New Year!!

Hmmm, I have been all over the place, but have not been blogging my adventures at all!  Where to start:   The fall was absolutely crazy!!  Did not do any races at all.  Pulled myself out of every single one of them.  That turned out to be a good thing because really... my body needed a little break.  The last part of the year has been very light with training, but mostly physical therapy for my hip.  It's much better and i have managed to escape invasive surgery thus far. 

In October, I drove all over God's creation looking at colleges and universities with James.  He had a list of schools he wanted to check out and he had a few schools contact him for swimming.  The list had us going to University of Delaware, George Mason and all the way out to this little tiny Baptist School in Philippi  West Virginia called Alderson Broaddus College or AB.  AB is a D-II school, a far cry from the larger D-I swim schools he was initially looking at.  James quickly realized that swimming at a D-I school, swimming is the emphasis.  The schools wanted him to change his major and not take any classes that had science labs.  Hard to do when he was thinking about going into the medical field.  I had never heard of this small AB program and happened to mention it at work one day and one of the PA's touted about it -- "Wow that's a great school, I almost went there."  Reading and learning more about it, I realized there were some really good positives about it.  Great Physician's Assistant program, excellent Nursing and Allied Health programs, and apparently 100% of their pre-med grads get into their first choice Medical Schools!  So they all do well on the MCAT's.  But still... I'd never heard of it....On paper, I loved University of Delaware, but of course this is not about my choice, it's James's choice, right?  So off we head out in early October.  The exact day we left we haven't even left the state, when Kevin called us in the car.   There was a letter in the mail from AB (James had already applied early).  Well of course, "OPEN IT!"  I was thinking that there was something we might need for his interview and tour or some other item, time change who knows.  IT WAS an ACCEPTANCE letter!!  With a scholarship for ACADEMICS and a partial SWIM scholarship!!  James and I were skeptical?  Anyhow, we started our drive out of state having that heavily on our minds.   James was so excited to be the first of his friends and classmates with an acceptance letter.  Wow!  Our first scheduled stop was at Delaware. 

We both loved Delaware (I think I liked it more) on paper.  James had not hit it off well with the coach so that was a little bit of a harbinger of how we would leave the school.   The tour was with a pre-med major.  He was exhausted, had just finished an exam and was not happy about his MCAT scores, saying that he would have to take them again.  Not really what we wanted to hear.  On campus, all the kids looked tired --- lots and lots of students milling around on the change of classes, but no one really talking, hushed movement to the next class or building.  The student union was social, but still very subdued.  I was thinking...hmmmm well -- it is mid-term week for these students.  Probably a bad week to visit.  We walked 10 miles on that campus!!  I was wearing a pedometer that is fairly accurate. 

George Mason in Fairfax, VA was our next stop.  Now, completely opposite to U of D, this was a very upbeat and social school.   Has a lot of  academic and research opportunities similar to Delaware in that regard.  We also found out that in swimming, GMU and U of D are rivals!  Interesting and the first meet of the year was going to between the two.  Interesting.  While James hit it off with the coach initially, he was quickly being persuaded to change his major.  The coach was not enthusiastic about coaching athletes with science labs and felt it really interfered with swimming.  Wanted James to switch to history or politics.  James stood his ground.  I was proud.  He wanted to follow his career goals more than swimming.  He realized that really, his heart wasn't all about swimming.  Although swimming is a big part of his life, perhaps D-II was a better fit for him.  So I am was thinking that we would go back to the drawing board and re-look at a few other D-II schools maybe some schools in Springfield.  Anyhow, this was good progress.  The campus was huge and vibrant, very social.  It really is a great school.  The downer was, it is somewhat of a commuter school and many of the students head home every weekend or even every night.  Swimming, although he could swim there, it would be a struggle as evidenced by the rigors of the coaching, time commitment and the travel.   James decided that he would still consider the application process to there.  He wasn't completely turned off and did like the campus.  There would be great academic opportunities.

Off we drove to AB.  It was a long drive!  And Mountains and hills, beautiful scenery!  I had no idea how beautiful West VA was.  It reminded me a little of Maine (without the coast) and a lot like Vermont.  We were meeting with the school for a Monday, but arrived there on a Sunday night.  (We stayed in DC an extra day to poke around and wanted to go out to Mount Vernon.  Very nice diversion from all the school talk.  We hit the school Sunday afternoon, we saw the brand new, gorgeous football stadium going in.  we were also greeted by students outside walking together, talking, being social... generally happy, upbeat feel.  There were kids out on a lawn throwing a Frisbee around, kids playing pass with lacrosse and soccer.  It was nice!   We went to the pool.  Nice facility, not as nice as the D-I schools of course, but nice.    I couldn't wait to see the allied health people the next day, academics and the other stuff.  James commented that he liked the feel --- it was somewhat homey, a catholic church right on the corner (of the Baptist campus) and it was sitting high on a hill and you could look at the town down below.  Mountains all around.  Just Gorgeous!!  It was peak foliage, too.  The next day we were on our way to the admissions office for interview when we were met up with the coach.  He escorted us to admissions, all around the campus, to our interview with the allied health offices and nursing.  Woah.  So nice, and then after all the academic stuff was done, he brought us over to the pool and his office for his talk.  James was informed while he was at a D-II school swimming, he would still have a competitive swim program and significant swim commitment.  He would also have to check in with an academic adviser for mandatory study 5 hours a week.  No sign in- no meet to swim at.  no pool time.  He also was building the swim program there and was looking for a wide variety of talent.  He had swimmers from out west, CA and everywhere coming to the school.  There would be no confliction with labs.  He even said that although his Wednesday labs would interfere with the swim team, he was going to hold another swim session for the kids that were in health, biology and chemistry majors.  that was music to James's ears!  (the mandatory study time was music to mine of course).  There was a lot of academic assistance there and when we toured the academic buildings, all the professors offices were "open."  we watched students walk in and sit down.  They of course had office hours, but they were all readily available.    They quoted the same of what we heard about their PA programs, PA students and also the nursing program and premed  was highly regarded.   It was all great stuff. 

The next day we started our trek back home.  I offered to stop at other schools on our way back home, in PA and in MA.  James was not interested.  "Mom, I want to go to AB."  I kept explaining to James that he needed to rest on it and think about it more.  Look at other programs, talk to other coaches.  "No mom, this is it.  I really liked it there.  It's small, but big enough for me.  I love it there."  He did hit it off with the coach, too.  The coach swam for Michigan.  He's a newer coach, a young program... it probably is the right place for James.  I really felt good there.  I think of all the schools we have talked about over the months, if James was to succeed at any of them, I think he would do best at AB.  It's kind of far away, and I am not ruling out the schools closer to home; they would absolutely be just as good.   I am unsure that he would be as happy.  And really for a person to succeed, they do need to be happy in their environment and I do believe that environment would be conducive to learning for James.

