Boston Marathon

I still remember the elation I felt when I qualified in 2013, and then the added urgency to race this year with the tragedy around last year's marathon. I recall going on a run that day, over a year ago, with tears in my eyes asking how people could ever try to destroy something so innocent as a race. I was determined from that point forward that I would run with my heart come race day, not for myself, but for everyone who was affected by the past event and for those countless others that wanted to be in my shoes yesterday. It was an honor and a blessing to be able to step up to the starting line with 36,000 others as we were embraced by Boston and the world.

I flew in Friday night and my mom, sister, and brother got in Saturday morning. We went to the expo, and I was so ecstatic to share in the check-in process with my brother for our first marathon together. We explored the expo and then walked the finish line area. It was an emotional day, remembering the past, but embracing the future. Coming back to the hotel, we met an 82 year old man who would be running his 48th marathon on Monday, second oldest man in the race. The people, the stories, the journeys...wow.

Sunday morning we went to the church just past the finish line for an incredible Easter Sunday service with a blessing of the athletes, in which Kevin and I each received a scarf to give us love and courage. I was in tears during the service, emotions heavy, but knowing God was going to protect all the athletes on the following day. It was spectacular listening to the church organs, choir, and bagpipes. Once all the athletes received their scarves and were standing, the church silence broke with a loud applause and shouts of pure joy. I was overwhelmed with the beauty and unspoken bond between all the runners.

Monday morning, having fully loaded up on carbs and fluids at Olive Garden the night before, we drove to the start and Kevin and I said our goodbyes with hugs and kisses to our sister and mom before heading into athlete's village. The village was huge, and after a short while there, I parted with Kevin as he was in wave 1. When wave 2 was called, I started the walk to the starting line to toe up for 26.2 miles. On my right arm I had written 'Boston Strong' and 'Wolfpack' and on my left I carried a pace band and wrote 'Relentless'. The walk to the start was fabulous as locals were there to cheer us on and provide last minute sunscreen and vaseline. Others were there to add entertainment with signs for free cigarettes, beer, and donuts...I found it quite hilarious. As I was in corral 9 for my wave, I started off last and had ample time to get there.

The start...so many people!! It was beautiful and I could hardly believe that all that enthusiasm would exist for every step of the course, but it did. They say it starts with practically 10 miles of downhill, but to me it was more of rolling hills. I high-fived as many people/children as I could as I ran, often detouring to get the littlest of kids so they would keep their hands out for other runners. I even jumped for a couple high-fives. I tried to ease into a comfortable stride, not going too fast, just taking it all in. There were so many runners that keeping a rhythm was not very easy, but it was Boston Marathon and nothing affecting my run mattered. At close to 2.5miles we passed a biker bar on the left with a super boisterous crowd and as we approached each city we were greeted with people everywhere welcoming us in and embracing us. All the Boston Strong signs and thank you's made it impossible to think about the run. My thoughts were lost in the beauty, the support, the love.

My hip was sore towards mile 10, and as we neared a lake, I was thinking...great, so only uphill from here. But around the half marathon mark I rolled my ankle so the hip became less of an issue. Just after the halfway, we passed a shop where a man with a loud speaker greeted us and told us we could check ourselves out in his windows. I knew my brother would have gotten a kick out of that so it made me laugh. I don't recall too many times up to that point and beyond that I wasn't beaming or laughing come to think of it. The Wellesley scream tunnel with all the girls having signs begging for kisses was super entertaining. Most of the female runners kept left at this point as the males swarmed in for kisses. Signs read "Kiss me, I'm a teacher", "Kiss me, I'm still sexually frustrated", "Kiss me, I'm good at it", "If you run faster, I will drop my sign" (minimal clothes on that girl), "Kiss me, I'm a smart chick"...so on and so forth. It was hilarious. Other significant points along course were up every hill where 100s of people cheered us on, every time we passed a frat or sorority area where everyone was already plastered at noon, people screaming out for the Wolfpack and laughing that I was a "1-man wolfpack", seeing my mom and sister, and of course...the last 10k.

For me, I felt surprisingly great all the way until mile 20, despite throwing up a couple times. I conquered each hill fairly painlessly and knew my brother and teammate were both steps ahead of me doing the same. I relied heavily on the crowd after that point to keep me going. At mile 23ish I used the restroom before the final 5k in. As I am not the best at nutrition and only had one clif shot blok and half a gel the whole course, plus maybe 6 cups of mostly spilled gatorade...I felt super faint by that point and those last miles were just a mental battle to keep putting one foot in front of the other. For the first time ever, I thought I would pass out before finishing. But God and Boston carried me home. Upon crossing the finish line, I went directly to the med tent and then reunited with my amazing family.

