Ironman Lake Placid Race Report.... Repost!

Holy cow! Thanks to all of you who sent the kindest emails... even today. I can't believe how many kind people are out there in blog land... so by popular request I am reposting my Lake Placid Race Report. Thank you so very much!

An Ironman means different things to different people. It is an event that unites many of us, creates a family, represents something bigger than ourselves…. pulls us apart in order to put us back together. We each have our own personal Ironman. It might be starting a business, a family. It might be climbing a mountain, riding across the country. It does not have to be the Ironman to find that one thing that makes you keep going in life, in sport, in anything. The one thing that drives you to find out who you really are, to see how deeply you can dig, and again to be pulled apart in order to be put back together again.

I am delighted to announce that for the third year in a row the Train-This Ironman Team has had a 100% finish rate. Each one of our athletes came across the finish line, including myself. For the third time in my life I can proudly claim to have finished an Ironman. My race, detailed below was perhaps the greatest victory I have earned in a few years. I finished in 11 hours and 37 minutes, 12th in my age group out of 127. My biggest goal coming into this race was to be under 12 hours. My day was terrific.

SWIM 58:44I was aiming for a sub 60 minute swim and I had to fight for this one. By fight I mean that the swim was an absolute dogfight. Remember we had 2,500 people starting at the same time and I seeded myself in the front, a little wide to the right. Surrounded by white caps, which were all men, I knew I was in for something.

An Ironman swim is an experience. You will never truly find a groove because it is 58 minutes of flailing, beating, and wrestling. In fact I had to at times remind myself that this was an Ironman swim and not a wrestling match.

The hardest part was the beginning and then the end. The guys were clawing, hitting and pulling on legs, bodies. At 58 minutes I stood up and smiled.

T1There are many exciting parts to an Ironman and the first is the wetsuit strip. After nearly an hour of swimming you exit the water to 50 people who are waiting to rip your wetsuit off. You peel the top down, sit down and they yank it off. After handing it to you, you embark on a 1/4 mile run to transition, which is so lined with people your heart rate launches into zone 5 automatically.

Into the changing tent you have 2 volunteers who kindly help you don your bike gear. My transition went nice and smooth and as I made the run to the bike, another kind volunteer was waiting with my bike all ready to go.

Bike

We could not have asked for a more perfect day here in Lake Placid. Every time I have ever ridden this course it has been in wind, rain, hail… but not today. Today the wind was calm and the sun was shining. The temperatures were cool and I was feeling happy.

A lot goes through your mind on a 6 hour bike ride. My goal on this ride was to keep my wattage between 140-160, and my heart rate no higher than zone 3, with a cadence of no lower than 70. It's a hilly course with plenty of room to rest.

There is a 10K descent into Keane which I rode on Wednesday in the pouring rain. So today would be easy. I lightly feathered the brakes and hit a new record speed of 55 miles per hour. I had good clean roads, everyone was respectful of one another, and everything was going along fine.

Nutritionally things were all right. Towards the end of the first loop my stomach felt sore. I was using Infinit Nutrition and I can't say that it was terrific. I was able to pee four times so I knew things were passing through me, but I did have to make a switch to gel and water towards the end. It left me in a slight calorie hole but I did not feel worried.

Another exciting part of this race is the last climb up a hill that someone named "Pappa Bear". You can see it from the top of "Mamma Bear" and it is lined with people. I knew that Rich Clark would be sitting at the top with his megaphone and the Train-This gang would be there. I got so excited as I rode up it, the cheers were incredible and so spirit lifting.

The top of Pappa Bear enters you through the town of Lake Placid, where you feel like a Tour De France cyclist. Crowds screaming wildly. I was up far enough in the field that I was able to enjoy a solo ride through town. My big secret on getting people to cheer for you….. smile. Smile and they will scream like crazy. And that's what they did.

The second loop was a bit windier but I felt very in control of my ride. I knew that a 6 hour ride would leave me fresh for the marathon, and I knew I had to stay on top of nutrition. My stomach still ached but I could still pee so I kept getting in as much as I could.

And I rode my personal best of 5:58. I came off the bike feeling great.

T2

Once you dismount the bike in the Ironman a volunteer kindly grabs your wheels and takes your ride away. I ran through the coral, grabbed my bike to run bag and headed into the changing tent.

"Do you have any scissors?" I asked a volunteer.

"Yes, why." She replied.

"Can you cut my ponytail off?" I asked her.

"WHAT?" She cried.

"My hair is way to long." I told her as I changed. "I am completely okay with it. Just cut off the ponytail, I will have it fixed tomorrow."

"You are making an irrational decision." Another cried.

"I can do it then!" I told then, "Can I have the scissors?"

They wouldn't give them to me! But it was true my ponytail was hanging all over my back and my hair is way to long for an Ironman. But they would not budge to I bunned it up, threw on my visor and headed out for the marathon.

The Marathon

I wore my Garmin GPS watch, which told me current pace. I had to really hold back through the first 5 miles as I was running 7:30 pace when I was not looking. I was aiming for a 4:00 marathon and by mile 5 I was able to slow it down enough. I knew if I could hold a 4:00 marathon pace I would be in good form to break the eleven hour barrier.

I did feel the marathon legs set in through mile 2 but I was not worried. I knew this was going to be a difficult one. It's been 4 years since I have done the Ironman and I was ready for anything.

My first loop went exactly as planned. I got 13 mile at 2:00 and I was happy. I walked each aid station and took Gatorade, Coke and water. By mile 9 I did feel like the caloric deficit I had endured on the bike was catching up to me. I tried to be very careful.

When I approached the Hill I again found Rich Clark and the Train-This gang. Anyone who has ever done the Lake Placid Ironman knows who I am talking about. I am the lucky one to be able to call them my family. Once they see you at the bottom of the hill you begin to hear a siren and then screaming and for the next 5 minutes the entire world is cheering you on. O knew where I was, I knew how I felt and I was psyched. On my way down the hill my son Luc got on the mega phone with a loud "GO MOMMY GO!" and that was gold. Curt was there too and I swear it was like seeing heaven itself. When the people you love most are near you…… you feel invincible.

Still there was an underlying feeling of dizziness was looming.

At mile 15 things became strange. It was hot but I got cold. I felt dizzy and thought I'd puke. I started to walk and then Doug Bush, my coach caught up to me. He's a superior Ironman athlete and I knew I was in front of him. He caught me and began to walk with me. I reported my symptoms and he handed me 3 X 350 salt tablets with the instruction to walk it off.

The next 4 miles were rough. I alternated between feeling sleepy, nauseous, and cranky. My hamstrings tightened. I wanted to stop, I wanted to DNF. I wanted to lie down. Things got ugly. I pulled to the side of the road to stretch out my hamstrings several times. Twice I think 2 of my athletes saw me and I quickly pulled it together. I did not want them to see me weak.

As I approached mile 20 I realized that even though I had walked about 30 minutes total of this marathon since mile 16….. I knew if I just ran the last 6 I could break a 4:30 marathon, which would still bring me in under eleven hours and 40 minutes. And that was glorious.

So I started to talk to myself. Okay Mary….. you want this bad streak to be over. All the bad races, all the puking, all the falling apart. You can put an end to it right now, right here. Let's put these demons behind us right now. The only one who can do this is you.

And at that moment I saw a can of salt, the big kind you refill your salt holder with. I picked it up and I poured it into my mouth. I tipped my head back and filled my whole mouth with salt, until I felt it hit my front teeth. Then I gulped down three cups of water. I knew this brilliant move would either make or break the day and I had to take the chance.

"That was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen!" a guy next to me cried at my stunt. "You are awesome!" I smiled knowing this would either save me or make me hurl.

5 minutes later I was running 8:45 miles and I was closing in on the finish. I still walked each aid station and made sure to take in enough nutrition. I felt so bad that I told myself to run to mile 24 and walk the final 2 miles home.

The only problem with that plan was that mile 24 was at the hill where Rich was. So I stared up the hill with a purpose and I walk the hill no matter what. So here I was planning on walking the final 2. And at the mile 24 marker the Train-This spectator team was standing and that was my moment of truth.

