Race #7 of 2012 LAVAMAN

So I will pick up where I left off...
race morning I had normal race guts. Woke up wide awake and in shock the day was finally here. I had laid out my stuff for the race before I got sick so I packed up the tri bag, I think I double checked my list? See why waiting so long is dumb! I put my helmet and bike stickers on. I was so anxious to get going I headed down to where the team was meeting. Everything in the morning was so exciting and surreal. The whole team was there and I felt so much better I think I was high fiving and hugging everyone...except the one bad seed in the bunch (I am glad there was only one bad person I met this season). All my teammates have been amazing. Such good people who all are fighting and working towards the same goal. In this moment at this time it was all I could see is wonderful people who have been along side me during this journey. They all had some part of it with me. I have grown to love and appreciate everyone so much. Everyone looked GREAT! It was a short time of prep getting air in bikes last minute words from coach then we rode over to the transition area. Coach had given very specific instructions set up transition, go down to get body marked (I had done this at packet pick up), get timing chip, go to bathroom and meet at finish line for team photo. It's funny all the stuff I packed in my tri bag when I flew over seemed like so much stuff but laid out ready on race day seems like not much at all. I did have my tri kit on and wetsuit, goggles, cap in hand.We did the team photo and then coach gathered us around him. He had us close our eyes and he verbally went through the race step by step with us. His visualization was so vivid and his voice so firm, confident and soothing. After we had a little bit of time so we did a quick warm up swim. Honestly at this point everything was a blur of faces and sounds. The first wave was already getting in the water and the countdown was starting. At this point I was standing right by the start surrounded by my teammates that were in the same wave. I grabbed one for a quick prayer. Then I was just taken aback at the presence of power I was among. These were all amazing strong beautiful woman standing around me. I wanted to make some sort statement of awesomeness but it wasn't the time or place. I just wanted them all to know how amazing they are for making it to this moment. I wanted them to know what they meant to me and how much I loved sharing this with them. Well no time for that kind of mushy non-sense it was time for us to get in the water. This was the first time I have ever done a race that I wasn't petrified. It was the total opposite! I was amped, I knew I was ready and except for normal butterflies I had no fear going into this. I was passing out high fives to my teammates and the countdown was moments away when Kathryn next to me had her goggles snap!!!! I don't know how in the moment I was able to be the one to get her to focus and fix them but we pulled it off! She tied them off just in time for us to take off!!! I expected it to be a lot more congested and violent then it was. I thought I was going to get kicked and slapped all over the place. It was hard to sight and swim straight. Once I found a path that was clear I was good. I was swimming past a few people that were struggling and so glad I worked so hard on my ocean swimming. I loved this swim! Above was chaos and noise, below was tranquil and beautiful. There was so many fish just cruising around not caring one bit what was going on above. There was sea turtles munching in the coral. The water was perfect temp. From shore it didn't seem that far. Especially compared to the 2 mile swim we just did. But in the water it seemed to take a long time to get to each buoy. When I finally made the first turn is when the fastest people in the next wave started to pass me AND the slapping and kicking and swimming over me started. I got around the buoy that was the final turn and what a rush to be headed back in. Shortly after that the NEXT wave had people catching up with me. Something almost hit me head on and I turned in time to see it wasn't someone swimming the wrong way it was a sea turtle! He was just cruising along didn't care that there was a race going on. The way in was faster, not sure if current was helping or just a mental thing. Before I knew it was done with the swim! The thing that had frightened me so much every race before was a thing of beauty this time. I exited the water and coach yelled at me for a hug. As I left his embrace I turned and did a faceplant right in the sand!!! Totally embarrassing but I was so overjoyed I didn't let it get to me and got up and ran towards the transition area. I saw a couple teammates transitioning same time as me and I think we all made fairly good time. I opted to throw on my bike shoes with out socks. I had done this only a few times on short rides...so technically was breaking the cardinal rule "nothing new on race day". I didn't want wet socks for the run and decided I felt this was a little late in the season. I was fine with the decision until my toe started to hurt. I still don't know if my shoe was rubbing it or I cut it on coral or when I fell in the sand? Either way the wind had calmed down since Friday and the bike course was in perfect condition. Unfortunately what I missed out on course preview day was the slight incline that is on the out portion of the ride. It was gradual and never ending it seemed. Thank God for the few people on the road. The guys that were race SAG