Ryan and Amber: Ultraman 2013- A different kind of race

Sometimes races don't end up the way we expect. In April when I signed up I wasn't even sure if I would make it to the start line, and as the year went on I fought hard to turn my fitness around. Things sometimes don't go the way we want, but this year turned out even better. I came to the start line knowing that I didn't have the fitness to compete with Hillary. My race was with myself and to make it to the start line.

Through last winter and spring I fought my body and depression when I started working night shift. When I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroid and started on medication I thought things would get better quickly, but the turnaround to my normal self hasn't been as quick as I had planned or hoped. A large part of that is I'm still working night shift and every day is a struggle. I used to be a 9 hour night sleep person and now I'm having a good day if I manage to sleep at least 4 hours. It's not for lack of trying, and I think I've tried every herb and now sleep med on the market. The best way I can describe how I feel is to say imagine flying from Hawaii to Europe and doing a 12 hour time zone change, work all day and then fly home. Every 3-5 days I do a 12 hour time zone change and then 3-4 days later I switch back. Some people seem to manage...... I'm just not one of those people. Looks like I have another year of night shift before a day position is open. I can't wait to get back to my normal.

As the thyroid meds started working I started feeling better and I had a choice to make whether I wanted to race Ultraman again this year. I knew going in that I wasn't going to meet some peoples expectations. I knew my training wasn't there, but I wanted to go for the experience and to hang out with my husband and friends. This wasn't my year to compete, but it was amazing to experience the race in a different way. I appreciated the opportunity to get travel around this amazing island. It was a celebration for me that I was able to make it as 8-9 months earlier I had a hard time finishing a 6 mile run.

Day 1: For me the swim is tough. Luckily I really enjoy swimming this course but every year that last 2 miles really kicks my butt. This year was no different and just as I started getting tired a current seemed to kick up and I swallowed some water. I had my amazing kayak support again this year with locals Karen and Don. As I got out of the water I saw 3:08 on the clock and I asked where everyone was. This course can vary so much with currents it's hard to judge how fast or slow I had been. I felt beat up and tired, but heard that the course was slow for everyone. Whew, it wasn't just me.

The bike is usually my favorite and strongest part, but I just didn't feel right. Please come back legs I miss you. I felt slightly sick to my stomach on the first climb, but tried to force down some nutrition. It forced it's way right back up. It was going to be a reaaaallly long day. One of the things I've found this year is that about 50% of the time I feel good and the other 50% I feel like gravity is 10x stronger. Today was a 10x gravity day. I kept plugging along and tried to enjoy the day, but it was a battle. The highlight was my amazing crew for being there and always trying to put a smile on my face. Starting in Ocean View the winds kicked up and rain came down in sheets. I slowed down and took it easier as falling on the slick roads would make for a really long day 2 and 3. I like keeping all my skin intact. Finally about 80 miles into the day my stomach stopped revolting and I was able to take in some food and fluids. The last 10 miles were finally fun.

Ryan in one of his many costumes

My dad :-)

Angie just before the South Point turn

How can I not laugh? I nearly fell off my bike the first time I saw him.

Day 2 we were treated to perfect weather. No rain on the descent from Volcano and a tail wind up the Hamakua coast. We're allowed to ride as a group on the descent down from Volcano until the first right turn so I sat in the group and enjoyed the free ride. At the corner some of us split up and it's supposed to be non drafting at this point. I was disappointed to see some racers still drafting after the turn. Come on people there are only 35 athletes. It's really not that hard to ride your own race in a field this small and kind of irritated me to see this happening at Ultraman. I expect it at Ironman and don't care anymore, but Ultraman is special to me. I was bummed. As soon as I got to red road I smiled. I wasn't feeling great but I was feeling good and the views were stunning! Coming into Hilo I hit the first red light, then the second red light, and got my first flat. I looked around and didn't see my crew anywhere. Bummed I pulled over and waited and waited. I took a couple deep breaths and tried to relax. I know I wasn't competing, but it still sucked to be sitting on the side of the road. I had my rear wheel pulled off and Ryan quickly changed over my race wheel for a training wheel. Off I went. I made it almost all the way through Hilo and was getting close to the singing bridge when pop.... another flat. It was my front tire this time and I pulled the wheel off and started walking. The crew cars get separated from the athletes for a small section in Hilo and I wasn't sure if they had made the right turn to get back on the same road as me so I figured I should walk across the bridge to make sure we'd be on the same road. Steve Brown (race director from Canada) stopped and called my crew for me. Thanks!! Turns out my crew was stuck behind a stopped tour bus on a single lane road. They finally got around, but I spent about 15 minutes on the side of the road. Front wheel switch, and off I went again. The Hamakua Coast was amazing! The nice little tailwind was fun and the views on this section are stunning. I slowed down and reminded myself to enjoy the experience... and a spam musubi. Just as we started the climb to Waimea I heard another pop. Really!!! 3rd flat tire. Luckily my crew was right behind me and my wheel was switched out in about a minute. I couldn't stop smiling on the climb up the Kohalas. It is my favorite section of the course. I took in the views and soaked it all in.

The Kohalas!! My favorite part.

One amazing husband

Day 3 I woke up feeling tired. I guess that's to be expected, but in prior years I usually feel fairly good. I guess this lack of training/sleeping/thyroid function stuff really does add up. I took off really easy from the start. My goal for the day was to enjoy it as much as possible and not go backward through the field. Mission accomplished! The only bummer was that the shaved ice place in Kawaihae wasn't open when we ran by. The popsicle I got was great, but I had been dreaming of shaved ice. It was a different experience to chat with other runners and look around and really take in the views. Prior years there was such a race focus I just missed everything else. The last 10 mile hurt and the finish line was a very welcome sight! Sitting at the finish until the final runners came through was a treat and an inspiration.

I think I ran with Peter Muller for about 30 miles

Ryan, Peter, and myself somewhere on the Queen K

Day after race breakfast at Lava Java

We had a flight home Wednesday to be back to work on Thursday. I wanted to see something new so we headed to Pololu Valley. It was a treat for the eyes but not the legs. The AED at the trailhead should have been an indication for what was in store. Steep but short trail to the first beach followed by a climb to a stunning lookout. I recommend this hike if you've already done Waipio and are looking for something new. After the initial beach we hiked up to the next lookout and came across no other hikers. It was a treat to have the trail to ourselves.

It was kind of bittersweet heading home. Each year at Ultraman is a unique combination of people. For a couple of us it was our last race and it was sad to say goodbye. This race has such a special place in my heart, and I hope I'm able to come back someday (probably as crew/maybe as athlete). For now it is time to move onto other life goals, but I will always look back on these years and smile. I'm going to miss coming here every year, but it's time to let my body rest and experience new challenges.