If you want this streak to truly be over Mary, you will stop your whining and you will run. You are 15 minutes from the finish line and you will run. Your legs feel fine now F$%#& RUN!

The gang standing there joked later that at that moment I wiped my mouth and put my game face on and started to run. And that's right. I started to run and I ran those final 2, the inner talk now was out loud.

As I hit mile 25 I knew I was under 11:40 and I started to cry.

The Finish

For many of us an Ironman is seeing just how deeply you can dig. You find your edge, you take yourself to the brink and I had done that today. It'd had been four years since my last finish and I still was not confident, that the 2003 finish was not just luck. But here I was four years later close to the same time in different circumstances. I knew it right then and there that Ironman and I can live happily together. I knew that my favorite place to be is in Lake Placid New York. And I knew I was coming home.

Realizing what I had fought through, realizing I had walked so much of the run and was still pulling off a great time… knowing that this time when I came to the brink, I brought myself back.

The Ironman has a way of making you find the deepest part of you and making it then become the strongest.

I came down the hill and there was the Olympic oval. I could hear the crowd and I knew Luc was waiting to make the finish line run with me.

And there he was.

I began to cry again as I grabbed his hand and we ran together. His hand in mine. I saw the clock….. eleven hours and 37 minutes. I had done it. More tears. And then…….

The final 25 yards own the finishing chute for me are slow. Whenever I come down this chute it is so incredibly loud that I hear nothing. It is so bright but I see one thing, the clock. Luc and I ran together and I realized all that I had come through and done for the past year was realized today. No longer was I broken. I had a great day and I had a great race and now the moment was here.

Because he is almost 7 he's getting so darn big…. I knew this would be the last time I carried Luc across the finish line. Next time he will be too big! Somehow I picked him up and wrapped my arms around him and we broke the tape together.

For the third time in my life I got to hear Mike Riley scream…..

"Mary Eggers YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!"

Then the whole world came crashing down on me. I fell to my knees in a heap of tears of happiness, pain, exhilaration, everything. My Ironman passion renewed. My belief in myself as an athlete revitalized…. it was as if in this moment of physical collapse everything opened up again. I could feel clearly, see clearly the goal. In fact clarity itself existed in a time when it has not been clear.

Eleven hours and thirty seven minutes.

The aftermath

Things are crazy after an Ironman. Finding family, connecting with people, good luck. The Train-This gang were all dressed in Train-This lime green T shirts so it made that easy for me. I grabbed my dry clothe bag and stumbled into a tent. After I sat down I realized I was in the men's changing tent.

"Anyone mind if I change in here too?" I asked

"NOPE!" cried another guy. Good I thought cuz I ain't leaving. Believe me by the time you hit this stage of the race you have peed on yourself so much and been through hell and back, that nakedness means nothing

I found Tom and gang on the side of the road, where I handed Tom my gear bags. Curt and Luc had gone back to the house to sleep, thank goodness. Nothing is worse than bringing kids to the Ironman, it lasts forever!

Tom asked me if I wanted anything to eat. All they had at the post race party were cookies and pizza, which after 11 hours of drinking Gatorade just wasn't appealing.

So Tom got me just what I was craving…… a hot dog, a bag of Doritos and a quart of chocolate milk. Heaven.

Then one by one the Train-This gang started coming through the finish line. Each one had their won day out there and I tell you it was amazing to see them all out there. To be able to smile and share a high five, a word of encouragement. Again I say it was like heaven.

Today, which is Monday….. Luc and I moved into a hotel right in Lake Placid to enjoy a few days of R&R before heading home. Curt went home on Monday, as he's preparing for Duathlon Nationals next weekend. My body hurts. It hurts a lot. I was told "That's what you get for going sub 12!" and I am delighted to wear this badge of soreness.

Luc and I strolled around downtown Lake Placid today, I of course wearing my finisher's shirt. Everyone in town does. You see the shirt with the familiar slow Ironman walk. Your eyes meet and you share a smile. Nothing has to be said but so much is just known.

At this point you are family. Whether you have met or not you are part of the Ironman family. And it's a beautiful thing.

As I allow the recovery to begin, I am excited to prepare for another round at the Lake Placid Ironman… in 2008. I am going to again rethink Ironman Florida…. as I really want to get the proper recovery in before a solid training for IMLP 08. I will likely not race in August and then finish up the season with some sprint races; again the proper recovery is key here.

In 2008 I want to arrive at the starting line of IMLP fitter, wiser and stronger. I know that an eleven hour Ironman is possible, even on the Lake Placid course. I know that I can dig and I know that the well runs deep.

And as I am finishing this report on Tuesday morning, from the balcony of the Wood Lake Inn, I am surrounded by the mountains. There is not place like Lake Placid and I hope you get to come here some day. I can not imagine doing an Ironman anywhere else. I don't know if it is because of the people or the surroundings but this is my home.

Thanks so much for reading, I will have another post in a day or so for all of the people I need to thank, and this report is long enough already.

Onto recovery…….

:-)Mary Eggers

Oppertunity

Mirror Lake on Thursday morning before IMLP 2007

This morning I met Kevin, Kitima and Jeremy for my first swim since Ironman. Funny how things get put into perspective. I did a first bike ride, now a first swim. I almost did a first run last night but decided on a first walk. Welcome to week 2 of Ironman recovery, things are going much better than anticipated.

I fully expected the world to crash down on me Monday... when the Ironman glory wore off, the soreness subsided and things settled down. Rather than the crash, I am experiencing excitement. You see I thought the Ironman Florida plan began yesterday and I got ready.

"ONE MORE WEEK." Coach Trevor instructed me. I felt like Christmas Day was suddenly moved back a week. And then I saw the plan. I will admit to my eyes popping out and feeling a little frightened.

Tuesday August 14th I have a 5 K time trial. At the track. With Coach. For some reason I had visions of myself running through the woods, dreaming of Ironman glory..... lattes on long rides..... the easy life continuing.

Not so.

If I want a sub eleven performance, apparently I am going to have to work for it. And it made me smile as I looked things through. 5K time trial on a track (maybe Coach will count for me...)... time trial on the parkway on the bike to reestablish my FTP. Running focus, big bike weeks.... oh yes it is Christmas Day!

Which meant that this morning the easy life took priority. The work will be here soon enough. With the gang it took me 60 minutes to swim 30 in a beautiful lake surrounded by beautiful scenery. In what other life could it be 6:30am, as you are in the lake listening to Kitima's impressions of her mother? In what other life could you appreciate the beauty and the friendships around you, with laughter erupting from the middle of the lake? In what other life could you appreciate this?

Many other lives actually. You see, our lives are what we create them to be. There are mountaintops and there are valleys. While we stand on the middle ground we must learn to appreciate both sides of the spectrum. The hard times, the great times. And this morning was a great time. I felt so grateful for the friendships, for the abilities, and for the opportunities.

The work will be here soon enough, and there won't always be time for the Ironman. Bigger things will be there, smaller things will be there. But for now, I am wrapping myself around this moment, and loving every second of it.

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

Focus

Seven days ago I was in the middle of Ironman Lake Placid. The pain has disappeared. The heart remains. The desire is burning to begin again with a focused plan for Ironman Florida. I can't help but wonder... where is the burnout I felt after 2003? The desire not to step course in an Ironman again? Why just seven days later am I dreaming of it again?

I guess that's what 140.6 does for you.

Curt feels grief for me because he believes I "dropped it" at Lake Placid. I feel elation because I realized I have it. I tasted sub eleven hours... and I liked what I tasted. In fact, I loved what I tasted.

Ironman Florida has the possibility of sub eleven. It also has the ability to be a 14 hour day. Each race has it's own double edged sword. But the difference here is that I am letting go of doubt and I am embracing possibility.

I am armed with the right tools. I am ready to take the necessary steps. Coach Trevor and I discussed the remaining races that I was planning on, and we cut things significantly.

I had to think about my priority. Is it a good day at IMFL or is it to repeat as champ of the Finger Lakes Tri?

Ironman Florida. I want it. I know if the stars align my day could be a good one.

