We stayed with some friends, who have a 20mos old and a 4 week old (!!) in a beautiful house, a little farther than normal, on a vineyard in Naramata. It was a Colin's and I big treat vacation, we stayed for 10 days and I've realized once again that the only way I can actually relax is if I get away from my home ... otherwise I can't truly settled down, I'm always running around doing something, chores, cleaning, organizing, putting away, planning etc etc.
I was very nervous to go away, as we had just started mastering the bedtime, and naptime routines and I wasn't too keen on how the change was going to affect Reed's sleeping. (Another blog to follow on the Crib Chronicles... aka kicking Reed out of our bed!)
However, I'm not sure whether it was something in the air, the new stimulation of having other babies around... but he slept wonderfully! Another reason it was a true holiday, I got to sleep through the night and downtime like clockwork for naps! Awesome!
The lead up to this Ironman seemed different than ones in the past, Colin just seemed more focused and determined than ever to do it right. I truly am amazed by his consistent work ethic, he is a man who doesn't complain and just gets the work done, day in and day out.
He did more research and more 'consulting' and questioning with experienced friends, pros and coaches (he actually did hire famous coach Phil Skiba, after reading his two books, to look over his training plans), he was determined to finish the race running strong. And did he ever. I am so proud of him.
Race morning, our Colin Cheer Squad, woke up sleeping babes and trucked down to see the mass start (that will be missed when the Challenge takes over, nothing like thousands of athletes charging off the beach into the water all at once!). Here I tried to capture the swim, but I'm a little too short.
It is super awesome, the energy of Ironman. I love it. I've only done one, and I think I can safely say I prefer to watch than compete (although I did say to myself as I was watching the emotional finish, that I would try another one before I hit 40).
Colin came out of the water in 59.25, so we were relieved, so far so good, and now we had about 5hrs to kill before we would see him again. We all went back to the house, for naps and food.
Reed and I came back to town to see the pros come back into town, we had a picnic together (I admit that although I prefer giving Reed real food that I have prepared, he did eat a lot baby food from a jar that trip, just so much easier when you're traveling out and about).
Colin's bike split was 5:18, which is a bit on the slow side, but I knew he was playing it very safe, and his number one goal was to be able to run the marathon. He came off the bike in 77th and so he had lots of work to do on the run.
Those three hours waiting for him to come in are the most agonizing, you just have no idea how he is doing out there and I'm hoping and hoping and sending out good thoughts and wishes, and I did get an update text from a friend that he ran through the half way just over 1:30, that was a relief. But if the wheels were going to fall off typically it happens after the halfway mark...
Going out on the run...
At the finish line we watched the pros come in (it was pretty funny, that Gillian Clayton first female pro, who got all the finsh-line hype and the drama, didn't actually win the race... an age grouper won!) and it seemed like an eternity watching that last corner, looking for Colin to come round for the final 2k stretch out and back to the finish. Every athlete in a black tri suit got my nerves up, until he did make that corner. He had run himself into 35th place, awesome! He looked not really his self, we could tell he was suffering, and all focus and energy was put into keeping the legs going. Much to my disappointment he didn't even see Reed and I screaming and jumping for joy, just eyes on the prize for him, get across that line.
He finished 9:42. And he was so close to being in the 9:30s that it's no surprise he feels a little cheesed about biking so conservatively. But he did say that he did the best he possibly could have on the day (especially the run - he ran a 3:18 marathon!).
Next day, it was rolldown, he came 6th in his category, and there were 4 spots to Kona. Luckily, two people ahead of him didn't come out and claim their spots, so we're all going to Kona for 2 weeks in October! Colin's parents and mine as well! One more Ironman, then we'll take an Ironman break. Next year is all about shorter races and less training structure. I will do lots of xcountry running and a spring marathon, maybe a trail ultra...? I want desperately to get a treadmill, so I can run in the basement when Reed is in bed at night during the cold, dark winter.
I digress...
I want to celebrate my husband's success and wish him all the very best next month in Kona! I can't wait to see him race again... and I can't wait to enjoy Hawaiian beaches...!
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