At thanksgiving, James gave his acceptance to AB.  He will be attending there the fall of 2013.  I can't believe it!

The holidays came and went.  We were all sick at Christmas and missed going to my sister's house.  I was sick the week before Thanksgiving too.  But so far in 2013, we have been healthy.

I have had a lot of testing and such on my hip, a steroid injection and doing everything possible to avoid surgery.  I've been back in the pool and on the bike.  Not running, yet, but will be soon.  I did run some off and on through the fall but not with comfort.  I am hoping when I start up that it will be better and pain free.

Emily has been busy with basketball and ice skating.  She hinted that she wanted to get back in the pool!  I had a feeling that she missed it.  I also think that next year, not having to swim in James's shadow, she will enjoy it much, much more.  She really is a great swimmer as well.  She won't have her brother to compare herself too and I think it will be more fulfilling for her.  She is going to play lacrosse again this Spring.  So that business will be starting up before long. 

I will try to write more often this year and will update my race schedule when I figure it out.  It's pretty up in the air.  I have registered for a few races, but will have to see how the hip goes over the next several months to see if I will have a race season this year.  I am confident that I will compete in a few races.  There will not be any ironman races this year.  But if this year goes well, perhaps 2014 will bring another 140.6.  But for now, I am thinking a sprint tri, a few Olympic distance races and one very flat Half distance race.  All pretty much local. 

Happy New Year!

THANK YOU!

Logan Pass

My two weeks of no training is up.  Have I indulged these past two weeks, or what!  We had a great trip to Glacier National Park and my brother's house in Whitefish, Montana, after the race.  For those of you that have never been, you have to get out there.  It is just the most beautiful place in the summer time.  We had a wonderful visit.  And I always leave Montana wanting more, and wanting to stay longer.  This stay held true to that fact.  My brain and thoughts started planning the next trip before the wheels even left the ground at the airport in Kalispell, MT.  The kids got a long so well, and played great together.  Poor Mark broke his glenoid rim on the scapular portion of his shoulder joint the day before we arrived and had surgery the day we left.  It was a bad fracture with multiple pieces --- poor guy... his shoulder was constantly slipping out of joint, naturally as there was nothing to keep it in place.  We Chace's, when we injure something, we injure it with passion!  He is okay now and back to work as the one-armed bandit,  for awhile.  He has a lot of rehab ahead of himself for awhile.

At the end of Trail of the Cedars.



On the bridge over Avalanch Creek

There are so many people that I have to say thanks for getting me through the Ironman.  Many family and friends and I hope not to leave anyone out.  So many people thought I was crazy and were not shy about telling me to my face.  A lot of friends and colleagues at work were interested in my training and cheering me on right from the get go:   “Cath, it’s quiet today, did you get your swim in?  Go get it done and we’ll page you if we need you.”  There was one anesthesiologist at work that was always making sure I ate... “You’re training for an ironman, go get a bite to eat; I’ll watch the case, but be fast!”   But I rarely worked with him so that didn't happen often, nor did slipping away early for a swim!!  To you my friends and associates at work --- THANKS!!  My family and relatives  were  always praying and supporting me on what they thought was a crazy endeavor.  So many comments, cheers and prayers to me on my facebook wall, truly overwhelming.  It would be impossible to list everyone individually, but know I appreciate each and every one of you.  You know who you are!!!  Thank you everyone!!!   My children sacrificed a little bit of mommy time and had to have patience on numerous occasions for me to get home from training.  A lot of my training was done during school hours, but there were some nights when I know they could hear the bike trainer or the treadmill whirring late at night or before the crack of dawn, so that I could get workouts done before or after work, keeping them from their slumber.  This spring a few lacrosse matches were not watched due to peak training hours and even some swim meets were not watched as well.    Many late arrivals to places because of me, you kids are iron kids for sure! 

Emily in the hollow of one
of the Cedars

Kevin never lost any sleep, as he can sleep through everything, but he had many sacrifices of his own.  He was not keen on the whole IM philosophy from the beginning, but he gradually came around and at times when I needed him most, he was truly there.  Many friends supported me from the beginning --- everyone on KBTC and some new friends on the OA tri team, too.  Thanks, you all were super at supporting me and getting me to where I needed to be.  To my neighbors, you dodged me running and biking at any and every hour up and down the road, not knowing if I would be out there on my bike or on my feet… sometimes cheering me when I got back.   I’ll never forget the Pow kids saying, Boy Mrs L’Heureux, you’re not moving very fast today, are you!”   I have to thank my surgeons Dr. Murray for fixing my knee, Dr. Asherman for the care of my gastroc tear and also Dr. Oeullette for the injections in my other knee to keep me going.   To the physical therapists at Orthopedic Associates for being there for me during the rehab of the knee and my calf injury, THANK YOU.  Owen Lennon did a good chunk of my initial therapy until he moved away before my first ironman attempt.  Jared Buzzell was very helpful with my bike fit, lots of hours of therapy on my knee, shoulder (from last year’s crash) and various other joints, as well as a  run gait analysis.  I have to tell you, I am really comfortable on my bike, I’m pretty aero and pretty fast when I want to be!!

Charlie.  I miss him so!  He's not back from Cd'A, yet
I hope he is enjoying rest and his trip around the country.

 Jared  socked it to me straight, reeled me in when I was getting antsy to do more than I should and really explained to me what it all really came down to.   I bugged him endlessly on a lot of things and he was just unbelievably patient and helpful - way above and beyond the call of duty, as was Owen when he was there.    There were many people that were involved in my training, giving me tidbits of information, workouts, advice and help.  From the trainers and professionals at Parisi Speed School including Scott Fleurant, Stephanie Chase as well as Stan Skofield, the athletic trainers and the entire physical therapy department.  Scott had done a lot of one -on- one strength training with me which proved to be very helpful.  Had I not had a firm base of strength that he had established for me, those mountainous climbs would have been walked instead of ridden for sure.  We just don’t have climbs like that near me in Maine.  The pro athlete that won for women said that the bike course was one of the hardest she had ever done.  Believe me, there were people climbing VERY SLOWLY, and struggling.   The bike trainer workouts done at OA with Stephanie Chase were a key for my bike strength as well.    I need to  line up more time with Steph for sure!!   Thanks, Steph!!!!  And two very important people in my triathlon specific -training were: Doug Welling, my very first coach who molded me from a pile of clay into one that could swim, bike and run with confidence and knowledge.  He gave me so much courage to go places that I wouldn’t have otherwise gone; patience to try new things, knowledge and know-how of equipment use and the art of training, just a truly amazing individual, athlete and coach. I still hear his voice at different times giving advice and instruction.    And lastly, one of my childhood friends who was both friend and coach to me through the last two years of training and ironman build, very tough times both physically, mentally and emotionally:  Angela Bancroft. 