So the plan wins. My goals win. I win. I am going to finally take this chance on myself and see what happens.

while I am aching to get back to the grind... I am following instructions and being patient. Luc and I took a 40 minute mountain bike ride on the canal together and it felt like heaven.

This week will be full of yoga and open water swimming. And I'd better relish in it because what is coming.... is going to make me go deep. Dark evenings and computrainer rides, or rides in the cold... back to the pool.....

But it all could amount to one thing. And it might not. But still... it might.

Thanks for stopping by,

:-) Mary Eggers

Take On Me

I can be that annoying little friend that you know. The one who wants to be your best pal, and you want them to be, you really do. It's a door you are almost afraid to open because you might be afraid of what is inside. It's safer to remain on the outside, better yet, it's better to remain 100 miles away. Smile and wave hello.

I wonder sometimes if that's what poor Trevor thinks of me. Or maybe he is tired of watching me flop. Or I have aggravated him so much with my suicidal athletic plans that he's finally thrown in the towel.

Trevor has finally agreed to coach me. I screamed YIPEEEEEEEE! And Curt wished Trevor the best of luck, with a wicked laugh and a loud sigh.

As long as I can remember I have thrived working with a coach. Every one of my swim coaches told me that I was an easy athlete to coach. My swim coach Lorie Rick still confirms that. Somehow the perception grew that I was nuts. And while I find comfort in being called nuts (it makes the people you don't want around you.... stay away.) I have to say it unfortunately is not true. Feel free to keep thinking I am though...... there is nothing more fun than hearing somene say "Yes, that's Mary Eggers.... she's a bit nuts though..."

But left to my own devices I will commit athletic suicide even though I know better.

I am quite a coachable athlete. I like structure. I love being told what to do. I don't bark back. I fill in my log. I am honest when something goes wrong and I am honest when something goes right. I don't have a lot of questions. I won't bother you with frantic phone calls and emails. I follow directions. I change what you think I should change. I work hard when I am told to, I rest when I am told to. I give feedback when you ask me to.

I expect what I pay for. If you are training me with power don't give me a base building ride in zone II. I know my athlete's power zones and I expect you to know mine.

Trevor knows me and he knows my abilities as an athlete. He knows what it is like to struggle with weight. The man's lost over 100 pounds. The same things that cause overeating are the ones that cause you to make yourself puke. Eating disorders are similar no matter which way you go.

I think my debacles infuriate him because he knows I am better than that. I know it too. I don't always know how to pull it out of myself but I know that he can figure it out. As I showed him my ideas for Ironman Florida I imagine smoke coming from his ears. He gets power, he gets pacing (the man's an incredible athlete if you don't know that.... sub 11 hour Ironman), and I think he could make himself a pretty penny because of his understanding of athletes.

From Trevor I hope to learn how to be a better athlete, and in turn a better coach.

He and his wife are Canadian..... what more can I say?

So welcome aboard the crazy ship Trevor, here's handing the reigns over to you. I hope to do you proud, I hope to become your marquee athlete. I hope I can help grow your role as a coach.

And so my faithful and wonderful friends... should you see Coach Trevor on the street or at a race, make sure you give him a hug. He deserves at least that for taking on the named crazy girl in town. We'll make sure there is a room at the proverbial inn in town, the one with the padded white walls. Because this will either make you proud.... or make you nuts as well.

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

The Week In Pictures

The Eggers' family vacation began at the Musselman ITU Pro Race, continued through Alexandria Bay (saw the Singer Castle) and then onto Lake Placid. Here is our week in pictures, all 84 of them. Our trip concluded at Santa's Workshop in the North Pole!

Click here for the album!

:-) Mary

How to Properly Recover From the Ironman

There are several rules that one should follow when recovering from an Ironman. These rules need to be carefully followed, especially if you have another Iornman in 12 weeks. The first rule of thumb is to get a proper post race meal. You want to replace those precious lost calories, carbohydrates and electrolytes.

To do that you need to find one of your trusty teammates. As you limp in horrible pain they will inevitably ask you if they can get you anything, anything at all.

Don't be afraid to grant their request. After all you just finished an Ironman. So go ahead, ask them to get you the post race meal of all meals;

Hot Dog, Cool Ranch Doritos and a quart of Chocolate Milk. Smile when eating. This is the key.

Secondly you need an assistant. A 1o year old child is a good one. They are obedient and they are impressed with your Ironman. Have them walk you to the bathroom, to the bike pickup, help you crawl up a hill. Anything.

Have a friend drive you back to your cottage and try very hard not to fall asleep as you give them the directions. But know if you give the wrong directions it can't be helped, you just did the Ironman.

When you decide that just 10 hours after finishing Ironman #3 you need to sign up for Ironman #5, make sure you have a team of people to meet you in the line. When you forget your chair remind your friends that you just did the Ironman and need to sit. Their sad legs can stand. Make sure they are agile so they can assist you in watching your six year old child, who was more than delighted to wake up at 5am to sign up for another Ironman. It build character. Remind your child that the Moms in his kindergarten class who don't do this are really the strange ones. Remind him this is what all normal people do. Someday if he is a good boy, he can do it too.

On day one of post Ironman recovery make sure you eat great food. This means ice cream, hot dogs and definitely French fries. You just did the Iornman and your body is asking for it. All Ironman finishers should grant their bodies wishes at this point.

When you move into a new hotel act happy that they gave you a room on the second floor, only accessible by stairs. Tell the owner that it's okay, you just finished the Ironman and thought you could use a good workout.

Then when you climb those stairs smile and look like you are walking that way on purpose.

When people ask you if you finished the Ironman, politely tell them your name is Belinda Granger and you won the Ironman.

On recovery day two when you decide to visit the North Pole (this is real...) plan accordingly as it is nestled in the side of a mountain. So that means hills. Tell your child you will work through the rides from the top down. Convince him via sugary foods to sit down after the third trip through the rides, for 5 minutes.

When walking through lake Placid make sure you wear your finisher's shirt and keep the silver bracelet on. Stop at Ben and Jerry's as often as possible. Exaggerate the staggered walk, make it look good to the regular people. After all you just did the Ironman and they will be happy to tell you they can't even drive that far!

Upon returning to teach your yoga class announce that while you will instruct them to touch their toes you will not be able to..... you just did an Ironman.

Allow your domestic excuses to change from "I can't do that I am resting for the Ironman..." To "I can't empty the dishwasher... I am resting from the Ironman."

Other helpful tips;

The first week it is okay to eat ice cream before 11am.

You may wear your finisher's shirt every single day for 7 days. Please wash it 2 times at least.

You may scout our Ironman jewelry and pay $200+ for an Ironman pendant.

You may not drink Gatorade Endurance formula for at least one week.

Hot dogs are fair game.

And don't forget the most important rule..... day one you can wear the medal. Day two the medal goes on the rear view mirror, day three it goes on the counter, day four it goes to its display case.

But it is all right however to wake up in the middle of the night, go and get it, bring it back to bed with you and just hold it. After all you just went to the brink and came back, you just found out more about yourself then you ever knew existed, and you just became the strongest person on earth.

And whatever you do dear Ironman Finisher... do not... and I repeat DO NOT open your Ironman gear bags inside of the house.

What If

I am rendering my decision on Ironman Florida just 3 days after Ironman Lake Placid.

I am in.

I thought a lot about it through the past 3 days and I know what I am afraid of. In Lake Placid I am fortunate to enjoy so much crowd support. I know that in Florida Curt, Luc, Jennifer, Tony and Andy will be the only people I know.

The thought of going so far virtually alone is downright frightening to me. But then I thought ...
what if....

What if I can go to the brink again like I did on Sunday.

What if I can in fact go to the brink and come back... alone.

What is I can break eleven hours.

What if I don't?

What if I prepared myself to be on that course alone all day. With no ascents or descents to rest.

What if I prepared myself to withstand the heat.

What if I gave myself the chance to succeed.

What if I gave myself the chance to fail.

What if I just.... believed?

