R2R is proud to partner with Texas 10 Race Management to offer you a way to elevate your racing experience by providing a Reason2Race 4 West, Texas.  Texas 10 Race Management’s mission is to promote the advancement of running while supporting the community with positive economic impact, health initiatives and educational benefits. To fulfill on their mission, we invite you to aim big in your racing goals and make the kind of difference in our community we know you can make.

Through the combined efforts with Texas 10 Series and Waco Foundation, we are supporting the West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund. The fund was created for the sole benefit of the victims and relief efforts of the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion.

As you set your Texas10 Katy race goal, whether it be to finish your first 5 mile run or set the 10 mile course record, consider letting the rebuilding of West, Texas be your motivator to run faster, train harder and make a bigger difference in your community than you ever thought you could make. Run 4 West, Texas and experience how involving your community in your finish line goals will help ensure your success and the success of those around you.  Spread awareness and raise funds for West, Texas by setting up a Reason2Race page, crafting your race story and sharing that story with family and friends. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain!

How the program works*

1. Register for your event
2. Set up your Reason2Race donation page
3. Share your page with family and friends
4. Win prizes for raising over $1,000 for West, Texas

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There is NO COST to race 4 West, Texas, yet it provides you and those affected by the unfortunate events of April 2013 value beyond measure. Race 4 West, Texas, and experience how making a difference for others makes a difference for you!

There is no fundraising minimum. So when you set up and customize your race donation page, we ask that you set your goal high because there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!

*See full program details here.

Thank you for letting us support your finish line success.  Questions? Please contact us at info@reason2race.com.

 Waco Foundation, in collaboration with the Cooper and Rapoport Foundations, created the West, Texas Disaster Relief Efforts Fund for the sole benefit of the victims and relief efforts of the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion. In addition, Waco Foundation is covering all administrative costs so all donations received by this Fund will be distributed out for the relief efforts. As McLennan County’s community foundation, it is Waco Foundation’s duty to safeguard the charitable intent of all gifts and insure donations are properly matched with the intent behind the giving. Waco Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and you will receive a tax receipt acknowledging your contribution.

Read 2013 Post Race Press Release here.

Read 2012 Launch Charity Challenge press release here.

Reason2Race is proud to partner with The Woodland Marathon to provide you the Launch Charity Challenge allowing you to win up to $18,000 for the charity of your choice!

This program is an avenue for you, athletes of all levels, to challenge yourselves in setting and achieving your goals by sharing your racing journey with family, friends and community. Sharing goals makes them a reality, and with this challenge, The Woodlands Marathon and Launch Multisport are committed that your finish line success becomes just that – a reality! As you train for and compete in The Woodlands 5K, Half or Full Marathon, you also get to make a difference in our community, spreading awareness and raising funds for one of their official charities or any organization represented below.

Check out our 2013 program results here

Meet the 2013 participating athletes here

How to take The Challenge

1. Register for your event
2. Click a charity logo below to create your donation page
3. Share your page with family and friends
4. Win up to $18,000 for your Reason2Race

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There is NO COST to take the Launch Charity Challenge, yet it provide you and the non-profit of your choice value beyond measure. Race for a cause, and experience how making a difference for others makes a difference for you!

There is no fundraising minimum. So when you set up and customize your race donation page (see example pages here and here), we ask that you set your goal high because there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!

Take the Launch Charity Challenge for

 _____________________________________________________________

Set up your donation page for your event by clicking a logo below.

[Contact us - to inquire about adding your charity to our list.]

Thank you for choosing a Reason2Race and letting one of our valued non-profit partners support your finish line success.  Questions? Please contact us at info@reason2race.com.

Ray Lopez at Kemah Triathlon 2012

I completed my first Triathlon in Kemah, Texas April of 2012 and it was a GREAT experience. What enhanced the experience for me was I was racing for a CAUSE and it was bigger than me! I was racing for Cherish Our Children International (COCI for short) and helped support under privileged children around the world. I would like to share with you!!!

A big THANK YOU goes out to my COCI donors:  Chris, Gita, Darryl, & Abyd https://my.reason2race.com/Gabrielle As I was swimming on Sunday, I was thinking about how much I appreciate your support. Thanks for getting me to the finish line!

