The IMWACO 70.3 will forever hold a special place in my heart. I truly believe that God had his hand on me throughout this incredible experience.

Race Day
The alarm jolted me awake at 4:30 a.m. I fueled up with coffee and breakfast before heading to the transition with my trusty sherpa, Steve.

Swim — 1.2 Miles, 1:07:40
After transition, Steve, Ron, and I began our 1-mile walk to the start. That morning, we were informed that the water temperature was over 80 degrees, and wetsuits were strongly discouraged. If we did wear one, we would have to enter the water last. I initially planned to wear my wetsuit and start in the back, but after chatting with friends, I decided to forgo it altogether. I wanted to start as soon as possible, especially since it was shaping up to be a hot day.
With a quick prayer for strength, I jumped in!

Almost immediately, my heart raced as I felt my body sink, leaving only my head above water. A rescue skidoo arrived with a floating mat, and I held on, struggling to calm my heart rate. They stayed for a moment before departing, and I tried again, only to feel paralyzed by fear. The skidoo arrived again; however, it took off before I could get my heart rate down leaving me in the water.  Just when I was about to give up, a young woman in a kayak appeared. She stayed with me, encouraging me to focus on my breathing.  She stayed with me until my heart rate came down.  I explained to her that I did not think I had enough time to finish because I was 20 minutes in and only at buoy two.  She encouraged me to do my best and not focus on time.  That is what I did.

Despite the chaos around me—being hit in the face and pushed under by other swimmers—I persevered. I finished the swim with just two minutes to spare!

T1 — 8:01
As I stumbled into transition, my friend Brandy was there, counting down the time to ensure I could make it out without a DNF. I slipped on my cleats and helmet, fueled by her support, and raced out just in time. Thanks, Brandy!

Bike — 58 Miles, 3:45:27
I started strong on the bike, but at mile 10, a pack of fast cyclists shouted at me to move to the right. The next thing I knew, my bike veered into a ditch. I woke up in the road with a kind triathlete praying over me. I don’t remember the fall or how I ended up there. The medics arrived quickly, but I felt sore and confused.

As I picked up my bike, I realized my front tire was blown, my left gear shifter was broken, and my hydration system was wrecked. After a 20-30 minute wait for a sag vehicle, a kind gentleman offered to help.  He asked if I would like to try and continue or sag back.  I told him I would like to try if we can get my bike in some kind of working order.  He had no experience with tubeless tires, but I had a tube and convinced him to assist me. We went by feel, unsure how much air to add but we guessed, and I was back on the road, albeit without a proper hydration system and a bike in disrepair. I knew there was a rest stop in 5 miles, so if all else failed I would sag in from there.

I knew I had 46 miles to go and just had to focus on finishing. Despite the pain and my broken bike, I made the cutoff! My friends cheered me on as I passed, and all I could say was, “NEVER AGAIN!”

T2 — 7:42
I took my time preparing for the 13.1-mile run, knowing I needed to pace myself. My plan was to jog slowly and walk if necessary.

Run — 13.1 Miles, 2:26:51
As I started my jog, a pounding headache and hip pain hit me, and sweat stung my wounds. I encountered Sheila and James, and my emotions welled up—I just wanted to cry. After a heartfelt chat, I pressed on.  I then spotted Steve, who told me he loved me and would support me if I decided to stop or press on. I told him I would listen to my body and go at my own pace.

During the run, I encouraged many first-timers, which helped distract me from my own pain. It was hot and I was hurting, but giving words of encouragement to others helped me in overcoming my own pain. 

Finish Time — 7:35:39
Crossing that finish line, I offered a prayer of thanksgiving. I felt without a doubt that God was watching over me, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

The only way to prepare for challenging moments is to face them head-on. Throughout my life, I’ve learned to adapt, adjust, and overcome, and that’s exactly what I did on this day. That is what pushed me through the finishers line.

Final Thoughts
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported me along the way. Thank you to the race organizers and volunteers, and especially to Mary for inspiring me to show up. A huge shoutout to my amazing support crew: Stacy, Brandy, Allison, Sheila, James, and my love, Steve.
​
Also, a big congratulations to my friends Mary, Ron, Charlie, and Patty for an unforgettable 70.3 finish!

What’s Next?
My bike and cleats are wrecked, but I’ve prevailed. As for future Ironman events, I’m not sure. For now, it’s time to heal and reflect on my incredible journey.

Since my last update, I have completed the Ogden Marathon, Steamboat Marathon, and 70.3 Maine. Each was a fantastic training event, though I admit I fell short in preparing for the challenging bike ride in Wisconsin.