Kev did a 3:06, Caryn did a 3:17, and I finished with a 3:19 (tied my PR from Disney). I am so proud of both of them on such a physically/emotionally challenging course. I couldn't be happier with my time, but this race wasn't about that. Had I ran a 3 hour or had I ran a 4 hour marathon, had I walked the entire thing, my heart was left out there on the course with all those phenomenal people. The time was just a bonus to the most beautiful day.

Finishing Boston Marathon, with all the honor and glory associated with the race, for my first time during such a monumental year, is very hard to describe. It was an incredible journey and every person out there made it into the easiest marathon ever. Until the last 10k, and really 5k, there wasn't even time to think about my body or stress over the sheer willpower it takes to complete a marathon. This experience was something I wouldn't trade for anything. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me while I was running and for every single person that made Boston marathon a priority yesterday. We are all Boston Strong. I will be back next year 

Thanks Nuun Hydration for keeping me hydrated, Trivillage.com Fan Club Page for gearing me up, Andreas Ultrabikexstudio for all my cross training help, SeeMeInTheDark.com for protecting me on early morning workouts,Hector Arana for group long runs, Wolfpacktri for constantly motivating me to be the best version of myself I can be. To all my friends and family, nothing is impossible, but everything seems a lot more possible with all of you.

Florida 70.3

Now that everything has calmed down after an incredible weekend...here is my super abbreviated summary of the last week for Florida 70.3:

Race week, but minus the taper.

Ran a sub 6 min timed mile for my first time ever on Tuesday.

In great company on Wednesday with my boyfriend in town.

Biked Rickenbacker 14x & did a Flywheel class for the first time Thursday.

Ran a sub 19 min 5k for the first time ever on Friday.

Drove to Orlando area Friday for check-in.

Warmed up Saturday with some mini golf, cornhole, and a bike and run.

Got to watch my brother check in for his first ever triathlon and 70.3!!

Ate absurd amounts of food at Olive Garden.

...

Race Day

Slept horribly and stuck to my nutrition plan of the bare minimum.

Hugged a couple of my favorite men goodbye before walking to swim start.

Swam the M shape, decent 37m, not my fastest, but better than last year.

Raced through T1.

Got on the bike with permission from my coach to go hard.

Loved the course and posted my fastest split yet at 2:31.

Hills felt small from Oceanside and roads felt smooth from New Zealand.

T2 was a breeze and onto the run.

After causeway repeats the mile 1 hill seemed less daunting.

Step by step I chipped away at 13.1 miles in the heat, not keeping time.

Easy to push knowing Tommy and Dave were doing the same.

1:38 despite the heat/construction narrow passing routes on the long hill.

Final time: 4:51!!! Broke the 5 hour barrier Now for a new goal!

...

5:24 to a 4:51 on the course, 5:01 to a 4:51 for my PR, 2nd place AG, qualified for WC and got to roll the slot down.

...

Best part??? Seeing Dave mid-run and watching him finish, plus hugging Tommy during his run and catching his finish as well. I am so proud of both of them for having such great races. I am blessed to have gotten to see so many friends at the race as well. It was a spectacular weekend...even had a Ghiradelli sundae and a great time at Legoland to celebrate.

...

Now that the race and fun is over, my thoughts are directed towards Boston Marathon. It is hard to believe it has been a year. Very soon, I will be running the very same course that has changed so many lives. It will be a race from my heart, no goals, no stress, just in honor of everyone who has been affected by tragedy of the past in hopes of promoting the promise of the future.

...

As always, thank you so much to my teammates and family/friends that I thought of countless times during the race (Wolfpacktri). Thanks to our sponsors for keeping me hydrated, geared up, and ready for training and race day. Nuun Hydration, SeeMeInTheDark.com, iRun, Andreas Ultrabikexstudio, and Trivillage.com Fan Club Page.

Oceanside 70.3

HIGHLIGHTS

- I told my brothers and coach that I wanted to hit a :35 swim, 2:40 bike, and 1:40 run. Outcome: 35, 2:43, 1:37 = 5:01 overall and PR

- I told my coach that my teammate and I would try for 1st and 2nd in our age group, we took 2nd and 3rd! So incredibly proud of being next to one of the best triathletes/people I know on the podium, Ola is a huge inspiration to me and she had an incredible race breaking 5 hours!

