The Engagement!
My journey to Ironman Lake Placid 2014 began last Thursday, July 24 as Mike and I drove North. After checking in, we had dinner with Doreen, her mom, Dave and Bernadette, and then had birthday beers for Doreen with our friend Matt at the Pub. A perfect introduction to Lake Placid, ending with enjoying the cool nights in Bear Lodge (our rental house) in two Adirondack chairs.
Friday morning was a swim/ride and luck with some training friends as Mike went to the gym and grocery store. We both came home and decided to walk into town after some showers before my parents and Aunt Wendy arrived. As we walked inside from the deck, Mike gave me a huge hug and proceeded to ask me the biggest question of all…and just like that, we got engaged!!! It was the perfect Andrea-Mike situation, just the two of us in a comfortable place, complete with smiling and laughter and happiness :).
After calling my family, we did walk into town for a celebratory beverage and took in Lake Placid and the Ironman. Soon after, the family arrived and we went to dinner and spread the news. The day went by so quickly and I could hardly believe it all happened.
It was perfect, in my one of my favorite places on earth around such a special event for me! Mike knew this was the best way, he knows me so well. After spending 7 years together - growing up and into "adults", going through lay-off's and having no money, finding our career paths, surviving now TWO Ironman training seasons, building our first home together, and adopting our Hector together - we've been through so many up's and down's and good times and bad ones. We've been through a lot in 7 years, and we are better people for all of it. My best friend will be with me for life.
The Race!
Saturday was complete with sharing the celebration with Doreen, Dave and Bernadette at the pancake breakfast and a short run. Then the tremendous packing event took place…I forgot how ridiculous it is! Bike got racked, bags were dropped, and Bobby and Sophia and Jen and Derek arrived :)! We spent hours laughing and my friends calmed my nerves. Playing Heads Up with the whole group was a great, relaxing, pre-race evening after stuffing ourselves with the feast Mike made us.
And before I knew it, it was Sunday morning at the lovely time of 3:30 am and I was getting up for race day! After watching my obligatory Miracle speech on YouTube, we were off. Props to Mike, Derek and Jen for walking me to meet my Iron friends and being so supportive. Quick bag and bike check, and we headed to the beach to wait.
The Swim
The wait seemed so much longer this year, and the rolling start was likely the cause of that. I, of course, cried during the National Anthem and hugged Doreen, Dave and our friend Steve who was with us. Minutes later, we were off in the water.
Took the first loop very conservatively and was feeling good. Nerves were high as it was because the forecast was not great. I got out to walk across the timing mat to enter in for my second lap, and it was pouring. Thought it's OK, it's just rain and went off. Got the .6 down and turned to come back, and made it between buoys 3 and 4 when I saw paddles waving frantically out of the corner of my eyes. Stopped to hear the kayakers screaming "SWIM TO SHORE IMMEDIATELY SWIMMERS." No one knew what to do except that, as we were forbidden to continue on.
We invaded the docks of the houses on the other side of the lake, and the true spirit of the Ironman was seen - all athletes helped one another up on the dock, someone literally helped pull me out of the water because the metal stairs were so crowded. Camaraderie at it's finest. No one knew what to do, people were upset. I just kept telling anyone who asked me and to myself, "this isn't our fault, this is for our safety." We walked around the dock to Mirror Lake Drive and headed back to transition. Being disappointed and cold, I and a handful of others ran back. Between the approximate .4 I had to swim and the actual run to transition, it was probably .5-.6 miles in a wetsuit, barefoot and on the street in the pouring rain. Positive talk to myself and others throughout it all. It was a scary situation, and I felt glad I missed seeing the lightning in my swim sighting.
The transition tents were jam packed. I saw Michele, and moments later Doreen. After seeing no friends on the docks, this was comforting as I was worried about all of my friends racing. There was this woman next to me hysterical. I tried to help the volunteer with her comfort her as we encouraged her to take deep breaths. She headed out and I said a prayer for her safety. We put on dry bike clothes, and it almost seemed pointless. Exchanged a quick "I love you and be safe" with Doreen, and I headed out to get my bike (Flo Jo).
The Bike
My Mom, Dad and Aunt caught be just before I mounted my bike, and I told them all was OK and promised to race safe. Thought I had missed the friend crew, but luckily saw them at the last minute when I heard Roomie's (Jen) voice. A smile and a wave and I was gone. It was literally pouring on us, at times so hard it hurt.