1.  RACE RESULTS

On Sunday 4/15/12, I completed a 2.5K swim (1.5 miles).  Why do a swimming race you ask? All in preparation of the 2.4 miles I will be swimming on 11/25/12 at Ironman Cozumel.  Hubby Bill was the encouraging force that got me to sign up because he knows swim practice is what I need most. So true!

My finish time was 57:12 minutes. 

A point of reference: on 4/1/12 at the half ironman event, I did the 1.2 mile swim in 53 minutes. So not bad for the Snapping Tortuga.

As for the course, wow, it sure is different swimming in choppy water. Uncomfortable mainly because it’s hard to get a rhythm, and it felt like I swallowed a gallon of water. Needless to say about a third of the way in I was looking for a kayak to take me back to the dock. Yes I wanted to quit, but no I didn’t.  I just kept thinking: This is temporary. Keep going!

When I came out, Bill told me I finished in under an hour, and I didn’t believe him (sorry honey) – mainly because that choppy water threw me so off that I felt like I was swimming in place.

All in all – it was a great time because I had my buds out there with me. Special congrats goes to fellow Team COCI (www.TeamCOCI.org) member Claudia Bravo Harris for finishing the THREE MILE swim in under 1:30.  AMAZING!!!

2.   NUTRITION

I’m glad to report good news on the nutrition front. I’m eating my 5 meals per day, logging my food in my journal and drinking at least 64 oz of water each day. They goal is 112 oz (1 gallon).  Wow, does it help having pre-cooked healthy meals in my fridge.   www.RealMeals365.com is helping me out in this arena. I go to their Washington/Shepherd store about every week or every other week to stock up.  Now, it may sound silly to you, but yes, keeping my fridge stocked with food is a major chore for me. Sounds so basic, but man….to me it’s like eating is the 4th sport of Ironman. Non-stop food.  BTW – RealMeals365 has yummy muffins for the mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack time. I like them with yogurt  

I’m now noticing a difference in how I feel during workouts. If I’m fueled, I do well. When I’m not, I don’t. I’m gonna keep my eye on this food thing, because it’s a simple one for me to let slide. Not this time though!

3.  My Reason2Race – Cherish Our Children International (COCI)

Having a www.Reason2Race.com most definitely did wonders for me on Sunday. In fact on Thursday 4/12/12 fellow teammates/athletes and I met with several of the kids from the www.cherishourchildren.org supported program No More Victims. These kids have one or more parents incarcerated. They openly shared what that is like for them. What courageous kids these are. They inspire me with their strength and tenacity to overcome the odds put before them, and I’m glad they were with me in spirit as I swam each stroke. Thanks kids!!  Learn more about the kids by accessing links on my page here: https://my.reason2race.com/Gabrielle. I invite you to consider contributing to their and my success this season. Takes a village I tell ya! Thanks for being in this game with me!

4.  NEXT RACE

I talked to my coach today, and she told me to pick out some Sprint and Olympic races to do throughout the season. I will probably do the Sugar Land triathlon in June put on by our friends at Finish Line Sports (http://www.slfinishlinesports.com/home.html). She also suggested I do another Half Ironman in September to gauge progress.  I’m feeling good about tackling another prior to Cozumel.  Thanks www.onurleft.com coach Wendy Hammerman for keeping me focused on the end goal and for making sure I’m well prepared. I’m so glad you are on my side!

I will keep in touch. Thanks for reading!

Thank you for reading about my 11/25/12 Ironman journey this season. Knowing you are out there watching, following, and supporting my quest for my second medal makes all the difference. Thank you!

A little set up:  These updates will most likely be structured in this format – to make it easy for you to read and easy for me to write

1. Race result
2. Nutrition
3. My Reason2Race – Cherish Our Children International (COCI)
4. Next race

Before getting to the race results, a big THANK YOU goes out to my Anonymous donor and to Ingrid Hillhouse for their COCI donations.  https://my.reason2race.com/Gabrielle Thank you for all your encouragement and for believing in me! Your support goes so far!

It’s time for my first update….

1.  RACE RESULTS

On Sunday 4/1/12, I completed my first race of the season. It was a Half Ironman triathlon.  Yes, you read correctly. I did the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run as my first event. I figure, might as well get it done   Overall, it was a great day. Having a great week – lots of rest, hydration and good food – went very far.