Overall, I’m thrilled and deeply satisfied with the extraordinary experience I had at the magical race venue in Madison, Wisconsin. While the race didn’t go as planned, I remind myself that life rarely does. I’m proud to have accomplished something that not many people can claim, and I’m grateful for every moment of the journey!

RACE DAY:
My alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. I fueled with coffee and breakfast before heading to the swim start with Steve, Stacy, and Marty for my 7:00 a.m. wave. We walked to the transition area where I prepped my bike, then ventured to the swim start. I was a bit anxious, recalling a severe panic attack I had in Maine and struggled with foggy goggles. 

Swim — 2.4 miles, 1:39:38
After a 15-minute wait, it was finally my turn to jump--well, walk--into the water. With a quick prayer for strength, I joined 1,400 other swimmers. The swim consisted of two big loops. I kept a slow and steady pace, opting to stay on the outside to avoid the congestion. Although I managed to avoid a panic attack, my goggles continued to fog up, requiring frequent stops to clear them. While frustrating, I progressed on and was determined to succeed. After exiting the water, a “stripper” helped me with my wetsuit, and I jogged shivering up to T1 at the top of the parking garage.

T1 — 15:11
Anticipating the cold morning, I was prepared with an extra tri kit, jacket, sleeves, and gloves for the bike leg. A kind volunteer assisted me in changing and getting ready. I put on my cleats, helmet, and jacket, then headed out.

Bike — 112 miles; 7:31:16
The bike course featured two scenic, hilly loops. Despite my enjoyment of the route, lower back pain slowed me down. After four hours in, I reached the halfway pointed and stopped for my lunch break. I enjoyed a sandwich, pretzels, and beloved Nutter Butters, chatted with volunteers for about 15 minutes, and then set off to complete the second loop, noticing the wind was picking up. 

I pushed harder, in order to ensure I made the cut off time. Although the second loop had more wind, it was just as exhilarating as the first loop. I relished the downhill stretches, chatting and laughing along the way. I completed the second loop 45 minutes faster, though my lower back pain persisted.

T2 — 9:59
I handed off my bike to a volunteer and made my way back into the convention center to prepare for the marathon. Another wonderful volunteer helped me get ready for the run.

Run — 27.2 miles, 4:57:54
As I began my run, my lower back was aching. I was mindfully maintaining a slow and steady pace. I enjoyed the course and the company of new friends until I tripped and fell while running uphill, landing hard on the cement. I face-planted but took a moment to look up at the stars. I was grateful to have already made it this far and prayed for strength to carry me to the finish. Medics arrived promptly and helped me up. I continued toward the finish line.

As I approached the finish line, I saw Steve, Marty, and Stacy cheering me on. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, I extended my arms wide, embracing the finish line. I heard the familiar announcement, “Pollyann Keller, you are an IRONMAN” for the 12th time. I found a quiet spot to offer a brief prayer of thanks.

Finish Time — 14:33:55
In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for this incredible day and everyone who supported me along the way. Thank you to the race organizers and volunteers and a special thanks to my amazing support crew: Stacy, Marty, and my love, Steve.

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” - Alexander the Great

Run a Marathon-check ✅ 
Qualify & Run Boston Marathon ✅ 
100 Marathons ✅ 
Run a Marathon in every state with my hubby ✅  
Ultra trail runs ✅  
70.3 Ironman ✅  
11 Full Ironman's ✅ 
Kona World Championship ✅ 

What’s on the docket to accomplish in 2024? What new challenge is on my horizon? I actually don’t know (at least not yet). What I DO know is that I won’t settle for anything less than challenging my full potential (and for that, I am aiming high). Fear of failure will not be a barrier in my pursuit (whatever new challenge that may be). 

When I look back at the checklist of goals I have achieved over the years, I realize one important consideration that helped me persist: I do not let the fear of failure cripple me; instead I fear not trying or actualizing my potential. I think many people think they need to be perfectly ready to face a challenge; but what I know to be true is that overcoming the fear and trying anyway is a huge part of the challenge in the first place (and often one of the most satisfying rewards once the goal is met). Overcome YOUR fear (of failure/ not being ready/ not being enough/ etc.) and move forward to achieving YOUR goals. 

Fear of failure derives from various causes. One such cause is having unsupportive or critical parents.  Someone routinely undermined or humiliated in childhood, carries those negative feelings into adulthood. Risks feel ultra-high stakes because the ego is afraid that failing at something means they themselves ARE a failure. Another source is experiencing a traumatic event in your life. As a child, I almost drowned swimming when I was younger, and my mom had to jump in and save me. I carried that fear ever since. When I was 45, I taught myself to swim from videos on YouTube while training for my first sprint tri. And if I am honest, that fear still challenges me; however, I still jump in.

