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IM Lake Placid Race Report

“If you want to touch the other shore badly enough, barring an impossible situation, you will. If your desire is diluted for any reason, you’ll never make it.” -Diana Nyad

The power of the mind is amazing and an Ironman certainly forces you to find out just how strong you are. But the bottom line is that anyone who commits to it, can achieve it…they just have to want it badly enough. Honestly, my day logistically and technically couldn’t have gone much better. Most of my “do not want to happen” list was achieved….not getting the crazy wet suit stripper…who by the way was there and I think you can google that and see him…no flats….no throwing up…no GI issues…no cramping and no crawling to the finish! Yeah! I am not sure what it says about my  group that we sat the night before and went over the list laughing….not normal…I do see this! 

There really is nothing like being in a town with so many like minded people….maybe all in different parts of the Ironman journey but yet all understanding the desire to do this and the sacrifice it takes, knowing that for many of us, the journey was life changing. It was not the proclaiming of Mike Reilly that I was an Ironman….it was all those little events with people to get me there that has helped me grow and be more grateful and kind. One spectator said it best to me on the run….”You will lap your former self” 

Race morning started out early…up by 3:30….the house was buzzing! My mom was very chatty…I think she was nervous. I felt pretty calm…..thanks to everyone in the house, I was all ready except for the PBJ’s. I like to make them myself race morning. We got to transition about 5:15 and the place was buzzing….holy moly, I felt like most of the racers were already there. I went off to check my bike…change out some items in my special needs bags and get body marked. There was a bit of craziness, cut through an opening and this guy made me walk around the block again to get back in transition and it was there I knew that the day would be fine….usually something like that would have unsettled me and lose focus but this day I just strolled back around the block watching the people. Time went quickly but I did have time to hang with my family and friends at the beginning for a bit which was fun. 

For those who don’t know me well…..the swim has been my major triathlon leg issue…5 years ago I couldn’t swim 25m without water going up my nose and flailing about like I was going to drown. But this morning I was ready…calm….the days leading up…not so much but at that moment, I knew that it might not be pretty but I was going to get through the swim. My goal was to stay calm, swim strong but easy and not drown!! At the Athlete’s Meeting, they informed us that there would be divers underneath the water so don’t be alarmed if someone touches you. This was due to the trampling that occurs at the beginning of the race and they would be there to push you back to the surface…..good to know, I guess, but I certainly could have went without that tidbit of information. Certainly  you know that it will be crazy but trampling seems like such a frightening word. And yes, we all decided Mom that this was a story to keep from you until the race was over!!! So I lined up to the outside but did get in the water. The start line was about a 100 yds off shore or more and there were a ton of people just standing there. I asked the lady next to me why they weren’t getting in and she said that most were worried about getting swam over. Now 74% of this field was men so now I was worried that 1000 people were going to swim over me which I think happened. No offense to men but what the heck?  A year ago, this all might have freaked me out but now I feel much more confident in the water. Most people will just slap your leg but there are a few that grab your ankle…..this use to make me stop but now I just kick harder and they let go!!! WTH…I would never grab someone’s leg and pull on it……no event time is that important to me so yes I do have a limit to my competitive nature. Someone kicked my goggles off to the side at the second buoy….I shifted them quick and kept going. Water filled one side so for the back half of the first leg, I only had my right eye open and sighting to the left was difficult…I think I swam extra! The first lap seemed forever and the clock said 49 minutes when I came out….WHAT! I felt like I was swimming strong…must have been the slow start….obsessed about this for the next 1/2 mile while trying to stay with my game plan. My inclination was to swim faster but I tried to keep in mind that there was a full day ahead. Then I remembered that the pros went off 10 min earlier…that was comforting…I was a bit slower than I wanted but not much. The start of the second lap went much better. Out of the water at 1:26 although I had no idea…missed the clock trying to pay attention to all the people. My wetsuit stripper was very kind, making sure that I pulled my wetsuit down past my shorts so they stayed on….I was grateful! There was about a quarter of a mile run or more to the first transition I swear. The spectators were awesome and the noise was amazing. I was ecstatic to be out of the water! 