I will do all of that. And I will train alone. I will ride and run .... alone. I will prepare myself for 11 hours of solitude. I will find that place deep within me that wants it bad enough. I will get used to solitude. I will grasp the fact that when I get on my bike I will not see civilization or a hill for a good 5 and a half hours. And I will go to the brink again if I have to.

Until you are really pulled apart like an Ironman will pull you.... you are not truly sure what you are made of. Disclaimer; remember we each have our own thing. For me it is the Ironman. For you, perhaps something different.

I know on November 4th the cheering crowds I get to enjoy at Lake Placid will not exist. My hometown friends will be watching via the Internet. I will just have to tune in within myself to hear them scream.

I am no longer afraid. I am willing to take the chance. Because just maybe, maybe I can nail it.

:-) Mary Eggers

Ironman Lake Placid 2007 Race Report

An Ironman means different things to different people. It is an event that unites many of us, creates a family, represents something bigger than ourselves…. pulls us apart in order to put us back together. We each have our own personal Ironman. It might be starting a business, a family. It might be climbing a mountain, riding across the country. It does not have to be the Ironman to find that one thing that makes you keep going in life, in sport, in anything. The one thing that drives you to find out who you really are, to see how deeply you can dig, and again to be pulled apart in order to be put back together again.

I am delighted to announce that for the third year in a row the Train-This Ironman Team has had a 100% finish rate. Each one of our athletes came across the finish line, including myself. For the third time in my life I can proudly claim to have finished an Ironman. My race, detailed below was perhaps the greatest victory I have earned in a few years. I finished in 11 hours and 37 minutes, 12th in my age group out of 127. My biggest goal coming into this race was to be under 12 hours. My day was terrific.

SWIM 58:44

I was aiming for a sub 60 minute swim and I had to fight for this one. By fight I mean that the swim was an absolute dogfight. Remember we had 2,500 people starting at the same time and I seeded myself in the front, a little wide to the right. Surrounded by white caps, which were all men, I knew I was in for something.

An Ironman swim is an experience. You will never truly find a groove because it is 58 minutes of flailing, beating, and wrestling. In fact I had to at times remind myself that this was an Ironman swim and not a wrestling match.

The hardest part was the beginning and then the end. The guys were clawing, hitting and pulling on legs, bodies. At 58 minutes I stood up and smiled.

T1

There are many exciting parts to an Ironman and the first is the wetsuit strip. After nearly an hour of swimming you exit the water to 50 people who are waiting to rip your wetsuit off. You peel the top down, sit down and they yank it off. After handing it to you, you embark on a 1/4 mile run to transition, which is so lined with people your heart rate launches into zone 5 automatically.

Into the changing tent you have 2 volunteers who kindly help you don your bike gear. My transition went nice and smooth and as I made the run to the bike, another kind volunteer was waiting with my bike all ready to go.

Bike 5:58

We could not have asked for a more perfect day here in Lake Placid. Every time I have ever ridden this course it has been in wind, rain, hail… but not today. Today the wind was calm and the sun was shining. The temperatures were cool and I was feeling happy.

A lot goes through your mind on a 6 hour bike ride. My goal on this ride was to keep my wattage between 140-160, and my heart rate no higher than zone 3, with a cadence of no lower than 70. It's a hilly course with plenty of room to rest.

There is a 10K descent into Keane which I rode on Wednesday in the pouring rain. So today would be easy. I lightly feathered the brakes and hit a new record speed of 55 miles per hour. I had good clean roads, everyone was respectful of one another, and everything was going along fine.

Nutritionally things were all right. Towards the end of the first loop my stomach felt sore. I was using Infinit Nutrition and I can't say that it was terrific. I was able to pee four times so I knew things were passing through me, but I did have to make a switch to gel and water towards the end. It left me in a slight calorie hole but I did not feel worried.

Another exciting part of this race is the last climb up a hill that someone named "Pappa Bear". You can see it from the top of "Mamma Bear" and it is lined with people. I knew that Rich Clark would be sitting at the top with his megaphone and the Train-This gang would be there. I got so excited as I rode up it, the cheers were incredible and so spirit lifting.

The top of Pappa Bear enters you through the town of Lake Placid, where you feel like a Tour De France cyclist. Crowds screaming wildly. I was up far enough in the field that I was able to enjoy a solo ride through town. My big secret on getting people to cheer for you….. smile. Smile and they will scream like crazy. And that's what they did.

The second loop was a bit windier but I felt very in control of my ride. I knew that a 6 hour ride would leave me fresh for the marathon, and I knew I had to stay on top of nutrition. My stomach still ached but I could still pee so I kept getting in as much as I could.

And I rode my personal best of 5:58. I came off the bike feeling great.

T2

Once you dismount the bike in the Ironman a volunteer kindly grabs your wheels and takes your ride away. I ran through the coral, grabbed my bike to run bag and headed into the changing tent.

"Do you have any scissors?" I asked a volunteer.

"Yes, why." She replied.

"Can you cut my ponytail off?" I asked her.

"WHAT?" She cried.

"My hair is way to long." I told her as I changed. "I am completely okay with it. Just cut off the ponytail, I will have it fixed tomorrow."

"You are making an irrational decision." Another cried.

"I can do it then!" I told then, "Can I have the scissors?"

They wouldn't give them to me! But it was true my ponytail was hanging all over my back and my hair is way to long for an Ironman. But they would not budge to I bunned it up, threw on my visor and headed out for the marathon.

The Marathon 4:28
I wore my Garmin GPS watch, which told me current pace. I had to really hold back through the first 5 miles as I was running 7:30 pace when I was not looking. I was aiming for a 4:00 marathon and by mile 5 I was able to slow it down enough. I knew if I could hold a 4:00 marathon pace I would be in good form to break the eleven hour barrier.

I did feel the marathon legs set in through mile 2 but I was not worried. I knew this was going to be a difficult one. It's been 4 years since I have done the Ironman and I was ready for anything.

My first loop went exactly as planned. I got 13 mile at 2:00 and I was happy. I walked each aid station and took Gatorade, Coke and water. By mile 9 I did feel like the caloric deficit I had endured on the bike was catching up to me. I tried to be very careful.

When I approached the Hill I again found Rich Clark and the Train-This gang. Anyone who has ever done the Lake Placid Ironman knows who I am talking about. I am the lucky one to be able to call them my family. Once they see you at the bottom of the hill you begin to hear a siren and then screaming and for the next 5 minutes the entire world is cheering you on. O knew where I was, I knew how I felt and I was psyched. On my way down the hill my son Luc got on the mega phone with a loud "GO MOMMY GO!" and that was gold. Curt was there too and I swear it was like seeing heaven itself. When the people you love most are near you…… you feel invincible.

Still there was an underlying feeling of dizziness was looming.

At mile 15 things became strange. It was hot but I got cold. I felt dizzy and thought I'd puke. I started to walk and then Doug Bush, my coach caught up to me. He's a superior Ironman athlete and I knew I was in front of him. He caught me and began to walk with me. I reported my symptoms and he handed me 3 X 350 salt tablets with the instruction to walk it off.

The next 4 miles were rough. I alternated between feeling sleepy, nauseous, and cranky. My hamstrings tightened. I wanted to stop, I wanted to DNF. I wanted to lie down. Things got ugly. I pulled to the side of the road to stretch out my hamstrings several times. Twice I think 2 of my athletes saw me and I quickly pulled it together. I did not want them to see me weak.

As I approached mile 20 I realized that even though I had walked about 30 minutes total of this marathon since mile 16….. I knew if I just ran the last 6 I could break a 4:30 marathon, which would still bring me in under eleven hours and 40 minutes. And that was glorious.

So I started to talk to myself. Okay Mary….. you want this bad streak to be over. All the bad races, all the puking, all the falling apart. You can put an end to it right now, right here. Let's put these demons behind us right now. The only one who can do this is you.

And at that moment I saw a can of salt, the big kind you refill your salt holder with. I picked it up and I poured it into my mouth. I tipped my head back and filled my whole mouth with salt, until I felt it hit my front teeth. Then I gulped down three cups of water. I knew this brilliant move would either make or break the day and I had to take the chance.