said don't worry its all down hill after the turn around. Great I thought...but where is the turn around! Then there was a fit, tan, beautiful man on the side of the road cheering for everyone....and well he was just very nice to look at. He moved to the other side on the way back for additional support. During the race talk they went in great detail about the turn around. It had a steep decline, then speed bump then steep incline into bottle exchange. I managed to maneuver it well and exchange 2 bottles. I did really well eating and drinking on the bike. Definitely room for improvement but I had come a long way from not being able to do any of it while riding. I drank a total of 4 waters on the bike minus a little I dumped on my head. At 2 gu's and ate a bonk breaker bar. It was fun out there passing by all the teammates and being in the actual race. I should of paid more attention to going faster and trying to pass people but I was just going along smiling and loving where I was at. Just like the swim after the turn around it felt like no time and I was making the turn back into the resort and headed back to transition. By this time I was definitely feeling the heat. I was feeling tired and didn't have the kind of energy I would have liked to be heading out on a 6 mile run. I was very very very slow at first. In fact I was very slow the whole run. I could never get that burst of energy I can usually muster up at the end of a race or training. The run went out of the transition through a little patch of lava field then onto the street for miles 1-4. There was a small incline but no major hills. The aid stations were a thing a joy with ice and water. Just as coach said every training I was pouring water all over and stuffing ice in my hat, clothes anywhere I could get it. I definitely saw the value in keeping my body cool over trying to drink water. The run was tough because of the heat but I felt good. I kept telling people when they asked how I was that I felt strong. I did feel strong...just also slow. TNT had an aid station that we got to pass by twice that was cool. It was like you knew there was a support boost there waiting. I relished the few moments on the run there was shade. Once I turned into the resort I knew I was in the home stretch. The last mile or so seemed to never end, but then the finish line was in sight and then I got the missing burst. I ran as fast as I could to the finish!!!! It was a great moment. Ended up bittersweet in a way, kinda lack luster moment. I don't know what I expected but there was sort of a "that was it" aspect to it. Everything about the race was beautiful. The course the people the location. I loved the opportunity that everyone supporting gave me to do this. After getting across the finish line and getting my medal coach sent me down into the water. That felt sooooooo good to dive in and cool off. I am so happy that I did this race. I have talked about it for so long and my friend Jeani was right. This was my race. I wish I didn't have to go through everything I went through to do it but I will never question God's will in my life.
It always seems God shows me something when I do these races. This time was no different. Everything in training was just so all about God and trusting Him. I really think that the things I overcame throughout the season and the lofty accomplishments were almost more then the actual race. The whole morning on the beach with Noel's rocks was a big God moment. Really the big thing happened after I got home. I came home with a desire that had been absent from my life. I came home wanting a relationship. Watching everyone with their significant others at the race. Supporting them, being at all the events and cheering them on. I wanted that too. I have been single for a long time now for a lot of reasons mostly by choice and partly because most guys..mmmm all guys even the seemingly nice ones turn out to be liars or crazy or just not good enough for one reason or another. I came home ready to trust God's plan for me even if it meant trusting a man in my life. I was ready to surrender my heart and be willing to allow someone to get close. The cool thing is it was like God was just waiting for me to do so cause the results were instant!!!! OK don't freak out and look for a status change in facebook just yet. I have always said God is a great husband to me. I am truly never without and even live in abundance. He constantly amazes me in ways that are not humanly possible. Well there I was on Easter morning in church. Alone as usual. In that moment where I said sooooo yeah about the whole I want a relationship, sitting alone in church is not so fun. I hear loud and clear I am going to pursue you like you have never been pursued, I am going to put a desire in your heart that you have never knew possible. Our relationship is about to grow deeper and stronger. He revealed to me that I am not yet presentable to the one He has for me & I agree. I am pretty sure He could mean a man on earth or my heavenly Father. Either way I am all for a stronger relationship with the one who already has all my love, heart and trust. I still would like to share all this with someone and have some earthly support along the way but I am not desperate for it like I am to be closer then ever to my Lord.
I am so looking forward to what is in store with this summer season and my upcoming races.
I doubt I will get to post about the post Lavaman fun but it was seriously OFF THE CHARTS. Coach said we were never going to be the same and he was right!!!! HELE HUI