The transition tent was full but not overcrowded so I found a chair and tried to decide if I wanted to change. It looked like it was going to rain so I thought of putting on a bike jersey and arm warmers but decided against it. I left the tent, hit the port-a-potty which was decent thankfully and off I went. I wasn’t a mile into the bike when it started to pour…yikes…the downhill on this portion was STEEP and it had been forever since I have ridden in the rain. The first 7 miles had one huge uphill that had a 4% grade for what seemed to be a half mile. People were steadily climbing but nobody was going too fast. Even though heavy rain was pinging off of us….everyone still was in pretty good spirits. After about 20 minutes though I was over the rain…my feet were soaked, my sunglasses were fogged and I was about to go down a mountain. Halfway down the descent, the rain stopped and I got to crank it up to 41 mph. I was a bit cold though!!! My legs felt good and for the first split I was feeling strong but still keeping my heart rate low. I wasn’t really sure how hard I could push without really suffering on the run so I rode more conservatively. Right after the first split, the hills began! I knew my family and friends were outside Jay at the top of the first hill so I motored up excited to see them. 

My niece and nephew are awesome!

 

They totally cracked me up. Carmen had donned out all her crazy hats and they were wearing them and ringing the cowbells. It was a lot of information to take in but I remember lots of smiles and cheering…it was awesome! My niece and nephew had made signs which Samantha was suppose to keep a secret but just can’t help herself sometimes! It was great to be around them. 

The last 12 miles back into Lake Placid felt like one giant hill. I wasn’t really looking forward to repeating the loop again but going into town with all the people was totally impressive. The cheering and signs and craziness made me laugh out loud. It also made me remember that this has been a long road and as many of you all have told me…don’t forget to enjoy it. I stopped at the Bike Special Needs and pocketed a snicker’s bar my sister donated and some chocolate chip cookies. I rode through town enjoying the crowd and eating a snickers! Life was great right then! 

The second loop started with the climb out of town. The hill this time felt much longer but I was totally looking forward to the downhill and thankful that it was no longer raining. By the time I hit Ausable, I so had to pee and with great timing….there were port-a-potties with no one there. The volunteers helped me with my bike, got me water and a banana and I was on my way again. The towns and volunteers on this course are awesome….so very upbeat and motivating and kind. The climb this time up to the family was more difficult. My lower back had been tight for the past 10 miles and now my left big toe was starting to hurt. I stopped where my family was…posed for some pictures and laughed out loud that my sister had a hot dog hat on!!! 

Now do you see where I get my goofiness???

 

 To say it isn’t her style is an understatement so her having it on was that much more amazing! My quads were shot at this point and apparently everyone but me noticed that my hand was shaking as I poured some water into my bottle. At this point I was at about 96 miles on the bike. As I rode off though, I saw my dad with a big smile and that stuck with me for quite some time….it was great. The ride back to town was brutal. My back and toe was hurting, and my quads were burning. On the only downhill portion, some young kid in front of another rider and I dropped two water bottles and we swerved quick but immediately realized the disaster that could have been. I think all the energy either of us had was a look of acknowledgment that we dodged a bullet but no words…too much effort! This is when the math problems and countdown started for me….how many miles left? I needed something to occupy my brain. I just wanted off the bike. I tried to keep the leg turnover high since I knew that I was ahead of my projected time but they were not highly cooperative at this point. The miles at this point passed very slowly! The town was still hopping and I was pleasantly surprised by an old high school friend and her mom screaming my name as I came into transition. Total rush! Thanks guys. 

