On August 29, 2004, I crossed the finish line at Ironman Canada 2004 with a time of 14:48:58! It was an awesome day for me and an awesome experience! One I will never forget. I had a smile on my face from the moment I woke up until the moment I crossed the finish line.and it was still there even later on and days later.  I did not wear a watch the entire day so time meant nothing to me, which I think was key.(otherwise, time can become your worst enemy.) And I wasn't nervous.not at all!

I made sure I noticed everything & everyone too! My son Josh was there along with Kim Messina, Jules, Brent, Bobby, Ellen, Kari, Gordon, Brock, Kim Hammett, Heather, Trina, Mike Wasserman and so many more. And I was so happy they were all there! It meant everything to me, more than they can ever imagine.

My swim time was 1:14 which was great! It was a brutal swim, 2200 athletes in a mass start wave. But I was able to draft quite easily and found my pace. When I exited the swim, Jules was right there to capture the smile on my face. One part down, 2 to go! Immediately after the swim there are volunteers there to strip your wetsuit off of you. It was so cool!

T1: 8:28 - This is transition #1, where I change from the swim to the bike. I headed into the women's changing tent where more volunteers were on hand to assist me with whatever I needed to get ready for the bike.

On to the bike.what can I say.I had an incredible day! And I saw just about everyone as I headed out. My bike time was 7:08, and when I finished the ride I felt great! It didn't even feel like I had just ridden 112 miles yet alone been in the saddle for 7 hours! Note - I did have a break at mile 75. This is the special needs stop where I had my own bag ready and waiting for me with nutrition and other needs. So I took about a 5 minute break at this time to stretch & eat. During the ride I never had a time where I did not think I could do it. As I climbed Richter Pass I thought about Louie and what he had been feeling at this point when he did the event in 2001. Throughout the ride I thought about all of my honorees at one point or another, and I knew they were there for me. I looked for signs along the way. I knew Kim & Ellen had put out signs, but I missed them. However, I did see a picture of the one for Louie.it said Louie's got your back. If I had seen that along the way I am sure I would have smiled even more. As I reached the final climb at Yellow Lake Coach Wayne & crew were out there cheering. This was at the 100 mile mark. And I knew I was home free as it was downhill for the next 12 miles back to the city of Penticton and T2.

T2 - 12:42 - Transition #2.okay, so I took a little longer here. I had planned to. I changed completely into dry clothes for the run. Stretched a little more, and before heading out on the run I stopped at the aid station to grab some fresh watermellon, water, & gatorade. The watermellon tasted soooo good!

After I exited T2, I saw Josh. Of course, I stopped and gave him a huge hug and kiss. He told me how proud he was of me and how much he loved me. As I started to run again, he yelled out "Mom, you're doing great! I am so proud of you! If you keep up a 10 minute pace you'll finish in 13:30!"  Of course, I shouted back to him "thanks honey, but I don't think that will happen!" But it was so sweat of him to say that to me. My run time was 6:04 which was about a 13 minute pace. I did a run/fast walk the entire time. I just kept moving forward! Throughout the run I saw all of my IronTeam mates as they were heading back on the run (it was a looped course), and this gave me the chance to cheer them on and give them high 5's! As Evelyne & I passed each other we stopped and hugged. It was so cool!  At about mile 18 I saw coach Mike on the course. I walked with him for a bit, and I even told him I thought I was going to break 15 hours. He asked me if I wanted to know the time and I told him No! time really did not matter to me. At mile 20 I got even more excited as I knew I only had another 10K to go which meant only 1 hour left. I was going to finish this race and finish it strong! I could not wait to get closer to the crowds and see Josh and all of my friends.

At mile 22, I got the best reward ever. Josh was out on the course waiting for me. He ran in with me up and all the way we talked and laughed. He was so proud of me and I of him. I thanked him again for taking the time from school to come out and support me. It was very special to me. Towards the end of the run, there comes a point wher you have to turn left and head away from the finish line for a final ¾ mile run. At that point, Josh went to the right so he could be waiting at the finish for me, and I headed to the left to finish the final leg of my marathon. On the way I saw Paul & his wife Trina cheering me on. Paul had finished his race 2 hours ahead of me, just under 12 hours. Then I saw Evelyne, Bobby & Brent. Evelyne & Bobby ran with me towards the finish, and then I saw one of my best friends, Kim Messina. I stopped and gave her a hug. She hugged me so tight she lifted me off the ground. I was so happy to see her. From there, it was in to the finish chute. By this time the crowds were even bigger and louder. I looked all around me, waived at everyone, and had the biggest smile on my face! Jules said I waived right at her, but to be honest, I did not see her. There were so many people in the stands. She took photos of me though so I know she was there. And Gordon, Brock & Ellen were there too. Gordon has me on videotape.

As I crossed the finish line I saw Josh waiting for me, I raised my arms high and looked up with that huge smile and thought of Louie, Sara, Andre and all the other honorees.I had done it! I was an Ironman! I then grabbed Josh and hugged him tight and cried! I was so happy he was there! After I let go of him they put the medal around my neck and handed me a finishers shirt & hat. It was so cool. I had finished an Ironman.I could brag for the rest of my life!

Post note - The Ironman event is one that everyone should experience once, whether you are racing or not.there are over 4,000 volunteers for 2,000 athletes and the entire town comes out to support the event. Our names are listed on our bib numbers so throughout the entire day people are able to cheer you on by name, and they are out there from the start until the finish! So if you ever have the chance to go, do it! You will never forget it!