"That was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen!" a guy next to me cried at my stunt. "You are awesome!" I smiled knowing this would either save me or make me hurl.

5 minutes later I was running 8:45 miles and I was closing in on the finish. I still walked each aid station and made sure to take in enough nutrition. I felt so bad that I told myself to run to mile 24 and walk the final 2 miles home.

The only problem with that plan was that mile 24 was at the hill where Rich was. So I stared up the hill with a purpose and I walk the hill no matter what. So here I was planning on walking the final 2. And at the mile 24 marker the Train-This spectator team was standing and that was my moment of truth.

If you want this streak to truly be over Mary, you will stop your whining and you will run. You are 15 minutes from the finish line and you will run. Your legs feel fine now F$%#& RUN!

The gang standing there joked later that at that moment I wiped my mouth and put my game face on and started to run. And that's right. I started to run and I ran those final 2, the inner talk now was out loud.

As I hit mile 25 I knew I was under 11:40 and I started to cry.

The Finish 11:37

For many of us an Ironman is seeing just how deeply you can dig. You find your edge, you take yourself to the brink and I had done that today. It'd had been four years since my last finish and I still was not confident, that the 2003 finish was not just luck. But here I was four years later close to the same time in different circumstances. I knew it right then and there that Ironman and I can live happily together. I knew that my favorite place to be is in Lake Placid New York. And I knew I was coming home.

Realizing what I had fought through, realizing I had walked so much of the run and was still pulling off a great time… knowing that this time when I came to the brink, I brought myself back.

The Ironman has a way of making you find the deepest part of you and making it then become the strongest.

I came down the hill and there was the Olympic oval. I could hear the crowd and I knew Luc was waiting to make the finish line run with me.

And there he was.

I began to cry again as I grabbed his hand and we ran together. His hand in mine. I saw the clock….. eleven hours and 37 minutes. I had done it. More tears. And then…….

The final 25 yards own the finishing chute for me are slow. Whenever I come down this chute it is so incredibly loud that I hear nothing. It is so bright but I see one thing, the clock. Luc and I ran together and I realized all that I had come through and done for the past year was realized today. No longer was I broken. I had a great day and I had a great race and now the moment was here.

Because he is almost 7 he's getting so darn big…. I knew this would be the last time I carried Luc across the finish line. Next time he will be too big! Somehow I picked him up and wrapped my arms around him and we broke the tape together.

For the third time in my life I got to hear Mike Riley scream…..

"Mary Eggers YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!"

Then the whole world came crashing down on me. I fell to my knees in a heap of tears of happiness, pain, exhilaration, everything. My Ironman passion renewed. My belief in myself as an athlete revitalized…. it was as if in this moment of physical collapse everything opened up again. I could feel clearly, see clearly the goal. In fact clarity itself existed in a time when it has not been clear.

Eleven hours and thirty seven minutes.

The aftermath

Things are crazy after an Ironman. Finding family, connecting with people, good luck. The Train-This gang were all dressed in Train-This lime green T shirts so it made that easy for me. I grabbed my dry clothe bag and stumbled into a tent. After I sat down I realized I was in the men's changing tent.

"Anyone mind if I change in here too?" I asked

"NOPE!" cried another guy. Good I thought cuz I ain't leaving. Believe me by the time you hit this stage of the race you have peed on yourself so much and been through hell and back, that nakedness means nothing

I found Tom and gang on the side of the road, where I handed Tom my gear bags. Curt and Luc had gone back to the house to sleep, thank goodness. Nothing is worse than bringing kids to the Ironman, it lasts forever!

Tom asked me if I wanted anything to eat. All they had at the post race party were cookies and pizza, which after 11 hours of drinking Gatorade just wasn't appealing.

So Tom got me just what I was craving…… a hot dog, a bag of Doritos and a quart of chocolate milk. Heaven.

Then one by one the Train-This gang started coming through the finish line. Each one had their won day out there and I tell you it was amazing to see them all out there. To be able to smile and share a high five, a word of encouragement. Again I say it was like heaven.

Today, which is Monday….. Luc and I moved into a hotel right in Lake Placid to enjoy a few days of R&R before heading home. Curt went home on Monday, as he's preparing for Duathlon Nationals next weekend. My body hurts. It hurts a lot. I was told "That's what you get for going sub 12!" and I am delighted to wear this badge of soreness.

Luc and I strolled around downtown Lake Placid today, I of course wearing my finisher's shirt. Everyone in town does. You see the shirt with the familiar slow Ironman walk. Your eyes meet and you share a smile. Nothing has to be said but so much is just known.

At this point you are family. Whether you have met or not you are part of the Ironman family. And it's a beautiful thing.

As I allow the recovery to begin, I am excited to prepare for another round at the Lake Placid Ironman… in 2008. I am going to again rethink Ironman Florida…. as I really want to get the proper recovery in before a solid training for IMLP 08. I will likely not race in August and then finish up the season with some sprint races; again the proper recovery is key here.

In 2008 I want to arrive at the starting line of IMLP fitter, wiser and stronger. I know that an eleven hour Ironman is possible, even on the Lake Placid course. I know that I can dig and I know that the well runs deep.

And as I am finishing this report on Tuesday morning, from the balcony of the Wood Lake Inn, I am surrounded by the mountains. There is not place like Lake Placid and I hope you get to come here some day. I can not imagine doing an Ironman anywhere else. I don't know if it is because of the people or the surroundings but this is my home.

Thanks so much for reading, I will have another post in a day or so for all of the people I need to thank, and this report is long enough already.

Onto recovery…….

Mary Eggers

Here we go

I am heading out of Lake Placid right now and when I return I will be here for the race tomorrow am about 4:30.

Thank you so very much for your support.....

Curt
Luc
Cyndi
Carly
Susan
Laura
Angelo
Mike
Ken
Les
Erik
Jackie
Bill
Sharon
Jennifer
Marian
Rolando
Kevin
Kitima
Kelly
Carl
Rauni
Jay
Jay
Kevin
Nathalie
Midge
Margy
Courtney
Lynn
John
Jeff
Tom
Herman
Mark
Dana
Mom
Dad
Amos
Alison


I cna't remember any more names just becasue my head is fried. Time to get off my feet.

Don't forget to watch the gang on www.ironman.com and please cheer loud!

T'was the Morning Before the Ironman

Good morning my friends...... I profusely apologize for my lack of communications this week, I am staying in such a remote house on a lake that I have not been able to attain Internet access. As this is the morning before the big day I have settled myself in at the Coffee Bean Cafe here in Lake Placid, where I am presently overlooking Mirror Lake. It's a gorgeous morning and the weather looks to be picture perfect for an Ironman tomorrow. Nice and cool in the am and rather cool all day. Hooray!

We settled into our home away from home on Wednesday, and although we are 25 minutes from town..... we are enjoying the solitude and quietness of our home. Jackie and gang arrived on Thursday and confirmed that for this year... this was the right spot.

Registration was on Thursday and weigh in went EXCELLENT :-) We have swum daily one loop of the course, and I am hitting it in 29 minutes, which could make for a good swim tomorrow as well.

Gathering my thoughts the morning before..... I feel strangely calm. I feel strangely relaxed. Our team is absolutely ready and our team gear is on. In a few hours I will check in my bike and gear bags and then will head home to get my feet up.

I won't have Kelly out there on the course this year, it's my first Ironman without her. That's been on my mind a lot. But i know she will be here and she will be thinking of us.

Tomorrow we will all take very different yet similar journeys. While we all have our eye on the clock..... it's the little moments that will get us through. The high five when we see a familiar face, or see our family on the sideline.

It's knowing that we are blessed to have this privilege, this opportunity, this chance. That's the part that will fill my heart and my spirit.

I am ready to go out there and have a boatload of fun. Thanks so much for reading and thank you so very much for stopping by.

Until Monday, signing off...... #2141 Mary Eggers

Aloha from Alexandria Bay!

We are here in the thousand Islands on part I of the "Eggers Family Vacation." and we've got Pelee in tow. After a 3 hour drive we took a 3.5 hour boat tour and a castle tour! Pelee and I did a 60 min brick this morning consisting of a 30 min bike and 30 min run.