Here's Ange on her way to win at the Pirate Triathlon,
 a local sprint race.

Angela tactfully fulfilled the friend and coach role which must have been really hard, but she did it with much grace and professionalism that many probably could not have done.  She is a true inspiration that words can just not describe.   Ange really understood me as a mom, a person, working professional and athlete.   I think it actually was helpful for her knowing me as a kid because she knew inside what my true potential was, and she brought it out of me.  From the first time I told her 4 years ago that I was going to do a triathlon she was behind me giving encouragement, advice and support.  I could have not made it to the Ironman finish line without her.  She kept me from hurting myself while recovering from my injuries and rebuilt my fitness back up essentially from ground zero.  She developed my athleticism, with exhausting grace and smiles.  Even though I didn’t exactly run to my potential on race day, we all know that race day can always throw some unexpected curves and that’s part of ironman for sure.  And truly, getting to finish, you can’t always expect your best because there is so much more that influences the day, things beyond your control.  Ange taught me that tactfully, and really on Ironman day, you focus on the training that you have in the bank and roll with the punches.  That’s how you become an ironman.     Thanks, Ange!  You are the best Ironman I know!!  Sorry about the picture, but I thought it would be better to use this instead of your first grade picture!!  

One of the many vistas in Glacier Park from Road to the Sun.

 

A few random pictures from the trip, scattered around!  Now, tomorrow, it's time to get back to training. I'll be in the pool for my first swim before work.   My next planned race is at the end of August.  A local, half-distance race (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run).  Let's hope the hip is okay to do that one or I may have to switch in to the aqua bike category if there is one.  it's in Old Orchard Beach.  It's the Revolution 3 branded race.  There will be some of the awesome local talent  and some pro's from around the country racing.  It'll be a great race and I sure hope that I will do it.  I really want to!!  It should be a lot of fun to see the local people that have superior talent and the pro's head it off.  THis is the first year of the race here in Maine.   I can't wait!!!     TO End, here's a couple more pictures.  One of Mary Anne and the kids, from left to right: Lucia, Gustavo, Angelina and Alonzo!  What a great bunch!! It was so fun being out there visiting  them.  I truly can't wait for the next trip!!!!!!!!

 





 

<>

Lake McDonald



IronMan Coeur d'Alene: Race Report Part II/II

In loop two of the bike,  we soon hit special needs at the turn-around point along the lake.  Some athletes are able to not stop at all, or grab and go, just slowing the bike down.  Me, however... I actually had to stop, straddle the bike and paw into my bag.  All I really needed to do was exchange my empty nutrition bottles with fresh ones... Well, not that they were "fresh" because the sun had come out and they were warm, but FULL bottles of nutrition.  Warm didn't taste terrible. It was EFS, so that doesn't taste bad warm.    I grabbed my bottles and gels that i needed and headed off with trepidation.     Right after this turnaround point was a short climb and then an aid station.  This was the time and place of last year's bad crash.  They had the same aid station in place and it gave me chills to come upon it.  I went wide of the station and chills went up my spine.  When the station was gone, I knew I had overcome a major thing.  I was okay!  I was smiling.   The little red letters that I had on my forehead that only I could see (DNF) were starting to fade.   Time to head through town and climb up onto I-95 and head for those huge  climbs again.  My legs felt good.  i was ready to tackle the climbs again.  There was Kevin and the kids again, cheering me on.  It was so good to see them.  It was getting hot.  The sun was out and what moved all those clouds away, was strong wind.  I was going to be climbing this second time through into the wind.  I felt ready.  I had done a lot of riding in April in the wind.  Many others had succombed to their trainers on those windy, cold days.  I went out in it.  And this knowledge gave me the confidence to know, that I would be just fine.  On the first long climb, I passed a guy that was dying on his bike.  He was weaving and practically falling over.  "You okay?"  He was fine.  He explained that he was very tired and was sick of the climbing.  Poor guy.  So I asked, "is this your first Ironman?'  "Well, technically no," he shared, " I just did IM St. George in Utah, but I didn't finish!"  Oh, that's too bad!  " Do you mind me asking what happened?"    He said, "Not at all, it will help put my mind on something else besides this climb!"  He went on to explain that he did the swim,  (and he had a faster swim on the treacherous conditions of St. George, BTW), but his nutrition plan fell apart and he died after the bike and could not run due to GI distress.  I felt badly for him.  I pushed on a head.   I wished that his nutrition plan was working better for him today.   But he wasn't climbing so well.  I was still feeling great with 3 more big hills to conquer.  Some people were walking their bikes up hills.  I just kept plugging away, tackling the climbs and eventually got to the 90 mile mark.  From mile 90 -112 was pretty much down hill, with only one longish climb.  I came down off that climb and down off I-95 and onto the main streets, flat to transition.

Riding into transition feeling home free. 
I knew this race was in the bag, no matter what.

My time was just as I had expected, maybe even a little bit faster.  I still had one gel left (peaking out of my top) which was a "just in case" I went long on the bike.  I grabbed it at the last food station, but didn't need it.  Here I was going into transition, feeling on top of the world.  I knew I had this race in the bag, no matter what.  It was only 3:30 in the afternoon!   My bike split (7 hrs) put me in 44th place for my age group (Iwas 66th after the swim).  Not bad at all!!

I handed off the bike and ran into transition.  Earlier I was Ms. conservative and now I was ready to just run, run,  run!  As I ran into transition and my run bag was handed to me, my left hip did it's little "catch" thing.  OH My GOD!!  The sharp pain was agonizing.  When it does this, I have to do a wiggle thing and it would release.  I had nothing to lean against to wiggle it free.  UGH!  I try not to wince and just keep the smile on, not letting anyone know.  I didn't want anyone see me limp because I was afraid they would take my timing chip away.  I sort of tip toed into transition and got my run sneakers on, put on my trimoxie visor and grabbed my gels and EFS and headed out to get sunscreened up and head out to the run.  There was a tree next to the sunscreen station so i leaned into it and did my wiggle to get my hip unkinked.  I figured my hip would be set for at least half of the marathon.  Little did I know that it was a harbinger of how the run would play out.

getting sunscreen on. Ouch! they put it on my
jellyfish sting from last week!