I had my best Half Ironman results to date.  Here are my 4/1/12 results and results of all my previous races of the same distance, just in case you are curious.

Some of you may be saying: “you went at a snail’s pace.” Some may be saying “You were lightening fast.” Whatever your commentary about my results, I share them to give us both a baseline so we can track progress over the season.  I can really only compare my results to my own, and comparatively, I did well this weekend. I’m happy and have confidence that this season will bring even better numbers.

The Swim (1.2 miles / 53:15 minutes):

My least favorite part of a triathlon. So glad it’s first!  Miraculously, that swim time is actually my best time EVER at that distance. It’s a whole lotta swimming. But I made it in one piece. Wearing a wetsuit definitely helped because it made me float – any help I can get, I will take! I was proud of myself for “running” not “walking” out of water to the transition area to get my bike. It meant I had some energy remaining. Thank goodness.

The Bike (56 miles / 3:33:04 hours):

I went 28 miles out on Galveston’s seawall and 28 miles back. Man, it was nice having a tailwind on the return! (Wind pushing my back). I paced myself well (heart rate stayed between 150-155 beats per min), so I could have energy for the run. But, wow, was it HOT! 

The Run (13.1 miles / 2:52:25 hours):

This is the real test of your ability as an endurance athlete – making it through the run. This is where you find out if you expended too much energy in either of the previous sports. Luckily it’s the part of the race I like the best, so that helps with harnessing that mental fortitude needed for the last stretch. My strategy you ask? I walked 1 minute, then ran 2 minutes – for the entire 13.1 miles. It was the ONLY way to conserve energy. The walking part was used for nothing more than slight recovery time to get my heart rate down to 130 bpm, compose myself, and start going again. I get loopy after a while, so getting my heart rate down helps me focus. Even the simple adding of 1+1 gets hard after exercising for 6+ hours. The last mile was the hardest, but I made it!

2.   NUTRITION

Some call this the “4th sport” of triathlon. You just gotta eat and eat consistently.  Prior to race day nutrition is as important as during the event.  My plan for the last couple of weeks and for the duration of training is to do the 5 meals a day. I’m not a cooking fan so I frequently visit www.RealMeals365.com.   Great food and even better customer service. Check em out. I do my best to eat as healthy as possible, and they are going to help me stay on track. Takes a village to get me to Ironman, ha!

As for race day. On the bike I at 2-3 shot block gels every 20 minutes for 3 hours. Water accompanied the gels. Then for the last 30 minutes, I just drank sport drink. That worked like a charm! No stomach cramps on the run for the first time in this distance event. I took in no solids on the run either. Only liquid. Having eaten right all week and on the bike – wow – did that help! I know Ironman will be a different story – I will have to eat solids on the run. We’ll make it work however we need to!

3.  My Reason2Race – Cherish Our Children International (COCI)

Most of you know, every year I choose a big race goal and let the COCI children be the wind beneath my wings – getting me to that finish line. Read my story here and check out my other big goal: https://my.reason2race.com/Gabrielle.   These kids have been with me every year since 2007. Inevitably, the one race per season I do with and for them is always the one that means the most to me. They keep me going, reminding me that I’m not alone on those long training rides, runs or swims. They remind me that including others in my event journey – like including you reading this – makes it so memorable, so rewarding and best of all – fun!

So how this will go is I will do the training and practice races and I ask that you support me in any way you’d like – cheer my on at any finish line (even in Cozumel), make a contribution to the COCI kids, join me in a race – whatever you’d like. I just ask that you be a part of this with me. WE are getting me to Ironman, so let’s make the best of it!!

4.  NEXT RACE

Not sure what this is. I need to talk to my www.onurleft.com coach, Wendy Hammerman. We have discussed ideas, and I need to get my race schedule ironed out for the season. I’m so glad she’s my coach. She’s gonna keep my eye on the ball when it comes to improving performance – one element at time. Plus she’s a 2-time Ironman finisher herself. She’s great!

I will keep in touch. Thanks for reading!

Gabrielle

Two years ago, burdened by an illness that had knocked her body into imbalance, Karina could at best struggle through one slow jogging circuit of our neighborhood park (about a third of a mile, or the upper limit of my own non-runner’s range).