I passed a couple friends and caught Steve, and everyone vowed to be careful. See, the scariest part of the bike course is a 7-mile decent with winding s-curves into the town of Keene, and this happens early in the bike course. Luckily, we had ridden in the rain during Todd's training camp both days on the bike, including doing the decent to Keene. While it was less then ideal, I knew I could do it. Rode the brakes a lot, but made it safely and felt relieved. I started praying for it to clear up, even if just for a bit and even if it meant a lot of humidity. 30 miles later, it did. My friend Khaleeqa's parents later told us they went and prayed for all athletes, and heard this from many other people - thank you for doing so! Many were upset and angry, and I just kept reminding them to make the best out of the situation because we couldn't do anything - to smile and try to enjoy the day.
Once the sun came out, I felt so relieved and could pick up the pace. I could actually begin to see out of my glasses, enough to shout to Ken, Doreen, Maire, Ryan and Khaleeqa as I saw them on the out and back's or caught up long enough to share a few words. Those moments always provided a nice boost. I came through the bike special needs area at 56 miles, and grabbed my PB&J, UCAN drink and butt butter. The nice volunteers helping us reminded me to drink and eat as it was getting hot, and I thanked him. A few moments later, I was off. My support crew missed me! Apparently I was riding faster than they expected ;).
Riding through town was spectacular as always. I couldn't stop smiling, and even during the rain that was my main goal of the day. The second loop was tough and warm. I was more diligent with my nutrition - consuming real food this year and taking in my salt every hour. I saw Dave and couldn't be happier finally, and again Ken, Doreen and Maire. It was on and off cloudy, which was much appreciated as I was worried of over-heating as I opted for sleeves when it was pouring. It poured again the last 5 miles, making it difficult to see but was ready to get off Flo Jo for the day so pushed.
Emotional headcase Andrea was no-where to be found this year! I got choked up quite a few times on the bike, when the crowd was so intense I got chills, but held it together and smiled big, even when it interfered with my active breathing up the hills. I felt so much stronger despite my back and lats aching (from being to tense in the rain) - so much of this is owed to Dave, my teacher and mentor on the bike who was challenged me and made me such a better cyclist in the past year. Although not next to me, Dave you were in my head as I told myself "every hill has a rhythm, every hill has a pace" and reminded myself to be upright and do active breathing. I must have looked good as people kept complimenting my form and cadence!
As I finished off Papa Bear, I knew we were almost there and beamed the rest of the way to bike dismount. Next, I saw Adrienne and the Foster girls and got a big boost as she gave me a huge hug and kiss (thank you!!). Took my time in transition, thanking the volunteers and ensuring I got everything (which I still didn't but did much better this year).
The Run
I started out so happy my feet were finally dry and that the bike was over. Had to keep reminding myself to start out slow, the advice of coach Todd P, and was surprised how good the leggies felt. With the crowd's cheers, I turned the corner down the hill to where I knew my crew was. Before I knew it, I saw Mike smiling and coming towards me. He checked in and was happy when I told him all was good, and shortly after saw the fam and friends and smiled so big, happy to see them. Was great to be done early enough to see Derek still volunteering at run aid #1 too. After exchanging an awkward kiss (it's hard to kiss while running), Mike left me and I headed out towards River Road. Michele ran with me a few and I was so happy for her as a first-timer, looking so strong.
I couldn't believe how good I was feeling, and honed myself in to walk through the aid stations so I didn't pay for it later. A couple miles in, I realized I totally forgot my UCAN drink in transition. A moment of panic, as I had followed the nutrition plan well to date. I re-routed the plan, what I had been doing all day minus nutrition, and started doing a rinse of Perform (literally swishing it in your mouth and not really drinking it) and some Coke or bananas every 1-2 miles and my salt every 3-4 as usual. Smiled as I saw Howie and Ken, looking strong. Saw Gretchen and she was so great cheering me on and taking a pic. Was worried about Dave as I knew he was hurting, and finally saw Doreen too which was a relief. Finally saw our friend Todd Turbett, who I'd been looking for, and he gave me the biggest hug and kiss I could've asked for, sending his congrats :). Derek came up and after getting a boost, told him to go help our friends who needed him.
As I neared town and walked the the first big hill, I felt my body really getting tired. Saw Mike and Bobby right before Lisa G's, and they made me laugh as they shared the stories of the morning. Then saw everyone else and was very happy. Walked the big hill back to Mirror Lake Drive as planned, and survived the out and back on Mirror Lake Drive, hearing the finishers in the oval and being so jealous. Could feel the wheels starting to come off, but let the crowd carry me back down the hill to where I knew my support crew was waiting. Was so happy again to see them all there, cheering me on :). Smiled big for them to let them know all was well!