 Within the first few steps of the run, my hip started to catch again.  Eeks, I was frustrated.  It should be set!  I leaned up against a tree, did my wiggle and it freed.  There!  It felt better because it even cracked and popped a little that time so i figured that now it was really set for at least half of the marathon.  Again, across the street and up the hill I went.  My legs felt pretty good all and all.  My heart rate was in check and I felt good with the pace that I was running.  there were already people walking so I had to weave in and around a couple people.  I dropped a water bottle with EFS and it started to roll away.  I quickly stepped to the side and twisted and snatched it up off the ground.  Yup, you guessed it, my hip snagged.  Well a big sigh!  I was getting frustrated.  I bent over because there were no posts or trees I could get to because of all the spectators.  So I bent down on the ground like I was trying to stretch my calves, I stretched out into a pike/plank position and did my hip wiggle.  I didn't think it would release, but it did.  Phew!  Carefully stood back up and pretended to stretch a little and started running again.  I am not even a mile in to the run and my hip had done this three times.

heading out of transition and the first tree I used for my hip

  Well the third time was a charm because now it seemed like I was good.  I was off running again.  My legs felt good, my body felt good and I took in a gel and drank some water.  It was all going to be okay from now on.  The route took us through a little residential area that was full of spectators.  It was a cute part of the course and all the families were out on their lawns cheering on the runners and having basically a street party wth music, all sorts of entertainment and offers of vaseline or anything else.  You could smell the grills running in the backyard with steak, chicken and burgers being grilled.  It smelled really good!  Then the next thing I know, I am at mile 4 and my hip catches.  Darn it.  This time it was a very sharp pain simulataneously.  I went to the nearest tree and did my little wiggle.  It wouldnn't release.  I kept trying.  oh shoot.  how come this keeps happening??!!  It was happening  about once or twice a day in the hotel room, maybe once a week for the past couple weeks and maybe once a month for the previous few months.  But I had been doing my hip exercises religiously, and it seemed to be better until that absolute last big week of training.  I figured it would calm down during taper.  It seemed to have.  What is different??!!  I had therapy in the IM village a few days before the race and had a gentle massage two days before the race.  It seemed better!  At mile 4 I was forced to hobble for a few minutes.  At the next tree I tried to wiggle it free... SUCCESS!  I was able to get it loose.  I started to run again.  And within 50 yrds again, it got stuck.  Again, i couldn't bear weight, had to tip toe and tried my wiggle routine.  It wouldn't release.  I was starting to get mad.  But I really was still smiling, but it was turning into a little bit of a sly smile.  I had just passed fireman dude (he does the marathon at a walking pace in full Firefighter's turnout gear), he is the pacer for the marathon.  If you stay ahead of him, you are set and will finish without a problem.  Fire dude saw me doing my dance and wiggle... must have looked crazy what I was doing.  "You okay?"  Totally fine, I had answered... I didn't trust him... he just wanted to take my timing chip away, I just knew it.  "Well," he offered without solicitation, "If you maintain a 16 minute mile you will finish with plenty of time."   My hip released again and off I jogged.  I did a systems check.  I feel okay, my quads/glutes/calves seem okay.  Does my back hurt?   Everything seemed fine.    I made it to mile 5 and then it started to catch but didn't and then  close to 6 it did.  It wouldn't release for what seemed like a long time.  I felt like i had to make a decision.  Do I keep trying to run and have this thing continue to catch and potentially prevent me from finishing.  Or, do I maintain a 16 minute mile and maybe jog here and there if I can and finish intact with plenty of time to spare.  Not finishing didn't even remotely enter my mind.  The choice was easy.  I was not going to take any chances, walking it would be.  The name of the game was to be conservative and finish intact with a smile on my face.  My race goal had been to finish with a smile on my face by 16:59:59.    As time passed, and the miles came so slowly, I kept smiling, kept thanking volunteers and kept moving forward.   It seemed silly to be walking so early of a marathon --20 miles of walking.  But that really was the safest thing to do.  And, I was in good company.  I did occasionally jog, but not often.



Mile 10 and few people are running.



this guy had "hip" issues and
couldn't run.  They tried
manipulating on the side of the road.

Well, I got to talk to a lot of the people out walking and a lot of them were walking because they had GI issues.  I felt great.  But starting at the halfway point, i had been walking for quite awhile, my appeal to food and nutrition disappeared.  But I am only walking?/!!  What's the deal!  Well, yes, I am still moving forward and that does require caloric consumption.  Soon I had come upon James who was trying to look for me.  I was waaaayyyy behind where i should be.  And I warned them not to be too stuck on typical paces, because anything can happen.  So he yells, "go, Mom, pick it up!  Why are you walking?"  So, I explained to him that everytime I ran my hip would cramp but if I walked it would be okay.  I told him I was afraid to keep stopping and wiggling it to do right.  It was best to walk... not ideal, but my goal was to finish.   I was capable of walking and walking pretty fast. so I did.  But walking a marathon, let me tell you is a lot harder than jogging it.  There were so many times that I just wanted to run.  I wanted to run the flats, I wanted to run down the hills, but every time I picked up to even a jog, I was steps away from pain and a wiggle... that was no way to do the marathon.  It just didn't make sense.  I thought about all my hard training days and none of them were like this...They were so much easier than this.  Then, the other thing I wasn't sure about was my lack of desire for food.  Nothing I held, nothing at the aid stations appealed to me.  I wasn't really prepared for that feeling.   Kevin had been keeping in contact with Ange at this point and she was telling me to just eat anything.  Just keep eating.  Broth, yuck, cookies -- no --- chips --- seriously??  the next gel i ate, I thought I was going to throw up.  I was talking to people as I walked or people would strike conversation first.  Always  the questions were about where you were from, first ironman --- why was your day so bad.  I kept telling people that I was having a good day.  And I really was.  Then some guy said to me, "you know, walking an ironman marathon is not a good day.  I am going to exit the race  at the next aid station"  So, I said to him, "you know, there are people out there that can't even walk that would give their life to walk just two steps, there are people that are dying of terrible diseases and diseases, so terrible that they would change places with us in a heartbeat.  There are people that died and were never given the chance to even an attempt an ironman.  Those people are having bad days!  Me and you?  No, we aren't having a bad day... we are just having a day we didn't expect to turn out the way we had hoped.  We are having a challenging day and why give up on the challenge?  Just because it's not going your way?  You don't give up when things aren't going your way.  When people with bad diseases give up because things don't go their way,  you know what happens?  They die!!"  OOPSIE, I said too much...His eyes got big... I thought he was going to slug me.  My eyes got big!  Then he took a deep breath and said, "you are so right....thanks for telling me this."  I thought I heard a hint of sarcasm and i was just waiting for the comeback.  Then, a few minutes later, he said, "I can't walk this fast, so I am going to sit for a few minutes.  But i am going to catch up with you later.  I am not going to stop anymore.  I am going to hold my head high and smile and thank everyone like you are, because that's the way to be.  I can't believe in the past i pushed all the walkers out of the way and got so furious with my performance if it wasn't always my best.   But I never stopped to put things into perspective like you have.  Here you are in the same boat as me, but we have polar opposite ideas on what a bad day is and you have enlightened me.  There are so many people I just want to apologize to for my behavior in the past, either holding me up in transition, or in my way on the run or whatever... and I kept saying... stupid people doing something they shouldn't.  But really the stupid people are the athletes that are aggravated by the people that aren't as gifted.  Walking and talking with you has given me something to feel good about.  I am not going sub 11 hrs today, but I am out here and I am not quitting, i was going to, because I had the why bother idea.  I like your idea better.  So many people don't even make it to the start line."  We said our good-byes and I never saw him again.  But HE almost made ME cry.   I am not sure if he finished or not.  But I still had little conversations with people along the way.  After my conversation with that guy, I decided to try a cookie.  My New year's resolution was to eat more cookies this year.  How about during an ironman?  I ate half a cookie.  It was okay.  I drank some coke.  Oh Goodness! that was heavenly ---  coke on a race course!!  That did the trick; I was feeling much better a few minutes after that.  Who would have thought coke and cookies would be good out on a race.  It must have been the coke.  So I drank coke at every aid station... and if my dentist is reading this, he is probably falling over in his chair.  So it took me 6 hrs and 32 mins to do the entire marathon.  I did jog here and there, but not a lot.   And every time I did, my hip told me it didn't want to.  That was frustrating.  But that's how it went.  And really the last half of the marathon, I didn't jog, ever.    My finish time was 15:28:15, 88th for my age group and certainly a long way from last.  I did beat my 16:59:59!!



