Encouragement and Motivation

I want people to know that I write my blog mostly for myself, but a little for people who are thinking of taking on something larger than themselves, especially things well out of their comfort zone.  I don't write it so people will reply with the pats on the back.  (Though today and all days, I really appreciate the encouragement.)

Triathlon is not easy.  Ironman especially is not easy.  It's not something you choose to do on a whim or because your friends signed up.  You sure don't do an Ironman because it's the thing to do in a cool beach town.  There's something deep down only you know about that motivates you to sign up.  Ironman will chew you up and spit you out if you don't respect the distance.  But if you're willing to put in the hard work and hours, you can cross the finish line.

The last 24 hours have reminded me why I love my triathlon team so much.  The outpouring of support has been amazing.  I've gotten loads of responses, notes, private messages, emails, all positive reminders of my ability to conquer this race.

Since all of my message are scattered about, I'm going to put them here.  I want to be able to reference one place of complete and positive encouragement the day before my race.  Looking now, it seems a bit egotistical, but I intend this to be motivation for myself and for anyone attempting something beyond their own perceived limits.

Though every message is very much appreciated, the one that hit the core of what I was feeling was from Tim Greten:  

• You will be fine race day because you put in so much training [that] you died on [the] 120 day.  

And if you know Tim, then you're just as surprised as I am that he's the one that got through to me. :)

Here are the rest from my facebook page:

(Keeping sender public since it was on FB.  If I missed your blog link or if anyone wants me to remove their comment, let me know.)

• Christy Gronlund Magee: So, it wasn't 125 miles of epic, it was 95 miles of epic instead -with a life lesson on the side. I'm certain that with 17 miles to go on race day you won't be tempted to quit. Remember why you wanted to be an Ironman: because it's hard, there are no shortcuts, and you have to keep moving forward even when it seems easier to quit. And I'll be there ringing cowbell when you realize YOU CAN!
• Patti Jackson: Tracy we all have those training days and we may never know what causes them. So wipe your eyes, lift your head and imagine Mike waiting for you at the finish line at Arizona. Then drinks in Cozumel :)
• Patty Glass: I will be ringing a cow bell from VA, but will drink with you IRONMAN in Cozumel...you're an inspiration to me! Keep your head up .....
• Sherri Brothers:  I wish I had the perfect words for you...I always try to keep in mind that the people who didn't start are the ones behind me. And now you continue to move forward...
• Sally Kidd: Tracey I can't even begin to tell you how awesome it was to have you and Timra Stump watching over me as I finished those last few miles..waiting at the intersections for me to pass and yelling "rock star" out the window. And then there you were at the end, Diet Coke in hand, taking my bike for me and pulling my car around. All of this after having one of your most mentally challenging rides ever. You'll have the last laugh at those inner demons and we WILL celebrate at the IMAZ finish line!!
• Holly Shoemaker: OK, honestly when you said you Quit your ride and then I read that you quit at 95 when the ride was 125, I thought...Just a hard day, She is going to be just FINE on race day. Because on Nov 20 when you are at 95 and you only have 17 more miles to go to T2, I know you will put your head down and get it done. Even B@D @SS B@BE'S have rough days. BIG HUGS to you and extra COWBELL coming your way now and every day until Nov 21st!!
• Deb Chamberlin: Tracey - your honesty on your post makes me realize that I was not alone, although I spent most of the day was spent alone as I lost the others. I wanted to quit so badly at around the 85 mile mark and .... honestly ... you were my motivation - your candid and positive evaluations in the past of how you were feeling and how you would reprogram kept me going. I am sorry you had a challenging ride but know that your spirit was what was out there motivating others ie me!!
• Emily Wyant: Tracey, you ROCK in my mind! 95 miles on a TOUGH day??!?!? You are a beast!
• Kara Richardson Whitely: Seriously, Tracey... YOU ARE MY HERO!
• Esther Letsche: I'm of the opinion if you don't end up on the side of the road bawling your eyes out at some point during Ironman training, you're not training hard enough! :-). Come race day, thoughts of quitting pail in comparison to thoughts of crossing the finish line!
• Gina Welc:  Tracey you are very ready for this. Remember - you have already done the distance! I think harder than quitting at 95 miles is writing this blog post. Great job out there. *hugs* 
• Sara Godoy Greene: You're amazing Tracey & as everyone keeps reminding me, we've put plenty of miles in the bank & we are ready! It is tough to quit....I was done at mile 70. Wanted to call a sag at mile 107 (because I figured that was enough), but somehow found an additional 20miles in my legs (all thanks to our Team Z mates really). No matter what though, you know you're going to rock it!
• Donna Sumption:  Tracey, you got this in the bag! You are so hardcore. Don't worry about not finishing. The crowds in Arizona will push you through. It is a whole different experience on race day. You will remember it for the rest of your life, but you won't remember so many things. Like you won't remember that your knees are supposed to hurt like they usually do. You will see.
• Maggie Crnic:  Keep your eye on the prize, Tracey. The prize is not a training ride in Nokesville. When race day comes you will be fresh and rested and the crowds will be incredible. You will finish.
• Tim Greten:  It will feel even better when taper ends and race day is here. I just remember starting run thinking "gee, just one Saturday morning run left"
• Amy Hoang Wrona:  You'll do great oh conqueror of high mountains!
• Catherine Oliver:  You are going to be GREAT! I promise!
  