It took me a moment in the transition tent to gather myself. On one hand, I was ecstatic to be done with the bike but I was feeling a bit light headed and shaky. Running a marathon right at that moment felt daunting so I ate chips and sat a moment! I had a great volunteer who emptied my transition bag and helped me get my socks on. My back was terribly stiff. The first part of the run actually felt good though. Of course, you come out of transition into a sea of people all yelling your name so it totally pumps you up! My legs were not feeling too bad and my back loosened quickly. Things were looking brighter. I looked down and saw that I was running an 8:50 pace…Yikes…I need to slow down. I held 10′s for a few miles and my time kept getting slower. It was an out and back course so many people were on their way back in and were walking and several were throwing up on the side of the road. Well ok…I could be grateful that my race wasn’t going that bad! My run time now was solidly between 10:30′s and 11′s depending on the hills. Somewhere around Mile 10 my quads felt like they could cramp any minute and my mind started to go to a bad place. The thoughts of a pizza, beer and a chair were overriding any desire to complete another lap. Just make it back to town…I thought! That was my goal were people were waiting for me, counting on me to finish this thing. I tried to focus on why I started this whole journey in the first place and my past…..playing ball at the Fleury’s and the day that Nicole proclaimed that soon she would beat me! She was much younger than me but she sure was getting good and I knew that the day would soon come where she would beat me. Almost cocky she was….loved it. I was having a hard time finding myself but I felt I belonged at their place even though they made me work….hay and other chores but it was always followed by some basketball and family fun! I was no longer that lost kid but how far had I really come….was I strong enough mentally to get this done? I was really starting to struggle and so wanted to walk…heck almost everyone else was at this point and then I heard my name being screamed! An old college friend was running toward me and I was so excited. I gave her a big sweaty hug and basically hung on her. She cracked me up because she said..Oooh…you’re hurting”…the way she said it cracked me up. I shuffled away and then walked the hill past the IGA and at the top I started to run again. I wasn’t feeling great…my stomach was upset and my quads were toast. Up Northwoods Drive seemed to last forever but my family was scattered all up the road which made me keep going. They all were so funny…big smiles…lots of cheering. I came back down the hill, hugged and hung onto my sister and proclaimed my wanting to quit. I can’t recall exactly what she said but she jogged beside me for a bit chatting which made me feel better. My uncle and his family were there which was awesome and then I came on the crew of my AZ peeps with my aunt and other awesome Chateaugay folks. I hugged them and then ran down to my parents. I hugged and hung on to both of them and said that this wasn’t going to be pretty…….many people got a sweaty, gross hug! I tried to enjoy the people and high five the kids on the sidelines. After I got out of town the lonely out and back stretch started again! Most everyone was walking at this point so continuing to run was hard to do….for once, I just wanted to be like everyone else! I started to focus on just one mile at a time and if I walked the rest…how long would that take me? That number was never acceptable so I kept shuffling along. The back side of the road was littered with people throwing up and with my stomach I was starting to wonder if I might be next. I drank some coke at one of the aid stations and had some chicken broth. The chicken broth was nasty. Everyone has always said how awesome it tastes out there but there was none of that for me….GROSS! The coke definitely helped settle my stomach and I thought it would be ok for me to walk it in before I hurled all over the road. Who am I? Now it never came to that so I would like to say that I would have walked it in but I am not sure! Miles 16-22 were undescribable…..such a psychological battle that I would love to say I conquered but it was somewhere in between…I didn’t totally succumb to the desire to stop but there were points where I walked when I know that my body could have ran….my mind just didn’t want to. I once again thought of all the people watching and following online……..all those that sent notes and well wishes….and the many that sacrificed their time to help me achieve my goals. With all the things going on in my life, it did take a village to get me here and for all that, I kept going. I shuffled and walked back into town and on the last hill into the corner, I saw my sister’s high school friend who screamed and cheered and made me smile. Rebecca…I so wanted to start running for you but couldn’t!!! I got to the top and started to jog and the crowd went crazy. I made it about 20 steps and so wanted to stop but they keep screaming and cheering. I made it to my last out and back….Yeah…the adrenaline should kick in anytime right? It was a slight uphill for a little less than a mile and I so wanted to walk. My sister and her family were still there….I thought for sure everyone would be at the finish. Jackson had on the orange hair and they were cheering…I laughed out loud…just the boost I needed. I saw some other friends again which was so helpful and as I turned to begin the downhill to the finish….I was ecstatic! I felt my pace quicken and again the acknowledgement of what your body can do if your mind believes! I came around the corner to the finish and I saw my family roar and it was one of the most exciting things I have been a part of in quite some time! It was awesome! The happiness and excitement on their faces totally made me miss Mike Reilly announcing my name!!! And of course, I was yelling quite loud! 

Good to know I could still pick up my legs!!!

 

I came across the line and was greeted by a gentlemen that had to be over 70. This volunteer was awesome as he helped me up and ushered me to where I needed to be……..he was calm with a very soothing voice…just what I needed. I found my family and my nephew Jackson came up to hug me and he said “Aunt Kelly, you won!” Gosh I love him! And I thought….yes, I am a winner as I looked around and took in all those that love and support me even though I choose things that to them are crazy!!! 

My goal was accomplished…I completed Ironman but I also was able to reconnect with many old friends from high school, college and my community. It never fails to surprise me those people who make the effort to support my crazy adventures and it is never forgotten. There is nothing like old friends and one of my oldest and dearest friend took the time to spend the whole day supporting me….thanks Jill for making the effort to reconnect. It was great to reminisce and remember the good ole days and have you once again by my side! And to #463….James Brown…you are awesome! It was great meeting you and thank you for a great evening at the dinner. You were calm and excited…just what I needed. 

Nothing can take the place of family!

 

I feel very fortunate that my family was able to make the trip and it was nice to hang out with them in a more positive space. I know that I drove them crazy the week before but I now can look back on that time and know it helped us grow closer even though I am so far away. Thank you and I love you all. And look out for my sister in Ironman Lake Placid 2012…..I know she will do it! I need to start training now or she will cream me….she is quite the runner! Love you lil sis! 

Never forget who helped you become who you are!