gotta love those sunglasses about to fall off!

Here i was at the finish line, starting to cry.  I wanted to run across the finish line.  I tried, but I just couldn't.  When I finished some guy grabbed me and wrapped a blanket around me and practically carried me to food and my clothes.  I saw Kevin and the kids and I was trying to keep it together but the tears just flowed and flowed.  I went to bed and when I woke up in the morning I looked in the mirrow and the DNF was erased.  I was so proud and so glad that I kept it together.  I still can't believe I walked most of the marathon.  I  can't wait to get back to training again.   And, I do want to train for another.  First, I have to heal and probably visit my  buddy, Jared, the physical therapist.  I was hoping to stay off the clinic tables there for at least half a year!  Next post will be a huge thank you to so many people that helped me get to the start and finish lines!!  Then maybe I'll throw in a few pictures from Montana and my visit with my brother, Mark.    What a great day though, and I will never forget it!!!  I will do another one, but not for two years.   I am going to give my body an ultra-distance break.

IronMan Coeur d'Alene: Race Report Part I/II

We have arrived home safe and sound from being out West.  What a great trip!  I can't believe it's been a whole week since race day!!  I have lasting, great memories of it, such a great experience!!  I wrote a poem in my last post about the night before and morning of.  It really was as magical as Christmas Day and so I chose to write it based on "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  Being able to train and complete an ironman is truly a gift... a reward for such hard training.  The training is a lot harder than the actual race is, for sure.  But, you do have to do the training to get to the finish line as so many people that didn't do the training, found out.  Sometimes you do all the training, and you don't see the end result because something happens out of your control (like last year) and always, something unexpected can pop up to put an extra level of difficulty, as did this year... but you know in your heart that you have done the training; it carries you to the finish.



before the canon goes off!



Race morning was cold and drizzling.  It didn't phase me one bit.  Many athletes were complaining, some hadn't been in the water and were fretting about it.  Not me, I was prepared.  I had done cold water swims; I had done cold, Atlantic Ocean swims and the weather just didn't even nudge me.  The water was rough; wind, rain and white caps.  It was very challenging for some people.  Athletes that had just done IM  St. George with a beastly swim were looking for a reprieve--- they weren't going to get it.  Between the 59 degree temperature and the conditions added an element of difficulty.  Standing on the beach with 2500 other athletes waiting for the cannon to go off was surreal.  The sand was cold, the water did look a little scary, but at the start the water was fairly calm.  By this point of the morning, I was calm and ready to go.  I was all the way to the outside right of the course.  My plan was to take my time unless I got cold...it was going to be a zen, serene swim, like last year.   I entered the water and was already swimming in a short time, but within minutes I found my self in the middle of chaos.  The wind picked up and was pushing everyone to the right!  Everyone was way out where I was:



the swim!



 splashing, hitting, kicking.  i was getting yanked under water.  There was no way I could move inside to near the buoys where hardly anyone was swimming.  Darn it!  I wished I had started in the middle so that I could plan to move to one side or the other depending on where the swimmers were.  It was a battle field for sure.  It was ugly and uncomfortable.  For a few moments, I had doubts enter my mind.  This was the only time during the whole day that i had doubts of not finishing.    I quickly regrouped myself and did head above water free style, it wasn't fast, but i had to find the path of least resistance.  The water was choppy and it was hard to see where to go.  i wasn't going to be able to swim rightward across 25 yards of hundreds of bodies just flailing in the water.  I stuck with my plan.  Stay as far right as possible. After the first loop I would readjust if needed or possible.  So to the far right I stayed, swimming over some people myself as gently as possible.  Sometimes in cood down laps at the pool I would swim 3 strokes freestyle and then turn onto my back and do three strokes on my back.  I realized that I could maneuver this way without plowing over people to get where I wanted because I turn on my back on someone's legs and they wouldn't know I was there....Phew!  I was able to move forward and move laterally to clearer water.    So I went left to just outside of the buoy's on the counter clockwise swim.  I never would have expected it to be clearer on the inside of the hoards of people... but it was.  That took time to do and I completed that task by the first turn buoy (which was about 900 yrds in the rectangular swim)  The second turn buoy to head back to shore was 200 yrds away.  I could see up ahead there was congestion around that buoy.  When I got about 100 yrds away from it, I did my little back stroke maneuver over bodies to get outside again so I wouldn't be stopped at the buoy like hundreds of other swimmers.  My maneuver worked yet again because as I rounded the buoy about 25 yrds away from it, I was passing a lot of people that were stuck at the buoy.  There was a race official at the inside of that buoy too watching for cutting...some were cutting out of necessity because they couldn't maneuver themselves to get outside the buoy.  I was starting to feel badly because I knew some were getting DQ'd.  I was on the straight away soon to finish the first loop.  When I got up on the beach over the timing mat, my time was 42 mins and some odd seconds... I was happy for everything I had to do to get there.   Really it was a terrible time, but considering what was going out there in the water, it was a great time.  We were warned that no one has a best time in CDA and really the race tactic for the swim here is to just get through it the best way you know how.  And that's how I was managing it.   I had a huge smile on my face.   I re-entered the water.  The numbers had thinned somewhat, but the conditions became worse.  The wind picked up, it was raining, and harder to see.  I was able to maintain position on the swim  and just stay where I wanted to be.  On the second loop though, I got picked up in the current of the Spokane River (which empties into Lake CdA, carrying lots of fast moving and cold water) and carried pretty far rightward from the second turn buoy.  The choppiness of the water was worse and the wind was terrible.  The press helicopters were too low making the water even more churned up, too.   It was hard to get out of the current.  I was one of many athletes that got swept into it.  We all made it out fine.  As I finished the second loop, I glanced back and saw that there were many swimmers behind me... I was so relieved to get out of the water and was feeling a little sea sick from all the up and down motion.  I was dizzy. Rumors were already passing around that they had removed many swimmers from the water and one was unconcious being flown to the nearest medical center.  I hope he is okay....unbeknownst to me, I would learn more about the swim later on along the bike and run course later throughout the day....

