Being a Sherpa is an enormous responsibility and when your athlete is your wife, there is no room for error.  Your athlete needs your logistical support and more importantly, your emotional support. The role as a sherpa is filled with plenty of excitement as well as monotonous down time, but the rewarding feeling you get when your athlete crosses the finish line, makes every minute worth it.

With this trip being overseas, there was the unique stressor of having to transport the athletes’ bike via commercial air. What could go wrong? No bike, no Ironman.  Throughout all three plane connections, it was my responsibility to comfort my athlete and assure her everything would be okay, even though I knew the baggage handlers didn’t share my concern. In the end, the bike made it safely and all was good, or so I thought…

Once we arrived in Klagenfurt, we settled in our room, but that’s when I noticed my athlete was beginning to show dreadful signs of hanger.  This means nothing will be enjoyable until her hunger is satisfied. Her eyes go from blue to red and small little horns begin to sprout from each side of her temples.  We found a hole-in-the-wall Doner place, and we dined like starving animals. We left and suddenly my athlete was appreciating everything about the town of Klagenfurt.

We spent the next day touring and had an amazing time in this beautiful town. 
Then it was the highly anticipated and eventful day we had been waiting for, race day.  We got to the start, and I know my athlete struggles with the open water swim so, I kissed her and watched her leave for the water. I was following her progress on the Ironman app tracker. After 45 minutes of tracking, she appeared to be progressing well, so I took the opportunity to grab some breakfast back at the hotel. As I was eating my breakfast, I noticed the tracker froze at the finishing point of the swim 40 minutes sooner than she has ever finished in past. In that moment, I knew something was off and I needed to ditch my breakfast to run 1.5 miles back to the race to check on my athlete. As I ran back and arrived at the race, my athlete was still in the same location on the app tracker, but nowhere in sight. As a reminder, this race is in a foreign country and nearly nobody spoke English. As I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off, panic begins to rise as worse case scenarios begin to run through my head. I continued the search for my missing wife. Next thing I knew, I saw an ambulance coming from the swim out and had no doubt it was carrying my wife. This was hands down one of the most helpless moments of my life. Tears welling, I thought my wife drowned.  Watching the riders come on to the course and fearing the worst, I hear “STEVEN I’M COLD!” as my athlete rode past me on her bike. WTH! It was the best sound I have ever heard! Turns out, there was just a glitch in the tracking app and my athlete was alive and well. Lesson learned: DO NOT trust the Ironman tracking app.

I went back to the hotel and decided to go for a run and get my head together.  Just a short run to break a sweat and then get back to the IM. Or so I thought.  At about mile 3 I realized I was totally lost with no water, no phone and no one to ask for help.  Trying to retrace my route back to the hotel, I realized I was hopelessly lost.  It was heating up and I knew this could get ugly.  Every house and street looked the same and realized I’m screwed.  At mile 7, I happened to see a city bus about a mile away. This could be my saving grace.  I ran to where the bus drove by and looked to my right and there was my hotel! Praise Jesus! 

Headed back to the IM venue to see my athlete begin her run.  I found a bench to sit and eat dinner while waiting for my athlete to begin the run. Enjoying my brat and beer I began to relax.  My athlete came out and I gave her a kiss and yelled “RUN ALTER FRAU!”  (Run Old Woman!) I cracked myself up and the locals laughed also.  Probably thinking stupid American.  My athlete was safely on the running course, so I returned to my cold beer and brat.  Several minutes later I hear some commotion and look to my left to see an athlete full on laid out on his back.  I observed serval people come up to him and ask in German what I think is “are you ok?”  I saw him nod.  Pretty soon everyone leaves, and I see him alone.  I have been to many IM’s and have done some myself.  I knew an athlete on his back is not a good thing.   I left my bench and went over and asked him if he was ok.  He was bilingual, thank God.  He indicated he was fine, but I knew he wasn’t.  He had a rapid heart rate, and was cold, clammy and confused.  I knew he was done for and needed medical attention.  Volunteers showed up but were not equipped to help except for providing some cups of ice. 45 minutes later, the medics showed up and transported the athlete.  He thanked me and I returned to my now warm beer and cold brat. I then began a plan to video my athlete coming across the finish line and the post-race nutrition options. 
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She finished and I was able to get a decent video of her 9th full IM.  At the athletes tent she came out complaining about the food.  Knowing my athlete, I had an amazing dinner planned.  I told her “I got you.”  We made our way to the brats and beer.  She loved it!  After she dined on some real food, we had some time to talk.  She discussed her race for several minutes and then I shared my day with her.  While I described my experience that I thought she had drowned, it hit me.  I could tell she was shocked by my tears, and I couldn’t explain it. I love her so much and my emotions just took over. She hugged me and it felt good.
Our trip was amazing, and I love my athlete.  

