, and that just isn't in the cards for me.  I also know that if I am going to do Ironman, I am going to want [and need] the support of the team.  The team selected two races for 2015, neither of which I originally put my support behind (I think I voted for Florida and Arizona).  So, I set about choosing between the two venues... and at the end of the day, it came down to logistics, and my best chance of becoming an Ironman in 2015.

And with that, I made the commitment to myself to race Ironman in 2015.  Things started happening quickily after that decision was made.  On June 19, I signed up to volunteer at this year's race with the anticipation of getting early registration on-site the day after.  Then, I registered for Eagleman 70.3, the natural warm-up race, sharing the same course as IMMD.  I got my Vo2Max test done on the bike (maps out your heart rate zones, which is how we train), and scheduled one for my run.  Hell, I even booked my place to stay over Ironman weekend 2015!!  Trust me, Cambridge is tight on lodging options... the time I did Eagleman (AquaBike in preparation for Redman 70.3 in 2008) I had to stay all the way in Salisbury.  This time, I am getting on top of things!  Besides, one less thing for me to worry about later...

Xena: Warrior Princess; Strong Fighter
(aka, EXACTLY what I'm going to need to become IRONMAN... my inspiration for
the name came from a sweet little puppy who overcame all odds, Xena the Warrior Puppy)

On Labor Day weekend, I went bike shopping with my dad.  Andrea had recently bought a new tri bike for her upcoming Ironman this year, and made the point that when else would she be riding her bike so much.  I thought about it, and she was absolutely right.  And, for me, if there was ever time to buy a tri bike, it was now, for this race and this specific course.  Furthermore, this was the time of year to buy, when there were previous year closeouts available.  I completely lucked out!  After a day in Baltimore getting fitted and testing a few bikes, I made a few phone calls and found a bike (2013 closeout Cervelo P3) that fit me perfectly at local Bonzai!  And with that, I welcomed Xena into my life.

Then, with a stroke of luck, they gave priority registration to everyone who had already signed up for Eagleman, and on Sep 16, a full 382 days prior to race date, I signed up for Ironman Maryland 2015!  Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!

First road trip in the new car -- amazing weather to drive with the roof down!

It's with nervous excitement that I packed up Xena and the car and headed to Cambridge to experience Ironman for the first time, including volunteering in the women's changing tent, and train with my team and everyone who's getting ready for Ironman Cozumel in a few months.

The house was amazing, and I only wish there was more time to enjoy it.
That's the view from the long road/driveway leading up to the house, the back of the house
from the water's edge, and the view from the widow's tower.

I drove directly to the rental house that I was sharing with some other Zers who were volunteering, which was about 30 minutes past the race site, but necessary as I don't have a lock on my new bike rack yet.  I was in a bedroom with 4 twin beds, but in the end, 2 of the ladies didn't show up (they made a day trip out of it, I think), so it ended up just being me and Tricia (who, unlike reported earlier, is not signing up for IMMD 2015 which disappoints me, but good for her for making a decision that is best for her!).  From there, I drove to Great Marsh Park with my swim gear, 30 minutes late for when some teammates were meeting to swim.  I thought I had time to get in a small swim anyway, except when I got there, people were getting out and describing their experience as a washing machine, and probably inadvisable for me to get in.  I heeded their advice and made my way over to the team dinner before going back to the house and relaxing with some wine.

Holy choppy, the Choptank river lives up to its name!
No swimming for me!

I was awake bright and early on Saturday morning, got dressed and made my way back to the race site.  I wanted to get there early enough to get a parking spot, and be sure to get a good view to watch the swim start.  Not a problem, and I soon found some Zers as I just took in all the excitement of racers setting up their nutrition and last minute adjustments to their gear bags.  I felt the energy and tried to imagine what everyone was feeling, if they were doing their first or their 10th Ironman, if they were nervous about the swim, or bike cutoff times, or were hopeful for a personal best time.

I got caught up watching the swim so much that once again, I found myself late for the team workout.  Oh well, I had nothing but time on my hands, and I was not doing 16 miles like many teammates who are training for Ironman Cozumel, so I could do my measly 3(ish) miles whenever.  I walked over to the Team Z tent that was set up on the run course, and did my run along the first part of the bike course (opposite side of the road and mostly in the grass to stay out of the way).  It was nice watching all the bikers go by and even got to see Mary and Val as they passed me.  Then it was just relaxing at the Team Z tent and eating lunch until it was time for me to head to my volunteer shift.  I will say that the saddest part of my day was when I wandered to the edge of the water [to hide behind a car and change out of my run clothes] just in time to see the swim cut-off, and all the people working so hard to reach the beach as the announcer counted down from 5 minutes... and people being SO close (seriously, there were people who had just stood up and were heading out of the water) and not making it.  I felt terrible for those people.

Look at the difference in the river from the choppiness the day before...
What do you think is the net value of bikes here is?!!!

Volunteering was an amazing experience!  I worked the women's changing tent and got to see every single racer, from the eventual winner to the very last person who just barely made the cut-off at 5:29 PM.  This was probably a lesser-desired shift to take - lots of nakedness and helping people rub vaseline in places inside a very stuffy tent - but I picked up on a lot of tips and how-to's that I will surely be thankful for:  disposable toothbrush to get the gel taste out of your mouth, bring your own baby wipes, body glide, blister repair kit, advil.  Some people came in and sat down.. for awhile.. some people did full wardrobe changes, and some (the leaders) simply changed their shoes and headed out.  There were 2 women who came in - separately - who had crashed on the bike, couldn't move their arm at all, needed help putting their running shoes on, but refused medical attention and wanted to go ahead with the run.  I also got to see both Mary and Val again!  There really were just some amazing women and amazing stories, so the changing tent was a great place for me to be.  I was absolutely EXHAUSTED after my shift, but Deb tells me that means I did a good job and will be good mojo for me next year... I'll go with that!

That's actually a Zer (Jordan A.) crossing the finish line!

Then, it was back to the Team Z tent for 6 more hours of cheering - so many racers, so many incredible people!  And then... the finish line!  Contrary to what I've heard from other racers, this finish line was not crowded, there was plenty of spaces in the bleachers.. but the lights and music and watching those finishers dance their way down the chute, it was just as amazing as I had imagined.  I'm sure there were a bunch of people pulled from the run course for not making earlier cutoffs (there is a time limit for each of the 3 loops) as I did not see some of the people I'd helped change and was watching for... but every single person who made it onto the 3rd loop crossed the finish line with time to spare!  It would have been hard to watch someone get all that way and miss it by only a few minutes (which, by the way, is a position I might find myself in next year... train! train! train!).

Xena's maiden voyage... on the Ironman course!
Check out those splits for the out and back ride... can you tell which way the wind was going?!

I was simply exhausted for the drive back to the house after midnight, but woke up early again on Sunday, and for once made it to the team workout on time!  I started out with a group of riders, and for the first time, was able to keep up without trying too hard!  We stayed in a group and I was happy to hear that Jen F. and Sherri were also only doing 20 miles (most people were going long, 50-100 miles, but I'm not training for anything and just wanted to get out on the new bike and give her a whirl).  I did practice riding in the aero position on the back half (don't worry, I separated myself from the ladies until I was comfortable) and realized I'm going to have to work on my neck and shoulder muscles!  The 3 of us finished together, concluding the long, exhausting, but totally-worth-it weekend.  I stopped at Sonic for a breakfast sandwich and milkshake on my way home, took a long-overdue shower and curled up on the couch for the rest of the day.