In transition I couldn't feel my fingers.  They had wetsuit strippers outside of the tent and the wetsuit was off in a flash!  I remembered the same from last year.  My bike bag was tied so tightly I couldn't get into it because of the lack of dexterity.  There was a wonderful helper in the tent and she was able to undo and open the bag for me.  She put my bike socks on for me, too, latched my race helmet and sent me off to my bike.  I actually walked to my bike.  I wanted to run, but my hip had been hurting and "catching" over the past couple days.  I didn't want to put undue stress on any part of my body to save a couple minutes.  My motto for the day was safe and controlled, watchful vigilance on every part of the bike course.    I was extremely nervous getting on the bike.  I was super conservative on the first loop.  In fact, I kept my watt average at the way bottom end of where my coach wanted me to be.  I just didn't want to take any chances.  I wanted to be watchful of all the going on's.  I didn't want to be anaerobic ever, which I wouldn't be in that wattage zone anyway; however, I wanted to conserve as much as possible for the climbs.  As soon as I started pedaling, my heart rate was way above where it should be for the effort and I attributed that to the adrenaline and anxiety.  For the first 20 minutes I rode very casually.  I wanted to settle my body so that it would accept food and be in control.  Those hills were ahead.  Through town and down along the lake to the first turnaround point and back into town were uneventful.  I felt great!  My smile returned and I was having good feelings.



 First set of hills complete!   Big Smile that never left!
Also note: guy just coming on bridge with "King of the Mountain shirt", NOT!

 I entered the I-95 overpass and was greeted by Kevin, James and Emily, cheering me on.  I had a huge grin on my face.  The next 40 miles were going to be all climbing, but I was ready for it.  I was fueling well at this point hydrated and feeling super!  No sooner than I left the family did the first climb in a series start.  There are no hills in southern Maine that even compare with what I had to climb.  I attribute my strength with climbing to strength training early in the training season with Scott Fleurant and awesome coaching (THANKS ANGELA BANCROFT!)  and doing local hills in a harder gear than necessary.  I knew in training I wasn't being an efficient rider a lot of the time, but I knew I wasn't working on big long hills like I needed to be on.  I just didn't have the time to travel to Northern ME or NH and I wasn't exactly sure where the hills were. I knew a few people that were doing hills out by Sebago and north of there, but it just never seemed to fit in my schedule to do those group rides.   I put faith in what I had done; I stuck to local roads that I knew and increased the difficutly by pushing a harder gear and did them into the wind as much as possible.  The hills in the Berwicks, Lebanon, Limington and  most of York County was what I had to work with and of course the hills  on and around Mount Hope in Sanford.   I can't afford a computrainer either, so I couldn't even attempt to assimilate the hills on an indoor trainer.  Not once on the bike course did I feel under trained or under prepared.    I was climbing those steep, long grades as comfortably as possible.  Eating and drinking well.    It was cloudy, cold and windy... If anything, I was underdressed for the first loop.   The first loop went great!  I was happy and coming down off the I-95 overpass on to local roads and seeing my family, again, I was still very happy.  Onto flats for a few miles and gentler grades.  I poured in more nutrition, fluids and went out along the lake to special needs at the halfway point.  To be Continued.....

James and Emily on the rock outside our hotel.

Twas the night before Ironman

I have quite a few posts to blog.  In separate blogs I will be writing an Ironman Race report and I will blog a thank you, but for now.  I wrote this little poem to keep you entertained:

Twas the night before Ironman, when all through the place
Not a creature was stirring, not over the race.
The bicycles were racked in their places with care,
In hopes that tomorrow soon would be there.

The athletes were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of finishing danced in their heads.
And pappa in his C-PAP, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a pre-race nap.

When out before dawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the backpack, I flew like a flash,
It’s race morning already, I’m off like  a dash.

The volume of items, inside it you know
the luster of readiness, was all set to go.
When, what to my wondering ears should I  hear,
the sound of the clock, time to get it in gear!

On goes the clothing, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, I just may be sick.
More rapid than eagles, the nausea it came
the stomach gurgled and rumbled,  and called me by name!

"Now Helmet! now, Backpack! Bottles  and Water!
salt tabs! And wetsuit! Race watch and fodder!
out of the doorway, to enter the hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

Off to transition, the athlete does fly,
The long day has started with stars in the  sky.
Arriving in time, to marking she flew,
With a sack full of stuff, not the least of which -  gu.

And then, in a twinkling, I saw on the rack
My bicycle shining, best of the stack.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down with the backpack, onto the ground.

Now dressed in neoprene from her head to her toe,
The bags were all sorted and set for the go.

.
A bundle of bags she had flung on her back,
To take to be sorted, bike/ run and post race snack.

Her eyes-how they twinkled! Her dimples how merry!
Her cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry!
Her droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the pride on her face, so happy to show.

The stump of a gel, she held tight in her teeth,
The cold of the sand, was felt underneath.
She had a game face and a little flat belly,
 once shook when she laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

SHe was jolly  and pumped, and proud of herself,
She couldn’t have done it, without the help of an elf!
The guidance of Ange, and help to her head,
Soon gave her the know,  there’s nothing to dread.

She spoke not a word, she had done all the work,
let go of bad feelings, she did with a jerk.
Positive thoughts and feelings she chose,
OFF goes the cannon! And swimming she goes!

She sprang from the water, and off to the bike,
and peddled away for a long day’s hike.
Then I heard her exclaim as she ran  into sight,
“I’m an Ironman now, THANKS to all, a good night!"

