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I distinctly remember a conversation with Chris Ankrum about a year ago. He had just finished Ironman Canada and was asking me when I was going to do one. I was too embarrassed to tell him that until that point I thought an Ironman was one of those guys that pulled a tractor-trailer across a line. I had no idea what was involved and really didn’t care to. I could only wonder why anyone would want to do anything like that to his or her bodies. Little did I know that I was about to find out?

After some life changing events during the fall, I felt as though I needed a challenge and I spent the next 10 months doing my first marathon and then trying to qualify for Lake Placid. June 16th I was entered in Ironman USA. This absurd thought was about to become a reality. An experience I will NEVER forget.

I arrived in Lake Placid on the Thursday prior to the race with so much excitement I drove on two hours of sleep (Don’t tell Joan Gregoire). We went to registration. The woman gives me my packet, goes over everything and I don’t remember a word she says (just ask Joan). We go to Ironman village and I am overwhelmed. So much stuff, so many chiseled bodies, I am in way over my head. We had only run into a few of our friends and training buddies and I was still feeling a little out of sorts. The group was to meet at the swim the next morning so I decided to get good nights sleep.

Friday 8:00am at the Gatorade swim I finally get to see more of the group. It is starting to feel like our family that has been training together for so long is together. I don’t feel so out of control anymore. I know my friends will get me through this. They sure got me into this!!!! I go to spend more money at Ironman Village, get a massage from Warren and then on to Jen McConveys house for a pre race get together. What a nice day it was. Everyone is nervous, but also very excited. Lots of talk about what will be the swim strategy of choice. Mine is to stay away from everyone!!! I don’t care as long as I am out in 2:20 (the cutoff). Get some sleep!

Saturday I am up at 5:00am to put together all of my bags and label everything. I feel like I am in kindergarten again. Speaking of which, I can’t wait for my parents to get here. Everyone will have a sign but me. I go for a quick swim to try out my new goggles (add them to the purchase list) and then to Tony and Diane’s wedding. What a beautiful place to get married, on top of a mountain. They look so happy. I wonder if Tony will be smiling like that tomorrow?!? Off to the pre-race meeting, and then to find my parents. 6 hours later they were located. Dinner and then bed.

4:00am the alarm goes off. Get up and eat. YEAH RIGHT!!! Grab my bags and go to transition (the place where we kept all our clothes). The sun was just starting to come up and Enya was playing in the background. Mike Riley was welcoming everyone to Ironman USA 2002. I went to pump up my tires and found the card from my mom telling me that I was a champion just to get this far. I hope no one sees the tears in my eyes. Ok, time to pee. I start to see everyone. They all look nervous yet excited. I recall another comment from Chris Ankrum. “They told me this race would be over long before I wanted it to be.” I doubt it!

I enter the water and can’t find my family anywhere. They better be here. The only families I find are the Gregory’s . With 22 of them there how could you miss them? Then I see Joan. Since she was the main motivation for me to be there, I found it suitable for me to start the race with her. The cannon goes off and the next 14.5 hours are a blur. As I exit the swim I hear my friends screaming my name. How cool!!!

On to the bike. I got to see so many of our group during the ride. It was so exciting to cheer for everyone!!! The second set of tears came when I passed Randy in his wheelchair bike. I can’t stop now!!! I come into town for the second loop and find my parents. My mom is so proud of her chalk notes to me. It has rained too hard for me too read it (or is that my eyesight?). She is holding a sign with a plastic bike taped to it the reads “Go Kara, running in memory of KK. We love you, Mom and Dad” Ok third set of tears. She sucks!!! I ride through town hearing everyone screaming. I know I am smiling. What a great feeling to have all your friends there for you. Finish the bike in the pouring rain. I get into the tent to change and I hear Ryan finish. Goal attained!! Be off the bike before the first finisher.

On to the run. This is where it gets ugly!!! This is where the crowd and all the people who have come to see you matter the most. The only way I got through that was to have the support of my friends and family. All I could hear was the Meyer family in town and Dana and Joelle and Dave Macfee. It was incredible. Chris Ankrum who started this, sitting at the top of the hill telling me I could do it.

Patty who walked 10 miles with me and waited for me at the portipottys. We solved ALL the worlds’ problems that day. Then finally at the end when Joan found me at the finish I knew why I was there. I had done something that only a small percentage of people in this world will ever do and I owe it all to the friends and family that have supported me from the beginning. I thank you all so much for being there and cheering for all of us. I hope I can someday do the same for you. This was the most incredible experience of my life AND the hardest. To quote Mary-Michael Eggers. “Having Luke was easy, THAT HURT!!!!”.

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