Six Minutes Faster in the Swim

Ahhh...starting to feel better!!!  Got out in the Gatorade open water swim at 830am in my swim skin instead of my wetsuit.  The first 200 yards are pretty brutal as the water must be 10 degrees colder than it is beyond the shore and sandbar.  Once past that point, the water is comfortable in a skin.  Lets face it, I have my own insulation and buoyancy.  I really don't need the wetsuit!

The course is 5 buoys out..turn to one more buoy and then 5 buoys back.  The second turn buoy is DIRECTLY in the sun so we stopped and figured out which two buildings in the distance were right online with the turn and sighted from that.  Perfect!! Right on target for the turn. Very slight current coming across  the return course so a slight angle to the left as you head for shore keeps you on track to run onto the beach to make the timing mat and the second lap of the course.  

At the first turn I looked at my watch. Wow!! Im head of my pace by 7 minutes.  At the second turn, ahead of my pace by 8 minutes.  Getting over a sandbar just off the beach does slow you down a bit so when I stopped my watch on the beach, I was six minutes faster than when I did this last year with Rick during his Ironman.  Im still EXTREMELY slow but very pleased with my time!!

My friend Debbie is flying in this morning to go to the banquet and start helping us get prepared for the Beginner Triathlete.com Party we are hosting at 4pm and then the banquet at 530PM!!  

I feel sooooo much better.  Holy moley...I might just do this thing!!!

Well..I didn't break the camera..

Yesterday afternoon, I had the honor and privilege of meeting Greg McFaddin-Film Producer for Ironworks Productions.  If you have ever watched any Ironman coverage shown on Versus, you have seen his work.  An incredibly humble and talented Canadian, he tried really hard to put me at ease as I spent two hours on the beach being interviewed and filmed for the Ford Everyday Hero.  

Did I mention I was so nervous that I forgot the name of my surgeon who did my gastric bypass.  That I stammered and stuttered through the interview.  How in the world do celebrities and politicians do this.  I looked at the camera and FREAKED!!!  

But Greg was so calm and so sweet.  He thought I did great but I felt like a klutz .  He asked me to walk down the beach at sunset and even that seemed so "not right".  

I guess I fell like i have no business doing this interview stuff.  I feel like I am standing in Fenway Park at the plate pointing at the right field wall and calling my shot in front of the biggest baddest pitcher in the world.  I feel like I should just be focused on the race.

We started talking about Christian and I couldn't help the tears coming to my eyes.  He is the reason I run these races and i wanted to make sure the world knew it.  I would much prefer the focus of this interview be on the Leukemia Society than on me.

Well..we will get to see the interview tonight.  Im so nervous I don't think I can even write anymore here.  I am doing another open water swim at 830am with some of the girls from Beginner Triathlete.  

More when I calm the heck down....

Meet the "new pro" at Ironman Florida

Ok...if you want a good giggle...here goes!!

I go to pick up my packet here at Ironman Florida and I ask the lady for packet number 2443.  According to the Ironman Florida website, that was SUPPOSE to be my number.  She searched...and then she searched again.

Im sorry ma'am, there is no 2443.

I gasped!!  What??  I begged her to look again, she did and no 2443.

I asked one of the volunteers and she directed me to the Registration Director.  She smiled and said "Hi Melissa...Welcome to Ironman."  I looked kinda perplexed.  "How did you know my name" I asked??  She said.."Well..I know that 2443 is our Ford Everyday Hero...but I changed your number this morning....you are now  pro number  55!  

ROFLMAO!!  Me!! A Pro!!  Now that's just too funny for words!!!  I did get the honor of checking in at the Professionals desk instead of waiting in line which was quite a blessing.  I was really overwhelmed by the nice words and comments from the Ironman Staff.  They have all been so incredibly kind! 

So if you're tracking me, Triathlete number 2443, don't panic!! I am going to start this race...as number 55 with a professional colored swim cap!!!

Who would have ever thought!!!

My bags are packed...

....Oh my god....the day has arrived!!  We are headed to Panama City!!

To say Im nervous is the understatement of the century!  I have WAY OVERPACKED because I just don't know what the weather is going to be like.  Right now its highs in the 60's.  During the weekend they say it will warm up to the mid 70's but who knows.  I packed so much stuff its ridiculous!!

I took my bike in for its check up and "Blue" is doing beautifully.  I think she's ready for another round of 112 miles in Panama City!!  Lord knows she knows the course now!!!

I went to the doctor yesterday because I was having horrible headaches over the weekend. Come to find out, I have a mild sinus infection.  He gave me a ZPack (antibiotic) and some decongestant and said I should be feeling better by Friday.  Going to take it easy for the next day or two.

Im almost too excited to write.  Ill write more from Panama City :)  Again...to every single person who has followed my blog or if you are just reading for the first time, thank you for your kind thoughts, prayers and comments.  I am so humbled that anyone would even take the time to read this.  For me...blogging is "cheap therapy"...for you...hopefully...its entertainment!!! hahahahaha

In 5 days...Im gonna be an Ironman :)

...Being called a "Hero"....

Hero: n. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field.

Hero is a pretty strong word.  There have been a lot of heroes in my life.  Some of them are alive today (my father, my husband, my brother in law, those who battle for their lives against cancer, those in harms way with the armed forces that secure our borders and our country) and some of them are gone (my 96 year old grandmother who was blind and lived most of her life as a widow, my Godson Christian Stafford who battle Leukemia to the bitter end, and Jessie Gay another cancer warrior who lost her life way too soon).