When we try anyway, we get better and push the boundaries for our potential. Now my focus is on not having a panic attack in an open-water-ocean swim without a wetsuit. If I hadn’t faced my fear at 45 and learned to swim in a shallow pool with floaties… I wouldn’t have actualized my potential as an Ironman World Champion athlete. I don’t say that to tout a fancy title, but rather to show how far we can push ourselves if we are honest, vulnerable, and attempt to overcome despite fear being present. 

It's impossible to go through life without experiencing some kind of failure (Some of us more than others). Those who live so far in the safety of their comfort zone don’t go far. Put simply, they're not really living at all. But the wonderful thing about failure is that it's entirely up to us to decide how to look at it. And perspective is everything. We can choose to see failure as "the end of the world," or proof of just how inadequate we are. OR we can look at failure as the incredible learning experience that it often is.

Every time we fail at something, we can choose to look for the lesson we're meant to learn. These lessons are very important; they're how we grow, and how we keep from making that same mistake again. Failures stop us only if we let them. Think of the opportunities you'll miss if you let your failures stop you. Failure can help you discover how strong you are.  For example, If I would have allowed failure to stop me, I would have never graduated from college.  When I graduated from high school, I had a second-grade reading level. It took me ten years to graduate from college. There were basic classes in math and reading I had to take THREE Times because I failed the first two times. But I persisted, tried again, and worked hard… and graduated. 

Failing at something can help you discover your potential or help you find unexpected motivation to succeed. Often, valuable insights come only after a failure. Accepting and learning from those insights is key to succeeding in life. It's important to realize that in everything we do, there's always a chance that we'll fail. Accepting that chance, and embracing it, is not only courageous, but it also gives us a fuller, more rewarding life.

If you’re someone who fears failure or you’re trying to navigate a challenge and what to check in on how to minimize fear impeding your process, let me share some of the strategies I have utilized to help me overcome fear of failing: 

·       Positive thinking: “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results” -Willie Nelson
·       Power of Spoken word: Speak " out loud" life, encouragement, and confidence into your situation when times get hard (counterpunch your fear with the spoken word!)
·       Explore/Accept the worst-case scenario: “The sooner you look at the big picture, the faster you can move forward” - Stephanie Gassman
·        Have a Plan B: If you’re afraid of failing at something, having a "Plan B" in place can help you feel more confident about moving forward.  My personal Plan B is "if I fail, I will learn from it and try again.”
·       Visualization: Create the vision of what you want to achieve and lean into that picture as if it has already happened. 

Stop. Living. in. Fear.

Start by setting a goal. The goal should be slightly–but not overwhelmingly–challenging. Think of these goals as “small wins" that are designed to help boost your confidence. For example, if you’ve been afraid to do an open water swim, just get in the open water and move around. Get comfortable being in the water and after a while start swimming with a wet suit and then eventually transition to just a bathing suit. Or imagine that you've dreamed of returning to school to get that degree you have always wanted but you're convinced that you're not smart enough. Set a goal to talk with a school counselor or admissions officer to see what's required for admission.

Try to make your goals tiny steps on the route to much bigger goals. Don't focus on the end picture alone (you might vizualize it but you need to be present on the journey and where you are).  So instead of just focusing on doing the Ironman or graduating with a degree, just focus on the next step: getting into the water or  talking to an admissions officer. That's it.​

Taking one small step at a time will help build your confidence, keep you moving forward, and prevent you from getting overwhelmed with the vision of your final goal (or the fear that you might fail at achieving it).

“I WILL NEVER QUIT!  IF YOU QUIT YOU ARE DONE!  I WILL PERSEVERE AND THRIVE THROUGH ADVERSITY! BEING FEARLESS IS HAVING LOTS OF FEAR AND JUMPING IN ANYWAY! THOSE WHO DO NOT JUMP WILL NEVER FLY” -LEENA ALMASHAT

​I was a little anxious about going on RAGBRAI because I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was also very excited for a new adventure. While I have done back-to-back rides such as the MS150--which is 100 miles on the first day and 50 on the second-- I have never done 7 days of back-to-back rides. I didn't know what that timeline looked or felt like, but I was ready to embrace it.  

Day 1
I woke up early and was ready to GO!  Four of us got ready, loaded the trailer for our driver and then set out on our adventure.  We split up early due to the mass amount of people.  I embraced the day, took it all in, made new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the 77 miles. After the ride and lunch, I made it to the RV only to find out one of our riders had wrecked and was in the hospital.  Fortunately, he would be okay but unfortunately, he could not go on.  We spent the evening finding his bike so we could return it to him before moving on to the next town. 

Day 2
Lacy and I set out early.  I had an absolute blast with all my new friends. I finished 62 miles feeling strong.  After the ride, we met up at the RV, had a nice sit-down dinner and explored the convention.  It was a fun day!         
  