After a long day of travel, Steve and I arrived in Austria Thursday afternoon.  Once we checked into our hotel, we walked downtown to get something to eat and do some sight-seeing in the beautiful city of Klagenfurt. We were both very hangry and stumbled upon place called King of the Doner.  It was a hole in the wall, but we feasted on an amazing Doner and shared a cold beer. Feeling much better, we then walked back and called it a night.
 
Friday morning, we picked up my Ironman registration packet.  Once we did that, we boarded a steamboat and spent the day sight-seeing.  We could get off and, on the boat, to explore the different towns. We avoided a torrential down pour and ended up at a car show on one of the stops. Lambos, Rolls Royce’s, and other cars that cost ten times the value of our house.  People watching was in full force in this beautiful town. We laughed and it was a marvelous day!! 
 
Saturday, we were fighting jet lag and got an early start downtown to explore.  We walked into the local market that was packed with people shopping for food and other local products.  We were in Heaven! Fresh fruit, cheeses, meats and everything Austria. I took advantage of the opportunity to carb load on fresh baked goods.  After lunch we took my bike to be checked in and drop off my bags. We spent the afternoon at the lake, reviewing the course.  That evening I took it easy however, I could not sleep (Jet lag).  I fell asleep around midnight only to wake up at 2am with a migraine.  I took some migraine pills and went back to sleep till my alarm went off at 4am for the 4:45am pick up to the start. 

When I arrived at the start, I put my sleeveless wetsuit on, gave Steve a kiss and got in line for the swim.  While in line all I saw were extremely fit athletes who were all wearing a long sleeve wet suit (should have been a clue).  On the public address system, I heard them say that only 13% of the athletes at the sold-out event were female. I was feeling good about myself.

After about a 45-minute wait, it was my time to get in the water.  I was feeling confident until I started the swim and had a panic attack.  I had to doggie paddle to the kayak and take some time and get my heart rate down.  After a few minutes, I tried again only to have another panic attack, so I had to doggie paddle to another kayak and take another break to get my heart rate down (this time taking a little longer).  I was able to start again, only to have another panic attack.  By this time the medics told me I should call it a day. I told them that I am struggling but I have completed 8 other Full Ironman’s and to please give me another chance and they did.  I started very slowly.  Focused on my breathing.  I was moving very slow, but I was making process.  I was shivering from being so cold. Unsure if I was going to make the cut off time, I was determined to keep going and give it my best. I finished the 2.4-mile swim-1:54:14 (slowest time ever but I made it).  Once out of the water I was shivering so violently the medical staff took me to the side and gave me a Myler blanket, checked me out and sent me to transition.

At the transition I was still shivering.  The staff wrapped me in blankets and told me I could not go on until the shivering slowed down.  Once the shivering calmed down, they allowed me to proceed on my bike.  Transition 1-15:02. 

I made it to start line of the bike start only to get stopped by a volunteer.  I was asked where my bib was.  I told them it was in the run bag.  They informed me that I should be wearing it.  They hesitantly let me go….  I was still shivering but I knew I would warm up quickly because it was going to be a warm day.  Because I was one of the last people out of the water, I was alone on the bike.  There were no other riders in sight, and it was Glorious!  The views were spectacular, and I was able to take my time and enjoy it!  Along the route the locals were out cheering for ME!  I was taking it all in and loving it.  Halfway I stopped and took my lunch break. After eating, I took my nutter butters to snack on and went on my way.  At mile 63 there was a man pulled over who looked overwhelmed.  I stopped to ask if he needed any assistance.  He did not speak English, so I offered him a nutter butter and smile.  He hesitantly took the cookie and returned the smile.  Off we went.  I absolutely LOVED the bike portion of the Ironman!  I took my time and savored the sights!  I finished the 112-mile bike ride 7:34:01. 

I took my time at transition number 2, eating my sandwich prepared for my run and then I was off.  Transition 2-8:39.

onto the marathon.  I was tired and I knew my finish time was going to be slow, so I decided to do a jog and enjoy the sights.  During the first loop I saw Steve and he asked if I picked up a bracelet?  I said no.  He said I had to go back and pick one up (not far) and then pick up another on the second loop.  So grateful my sherpa was there when I need him.  He then shouted “RUN ALTER FRAU!! (OLD WOMAN in German) in front of a crowded outdoor restaurant.  He gave them all a good laugh.  My sherpa comes with a sense of humor.  At least he thinks he is funny. I moved forward, took my time, and made some new friends!  Finished the 26.2 mile run 4:51:04. 

The finish line was a great celebration!  So Fun!  Best of all Steve was waiting with open arms at the end! 