Pre-Race Jitters

DNF-  I feel like those letters are branded on my forehead much like the letter "A" on Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorn's "Scarlet Letter."  This race has been looming over my head for two years.  There is only one other race in my life that I have not finished in my life and that other one was my Freshman year of high school in the finals of 300 M hurdles in the regionals to qualify for states.  I was in the second to last heat, and I was running well that day.  I was winning my heat in a landslide, ensuring a qualifying spot for States, when i tripped over the absolute last hurdle of the race!  UGH!!!  Yes I would have qualified for states in that event as a freshman.  The person that past me when I was on the ground qualified as the 5th seed for States.  The disappointment i felt was huge, but it was okay because i was going to states anyway in other events.  But that disappointment is nothing compared to my attempt at the Ironman race last year.  I have thought about that day every day since last year.  Not one day has gone by where I didn't get up and think about that race, the two crashes, the disappointment, the pain....I have lived it every day and ultimately my family has too.  The only way for me to overcome it was to comeback and conquer the defeat.  Every training session while training for this new event, this new day, has had reflections of the outcome of last year.  It's hard for me to reflect on the actual race because there is so much of it that I can't recall.  If i could just banish the thoughts of last year, but I can't.  It's branded in scarlet letters on my forehead that only I can see.

Arriving here in Coeur d'Alene has been nothing short of surreal, dream like...almost nightmarish because the dream started so pleasant.  This year...I know it's going to be a pleasant but emotional ending.  i have pent up stress, pent up energy, pent up anger, just so many emotions that i have held in.   Several people have asked, "what's your goal time?"  My goal time...16:59:59.   An athlete has 17 hrs to complete the event and really that is what it is all about for me.  I have heard it all... "come on Cathy, that's not a goal, you are so capable of going under 13 hrs.... What is your far reach."   I have also heard, "are you going after a Kona slot?"   And the answer is, no, NO, NO!  I will be ecstatic if i go under the clock at 16:59: 59.  For me, it will be nothing short of miraculous.  I know what my avg times are for Half Ironman distances, I know what I have been recently racing and I know "statistically" with all the crazy calculations --- just double your time and add and hour, add 10% for each hour of your half and multiply by two.... yada, yada, yada... I've heard it all and for this race I am ignoring it all.  My goal is to finish.... Not to finish as fast as I can, not to get a Kona slot... TO FINISH!!!  And, I will finish with a smile on my face and body, mind and soul in tact.   My race will be a comfortable race... I am not taking any risks... a long training day with a party at the end!

You will see me swimming on the far right of the course on the outside of all the athletes taking wide turns at the buoy's.  I am a fairly strong swimmer and so I don't have to worry about meeting a cut-off time.  I will swim comfortable in my zone to reflect on the day.  Calmly breathing and stroking, it will be my Zen time.  I will be calm, relaxed and away from the melee.  I will be away from kicking, slapping, sinking bodies swimming over one an other... I will be swimming a different place, peaceful, serene.  it's actually what i did last year.  although, I do remember migrating inwards last year and getting involved in a traffic jam at one of the turn buoy's.  I will stay wide and avoid that this year.   I suspect it will take me 1.5 hrs for the swim.  Last year I finished in 1:20.   the water is cold - mid 50's, so i may speed up to stay warm or to just get out of there.

The bike, will be ridden in my own training zone.  I will be controlled and relaxed, my breathing will be in control.  There are some serious climbs on this new bike course.  And some screaming descents.  I heard an athlete claim that he was going 70 mph on one of the big descents.  Well the fastest I have ever gone down a descent in Maine  is 47mph.  And, I rode down the steepest descent on Wednesday on the course (yes, i did have to pedal up it first) and when I did peek, I was braking at 38 mph.  I was feathering the brakes 3/4ths the way down.... it's a full mile and quarter down.  There were crosswinds, I was blowing everywhere....my goal is not fast, my goal is to be in control, as much as possible every second of the race.  And you know, last year i was too, but I took a sharp turn too fast last year and that was crash number 1.  That turn has now been eliminated from the course (and I wasn't the only one to crash there either).  My other crash --- the bad one, I really have no idea what happened.  It was at a bottle exchange... 1 minute I was flinging a bottle into the drop box and the next I was over the handle bars lying on the ground in a puddle of blood.  And, you know for those that didn't hear or read the story: after they made me stay there for an hour before progressing with my cracked helmet and broken bike with only two gears that worked for the rest of the 50  miles, I finished the bike leg, in time to proceed to the run. Although, my timing chip was removed in transition with the option of taking a DQ for a violation of riding with a cracked helmet, or the option of taking  a DNF.   After I made my choice, they also highly urged me to go to the medical tent....That's being, polite, they practically made me go...and inside there, they sent me to the hospital....but there won't be any of that this year.  This year, it will be a smooth ride, comfortable, in control.  There won't be chasing anyone one.  There won't be staring at age group calves... It is my race against myself and the ironman distance.  It's me against my ghost of last year.  That's the only think I am chasing.  I suspect it will take me 7.5 hrs to do the bike.  (I know some of you are thinking that I just did 60 miles a few weeks ago in just under 3 hrs --- I am riding this race differently, this is a different course, the hills are bigger and more of them... it doesn't compare!!).

The run will be steady and in control as well.  Obviously I didn't run the course last year.  I will be patient with my pace this year, be in control and take in the moment.  My goal is to keep moving forward.  My running since April has not been stellar.  I have been plagued with aches, pains and fatigue off and on.    I will run fast enough to get to the finish in my goal time of 16:59:59.  Age calves will not interest me, if I pass anyone I will give praise and words of encouragement, and will cheer those that pass me.  I will look for the fireman in full turnout gear running the 26.2.  I would say that I will keep an eye out for Crowie but he will be finished before i even start my run... i fully suspect this will be a 5 hr marathon.  yes, i know I am capable of being faster...fast is not my goal.  So at the half,  if it's been over 2 hrs... don't say "she did a 10 miler in 1:25 where is she....??"  I am fine...

Yes, I am nervous beyond belief, but writing this has helped me calm a little.  I am anxious and excited.  Tomorrow at this time, I just might be out on the bike...Race start is 7AM local time 10 AM for you folks on the Eastern seaboard.   My number is 603, in the 40-44 age group.  Tomorrow's weather is predicted to be high of 77 with 30% chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms.  I have received so many text messages, FB messages, and emails of support from so many family members and friends.  I thank you all for your love, thoughts, words of encouragement and prayers.   If I appear to be slow tomorrow, don't worry!!  Be happy, I am still moving forward and I am comfortable.  So don't be staring at the clock saying "she should be at this check point by now, what happened??"  Know that I am okay, I am in control, it's going to take time to erase those scarlet letters on my forehead... and when  the branding is gone.... that's when you better lookout!!!  See you at the finish!!!