Day 3               
Lacy, Ken and I set out early.  Another great day of riding.  You could choose the 80-mile route or the 100 mile.  Of course, I chose the 100!  I did stop at mile 80 for a brisket sandwich and some live music before I headed back to the RV.  We had a nice dinner and called it a night.

Day 4
Lacy and I were up early and ready for our easiest day of the week.  This day I took it easy, spun my legs out and enjoyed talking with my new friends I met along the way.  We got done early so we went and ate while we were waiting for the RV to arrive.  This night was the big concert we had been waiting for, Lynyrd Skynyrd.  We went and it was an EPIC night. 

 Day 5
I was up early and feeling strong.  I knew it would be a hot & hilly day, and it was.  I took my time, enjoyed my new friends and finished 90 miles. That evening, we went to a nice a restaurant in town where you cooked your own meat and it hit the spot.  I enjoyed the company and had a lot of laughs that night--fun time had by all.

Day 6
I was on my own this morning.  I knew it would be hot and hilly, so I wanted to get an early start. I was still feeling strong and blissful.   This was my favorite ride of the week.  I spent a lot of time in Amana. Around mile 60 I took a break to have a brat & beer while listening to some good German music with my new friends.  85 more miles done.  This evening the storms rolled in, so we hung out in the RV and just enjoyed each other’s company.

Day 7
I was on my own again this morning.  It was a hot day and I had to conquer the last 75 miles, which I did!!!  Mission Accomplished.  I received my award, put my tire in the river and then went to hang out with the gang to celebrate our achievement.

The activity of pedaling a bicycle wasn’t the main attraction of this event for me. I’ve always maintained that the act of cycling many miles is only exercise, no different than jogging on a treadmill or swimming laps in a pool. But what makes it so special--and so addicting--are the bonds that are formed with the people while participating. RAGBRAI gave me that opportunity and I am so grateful for this EPIC experience. 

Thank you, Lacy, Ken, Amanda, Terry for taking such good care of me and letting me be part of the team. So many great conversations, laughs, good music, food and 539 miles of riding.  I HAD A BLAST.

"THE PURPOSE OF LIFE, AFTER ALL, IS TO LIVE IT. TO TASTE EXPERIENCE TO THE UTMOST. TO REACH OUT EAGERLY AND WITHOUT FEAR FOR A NEW AND RICHER EXPERIENCE."  -Eleanor Roosevelt

The morning of July 3rd Jake, Sierra, Steve and I flew to Portland and met our oldest daughter, Liz.  We then went to have a delicious breakfast (cornmeal pancakes with blueberries) and did some sight-seeing.
We checked into the hotel and met Aaron (Sierra’s boyfriend) and later met my uncle and cousin for dinner (still full from breakfast, I optioned for chicken salad).  It was a great day!
 
We called it an early night knowing we had to get up at 4am for a 6am marathon start.  At 11pm the fire alarm started chirping. We called the lobby and they sent someone with a battery replacement.  One hour later the chirping starts again.  We ultimately moved rooms around 1 am and our long night included a short amount of sleep. 
 
By 5 am we were off to Sauvie Island for The Foot Traffic Flat Marathon.  Jake, Sierra, and my Uncle Rolf ran the 5k. Aaron, my uncle John, and cousin Kelsey ran the half marathon, and I ran the full marathon. 
 
I was unsure how the marathon was going to go because I had just finished a full Ironman two weeks prior and unsure how (or even if) my body had completely healed.  I also knew it was going to be a high of 97 degrees that day.
 
Once the marathon started, I made it my goal to get as far as I could before the heat picked up.  The views were beautiful: the river on one side and farmland on the other.  I had a 1:49 half marathon.  I was feeling strong, but my quads were getting tight.  I was drinking a lot of water anticipating the coming heat. While hydrating would aid in protection from overheating, I needed to stop at rest stations frequently.  At mile 20 my quads had completely cramped, so I started to do a 10-minute run and 1 min walk to give them rest.  I finished Strong with a 3:58:10 finish and 2nd in my age group.

What an amazing way to start my 50th year around the sun.  Feeling strong, healthy and with a 3:58 marathon finish time.  Let the Birthday celebration begin!  We all met for lunch after the marathon at a floating dock restaurant with amazing views to kick off my celebration. We laughed and shared stories from the good ole days.

The kids, Steve and I then went to Liz’s where she hosted an amazing 50th birthday bash with the grandkids. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate!

 Steve and I spent the rest of the week in Salem and on the Oregon coast with our children and grandchildren. The week was filled with a lot of fun, laughter, hiking, time at ocean shores and of course yummy food. 

I cannot think of a better way to celebrate half-a-century on this earth: a challenge, good food, and most importantly incredible company.