If you were driving down 15A this morning.... it was us who were looking cool in the time trial helmets and race wheels! HA HA HA!

We arrive in Lake Placid tomorrow morning and will get registered asap!

I can't post pictures because I forgot my picture thingy for the computer, but I will have boatloads to share!

All is well in taper land! More form Lake Placid tomorrow!

:-) Mary

Musselman

A few pictures from the weekend, full report below.......

Here is me and Brian Rhodes! BFF! (HA HA HA!)

Do you think Brian Rhodes realizes that Erika and I are trying to get this picture with him? We were too afraid to bother him pre race........... maybe a tad obvious?

From the press conference.....

Me laughing hysterically at Brian Rhodes' joke about Smart Water makeing us smart. :-)

Heidi, myself and Erika pre ITU race!

The Musselman Triathlon Festival Weekend (as I have aptly renamed it) has come and gone, and the town of Geneva has returned itself to the quiet town on Seneca Lake. The memories from the weekend are enough to fill our hearts and memories for another year…. and as I reflect on the weekend please know how honored I am to have grown with this race for the past four years. We are so stinkin lucky!

Friday night began with my first ever press conference. As I walked in I realized I was being "sized up" by the ladies… Sarah Groff and Jenna Shoemaker…. and rightly so. There was money on the line and I felt excited to be looked at…. at all! Brian Rhodes and Victor Plata joined us and again, I got the "Who are you?" look. After I introduced myself and they realized I was a nobody, friendly natures poured from these four amazing people.

I was there because I was the first winner of the Musselman 1/2 Ironman. And had it not been for the amazing Kim Loffler in 2006…… today I would still retain the course record at a 4:48! Darn her :-)

Each of us was asked a question and then I got to ask some questions. I asked Brian Rhodes a question about bad luck and how he moves forward from it…. only because I can identify with that sort of thing. He was kind and gracious in his answer. Sarah Groff hails from Cooperstown NY (just a few hours from here) and calls herself a "summer chaser." Jenna Shoemaker is still finding her home, and Victor Plata described how he manages to study law and train at the same time. It was delightful to share conversation and a table with these four great people. Thank you to Jeff Henderson for the opportunity!

Saturday morning brought us the Mini Mussel….. a 500 yard swim / 15 mile bike and 3 mile run that began at the late hour of 10am. The Train-This Team wore matching uniforms for the first time, and it was awesome.

I had a descent swim, but a rocky (literally) exit. I swam slower than my husband by 10 seconds! ARGH! Right away I noticed the stellar swimming field, I especially noticed many 18, 19 and 20 year old girls….. I knew they would not be so strong on the bike and run…. but I thought these girls will be really good in a few years… I need to watch out for them!....... and I came out of the water in a good position. I knew I would be at least a minute behind Train-This Coach Erika Foster…. but I also knew she has become amazingly strong on the bike. At the same time, being her coach….. I knew she had a tough workout week. We were using this race to build her to Military Nationals. Just Tuesday I put her through a grueling track session and Thursday brought cruise intervals on the bike. So I knew she'd be tired. While I wanted to catch her, I wanted to pull a good time out of her as well.

I ended up catching her and she cued me to a girl ahead…. with her name on her butt. As I caught up to her I recognized her ITU style suit, and thought her name was familiar. Her build told me she had one kick but swim / run combination….. so I knew I had to put some time on the bike. I also knew the bike course record was 42 minutes. My goal for this race was to beat that record. And I did.

Onto the run I felt great. I did not feel fast but I felt comfortable and good. With Ironman one week away I felt good about that…. but it would have been nice to have some sprint distance legs.

Lauren passed me before the first mile, and I knew I would not be able to counter…. so I held my pace. I began to see the Train-This tri tops and it brought tears to my eyes. I crossed the line in second…. Julie Rosa from Marietta NY was third (A double Mussel participant) and Coach Erika came in fourth by just a few seconds. Curt nabbed 4th overall himself, over a field almost 1/2 his age.

Later that afternoon we watched the ITU pro race. Our friend Heidi Grimm was racing and the Grimm family was there to support. Sarah Groff won the women's field, on her home turf. The town was fascinated by the multi-looped course and the fanfare was outstanding.

Sunday brought the big race, the 1/2 Ironman. It was the first year I did not race the 1/2 since the beginning of Mussel and it did feel strange. But Train-This dressed up in grass skirts and wigs, and the Ironman Team worked the transition area. We were armed with our bullhorns, cowbells and a giant white hand! They even gave me a walkie talkie.

It was important to me that our Ironman Team and whoever else could, did what they could to support our 1/2 Ironman Team. The Ironman Team is the team that stands in the spotlight, so the 1/2 gang…. this was their day.

The weather was cooler yet windier than previous years. The swim was strangely rough, adding about 4 minutes onto the time for many. The wind on the bike made me nervous for our first timers….. but they all did amazing.

One of our 1/2 Ironman Team members did not finish and I could identify with the heartbreak all too well. The not so funny thing was….. she was fit for this race. She had worked so hard and was READY. She's a type I Diabetic and uses an insulin pump to regulate her sugar. Not only was our nutrition plan solid, but her training was spot on.

In 2004 I won the inaugural Musselman 1/2 Ironman in 4:48. I DNF'd the race as the defending champ in 2005. I know the pain of a DNF. No matter who you are or where you are in the field….. it hurts. It hurts bad. People tell you the niceties….. and you don't want to hear it. You did not finish and it glares at you.

Our athlete was ready. Her husband even stayed with her the entire time. An Ironman finisher himself, he skipped his wave and tied pink streamers to his feet so she could follow him in the swim. The swim was where she would not be able to take nutrition, so he made sure she was there with him. He stayed with her on the bike which brought wind that was too strong. She did not make the bike course cutoff and literally had to be pulled from the course. Through her tears she smiled, and her spirit was down, but in no way broken.

She's an experienced athlete and to say that today was just not her day would be an insult. I cried later that day because I know that disappointment. My advice for a DNF….. cry. Be upset. Allow yourself to grieve. But do not allow it to stop you.

We have set the goal for the Esprit 1/2 Ironman in Sept. It is a closed and looped course, which gives us greater control over her blood sugar and nutrition and pacing. If you know anything about diabetes you know all too well how difficult and unpredictable blood sugar can be. Add a 1/2 Ironman into it and then you've got some challenges.

Our girl was ready and she was fit. And for whatever reason it was not her day (I hate that saying). But we are not stopping there. We are not stopping with that. We will move forward and we will conquer. There is a reason beyond ourselves for something like this. It's not always revealed but I tell you, when she finishes that race in Sept…. we will then understand why. And the victory will be sweeter.

So the Musselman weekend has come and gone. I am so proud of our team (see the homepage for the names of our gang…) and I am so proud of our transition crew. I felt so blessed this weekend. We laughed, we cheered and we even cried.

But that's what this is all about, isn't it? We don't always hit an ace. Sometimes we double fault. That's true off the field as well. In sport it is easier to get back up and go again. In life it isn't always that simple. In many ways sport becomes a metaphor for life. Then in turn life becomes a metaphor for sport.

If you are like me you falter for 2 seasons before finding your stride again. Almost like starting over.

It is these faltering moments that you really and truly appreciate why you do this to begin with. Yes it's nice to be the champion. I love to be the champion. I love to see my name in print in Triathlete Magazine. I love being cheered for by complete strangers. In the few instances I have been asked for an autograph….. it has been my honor. It has made my cry.

That's all the bonus stuff though. The glory is wonderful….. but what is really wonderful are all the moments in between. A common bond with people. Long rides with nothing but wind and snot rockets. Laughing over the silliest of things, uncontrollably.

The runs at 5am in the dark in the winter with people who understand your craving for improvement. Looking at someone and knowing it is time to drop the hammer without a word.