These people...they are heroes to me.  Every single day their lives were/are a shining example of how special life is and how lucky we are to have the honor of living in this country.

So ... with that said ... you might understand why I have a hard time telling people that, yesterday, I was called a HERO.  

I returned from my workout with Hector, sat down at my computer to work through emails from friends, clients and business associates.  There was this one email that didn't look familiar with the words: Congratulations.  Hmmm...Did I win the lottery in Kenya AGAIN...I thought to myself!!!!???!!!  Did my long lost third cousin twice removed leave me 11 million dollars in Spanish coins in Dubai!!??  Congratulations...??? For what???

And then...I opened the letter...and here is what it said:

Dear Melissa...

On behalf of Ford and North America Sports, we are pleased to announce that you have been selected as the Ford Everyday Hero for the 2008 Ford Ironman Florida.

We believe that you exemplify the Ironman competitor who not only takes on the challenge of training and competing in this arduous sport, but does so at the same time as they contribute in a positive way to a cause or community charity.  The Ford Everyday Hero Award salutes those who have a positive impact on others as part of their Ironman journey...

As the 2008 Ford Ironman Florida recipient of the Ford Everyday Hero Award you will receive a $1000 contribution from Ford and the North America Sports Community Fund to be donated to the non profit group of your choice.

We look forward to having you as a guest of Ford at the Welcome Dinner on Thursday October 30th.  During the Welcome Dinner you will be called to the stage to be presented with the Special Gift Package from Ford and North America Sports.  At this time a "Ford Everyday Hero" video created by Ironworks Productions will be shown to those attending the dinner.  This footage will also be featured in the Ford Ironman Broadcast.

Congratulations again, and welcome to a very special group of exceptional individuals in the Ironman Community.

Helen Manning 

Communications Director

NA Sports

GASP!!! I read the letter again.  The first thing to come to my mind was.....is this a joke?  Do they know that I am going to probably be one of the final finishers of the day??  Do they have ANY idea how horrible I look in spandex!!??  Holy moley.  This is incredible.

But the donation!!!  $1000.00!!!  My first call was to my husband.  My second call was to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Hey guys....more money for research...whhhoooo hoooooo!!! My next call was to Rick, Debbie,Beth and Laura..my dearest friends...because I knew they would be supportive and give me a highfive.  They are truly the best!!

In the past 24 hours, I have been contacted by a Film Director with Ironworks Productions to schedule my "shoot" (oh my god .. they ARE going to shoot me...and take me out of my misery before the pain starts!!!) They wanted background info, photos, and  asked questions.  They will be filming me in Panama City before the race...and DURING the race.  Great...photo evidence of the pain!!!

Seriously, I am very overwhelmed and humbled by this honor.  Steve and I had talked about entering my story but we never dreamed they would pick me. Rick also thought it was a good idea to submit my story.  We put together the details and sent this email not thinking anything more would come from it.  This is a dream come true not only for me..but for my charity to get a little more money for the cause.

When I told my father, he reminded me of the 11th commandment..which I promised I would adhere to:

NEVER EVER EVER BELIEVE YOU OWN PRESS!!!

So if you watch the Ironman Florida coverage on Versus in December, remember, they may call me a hero...but I just work for the real heroes in this world who are fighting cancer and keeping us safe everyday!!  They really deserve the nameplate.

Final workout with Hector before Ironman

As I arrived at my last workout with my trainer, Hector, I was kinda sad.  This has been a journey and routine that I have followed since last December.  I got into his training studio and he put me on the swim table for 30 minutes.  He played some very relaxing music and it was hard to stay focused on a hard stroke with this soothing music playing in the background. After 30 minutes, he had me lay down on the exercise mat and do some visualization of the race.

We went through each phase...the start, the "washing machine", the second lap of the swim, the run up the beach, transition, onto the bike, special needs, transition 2, the run...and of course..the finish line.

The finish line..the promise land....that glorious place where dreams are realized.  Right now, it seems so difficult to reach.  Its alot closer than last year.  I stood on the beach and watched my friend start his first Ironman and cried.  I was suppose to be in that water starting with him.  It was so hard to watch him go...

Not this year.  This IS my year.  This IS my victory lap.  All the workout deposits to the bank get withdrawn on THIS day.  Please God, let me have saved my pennies well and have enough ability to make it through.

I got some interesting news today that I am too embarrassed to even announce on my blog.  Don't panic.  Im not pregnant.  Im not leaving my husband for Prince William and NO..I didn't win the lottery...but for me...its just as big. When I get the guts..Ill write about it...

Watch this space for more...soon....

Taper is Tough

I now have the cleanest house on the planet....

I have replaced outdoor lighting fixtures, had things repaired around the house, cleaned out dresser drawers and taken things to Goodwill, planted flowers in my backyard, replaced outdoor patio furniture and have washed and waxed my car.

This is what an Ironman Triathlete does with those extra hours she USE to spend training...

Im going nuts...

I never in a million years thought i would say this....I miss my training.  I woke up at 5am wondering why I wasn't getting ready for a long swim workout (my swim was only 1500 yards today...I can do that in my sleep) so I went back to bed and did the workout later in the day.  This is truly a weird feeling.

Meanwhile, I am checking the water temperature at Panama City and I keep checking the weather for updates.  I have been on Beginnertriathlete.com ohhhh maybe 100 times in the last couple of days.  ANY information...ANY discussion about the race and I am all ears.  My poor husband is so tired of hearing about all this he left early for work (ok..so he had to get a flat tire fixed on his car in St. Louis...but even so....).

Ok...Im ready...bring on the DAMN RACE!!!