Ironman Arizona Part 1: One Day Like This

Drinking in the morning sun

Blinking in the morning sun
Shaking off the heavy one
Heavy like a loaded gun

So throw those curtains wide!
One day like this a year'd see me right!

One Day Like This - Elbow

I fully expected to wake up race morning and be a massive ball of nervous energy. Bad nervous energy. I knew the risk of tossing cookies was high--and on a day where you need every last calorie in your body, you tend to go to extreme measures to ensure that doesn't happen. I was anticipating calling Coach Amy in sobs from the bathroom floor. And having to be dragged out of the hotel room by Mike. In my mind, I chalked it up to be this horrendous, ugly scene.

Imagine my surprise when none of that happened.

I woke up...fairly relaxed...and went through the motions of my checklist.

Take medicine.

Mix nutrition bottles.

Shave.

Eat. (Although I could only get down half a pb&honey sandwich and a granola bar.)

Quadruple check special needs bags.

Get dressed.

Get out the door.

It was all very calculated. Not allowing too much time to let my mind wander. And allowing just enough time to get everything done that I needed to take care of. The minute I wasn't busy, was the minute I would've gotten into my own head and freaked out.

The one slight moment I did start to panic, Mike handed me a fax from the Chief of Pain. It was just what I needed. The final vote of confidence. His final, invaluable, words of advice. He, like everyone else, knew I had this.

I reminded myself that I could do this. I got this. It was a glorified training day, complete with catering and valet service, and 2500 of my best friends.

With music flooding my ears, I went into my own bubble and Mike, Lauren and I headed to the start of the race to handle the next checklist.

Get to the bike.

Fill up the bottles.

Check air pressure in tires.

Get body marked. (Hooray for Duane with his magic pen!)

Oh look! There's Jeff!!

Drop off special needs and pow wow with my Chicago Tri buddy.

Add reflective tape to T2 bag.

Find my Iron Crew.

Swap bike pump for wetsuit.

Get this show on the road.

Mike was quick to try and push me to the water. I was calm and mentally off on my own island. Lauren was just along for the ride, observing, and probably internally laughing at the bickering we exchanged. A few quick pictures and I left their side.

I went back to the rack one last time, hoping to find Molly.

No such luck.

My ears were suddenly filled with George Michael's Freedom. And for the first time, I actually listened to the lyrics...and I knew that the day was going to be a good day...

I won't let you down

I will not give you up

Gotta have some faith in the south

It's the one good thing that I've got

I won't let you down

So please don't give me up...

Think I'm gonna get me some happy

I think there's something you should know

I think it's time I told you so

There's something deep inside of me

There's someone else I've got to be...

Freedom - George Michael

Now let the record show, that I don't go around listening to George Michael very often (ok, ever). And it was an old refurbished mp3 player with an interesting mix of tunes. But somehow, that song, at that moment, was exactly what I needed. I felt good. Confident. Ready to rock the shit out of this race. I got this I told myself over and over again.

I found a friendly spectator after crossing the timing mats and handed my mp3 player off to her. My address was on the back. If I got it back, wonderful! Great karma would come to her and I'd happily reimburse her for the shipping fees. If she elected to keep it and enjoy the random array of strange music, that was fine, too. She assured me that it'd find its way back to me.

I turn around, and spotted Susie (more of a triple take wondering if that was her in neoprene and a swim cap). Then Molly finds both of us. After an exchange of nervous smiles and hugs, I finally felt like the day could start. I was ready. We were ready. A flood of memories just overwhelmed me...the thoughts of Mo calling me letting me know I was registered...months of training...long rides...cold swims...staying in on Friday nights...it all hit me. And with my friend Molly by my side, we headed to the waters edge...hugged one final hug...took a deep breath...and jumped...