Official Lavaman Blog

There is so much to write about and I just don't know if I waited too long to remember every detail...EEK!!
I may be the worst blogger ever, I think most would agree if they looked at my other blog I abandoned about fishing....I have every intention of keeping up with it but my time is so limited. This year I gave up TV altogether cause I just couldn't keep up even with one show. Really need to focus on Lavaman not babble..

Here goes:
When I started this journey nothing seemed achievable. Being able to fund raise $4500, train to be able to complete an Olympic distance triathlon, even getting the time off work proved near impossible. Well I truly found that what is humanly impossible is possible with God. I have committed my life to God and I gave this over to Him from day one. I believed this was all part of His plan for my life. I can tell you He prepared me for this AND saw me through it. All glory definitely goes to Him as I was truly carried by Him.

OK so fundraising proved to be like putting on an old hat. I use to be the planner, go getter & stop at nothing to finish my task. Although in the past I was stop at nothing until I am #1 best numero uno. Luckily my time as single mom cured me of that and I was content to finish my goal. I can see how I could have run myself into the ground trying to be the top fundraiser rock star champion of all time. I think my heart wouldn't let me make this about me and I really kept the point of it being about my brother. I am continuing on with TNT and keeping the fundraising going but I'm so thrilled to be a part of the fight against leukemia in my brother's memory. Did I write about the day I finished fundraising? I am never going to get to the race HAHA...I had put a goal for myself over a month out from when the actual deadline was. I do not like last minute stress. Also there was a team incentive to finish by Feb 9th. That was my goal...I was hitting facebook hard with daily updates how close I was to my goal. People were helping so much daily! It was a good feeling knowing I was inching closer and closer. I fell short of my Feb 9th deadline. I had 3 dreams that week about finishing my fundraising. Thought about it constantly what it is going to be like. When the moment would happen, how it would happen....
I had a really good day on 2/13 don't remember what it was but I remember posting how great it was and if I could just finish my fundraising HINT HINT...the comment posted was "done". Then a note on my wall for you and your brother...$165 donation got me there on Valentines Day. A very generous person who I know strictly through our shared passion for fishing and facebook. God never stops knocking my socks off. Yes making the Feb 9th deadline would be cool but a sweet kiss on the cheek from the Lord on Valentines day :) Even better!!! I was walking out of gym when I got the email/posts. I started crying! It felt amazing!!!
I think that moment and the other accomplishments during the season are more than even the race. I think the race really is just marshmallow fluff. The journey there was life changing more so then I think the race could be....or not I gotta write about it!!!!