My training for this Ironman was very minimal due to life and sickness and I physically paid the price.  This was my slowest Ironman (by almost an hour), but I have absolutely no regrets!  I FINISHED!  I EMBRACED the Day!  It was SPECTACULAR! 
Finish Time 14:42: 59. 

It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop!
Steve and I flew to Vienna the morning after the Ironman. Spent 3 days exploring and we had a great time.  We loved the experience and the friendly people Austria.

My goal for this most recent IRONMAN race was to prepare myself for the two full IRONMAN races I am registered for in June and August. Therefore, my focus was to ensure my mind and body are ready. Unfortunately, my training did not go as planned due to life and sickness.  I had only 3 bike rides and no open water swims prior to the event. Even though the training was minimal, I still enjoyed the day. I found myself appreciative to be surrounded by friends, perfect weather, and a beautiful course. 

Here are 9 lessons learned from Chattanooga 70.3:
 
1- Learn to be flexible, life happens, and setbacks are normal. Sometimes you have to revisit and recalibrate your goals.  Setbacks may slow you down, but the trick is not to let them stop you completely.
 
2- Adopt a no-quit mindset. When your body is in pain, quitting can certainty creep into your mind. In those moments you must harness the mental override. You must solely listen to the voice urging you to preserve.  Allow it to propel you onward.
 
3. Nutter Butter cookies are the best fuel on the bike. I added Nutter-Butters to my fueling and it was glorious. These will now be a staple to my plan moving forward.
 
4. Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Ensure you're connected to people who are going to challenge you to make you better.
 
5. Celebrate big and small wins. Be the person who celebrates all-the-things. Not just wins but fun and growth of self, too.
 
6. If you have a fear of the open water, train in the Open Water!  I did not train in the open water which led me to have a terrible panic attack. I doggy paddled about a mile, then found a kayak to rest on until I could get my heart rate down. I was able to finish but it took all I had mentally to do so.
 
7. You can do your best and still have fun. These two objectives can coexist. You don't need to throw challenge out the window to experience joy, and you don't need to be miserable to experience a personal best. 
 
8. Leave no room for excuses. Stop making excuses and start making room for changes. You may need to pivot, get curious and keep going. 
 
9. Ice cream is the best post-race meal.

Until Next Monday... 

By the time I turned 21, I had been divorced twice, homeless, and lost all trust in humanity. I want to spend some time expressing what that darker time of my life was like in order to help others realize the importance of never giving up. Life can (and does) get better. I was holding on by a thread, but because I did hold on, I have twenty-five years of bliss with the love of my life (of course filled with many peaks and valleys).
 
I graduated at the age of 17 and married my first husband at 18. The college I was attending was closing, so I married my boyfriend and moved with him to Springfield, Missouri. The traumatized mind often tries to protect itself, and I cannot recall many details during this time. I do remember he dropped me off on the side of the road with the clothes on my back and (I think) a single bag when we were back in Washington state. We hadn’t even been married an entire year. 
 
I was homeless for a while, and then ended up staying with my sister briefly. She was dealing with her own issues at the time, and from there I found myself in my uncle’s basement while I worked and attended another two-year college. Within another year I was married again and living in California. 
 
Unfortunately, Husband #2 was an abusive marriage. I won’t dwell on the details of the abuse or issues in that relationship. But to put it into perspective, the marriage ended in a court martial and was the first case concerning a husband raping his wife. After a night of abuse, I moved in with a friend’s parents. Though the torment did not end with leaving the house. Husband #2 stalked me day and night. I feared for my life and sustained constant harassment. At one point he tried to put on a show that he was a changed man who wanted to salvage his marriage and convinced the pastor of our church to come to the house and get me to reconcile. That did not go well. 
 
One day when I was out for a run, a private detective assigned to the case was disguised as a fisherman. He jumped out at me and told me Husband #2 was hiding in the woods waiting for me. He told me I needed to stay with him and eventually I saw Husband #2 retreat to her car. That detective saved my life that day. After the court martial, I never heard from Husband #2 again. 
 
These years were incredibly difficult, and I wondered how much lower I could go. Homeless, lost and divorced twice by the age of 21. I was humiliated and hopeless. I didn’t have parents to turn to and felt so alone. This wasn’t the life I dreamt of, and I felt as though my entire life had been fighting in survival mode. How could I trust anyone? But my faith in God and good friends (who became like family) helped me get through it all. At 23, I found my person and partner in life. Life is amazing, but it can be awful. There are peaks and valleys, and most things are out of our control. Hold on. Breath. Trust that things WILL get better again.
 
“One day you will thank yourself for not giving up.” –LR Knost 

Until Next Monday...