thank yous // ironman wisconsin

Where to start! Training for and racing an ironman is no easy task, and I’m lucky to have some wonderful people in my corner who help make it happen. I wouldn’t get to the start or finish lines without them. 

Huge thank yous to (there really are no words to convey just how grateful I am)… 

Nick

He puts up with a lot, (often) not saying a word. He didn’t even protest when I beat him on the swim at IMWI (except he slapped my arse, hard, when he caught me at bike mile three!)! Having an in-house bike mechanic is pretty awesome, but the best: Having someone believe in you through every trainer workout when you didn’t think your legs could pedal one more revolution, every OMG-I-can’t-breathe swim set, every 5a alarm to go run… through everything. My partner in (triathlon) crime; life is better with him in it.

My family

They’re there through everything, supporting and believing me every single step of the way. I’m a lucky girl to call them family. Thank you, Mom, Dad, Ami, Cory and Finley! If I could pick my family, I’d pick you 🙂

Nick’s family

Super sherpas and supporters to the max! Nick’s mom, sister, brother-in-law and nephew made the trek from Texas to cheer us on. And, they have this uncanny ability to show up everywhere on the course 🙂 Thank you!

My coach

Andy repeatedly pushed me far out of my comfort zone all season, posting workouts in Training Peaks that always occasionally made me cringe. He probably knew what I was capable of better than I did. I’m already looking forward to next season. 

Coeur Sports

This team! I’m honored to be part of such a RAD group of women. Thank you, Kebby, Hailey and every single teammate, for all the incredible support this year and for keeping me cute and comfortable through hours of training and racing. The magic seamless chamois is a bonus (not a single bit of chaffing for 140.6 miles – and, I don’t use chamois butter!). #heartandcourage

Osmo Nutrition

I’m so grateful to Osmo Nutrition for partnering with Coeur to keep me (and my teammates) hydrated and recovering well all season. Not a single bonk or cramp! And, the recovery smoothies?! So. Good. I’m already excited for a some hard workouts so I can have one. #womenarenotsmallmen 

Friends

My friends are the best. Coeur teammate Kathy graciously opened her family’s home to us and found us a homestay in Madison (many thanks to them, too!). And, another Coeur teammate Daniela shuttled us to the start line bright and early on race day. And, they picked up all of our gear post race and brought it back to the house for us! #lucky! Both of them as well all of our friends cheered and supported us on the entire ironman journey. And, one of my dearest lifelong friends, Kate, surprised me on race day when I didn’t think she’d be there; definitely a highlight of the run. Thank you! 

Spectators + volunteers 

Ironman Wisconsin spectators are second to none. The energy is palpable on the entire course, even in the middle of Monona. There is nothing quite like running up the helix among the masses of people or biking Timber Lane Tour de France style. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. #cannotstopsmiling 

From the wetsuit stripper who ripped off my ROKA to the bike and run course volunteers who handed out water and Coke for hours… the race wouldn’t happen without you. Many thanks! 

Readers

Thank you, readers, for all the lovely notes of encouragement and support as well as for reading about my adventures in my little corner of the blogosphere. You’re all awesome 🙂 

Body

And, thank you, body. A few years ago I never imagined my legs could carry me 140.6 miles in one day. I am so thankful to be healthy and strong enough to participate in a sport I love. Can’t wait for IMWI in 2015!