So the day finally came to leave for Kona! I finally got the time off work and Deana took me to the airport. Some teammates were also on the same flights so that made the trip all the more fun. Arriving in Hawaii was sooooo exciting. I was one of the only ones who hadn't done this before so I was taking pictures like crazy (dork over here hehe). After waiting FOREVER for the rental car we got to the resort we were staying. There is no way to describe this place. It is like a destination in itself! Amazing breathtaking overwhelming! I had a lot of bouncing around to do so the first night I was couching it with a friend until my room was available for the weekend. I headed into Kona to meet up with the team for the first scheduled activity we swam at the ironman swim start. How cool to be there right were the ironman world championships are. I could totally imagine it. Especially from watching it on TV. Then we met up at Kona brew co turns out my guide book was right BEST PIZZA mmmmmmm.
The next day I woke up on CA time. Luckily a friend was also up and we went for a walk. I had not checked out to much of the resort so this was neat. It was still dark out when we started. As the sun came up we made our way on a part of the run course. All around this part of the island people take white rocks and write stuff out on the black lava. She decided this was a good time to write out a few things for the race. She wrote GO TEAM and Skip for a fellow teammate who lost his battle with leukemia just over a year ago. I decided to write my brother's name. As I crouched down to grab the rocks and coral to spell out his name my senses all went crazy. It was like my sense of hearing went away and there was no sound, my vision blurred and my sense of touch heightened. The groves and pattern in the coral seemed to be the only thing I could sense really. As I laid each one down images of my brother and his life flashed in my mind. The photographs and memories played vividly with each placing of a stone. My breath was taken away as tears started to fall from my eyes until they turned into uncontrollable sobs. I cried out to God & let Him have all my hurt in that moment. I was shaking and could barely finish. As I wrote his name it was like I was realizing all over again he was gone. His life ended so tragically and way too early. My heart was breaking all over again. I wanted to lash out or scream or do something but I was paralyzed in that crouched position. Suzanne was there but I didn't even look up, I just heard her in the distance saying "you can do this". I finally finished and then it was like I snapped back to reality. I had no way of knowing that was going to happen. I didn't even go with the intention of doing that but God met me there and I guess I got it all out because He knew I needed to.
After that Jodi and I headed over to A Bay where our race would be. She and I swam out and tested the waters. It was so beautiful and clear. There was coral, tropical fish and sea turtles below us. I am so glad we did this so I will be less distracted on race day! (Team plans a few swims here too but on our own we could do it at our leisure and pace). I got to try Kona coffee when we did a plantation tour. We did bike pick up in the afternoon and a run for part of the course preview. Friday was the full course preview. When we got up Friday the wind was INSANE! We did a swim in the bay and it was crazy cause the current carried us so far around. I was glad we swam day before cause the visibility was so different. Not that it is important to see the fish and coral but it was way cool!
We were supposed to go out on the bike course and do about half of it but it was soooo windy we didn't go far at all. I will tell you that being on the bike with the gusty winds like that was scary. My heart was pounding and I was very nervous about the race. I think we all were. The thought of riding 24 miles with the wind pushing you like that made a 3-4 hour finish time rise to 5-6 hours in my mind. We biked a portion of the run course and then did the last part of the run course.
Saturday morning we had the option to go on an additional race preview our sport of choice. I went back out on the bike cause I wanted to practice more in the wind. Then I went for a quick swim back at A Bay. After we had to go to pick up our race packets. I went to lunch with some friends and whatever I ate at lunch made me horribly sick! I had a few hours until the race director meeting and our inspiration dinner. I was back in my room losing my lunch with horrible stomach cramps. From experience I knew this could be laying me out for days :( I was in tears and fearing the worst. I was able to get myself out of bed and make it to the race meeting. I had the cutest dress and shoes all picked out for the inspiration dinner. I could barely get dressed and look somewhat presentable when I headed out. I am glad I made the race meeting. There was definitely some info that I did not want to miss. We headed straight into the inspiration dinner. This moment should of been so different. I believe it was supposed to be a surprise. They had all the coaches, mentors, staff lined up cheering us into dinner. Everyone passing out hugs and smiling. Inside my stomach was killing me and I faked a smile although I wanted to sob. This was another moment that was being tarnished by bad luck on this trip (the previous account will not be recorded in public forum but I had another tearful moment). I wished so bad I was in my normal mode. I would be high fiving and hugging and probably crying in joy. Instead I dodged my way through as many people as I could and plopped myself down in my chair and started crying. I was again so disappointed that I was missing out on the experience I had waited so long for, crying cause if I wasn't miraculously 100% by morning I was not going to do well in the race....or even be able to race? Where we ended up sitting was so far away I couldn't really hear the inspirational talk anyway. I at some white bread rolls, a banana, plain pasta and dry plain chicken. Bland and tasteless & a huge bummer. After dinner we headed to a small meeting room for coaches last minute instructions. This lastest way longer then I would have liked. I ended up lying on the floor with my eyes closed praying that I was able to make it through this and back to my bed SOON. Again all info that I needed to hear just so upset my stomach hurt and I was not myself.
I went to sleep praying God would take all they pain away. I took more pepto thanks to my friend Elisa for supplying me. I did feel like all the bad food I ate had left my system and I was just feeling the after effects. I slept surprisingly well for a race night. I woke up in the morning and decided my stomach felt the same as any normal race day stomach would. I wasn't sure if it was from the bad food or race day so I decided to blame it on race day guts and have an awesome day!