A year later, after dramatic lifestyle shifts that largely eliminated some life-long favorites (farewell, white rice!) and added good-sized helpings of cycling and other activities; she had shed thirty pounds and moved her body back toward equilibrium. Steeled with this rediscovered power, she was able to battle exhaustion to complete a duathlon that demanded 14 miles of cycling sandwiched between two three-mile runs.

In October of 2011, after continued food tweaks and further up-shifted levels of activity, Karina easily finished an 11 km night run, and she had grown ready to commit to something bigger — a greater challenge to push her forward, and an equally great cause that could inspire such an effort.

Karina with fellow team member Theresa

The challenge was easy enough to find. The Livestrong Half Marathon was coming up in Austin in February 2012. It was long enough away to train but close enough to push it, and it’s 13.1-mile distance was within reach, even as it was unthinkable only a year or two before.

It turns out the corresponding cause was as readily available as the challenge — it was right in front of us all along. Our friend Theresa had founded a non-profit called Bel Inizio, which “helps disadvantaged women develop self-confidence and life skills through fitness and nutrition.” It was a perfect fit.

Since its inception in 2010, we’ve been working out with the athletes-in-training of Bel Inizio, getting healthier even as we came to know the women who shared with us the calming cadence of a long walk or run. As Karina journaled her training experiences and contemplated the many good reasons she was running the marathon, she wrote, “Each woman I’ve met at Bel Inizio is a reason.”

Karina spent many of the long hours of her training running solo, often through the darkness, rains and chill of a Houston winter, bringing with her to the race the support and well wishes offered by friends and family, acquaintances and loved ones. These have been warming her all along as she was running her many miles so far, and they went a long way toward powering those final thirteen miles in Austin! Total success!

Thanks goes out to everyone who supported Karin through this journey. It made such a difference in so many ways.

Click here to learn more about Team Bel Inizio.

Read 2013 Kemah Triathlon press release

Read 2012 Houston Triathlon press release  

Reason2Race is proud to partner with OUM Productions to provide you the Onurmark Giving Challenge!

Onurmark believes in giving athletes of all levels a competitive advantage, and they encourage you to strive for and reach your peak level of performance. This season, in addition to providing you an excellent racing experience, they have partnered with Reason2Race and are excited to support your racing success in yet another way. You are invited to participate in the Onurmark Giving Challenge.

How to take The Challenge

1. Register for your event
2. Click a non-profit logo below to create your donation page
3. Share your page with family and friends
4. Win up to $12,000 ($3,000 per event) for your Reason2Race

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There is NO COST to take the Onurmark Giving Challenge, yet it provides you and the non-profit of your choice value beyond measure. Race for a cause, and experience how making a difference for others makes a difference for you!

There is no fundraising minimum. So when you set up and customize your race donation page (see example pages here and here), we ask that you set your goal high (at least $1,000) because there is nothing to lose and so much to gain!  Upon completing your page, you are automatically entered into The OUM Giving Challenge.

Take the Giving Challenge for any OUM event:

04/27/2013        |       08/04/2013      |       09/01/2013       |      10/06/2013

 _____________________________________________________________

Set up your donation page for your event by clicking a logo below.

[Contact us - to inquire about adding your charity to our list.]

Thank you for choosing a Reason2Race and letting one of our valued non-profit partners support your finish line success.  Questions? Please contact us at info@reason2race.com.

Fellow team members and Theresa

Click video above to hear from Theresa. 

Back in 2000 I ran my first race.  It was a marathon, and I was shocked and surprised at the emotions that I experienced during the race.  It was fun, and energizing, and the worst thing I had ever done in my life and impossible, and unachievable, and I told myself, “I am quitting at the next water stop, and I will never do one again.”

I crossed the finish line and immediately started planning the next one.

Twelve years and over 50 races later I still experienced EACH of those emotions during every race. Except my last race:  The Mallorca Half Marathon in October 2012.   For those hours, I had a Reason2Race: Bel Inizio.

Bel Inizio is an all-volunteer 501(c) 3 that improves the self esteem of women in recovery by teaching them about nutrition and exercise.  The Bel Inizio athletes graduate by walking or running a 5K!