From emails and private messages:

(Keeping the sender private since they sent directly to me.)

• Hey Tracey, I just read your blog. I'm sure you have a lot of emotions going through your head right now but I know how well you rode yesterday, you rocked it! You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, you are more than ready for Ironman. You might recall that when you finished the 110 miles ride, I sagged in at mile 15! We all have our good days and our bad days, but we need to focus on the good ones and think positive. Think of it this way, you finished 110 which is the same as 112 and you are riding VERY strong. You not only can be but will be an Ironman in AZ. Rock on!!!! Big hugs.

• hey I have not had time to read your blog but I just want you to know I think your going to rock and I am super proud to be your friend and a part of your IM journey. The first one is so incredibly hard mentally, physically all of it. Believe in yourself as we all do in you and know that each and everyone of us will be with you on IM day !!! you will be IM AZING !!!!!!

• Two things - I'm sure you're getting three dozen messages in response to your wonderful post - please ignore if it's all too much.  1. The thought occurred to me this weekend - "Wow, Tracey has totally transformed herself as a cyclist." Which you have - I don't way this to take away from that at all. But - I wonder if maybe (only *maybe*) that in the bike you are overcompensating for the run - you can't run, you do what you can. you've accommodated your injury, so maybe (*maybe*?) you try to make up for it on the ride? The new bike has made a huge difference for you.  So maybe (*maybe*) you went out too fast? Have you reviewed your HR data? We're you always in Z2? How about for the first hour or two? High Z2? What does that tell you about how you felt at mile 95?  Margie Shapiro always used to tell us that no matter what we did, we needed to stay in Z2 for the first hour. What we do at mile 0 has an impact 2,3,5,8 hours later in endurance sports.  2. There's no shame in quitting What you're doing is "retreating to fight again another day" - i.e. Ironman day.You have this Tracey - totally. 100%. I have no doubts about your ability to become an Ironman next month.  Thank you for writing about how hard it is - it's good to be reminded.  (Editorial:  She's right about me overcompensating on the bike.  I've been focusing on increasing my speed so that I have enough time to walk the marathon.  Also, my heart rate-or zone/Z2 was about the same as my very successful ride.  The 120 was purely a mental game for me.)
  

• Just read your blog. You've done the training, you listened to your body and you are sooo ready for the race! I just had brunch with a friend and she was telling me that you're going to have to walk the marathon at IM b/c you can't run at all.  You my friend, are courageous and hearing that gave me inspiration that if I can't run again do to my many foot injuries, I can still toe the line at an IM.  Take care and GO TRA-Z!

• A ton of people said that no matter what happened yesterday, you can still make it happen on race day.  You have a lot of good training in the piggy bank of IMAZ already!!!!  So, don't let one day beat you up so bad!