Open Water Swimming Safety

As June arrives, the water temperature rises with the air and everyone is excited to get to the beach, go to the lake  and/or just get out in the open water and boat, swim, fish and play.  We triathletes wait all winter long swimming endless laps staring at a black line at the bottom of a 25 yd lane; back and forth, lap upon lap; it's mind numbing.  We long to get outside and escape the monotony.    Some of us visualize swimming on a surf board, we breath out... talking to the fish or various other mantras to keep our minds active and focus on our swimming to help pass the endless laps.  It seems though that at the beginning of every open water swim season we forget how vulnerable we as adults are in the water.  So, I thought I would tell a quick story of a serious situation that occurred today swimming and review some good water safety habits that EVERYONE, no matter how good of a swimmer you are, should practice. 

A bunch of triathletes, myself included, from a local triathlon club decided to meet at Kennebunk Pond for a Saturday morning swim.  We headed out early to beat the boat traffic that would be occurring on such a beautiful weekend.    We arrived just before 7 AM.   The air was brisk, with a slight breeze and the water was somewhat choppy.  The sun was low and glaring in the direction that we would be swimming in.  Between the choppiness of the water and the sun glare, the visibility, despite the clear air conditions, was not great.  The water temperature was a very comfortable 66 degrees -- remember we are all wearing wetsuits.   A group of us were going to head out to swim around an island in the middle which is just a hair over a mile swim (I was planning to do the loop a second time with a group arriving at 7:30).  Then there was another two swimmers that were going to be going to "the rock and back."  That distance was about half of going to the island and back.  One thing good we did was that we knew who was doing what -- supposedly... But in actuality, one of the swimmers was confused of the landmarks and distances and really planned on swimming out to the island and not just to the rock and back.  Her misunderstanding began with her thinking that the island was "the rock."   First big mistake: one, we didn't really discuss our specific route,  and two, what to sight for and landmarks to be watching for with everyone... A HUGE and potentially costly mistake.  Off we went.  I was swimming with the group going around the island and all was well.  On the back side of the island we stopped and talked amongst ourselves briefly about the route our swim line should take heading back.  Two of the swimmers weren't too familiar with  how shallow the rocks were and if you didn't position yourself well, you end up either kicking or scratching your hand on these big boulders underneath the surface of the water.   I led the swimmers around the island to head back to the beach.  When we circum-navigated around the island to head back to the beach and cove, where we had started at, we came upon the swimmer by herself that was going to just go to the rock and back.  It didn't really register with me at first because I was thinking that the swimmer that was going to the rock and back wouldn't be there because this swimmer was 1)alone and 2) gone a lot further than she had told us she was going to do.  Well, then I wasn't convinced that the swimmer was she  and this maybe another swimmer that might be doing her own thing.  Because, despite all these group swims we are involved in, we do all tend to do our own thing.  Not really a good philosophy or SAFE philosophy to have.  So here we are swimming back to the cove and the beach.  Just as we are heading into the cove we stopped and one of the swimmers said, "wait where did the other swimmer go?"  Ummmm.... none of us really knew.  "well wasn't she just doing the shorter rock and back swim?"  Apparently she changed her mind she joined us as we were coming back around the island.... "well where is she now?"  We all turned around and stared out at the water.  We couldn't see anyone, so we started swimming back to the rock and then to the island to look for her.  We were calling for her.  We could not see her or her green cap anywhere!  The water was choppy so we couldn't always see clearly.  We got about halfway out and still couldn't see her!!  We were all getting nervous.  Did she get out and take the road back?  WHERE IS SHE!!  Two of us swam back to shore and I told the others before heading for the shore that  I would go see if her car was still in the parking lot.  I sprinted back to the beach and told the two new swimmers coming in (the one's I was going to swim a second loop with) that we had lost a swimmer and what she was wearing: green cap, goggles, orca wetsuit.  I sprinted up the beach,  crossed the street and into the parking lot.  Her car was still there.  i was starting to get really nervous.  As I was running back to the beach I shouted to the swimmers in the water that her car was in fact there.  The other swimmers had already swam back to the island, grabbed a kayak and were paddling around, still no sign of her.  One of the really strong swimmers came in and yelled to call 911 as all the areas in and around the island where we had been swimming were checked and most of the area had been scanned.  We had sent another person up the camp roads to check and see if she was coming back by foot.  While on shore, I grabbed a cell phone and called 911.  By this point, we had 6 or so people in the water searching and people checking the roads that abut the water.  No one was coming up with her.  The dispatcher asked about how long since the last person had seen her...  As i glanced at my watch I choked up the reply -- 20 minutes....   The area we were looking in and swimming in was not that big!!  This was way too long for her!!  we were less than a half mile from shore when we last saw her.    She should have been back long by now!!  the dispatcher told me to stay on the line... "well i am going to give the phone to someone else... i am going back in the water with a partner to search way over on the left where we don't usually swim."  So i headed in with one of the guys and off we went out of the cove heading to the left.  As we got out and looked to the left, we saw a green cap.  I think that is her!!!   There she was!!!  We raced toward her.  "Are you alright???"    Her reply was that she was fine, she got disoriented, started to get  little cramps and panicky and floated on her back and then she didn't know where she was.  She said a boater asked her if she needed help and she asked where the beach was.  Well thank God we found her!  The Sheriff's department had already arrived but we could tell the dispatcher that she was found.  The sheriff took down her statement as to what happened and that she was fine. 

Today could have ended very tragically.  Even one of the other swimmers kidded to her afterwards saying, "boy, I thought that was the shortest friendship I would ever have."  All is well that ended well.  But, in all seriousness.  1) don't swim alone, have a buddy 2) know where you are going -- make sure everyone is clear on the landmarks, distances, sighting markings for heading out and returning on the swim 3) even if you have no hair or lots of hair, WEAR a Bright colored swim cap!!  This swimmer almost didn't swim with a cap and an extra was provided for her.  Had she not been wearing the cap, she would have been impossible to spot.  4)  Don't change plans for your swim or distance once you leave the beach and make sure you, yourself know the landmarks in case you do get separated. 5)  have a properly fitting wetsuit, goggles that fit tight and fog free--- in essence wear the proper equipment.  6) Make sure there is someone on shore that knows where you are going and your expected return  7)  on an organized large group swim, is to have  experienced kayakers present that have been trained in water rescue, that can spot the swimmers in the water and corral, direct and offer support as needed    and 8) consider swimming with a torpedo buoy for an emergency flotation device.  It is compact and a life saver if you get into trouble and there is no assistance nearby.