Over the span of two years, I have helped 10 groups of women complete a 5K.  In my estimation almost all of the women experienced discouragement, fatigue, soreness, and the same strong desire to quit that others feel when training for a marathon. Unfortunately, these same women have had these same emotions many times in their life, with drugs, homelessness, and family.  Usually they do quit. They just give up.  But with the Bel Inizio athletes crossing the finish line in their honor, they did not quit.  For many of them it is the first commitment they made and stuck to in their life.

My Reason2Race in Spain was Bel Inizio. It was not my strongest race or my fastest race, but it was my best race.  With Bel Inizio backing me and each of those recovering women in my heart, my smile was big.

Thank you Bel Inizio volunteers for the lives you are changing and thank you Reason2Race for showing me how I can continue to help.

Click here to learn more about Team Bel Inizio.

At body marking, I was greeted by my two amazing friends, Francisco and Dihn. They marked me up, gave me some consoling words, and I felt ready. For about an hour, I contemplated whether or not to wear my wet suit, and I finally concluded to do so, even though being ‘super fast’ and qualifying for Kona Ironman were not on my goals list for that day.

The swim start was by far the most insane predicament I had ever experienced.   I was incorrect in thinking it was smart to go to the back of the pack and stay away from the madness. As I floated in my wet suit, I watched what looked like ‘bugs on water’. I waited patiently and bobbed, moving my arms in an effort to warm them up. The next thing I knew, the shot gun went off, and in slow motion everyone began moving. I was in a pile of athletes literally fighting to propel forward. I passed up so many bodies.  Starting in the back of the pack was not a good idea. I soon realized there was no way around it, and I was stuck.  There was kicking, scratching, grabbing and dunking. I got kicked in the face a couple of times.  It made me mad, so I too became aggressive. I like to call it “ninja swimming.”  I soon heard the crowd and saw the ‘swim out’ buoy. I glanced at my watch and saw a 1:20, a surprisingly fast swim.

I rushed out the water feeling good.  I wasn’t tired and was filled with the energy from the crowd.  I easily found my bag with its pink bow, and after visiting the changing tent, I was off to my bike ride. The adrenaline was pumping, and the crowd was amazing. I could hear my sister screaming the whole time. Leaving from transition I told myself, “easy breezy”. I had planned on riding easy and not pushing too hard. As much as I wanted to push, I held back. Many people passed me, but I kept to my plan and believed I would see them during the run. I observed my watch like a hawk and fed myself like a baby bird, a little at a time. I made sure to drink enough liquids, and even though I was not sweating much, I still took my salt pills.

Soon I was greeted by my friend and training buddy, Grant.  We rode for a good 30 miles together until reaching the special needs bags at about mile 60. The whole way we were singing and predicting our run times.  The next thing I knew, Grant was long gone. I began to lose my juice at about mile 80, and I really needed to use the bathroom. I will say that I did contemplate peeing on my bike, but I could not bring myself to do it. After my pit stop, I continued on my merry way. Once I hit mile 90, I was ready to be done.  The last 10 miles seemed like an eternity.

Here comes the fun part.  As I turned in to the bike dismount area, the crowd filled me with energy and excitement.  After finishing what seemed to be the hardest part of the race, I was golden. I approached the dismount line, unclipped and put both feet on the pedals. I went to throw my leg over my bike, lost my balance and fell. All my weight and bike came crashing down on my left knee. It happened so fast that I just got up with my bike and went into transition. I looked down on my knee and saw a stream of blood running down my leg. I didn’t let it stop me. I figured I would just throw a Band Aid on it. Wrong.  At the changing tent, I realized this was more than a scratch.  My knee would not stop bleeding – even all the way through the Band Aid applied by one of the volunteers. I knew it was serious, and the white looking flesh was not looking too hot. At that point, I decided to visit the medical tent. I spent 18 minutes getting my wound cleaned and bandaged up.  It seemed like an eternity. I was asked by the medical staff, “Do you want to continue?” I responded, “Wrap it up, and let’s get this thing done!” Bandaged up pretty tightly, I began my run. Surprisingly, I felt good.  I was running, and I could not even believe it. My knee soon became numb, and I forgot I had even injured myself.