Running down the road in a race, and seeing your husband in your company's uniform, matching yours….. the smile you both wear at and for one another. Knowing you met on these roads, in this sweat, and through the same passion for fitness and competition. Being able to make it work and raise a family. Being able to keep it fun at home and on the field. Running towards each other in a brief moment of glory and feeling just the same as you did on your wedding day. Seeing him hold out his hand waiting for the traditional high five and then slapping hands as you pass one another. Realizing just how lucky you are to have found love in the middle of all of this. And feeling your pace quicken because your husband is always a stroke of good luck.

Which then launches you into the middle of the Ironman. Visualizing the run when you see him standing on the sideline. The skip my heartbeat will take as we make eye contact. The rush of happiness I will feel when I see his smile. The bounce in my step I will feel as we high five. The tremendous pride I will feel as I choose to wear the race number with my last name on it, because there is nothing more special than someone saying to me….. "Are you Curt Eggers' wife?"

Because he knows. He knows and he understands why. He understands why. And that in itself is the greatest gift of all.

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

Quick Update From Mussel

I apologize for the impending spelling errors, but my log in page isn't quite right for the blogger..... I shall fix that in a bit.....

What a weekend!I will post in detail in a bit.... but the Musselman weekend was awesome! Friday ngiht I got to meet Brian Rhodes, Sarah Groff, Jenna Shoemaker, and Victor Plata at the press conference. Saturday we had many from our team in the Mini Mussel.... I wa sable to snag 2nd overall (to an ITU pro!!!!) and Curt took 4th overall. Our team kicked butt.... more on that later.

Sunday our 1/2 IM team also did really great on a tough day!

We just got home, and are really tired! Feet up the rest of the day in preperation for the final taper week.....

Just a few quick shout outs.....

Got to see old friend Heidi Grimm, she raced in the pro race and did awesome!

Got to see Marc Grabish.... a stellar triathlete and boyfriend of Amity Hall, who is in California now.... HI AMITY! COME HOME!

The Train-This transition crew was unbelieveable!

Way to go everyone!

Much more to come!

:-) Mary

#2141

This morning our Ironman Lake Placid numbers were assigned. I am #2141, which has no significance until right now, the moment that it became my favorite number. There is something about the numbers being assigned that makes it more real than sign up. Next step... the silver wristband.

Each of these small steps helps to clear the things that stand between the starting line and I. Packing, travel, unpacking. Registering, a few workouts, a lot of dreaming.

The countdown is on, and I am feeling really good. I am now thankful I did not truly taper for Gulf Coast and I am thankful I never tapered for Eagleman. Because if I get to feel this good a week from the Ironman..... I realize now the purpose and I am thinking..... yeah, it was worth it.

There's a bounce in my step, a giggle in my heart, a butterfly in my stomach.

And I can't wait.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

Knowing When

That's the hard part about taper... knowing when. When it's enough, when it's too much. Less is more during these three weeks and we all walk the tightrope between listening to our bodies and knowing what is normal.

The residual soreness of the past 6 months is still lingering. Lower back and right Achilles. (not the left.) Nothing serious, just a little "Good morning Mary." On tap I have a 2:00 brick. 1:15 on the bike and 45 on the run. Ironman pace. Which is funny because it feels slow :-)

I do know that a great part of this day will be spent with my stick. On the floor, rolling... knowing when though...... stretching.... knowing when..... hydrating. Even with hydrating ... knowing when. I know how important finishing this week recovered is.

A little bit of ice, a little bit of rest...... these will all pass and one week from today I will safely be nestled in my Lake Placid home. A home on it's own pond, with four bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, living room, and basement. It's own dock on the water, boats.... everything for 2 families to enjoy while their Moms kick back on the deck.... and wait.

As I sit here sipping my Portland Oregon dark roast, I hear the familiar birds. I hear them every morning as I wake at 4am. I know on this morning's ride I must be careful of the deer.... lots of baby deer out there. And the bears.

That's what I love about the morning. The quiet stillness of it. Just me, my bike and my nature pals. Finding our own rhythm with the turning of pedals, singing of birds, and the sound of my own breath.

After 15 minutes the soreness will disappear as Ironman dreams come forward. Suddenly I have found myself contemplating my fifth Ironman before I have finished my 3rd or 4th. But that's how things go in these lands of Iron. Decisions made a year in advance, before you've crossed the finish line of one and then another.

But the 2008 Ironman team is shaping up. We've got another batch of great players and I want to be part of it.

We will see.... we will see.

Until then, first things first. Time to hit the road.

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

Taper Week One

Taper week one went great. I knew it was essential to come out of this week feeling completely rested.... and I do. I did a race simulation workout with one of my good friends on Wednesday.... race day nutrition, race day pace, and it was spot on. Ironically it was even in the rain.

Fourteen days from this moment I will be doing the same thing I am doing now. Eating oatmeal and drinking coffee. And it will be the day I have been waiting for. It's been almost 4 years since I have toed the line of an Ironman and I feel ready. Hell, I feel ready for two Ironmans this year (good thing someone signed me up for that many!)

Next weekend is a busy one. We've got the Mini Mussel on Saturday (I am racing!) and the Musselman 1/2 Ironman on Sunday. For the 1/2 Ironman the Train-This Transition Crew (aka; Train-This Ironman Lake Placid Team) will be working transition. Look for us in blue and pink wigs, our Train-This gear and grass skirts, directing you through transition as we dance our booties off. Wildflower will have nothin' on us ;-)

Friday afternoon will be my first ever press conference. I am seated between Victor Plata and Brian Rhodes! I am certain I will be asked nothing, which is just fine by me, I will be in TT gear enjoying the view :-)

So taper is going along just fine. I admit to some crankiness..... but otherwise I am feeling calm and ready.

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

Faith

One of my athletes sent me this.... just this morning..... she wrote a letter to herself.....

In the past 9 months, you have spent over 265 hours preparing for Musselman.

You have swum 75 miles.

You have biked 1750 miles.

You have run 380 miles.

You have completed 100 miles of brick workouts.

You have raced 65 miles.

You have covered a total of 2370+ miles — YOU ARE READY!!!

This was not an easy letter for her to write, I promise you that. It was an emotional letter to read. A beautifully emotional one.

Remember this........ it is not about what you are doing during your taper that matters. Yes it is true that if you sit on the couch and eat potato chips you will lose fitness. That is not to be confused with taking days off because you were sick. These 2 are VERY different. VERY DIFFERENT.

As we all approach our respective races, this is where it comes down to one thing. YOU. If I did not believe you could make it through this race and if I did not believe that you could make it through the finish line.... I would not allow you to begin this race. If for a moment I had doubt, I would not allow you to walk the plank.

It's all fine and good when I believe in you. It's all good when your spouse believes in you, your parents, your kids and your friends as well.

But all of it means nothing, it means dogshit...... unless you believe it too.

If you tell me that you are fearful you will not make it. I will tell you that I think you will. And it doesn't matter anymore what I think. Rationalize it all you want. This hurts, that hurts....... I am tired...... whatever...... the work you have all done before these two or three weeks is what matters. You have to let the day come as it will. And guess what..... you will not have complete control over what happens on race day.

EEEEEKKKKS!

You will not have control over weather. You will not have control over wind. You will not have control over water temp or even waves. You will not have control over the assholes who swim over you during the swim. You will have no control over other riders on the road. You will not have control over the cars on the road.

The only thing you will really have control over...... is what goes on in your own mind. Stand at the start with the feeling of planet earth on your shoulders, start with the feeling of dread and despair, and you will have a horrendously long day ahead of you.

What if you did this....... start small. The swim. One loop of the swim.

Then the bike. 1-2 loops depending on which race. If a Musselhead think..... I will only allow myself to think as far ahead to mile 25. Then at mile 25 only think to mile 40. Then to mile 56. Then to transition. Then to the first 3 on the run. See what I mean? Break it down to small manageable pieces. Immediately look to the finish and well.... have fun with that because the finish line only lasts 20 seconds. You will miss the rest of the day and rest of the experience.

The number one rule in these races is to keep your head. One small thing can not sway you to happy land or sorrow land. You have to stay on the even keel. You must roll with every punch, you must make decisions and problem solve all day long. Patiently, and calmly.