As I walked up the small hill past Lisa G's, I knew the next 12 miles were going to be rough. Every little roller on River Road felt like a mountain. I started having to walk them all, and the walk breaks became much more frequent and longer. Luckily, I had taken my drink at run special needs, but chugging it felt like a brick in my gut. BUT, I was eating and drinking and a little gas never hurt anyone in Ironman hah. Each mile I felt more and more tired. Seeing Howie, Andrey, Ken, Gretchen, Todd T and so many others was great again. This marathon was a lot more lonely than in 2012, but forced me inside my own head (a scary place we determined lol) and to use my mental toughness. Must have dropped my salt tabs, but a very nice 62 year old man shared Enduralytes with me. He was kicking serious behind. Had missed Doreen and was worried, later learning that we passed each other by our families and friends for a great moment. When I saw her as I neared town with Steve, was so happy to exchange a "you look cute" with her.
As I walked the first big hill off of River Road,
I could start to feel the end coming near. Ran a bit on the stretch
leading to town, and eventually saw Mike. I must have been moving pretty good
(my watch died at 13 so I had no idea of pace) because when I was running
he couldn't keep up lol. After being with me for a minute, I went on
alone again and he headed back to the oval. Coming down past Lisa G's and
up the last hill to Main Street, the crowd became intense and didn't let up all
the way to Mirror Lake Drive. I'm pretty sure I was beaming here :).
They carried up to the flats where I got some energy to run again.
The other issue I started having was at about mile 20, my leggies started
cramping (my adductors/inside thigh muscles) and spasming forcing me to walk at
times. I tried to ignore this as I knew I had less the 2 miles to
go.
Made it to the turn around on River Road, all of
us out there anxious and ready and telling one another that lol. I
ran fast when I was able to, just wanting to hear the roar of the crowd as I
neared the oval. The crowd was eating up all of us out there, as I came
to the bottom of the lake and the crowd became thick, lining both sides of
the road, I plastered a huge smile on my face that didn't fade again and
started my bell lap to the finish! Their cheers were amazing, and I threw
my hands up and they screamed…it was incredible. As I stepped onto
the street and into the oval, I knew this was it, the moment I'd been waiting 2
years for again.
I felt like I was sprinting as I high-fived the
crowd (and apparently Mike who I totally didn't see!). As I turned the
corner to the final straightaway, I was literally blinded by the light of the
finish line. I couldn't even see Mike Reilly, who I knew was shouting our
names off to the right. As I made sure to position myself to cross
alone, I heard him say my name…"Andrea Griffith, Andrea, she got engaged
this weekend!" I thought I was seriously delirious, Mike Reilly
couldn't know that lol. This made me smile even more :). I crossed
and felt the arms of my catcher, who I thought for sure I would look at and
completely lose it. But I didn't, I looked at him and said thank you and
kept smiling. Maybe it's because it wasn't Little Bear (Erica) or
maybe it's because I had been smiling all day, but my happiness was
the emotion that won.
I shuffled to my photo and then to see Ken and
Todd T, and then saw my family and friends and gave sweaty hugs and kisses to
them. We dispersed quicker than before so totally missed the big
group photo unfortunately, but was so happy to have each and every one of
them with me for this unforgettable day: Mike, my parents, Aunt Wendy, Roomie,
Derek, Bobby and Sophia. They were amazing and really helped keep me
smiling, and I love them all so much.
I waited to see Doreen and got to see Dave start
on his final stretch. While I felt much better, I did feel nauseous
again and had to go home to be horizontal and eat real food. My dreams of
staying until midnight faded, and that was ok.
This Ironman was so special. It started off
amazingly with the engagement, of course. But, it was special
because we endured crazy conditions, and preserved to be strong ass
athletes and finish what we started. It was special because I don't think
ever again I could do an Ironman with over 15 friends in one race. We had
two engagements (we knew someone who also got engaged at the finish!), 4
birthdays (Doreen, Maire, Stef, Mike), and so many memories. My Iron
friends made the day spectacular. My support crew made it powerful.
We made it unforgettable.
I have come so far in my personal triathlon
career and journey. Todd P pushed me to my limits. Dave made be a
stronger cyclist. I got mentally tough. Doreen made it fun and
special as my PIC. All my friends made training enjoyable, and added
a lot of laughter to the tough days.
Thank you everyone, for your support near and
far, for your encouragement and congratulations, and for your love.
The journey is far from being over, and I'm just loving the ride.
Lake Placid 2014 will forever hold an extra
special place in my heart xoxo.