I told myself I would at least run the first loop to start land-marking and familiarizing myself with the course. I was soon greeted by teammates and many familiar faces. My teammate Chad caught up with me. We ran together for some time, and we were soon met up by another teammate, Rich. The three of us got into a pace and continued our run. Soon after, I began running on my own and still feeling great! I saw my OUL coach, Aaron Palaian, and Gabrielle, my “Ironbear” (as I call my fellow Ironman finisher).  Both asked me how I was doing, and I said, “I feel great, despite my fall.” I continued running – drinking and walking at every station. I began pouring ice down my shirt and shorts which worked magic. I saw my sister and so many friends on the course cheering me on.  It kept my spirits high. I continued running at a nice coasting pace and was very surprised that I was still feeling good.  At mile 18, I began to feel some serious stomach cramping, and my coasting soon turned into a walk.

I arrived at about mile 20, and the cramping worsened.  My knee also began to burn. I tried running, but my feet were not having any of that, and it made the pain in my knee and stomach worse. I took a quick bathroom break in the hopes it would help. I came out of the bathroom at mile 20 and saw my “angel” Devin Brown, a fellow HRTC member. He asked how I was doing. I said, “Not so hot. My stomach is a mess, and my knee and feet are about done”. We decided we would land-mark and finish the last six miles together. We ran to the bridge and stopped, ran to a tree and stopped. The whole way we encouraged each other and tried our best to run as much as we could. The closer we got to the finish line, the worse the knee pain was. At about one mile left, Devin said, “We will run the last turn around to make sure we ‘soak it all in’.”  That’s what we did. As I saw the finish line in the distance, my pain went away.  I had dreamt about this moment so many times, and it was here. As we began running down the finishers’ chute, we could see the people, and best of all, the finish line! As we made our way down the chute, my eyes began to water, and I told myself, “I did it, I really did it!”  I was about to become an Ironman. As Devin and I crossed the finish line, I even had the energy to do a “happy jump”. Hands down, crossing that finish line was the most amazing feeling in my life. I was greeted by Coach Carolina and my amazing friend Margo.  My wonderful friend Triny handed me my medal. I saw so many familiar faces:  Lee, Chris Hoover, Tamara and Amy Cadriel.

I began to cry and let it all out. The long months of training, the early morning sessions, the specific nutrition, the soreness the headaches, the laziness and the discipline all summed up to this amazing experience. I soon saw my sister, my mother and father, my ‘Ironbear’ Gabrielle and my ‘baby gazelle’ Gohar. I hugged everyone letting my tears flow. I was an Ironman.  I had a “shredded knee”, but I was an Ironman.   The next thing that crossed my mind was, “Ironman Arizona, here I come!”  

My blood, sweat and tears were shed on that course consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run, and doing it for a bigger cause, Cherish Our Children International (COCI), has transformed me. COCI and their mission of giving children a brighter future helped me realize that I could make my Ironman dream come true while impacting the world at the same time.  With the support of many friends and family members, I raised over $1,000 for the COCI cause, and I thank everyone for their generosity.  I know now that I make a difference and that I canaccomplish anything I set my mind to do.  Team COCI, I love you and all the COCI children who strengthened me each step of my Ironman journey. Thank you kids; this one was for making a difference in your life while you made a difference in mine.

Angelica Robles

You are an Ironman!

Flash forward six months to a cool morning in January 2011 at Memorial Park, just one week before the Houston marathon. I had joined the first Team COCI (Cherish Our Children International) sponsored training clinic of the year, a relaxed 6 mile run around the park while making big plans for the new year. I had just set up my fundraising page the night before and already received my first donation! (Thanks Will!) May 21, 2011 and Ironman Texas still seemed so far away…

Another four months later, and I find myself in a motel room off of I-45 making final preparations for the big day. I had scouted out the course with Lamy and Sean earlier and just returned from a pre-race dinner with the awesome support crew of Jeff, Kate, Will and Leah. Special needs bags were packed. My outfit for the morning was laid out, and all that remained was to turn off the lights to try to get a few hours of sleep!