 

I also would like to thank the Fleury family for letting me run this race in memory of Nicole. I have had many unresolved issues about my past and the fact that I never made time to see her play in college. I got too caught up in my own life, leaving behind those that helped me move on and out of a town that wasn’t good for me at the time. It was a good day for me to remember all the fun times there and although I know I can never get back that time….I can help keep her memory alive and the confident spirit that I remember. 

Pending Race Report!

It is coming….I promise. Boy there is a lot to tell and it is hard for me not to be wordy. But the brief update is that other than a very hurting blister on my big toe and a burn on the back of my neck from my wetsuit….I feel pretty good. My quads are still a little tight but thanks to my mom’s pie roller…they feel better.  Mom…that might have jumped in my suitcase!

Race report will be here tomorrow. And thanks again everyone for following this journey and being a part of a great experience!

And The Goal Is Complete!!!!

First, I want to thank everyone who came out to support me or who did so from afar!! I have many kind and amazing people in my life. One of the reasons why I wanted Ironman Lake Placid to be my first was to be able to have my family there….you guys were awesome to be out there all day!!! Thanks Mom and Dad for being there all day and holding me up at Mile 13 for a moment…and more importantly Mom for being calm until I left! Also my sister’s presence was most important…so to have her and her family around for this event was most meaningful. I miss her and think that down the road you might someday hear her name being called by Mike Reilly! Aunt Peg, Uncle Steve and his family, Laurie, Jill and the rest of the Chateaugay crew……Coming across that finish line with my friends and family is something that was much greater than hearing that “I was an Ironman.”

I will write a race report with more detail tomorrow but I just wanted to let everyone know that I am doing well. My race was great up til Mile 12 when things went a little downhill. The last 13 miles were a serious psychological battle for me with a little upset stomach and quads that felt like they were going to cramp any minute. It might be that my dad had to basically carry me into the house last night. He dropped me on the couch but that was only because he thought that I would use my legs to sit…they were not cooperative. He was surprised! That was the most beaten up physically that I have been in quite some time! But in some sick and twisted way, I am excited to do my next because I am breaking the 13 hour mark!!!

Finally I must give a big shout out to my crew. Carmen has been with me in this journey since almost the beginning. Without her, I seriously wouldn’t have made it here. She has endured several training runs where I was so tired and cranky that she deserves the Ironman metal for just continuing to support me. She got up at hurty thirty to endure 100 mile bike rides and rode her bike next to me on all my long runs. From saddle sores, to bloody noses, to threat to tackle her off her bike….somehow she kept hanging in there. She handled the details that made this day so much better….she definitely wins the Sherpa Award of the Year!

Kathy, Kelly and Carmen

Kathy came into the training a little later but learned the ropes and jumped in to help wherever she was needed. She even came back after her first ride along when we gave her the bike with no working breaks…you can ask her about that story! These two have kept me sane in trying to run my business and train for the Ironman. I will be indebted to them for a very long time!

And then there is my Arizona people…..Lisa…you did an awesome job with the blog. Thanks for the motivation, the Canyon swims and the hill workouts on the bike. I can’t wait to see you cross the finish line of your Ironman….I am already excited!!! Pam, Justin and Jennifer…..thank you so much for not having to worry about the business. Pam and Jennifer have been very patient and kind as I have juggled way more than I should have to get this done. They may not have understood my Ironman goal but they were supportive the whole way! Sandra…for all you do for me from afar and taking time to come to NY to support me….Kimberly…for the runs, Pat…for the fruit, Tucson Bobbi…for teaching me how to really swim….. Sue for the B-12 and continual support….Bobbie M. for making me laugh and always wanting to hear the happenings and Dorilee for the greatest gift…..7 cards to open daily with a quote and a little note “for when I needed them.” They proved to be instrumental this trip and would refocus me when I needed it most. And all my other friends and clients at Tri 2 B Fit who sent messages and emails to wish me luck or congratulations. This whole experience has reminded me of what great people I have in my life and that truly support me in my crazy adventures.

Kelly Barnes, YOU are an Ironman!!!!!

Iron Kelly!!!

~Lisa

SHE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She just finished!!!!!  14:14!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Kelly!!!!!!!!!!

~Lisa

Lil sis here. Just saw her at mile 24. Looking great.

waiting at mile 22ish. Hoping to see her soon.

Watching the live feed and

ringing the cowbell in Arizona!!!  Keep cheering guys she is running the last miles now!! Right now she is surely digging deep to get these last few done!!!

Keep running strong Kelly!!!!  We are  sending you vibes to finish strong!!!!

~Lisa