- Ola Besser and I qualified for Ironman 70.3 World Championship

RACE DAY

- 3 am wakeup and bike to T1/T2

- nearly crashed on my bike attempting an uphill climb to T2

- didn't stop shivering until the start of the race

- spent an hour in T1 tucked in a ball inside my sweatshirt for heat

- googled 'How to bike up a hill' because I was terrified for the 14% grade after having to walk up a 12% at IRONMAN FRANCE

- started the swim and halfway I was convinced I had swam in a circle

- was blinded by the rising sun for the second half of the swim

- slow T1 due to struggling packing up my wetsuit and getting my shoes clipped in

- felt so at home on my bike and realized all the 3am bike trainer workouts were worth the sleep deprivation/exhaustion

- thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular ocean views and biking on a military base

- hit a rough patch and thought, oh to bike this for 112 miles in NZ...

- loved that we had to wear bibs so I could cheer for every competitor on course by name

- took it easy in anticipation for the hills

- approached the first hill, said a long prayer and dropped all gears to tackle it

- was amazed that I passed every person on the hill

- shouted with joy at the peak, and glanced at the word "relentless" written on my arm

- got complimented by a speedy female on crushing the hill only to reply that Miami hill training is fantastic

- had the song line "Glory, Glory, Glory to the Highest" stuck in my head all race

- got frustrated by some no pass zones

- tackled the 2nd major hill and marveled at how easy it was compared to the first

- continued to take it relatively easy in preparation for a hilly run

- started the run feeling strong and determined

- saw my amazing cheering section!! Marijo Murphy Clemons

- never looked at my watch, just ran what felt comfortable

- dealt with each hill as it came, knowing I just needed to mentally defeat them

- realized how short 13.1 miles is compared to a marathon

- reflected on how nice it would be to spectate at my next 2 races

- loved the run and the joy of knowing I could overcome my fears

- rushed to the chocolate milk tent immediately upon finishing to chug 3 containers...

- PRed, no regrets, sheer joy

LESSONS LEARNED

- I only drank 24 oz on the bike and ate 2 clif shot bloks, perfect strategy to kill the run

- I now know how to bike hills and to have high cadence using my small ring

- Racing with a teammate is the best motivation ever

- I finally raced my race and that is a wonderful feeling

Thank you so much to all of my wonderful Wolfpacktri teammates and family, so grateful to you all for pushing me every day to be my best and to conquer every obstacle. I couldn't have imagined a better debut 70.3 into the 25-29 age group. I can't wait to return to the IM 70.3 WC and redeem myself from last year. Thanks to our sponsors, Nuun Hydration, trivillage.com, iRun and Hector Arana, Andreas Ultrabikexstudio, and SeeMeInTheDark.com. You all are amazing and set us up for success in every way. 2014 is an incredible year so far...and it only gets better from here.

IM New Zealand

Wow...I want to cry...I can't stop smiling...that was probably one of the hardest things ever, harder than France. I'm overwhelmed right now, all of the love and support is so incredible and my heart is so full it hurts.

I started the day at 4am...walked to transition and checked on my bike and helmet before heading down to the swim. I danced as I strolled down to the swim, I had so much energy and excitement. I got the wetsuit on no problem, watched the Haka to start the race, and when the cannon sounded I quickly started to get in my rhythm, oh wait...no I didn't, the entire swim I was getting kicked, elbowed, swam over...in 100 yds my goggles were knocked off and my right side filled with water but I was too stubborn to fix them. Nearing the halfway point a large man literally grabbed me mid swim, held me up like a cat holding a kitten by my wetsuit and cussed me out for pushing him. I shook it off and went back to my thoughts of "grab, pull, push" and keeping my hips high...literally all I thought about. I finished the swim in record time for me and was so excited!! 1:07 roughly, over 11 min better than IM1. I sprinted past people on the 400m uphill to transition and quickly changed for the bike. The bike was two loop so I will go by quarters...quarter 1 I flew, I had a blast and thought of Kona the whole time, despite the roads reminding me of mountain bike trails, imagine gravel and that is pretty accurate, and making it impossible to stay in aerobars at times from intense vibration. Quarter 2, leaving the turnaround, I felt like I hit a wall...the wind coming at us as we went gradually uphill was brutal, combined with the unfamiliar rough roads I struggled to keep 15s...ouch. The views were spectacular, all farmland, and the cows corralled to kick up absurd amounts of dust so you couldn't see the road. Quarter 3, had hoped it would be like number 1, but the wind changed just enough to make it tougher, however I still hit 30s, so that was fun...sadly I started throwing up at this point and had to stop to refill water from my legs starting to cramp after the 45km into the wind/uphill/awful roads on quarter 2, and at one point I nearly got blown over on my bike, FUN. Quarter 4, I pushed on telling myself to hit below 6 hours, almost 50 min improvement from last time, and to get to the run. Another decent transition and onto the run...mile 1 7:05...oops, slowed to 7:30 mile 2 and that was when the wear from the bike started taking effect as we hit slight hills at that point. Perhaps it was mental, but I don't think so, and there was no mustard at aid stations...darn! In an effort to avoid cramping I walked up the hills and through support stations to solidly refuel. Apparently my stomach didn't handle the race course items well as I destroyed the lining of my stomach. I wanted to push hard, but I also wanted to be able to run and hit a PR. I did, 11:27, PR by 1:15 min from IM France...which at this point I would say was actually easier despite the tough bike only for the fact that the run is so flat and the worst of the bike is the first half with the second half giving your legs time to recover. Afterwards, I went directly to the medical tent. Feeling so much better now!!