Do not place the responsibility of this race on anyone else. During my first Ironman, I fell apart. I walked most of the run. I depended on Curt to be there during the run. I expected him to be. True to form he rose above the expectation and rode past me through each step of the walk. Parked, clapped. And did it again.

And you know what...... that sucked. Nothing Curt could do would make a difference. I knew he loved and supported me. But it was doing me jack squat as I was puking. It was up to me.

And that's how I approached Ironman #2. I told Curt and Luc to stay in Saranac, it was raining and this Ironman was between me and myself. I set them free of my expectations, and in turn I set myself free of external expectations. I promised myself I would take the day as it came. I'd endure the bad and the good, alone and strong. I would smile no matter what. But the responsibility of this race was completely on me.

We didn't even plan to have them meet me at the finish line. It just happened. Curt ended up showing up during the run with Luc (in the rain). And as I ran through the oval after the race of my dreams, I was prepared to cross that line alone, when Curt tapped my shoulder. So them being there went from an expectation or a demand, to an amazing surprise.

And I can honestly say I would have been fine if they had stayed in Saranac.

So it doesn't matter what I think. You know what I think. What matters again, is you.

Look at yourself in the mirror. The air will be thick with doubt. You must push it away and look yourself in the eye. Every day. And every day you must tell yourself that you have done the work, put in the time, and the best is still to come.

And remember this....... look up. Look around you. Don't be so focused on the finish line and not failing, that you miss the experience.

On your day you must have faith in yourself. Because faith is believing one of two things can happen. You will land on something solid.... or you will learn to fly.

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

The Big Brown Bear

I had forgotten about this part of the taper. The part where you are so ravenous you could literally eat a bear as it clawed at you.

For months you've been traveling uphill. The training volume builds, you must take in more.... but the right balance of more.... to sustain the higher volume. You go up, and up and up...... and then you hit the cliff. Your training volume drops and sends you... the hungry bear off the cliff. Notice that the laws of inertia allow you to travel out a bit more before you drop.

And that's where I am, still traveling forward.

Taper is an easy place to gain weight. I have one rule. I can eat as much as I want during taper, with one catch..... it must be 100% quality food. So today I ate 2 bags of sweet baby lettuce, a pound of green grapes, four bananas, and more. No fruit isn't good to satisfy the bear but we have to pile as many nutrients in here as we can. I keep away from sweets, I even keep away from peanut butter. Just one scoop opens the door to a thousand more. And suspicious spouses know the trail of the whole wheat RITZ cracker through the peanut butter routine... all too well.

My carbs must be 100% quality. No white bread. No white pasta. Every single thing that passes through these lips must be beneficial to my body, or it stays on the plate.

The appetite will come around, it will. As will my body. The fatigue and soreness from months and months has not left yet, but give it a few more days. Hydration, superb nutrition, recovery... then it will all come together.

So beware, the big brown bear has arrived. She's kept herself in check with all of the berries and greens that Wegman's has to offer. So Mr. Wegman, keep it in stock. Because one ounce too few of Sweet Baby Lettuce and I could be forced into the peanut butter isle. Or worse yet......

Into the peanut butter ice cream isle....

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

Details of the Ironman

During the day, as I search through my archives of pictures, I will be posting some pictures of the Ironman Lake Placid, with some tips and such as to how to navigate and what to expect. Feel free to drop me a line if you aren't on the TT Team. Below is a picture of Mirror Lake. Before anyone has entered the water. It has a pristine beauty and an amazing serenity to it.

This picture is the inside of the changing tent. Pretty simple. Once you have your bag from swim to bike, or bike to run, this is where you will change your clothes. Volunteers will be there to help you. They will take your old clothes and rack your bag for you. Customer service at it's best!

The below picture is of the Clearwater 70.3 Transition area. Different from IMLP but it does illustrate how the bags will look. Each competitor has their own set of hooks. One for swim to bike, one for bike to run. Another for dry clothes. They are all together. Volunteers will bring the used bags back here. Important note, tie a knot in your dry clothes bag for after the race in case of rain :-)

The below picture is the very beginning of the bike course. Before you see this you will make a sharp left out of transition, and hit a rather steep and very short downhill. You make a sharp right at this white fence and continue the descent. Again, short and steep. You can not see it here but there are railroad tracks across the road, which you can launch water bottles. You will ride this twice. Once the first loop and once the second loop.

This is the athlete village at the Olympic Oval. You are looking at it from the High School. Where those black tents are will be where the finish line is. The buildings in the background are Main Street. The space in the middle, which isn't too visible is transition. Limit yourself to 30 min per day in athlete village.

This is the much talked about swim start. It's not that bad, just 2,000 of your best friends.

More to come. If you have any images of IMLP that you think would be useful to others, please send them along!

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

Our Team Uniforms Have Arrived!

The above is the back, some of our awesome sponsors!


The above are the Tri Top and the Tri Shorts

The above is Jeremy's One Piece Tri Suit

Here is a sneak peak...... the Bob the Builder jammies are NOT part of the uniform!

Touchdown

"He won't make a left." I thought to myself as Trevor rode up ahead. We were riding down 21 in Naples, where it veers to the right. If you go left you've got a 10 minute climb.

He turned left!

DAMN! I cried in my little mind. I thought for sure I'd be safe, but I should have known better. And I climbed for 10 minutes, and I climbed well. Wattage goals.... check. Heart rate goals..... check. Nutrition plan..... check.

Here we were, well here I was the last long ride until the big dance on July 22nd. I was so grateful to have Trevor along for the ride. He's a "fellow" Canadian and he knows long course racing. I am essentially begging him to coach me next season. He's helped me a lot in the past few weeks, as I am striving to "Iron" things out within my long distance racing.

I think I climbed every single hill in the Bristol, Egypt and Naples area. But I didn't, there are somehow more. I was thrilled I didn't have to scale all of them!

So here we are. The beginning, or is it the end? It's both. The end of the volume, the beginning of the fun part. In 22 short days I hope to be crossing a finish line I have crossed 2 times before. With a smile on my face and a medal in my hand.

Finishing the Ironman is damn awesome whether you do it in 10-12-15-17. We get the same medal. And we have traveled the longest distance, which is the distance between our ears.... to get here... to get there. The sacrifices made can't really be considered sacrifices. They are privileges. We are very fortunate to be doing this.

The next few week are sprinkled with workouts to maintain and tune up the muscles. More importantly the stress management and feet up mode will be full on.

The purpose has become clear. The mission was identified long ago, but naturally the closer we get to the cannon, it becomes very clear. The clouds have parted ways and I can almost smell the pine trees.

It's been a long road. It's been a long journey. I am ready. I am willing. And I shall be patient. I know where this race begins and ends. I know what happens in the middle. I know what it's like to nail it all.... and I know all too well what it is like to come apart and leave yourself scattered all over the course.

Perhaps that's what I love the most though. The uncertainty. Anything can happen in the Ironman, and few are willing to take the chance. In 22 days I am willing to take the chance for a third time. I am willing to take the day as it comes. I am willing to do whatever I ave to do to hear Mike Riley shout those words I have not heard since 2003.....

"Mary Eggers.... YOU ARE AN IRONMAN"

Just gives you goosebumps doesn't it?

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers

USAT Age Group Nationals

Curt arrived home from Oregon, not the National Champion but after having quite possibly the race of his life. He was third in his age group, qualifying him for Worlds in Germany, and be had an absolute BATTLE to the finish line. Typically in a head to head duel Curt would fade. But not today. He put it down on the line and he did it. Way to go Curt!

He arrived home just a bit ago and most importantly he immediately handed me a bag of whole bean Oregon Coffee. Hooray!

Tom Dutton took 4th in the 60-64. The fastest man in transition (even feature in a transition DVD...) crashed his bike coming out of transition, bending his large chainring. After spinning through the whole course in his small ring, he still managed to run down most of the field!

Congrats to Jen Harrison who was 6th in her age group and to her good friend Jennifer Garrison who defended her Overall National Champion title for the second year in a row.

Y'all get some rest..... I am off to ride 100, after a fresh cup of joe.

Thanks for stopping by.

:-) Mary Eggers