Lavaman part 1

I hate when I have a big important event & the writing of the blog looms over me. So many details to remember & wanting to write a good story. Being a busy working mom struggling to find the time....sigh
It's just gonna have to wait :( Lord willing tomorrow is the day

Know-go

After our final workout the 2 mile swim we had a team meeting to go over the know-go....it took me about 15 min in to the meeting to find someone to ask what's a no-go???? It's the "know before you go" packet of info they handed us. It's referred to as the know-go which is odd cause it sounds more like NO-GO as in it's a no go...once I was shown the meaning i was able to focus!
There was a lot to go over! The schedule, where to be when, don't be late! During the meeting the team also had a potluck YUM! & voting for the final spirit award winner. SIDEBAR- I have changed so much in recent weeks. I had gotten to know & love so many more of my teammates. I had gotten so into the whole cheer squad sign making super seal day. I was having FUN & enjoying being with my TEAM. I know why I fought it in the beginning I was hurting & I been burned by lots of peeps (to be honest I got burned by one person on this team this season even-big mean liar). It's hard for me to be open to this heart warming touchy feely huggy stuff...but I got broken down when I met so many wonderful honest people who care so much about other people! They were so supportive of me along the way & I can say I couldn't of done this with out them! That being said I had also grown attached to the spirit award. Not te actual award (it's kinda gaudy) but what it represented for me, the journey I took.
The voting went on during the meeting & once we had gone over all the important details, eaten until we were stuffed! The announcement came...
two of the mentors stood up & started with we swam with her today (I instantly knew it was me) they talked about how I had spent the season unsure if I could do all the things I could accomplish but did! Both these ladies had seen me through really big moments along my journey & having them with me for the final swim was perfect ending. As the talked about me & the award I began to sob. It was so overwhelming of a moment. To see that everyone recognized me for what I had done & been through. Coach gave me a big squeeze everyone applauded . I was too choked up to thank them it sent an email later sharing with the team what this had meant to me.

My email: Don't know if ya noticed but I got a little too choked up to speak :'-(
I did want to say thank you to everyone!
I know we still have the race coming up to do BUT today was another iron mountain kinda deal...it's like if I can do this then I can do anything.
The entire swim all I said over & over & OVER was "I will swim across the ocean for you" to my brother. Dang the 40+ foot visibility & schools of fish & stunning views of kelp were distracting!
I started this season out in a lot of pain dealing with the loss of my brother. Signing up to do something that literally scared the shit out of me. But knowing i wanted to be a part of the mission! Sprints are fun but I've proven you can dog paddle & doop-de-do your way through them.
Petrified is the only way to describe me day one on the bike. Panicked is how I would describe me first ocean swim. Grieving is how I drove to & from each training.
All of you have been a part of me over coming my fears & a part of my healing.

Over the season I fell in love...WITH COACH G!!! I don't know how I will live without him! He is freaking HILARIOUS!
All of you have inspired me & helped me through this amazing journey.
I can't thank each & every one of you enough!
This has truly been more then I could of asked or imagined.
I am honored on behalf of my brother & family to say thank you for all the $ raised to end blood cancer. Your hard work fundraising means the world to us!

See you all in Kona :D

HELE HUI
XOXO

Katie Mason

This whole experience pre-race has been more then I could ever imagine! Never expected to actually achieve all I have or enjoy it this much. I've met so many amazing people & only one jerk haha :D I can see why people come back to be a part of this. The experience is so satisfying & fulfilling the race seems almost unnecessary (but I'm still going).
Next stop Lavaman!