I woke up at 4:15 am, and everything goes as planned. I’m at transition checking on my bike by 5:00 am, pumping the tires with plenty of time to spare. Will and Leah show up at 6:00 am and Jeff and Kate just after, all ready for a long day of cheering and supporting. Walking over to the swim start, I felt good but nervous in a nice exciting way. I decide to not swim with a wetsuit because I figured that if the pros aren’t using them I shouldn’t need to, and can you really call yourself an Ironman if you’re using a flotation device? The sound of Ozzy Osbournes Ironman blasting out of the loudspeakers really pumps me up before the start, but I stick to the back to avoid the mayhem of 2000+ swimmers all starting at once. At the shot of the cannon, the water instantly comes to a boil with all the arms paddling for position. I take the outer route to avoid most of the mayhem and realize that all the early mornings swimming at the Lake Jackson recreation center are finally going to pay off! Swimming down the canal for the final half mile was somewhat strange, seeing people on the shore within an arm’s reach cheering you on. I finally make it out of the water, at what wasn’t the fastest time, but feeling real good!

In transition, I’m excited about at last getting to pull on my Team COCI jersey! I grab a quick snack, throw on the bike shoes and head out to find my bike. Smiling from ear to ear, I take in the atmosphere at the bike start and even spot some friends! As soon as the crowd starts thinning out a bit I feel my legs begging me to go faster. After two weeks of tapering they’re just dying to speed up but I try to hold back knowing that I need to save energy to face the strong head wind on the way back. What makes it even more difficult to hold back is that people keep calling out ‘Go Team COCI’ as soon as they see my grey and pink jersey! Now, at this point I just have to say that the course was absolutely beautiful! I had cycled through the area before, but this day the course went down some smaller roads through dense forest and it was just the best type of environment for a long day in the saddle! Half way through the bike it still hasn’t been 3 hours so I’m getting worried that I’ve been going too fast. I refuel at the special needs stop wolfing down a PB&J and Nutella bagel, a banana and some tinned pears. Five minutes later I’m back racing down the road, passing one rider after another. I must have shouted ‘On Your Left’ about 500 times! As the miles rack up my legs are still feeling great so I’m becoming very optimistic. Turning off the main road back into the town of The Woodlands at about the 100 mile point the bike route widens and I actually start to speed up! Before I know it I’m back at the transition area just thinking ‘that was a terrific ride! And it’s not even 15:00 (3pm) yet?’

Transition 2 takes a little bit longer. It takes a little while for the blood to return to my toes, and in my hurry to get those mandarin pieces down my throat I cut myself on the tin can they were in and start letting blood that way too… Once out on the course though I’m amazed with how good I feel! At first I’m confused thinking that at any moment my body is going to shut down, but with every mile and after seeing the HRTC crew and all the Team COCI supporters my confidence only grows! I even see Dave who got me into this mess in the first place out on the course, but seeing his enthusiasm only gave me more energy. 9 miles in and with 2 laps left I’m keeping a good steady pace and feeling good. It’s on the 2nd lap where I start slowing down though, and eventually need to walk some. The biggest challenge really is trying to eat because although I’m feeling good, my appetite is gone. I keep taking a cup each of water, energy drink and cola at each station, finishing with a nice dose of ice water over the head. It’s on the third lap that I look at my watch and realize that if I pick up the pace just a tiny bit I’ll have a real good chance of finishing under 13 hours! At this point if there was any pain it just goes away and I simply decide in my head that I’m going to finish strong and run the last 6 miles non-stop. It seems to be going well, I keep encouraging myself, telling myself that I’m doing this not just for myself but for Team COCI, the people cheering me on, the generous donors to my fundraising efforts and most importantly the children who are helping me become a better athlete! I start passing people again and by the last mile I’m down to an 8 min/mile pace again, even passing a Pro with about a half mile left. As I approach the finish I see that the clock will stop for me with a 12 at the beginning instead of a 13 so I let out a big roar at the end just feeling so fantastically great and happy and strong and just feeling all kinds of sensations all at once! As soon as I’m across the finish line I’m greeted by the awesome support crew of J,K,W,L and I just feel so happy and proud and glad, truly a moment I’ll never forget. I see Dave on the sideline as well and hear Gabrielle from Team COCI calling out my name. With a huge grin on my face I’m just so excited about seeing Gabrielle and Bill, the true leaders of Team COCI!

There isn’t a way to express how incredible the whole day felt, especially the 30 minutes after finishing. I was now an Ironman! The greatest part of all though was that I was able to become an Ironman while doing something little to help out the COCI kids, being a part of the most amazing team of all, Team COCI! All the hard work paid off, and now the only question is, when’s the next race???