I didn't hit my goal, but perhaps on further assessment that goal was unreasonable for me on this course. But throwing up 8 times, drinking 4 liters of water and still losing 3 kg bodyweight, cramping on the run, and killing my stomach shows me I still have lots to learn, in particular about nutrition. In less than a year at the beginning of my tri season and the end of the Aussie/Kiwi season, I killed my first IM time and I know that I will only get faster from here. To PR all of the disciplines/race was amazing and I am so blessed to be in NZ. Thanks to everyone who watched me and cheered me on. I ahooed for the pack multiple times I am so lucky to have the world's most incredible friends and I am so happy that at 24, I have now completed 2 ironmans. I will get to Kona one day, I will just keep working my butt off until I do. Now, time to shower and relax and enjoy the rest of my trip before I focus on 70.3 Oceanside.

Thank you Joey Perez for all that you did to prepare me for this, thanks to Gladys Liehr for helping me so much on the swim, thanks to Wolfpacktri for being the best teammates ever who I love with all my heart, thanks to Tom Anderson, Kevin Anderson, and Heather Anderson for being the most amazing siblings. Thanks to Ultrabikex KB, Trivillage.com, Nuun, SeeMeInTheDark.com, Rudy Project, iRun for being incredible sponsors. Thanks to Terry Rogers Anderson and my dad for being phenomenal parents, I wouldn't be who I am without you. Thanks to IM Nutri-Grain New Zealand for putting on an amazing race and for the crowds that carried me when my legs and stomach failed. And finally, thanks to work for allowing me to come to this!!!

Sincerely,

Happy, blessed, emotional iron(wo)man.

Life Is a Gift

Life is such a beautiful gift, I cannot get that thought out of my mind.  No matter what journey you may be on, it is important to remember to enjoy every moment.  We don’t have preset lengths of time for every stage we go through, nor do we have defined expiration dates.  But, when it comes down to it, we are each allotted time and we need to take advantage of it.  I don’t mean to abuse it and to use it to do harm to others or things that may be deemed to be less than satisfactory.  Rather, take that time and dedicate it to the Lord and the things that in turn make us happy.  It isn’t a selfish dedication of just pursuing what you want, rather it is a Holy dedication in which we listen and pray and ask God what he wants from us.  Too often, we lose sight of the higher power that exists, a presence that yearns for us to reach all of our dreams which are also the dreams He has laid out for us.  It took me a long time to come to know my God, for He is mine just as He is yours.  But, now that I recognize Him in everything, I feel the tears welling up in my eyes in humble appreciation for all that He has done for me that I failed to give Him credit for.  I can continually reflect back on my life to times when I was down or times when I was elated, and in doing so I realize how big of a force He was all along.  I  am so grateful that He has shown Himself to me time and time again, and that finally, I see and acknowledge all that He is.  These tears fall down because I am so absolutely full of love for Him and the love that He fills me with is so great, I cannot seem to contain it.   

No limits

At some point in our lives, we each realize what is and is not important to us. We accept the past and restructure our future accordingly. The topmost items are often called dreams while the subsequent items are often considered limiting factors that we cannot change. 

Today is the day to make your dreams priority. Turn those limiting factors into challenges that can be overcome or support networks. Live YOUR life to the fullest. Let go of the idea of impossibilities and embrace opportunities. Live and learn, but, most importantly, grow so that the stars become within reach. If you believe you can achieve something, no person nor thing can hold you back. The only limiting factor you truly have is yourself.

Coast Guard Elite Athlete of the Year!

I am very blessed and honored to be selected as the Female Elite Athlete of 2013 for the US Coast Guard and I'd like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your kind words. I am so lucky to have an incredible command that supports me and nominated me, a job that allows me to pursue my dreams of triathlons and running in my free time, and friends and family that push me to be the best I can be. Among so many well deserving athletes in our service, I am so lucky to have been selected and put in for the award. I can't thank everyone enough and promise to continue to represent our service well at each event.

http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcgpsc/027-14_ALCGPSC.txt