I wanted to share my experience with anyone who is thinking of ever doing an Ironman, or is just curious as to what exactly it is. First off, it's a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride ending with a 26.2 marathon. Total distance=140.6. You need to finish in 17 hours or less. A lot of it is how I struggled with the swim, for anyone who struggles with this too, I hope this will help! (and please excuse any spelling, and or other errors you might see, I just wanted to get this all down before I forgot anything).

I'm not sure what sparked my interest but I know I was always in awe of anyone who had done an Ironman. What an accomplishment. Seemed so out of reach for me. Who can do that???? I remember reading a story of a friend, Frank Field, doing a half Ironman. Grueling. The swim he almost drowned, puking, but still completed it. I thought he was crazy. I knew the swim would suck, I just didn't know how much. So I said to myself like I tell my clients, "Train Hard, Expect Results" so I paid the outrageous entrance fee for the November race, that was right after Thanksgiving last year (about this time of year). I was shaking and so excited!

I found an amazing coach, Tom Manzi, through a friend, Michelle French, whom I met via Facebook. Tom spends the winters in Tubac and the summers on the Jersey shore coaching and heading up triathlons there. I highly recommend a coach if it's your first one. The training SUCKS! You go from highs to tremendous lows.

My training consisted of 2 bike rides a week, 2 swims a week and 3 runs a week and one off day. The hours varied from 9-17 hours a week of training, the bike taking the majority of the time. And don't forgot prep time on top of that! Especially for the bike and swim. A problem for me was that I didn't feel I could give 100% to each sport. I was used to training for one sport 5-6 days a week. Not only 2-3 days a week! The closer the race was getting the more worried I became.

Then Tom held and open water clinic at Patagonia Lake. This would be the first time ever I would be in open water. Before that I was doing the recommended swims 2 times a week in a pool. (honestly I HATED it, ask anyone around me). I didn't realize I have a tremendous fear of the open water. WHO KNEW???? I got out and sat there in my wetsuit (which I borrowed - THANK YOU MAUREEN!!!!) with my family, watching everyone else swim. I couldn't do it.

I continued swimming in the pool, knowing I need to practice in open water. Then got news that the Tempe Town Lake was empty! WHOO HOO!!! No swimming in the open water!! I really believed that. So I didn't really push the open water practices, 'til I heard they will definitely have it filled. UGH!!!! I signed up for the Lake Pleasant swim 6 weeks before the Ironman. The race started and I had a panic attack. Held on to a kayak until the boat picked me up. I was devastated. Then my husband Scott suggested we rent a boat and he and the kids will row next to me while I swam. We went down to Patagonia Lake almost every weekend to practice. Hardest thing. I hate swimming, I hate being cold. I hated getting into that wetsuit.

I signed up for the Tempe Town Lake swim 2 weeks before the Ironman. I got into the water 20 minutes early. Started panicking. A very nice, calm girl named Miranda came over to me and asked me if I was OK. I wasn't. Couldn't breathe. She told me to float on my back and relax. Then she said she would swim next to me. "For the whole race?" I said. She giggled, "No, I might be a little faster." Turns out she is a pro. LOL! She swam next to me for about 25 meters before the start. All of a sudden I was calm. My heart went from 180 to 60 in a matter of seconds. The whistle blew and I was on my way.

I did it!!!! BUT I only did the 1000m. I think I did it in about 30 minutes. I know I was the last one because as they pulled me out they said, "she's the last one". That was the farthest I had ever swam (swum?) in open water. An hour and 15 minutes was the longest I had done in the pool, and that was with breaks at the wall!  I was happy I did the race but worried I wouldn't have the endurance to do the 4000m.

So my focus on the next 2 weeks was working up my endurance. Coach said "NO"! Shorter but faster now. Too late for endurance. Crap. I'm screwed. So I pushed myself as hard as I could and injured my shoulder 5 days before the race. UGH!!!!! So no swimming til the practice swim on Saturday before the race. Crap.

We get to Tempe Friday and the town is crazy with Ironman stuff. I'm still worried about the swim. I couldn't really get too excited or relax. Saturday morning we get to the lake, I put wetsuit on, get in, the water is freaking freezing. I can't breathe. My chest is closing up. I start swimming with my head out of the water, I'm getting tired. Couldn't control my breathing. Could not calm down. Holding on to the kayaks trying to catch my breath. One of the kayak dudes said, "This happens to a lot of people. Try swimming kayak to kayak until you calm down". So I did the side stroke to the first 3 kayaks. My friend Austin, bless his heart, came over (he was doing the IM too) and said, "Coach Tom said you need to swim!". so Austin swam by my side, a few strokes here and there until I started to panic again. 51 minutes later for a 1000m swim. I'm screwed.

I went back to the room and curled up in a ball. I couldn't move. I couldn't cry. I couldn't do anything. 10 months of training and a lot of moola down the drain. Scott made me get up and get my stuff together for the race. I pulled up an email from my Ironman friend Kathy Wilson. I looked at what she put in her bags as a baseline for me.

They give you 5 bags.

Bag one-all of your bike gear including shoes and hat. 

Bag two-running stuff.

Bag 3-special needs bag for bike (extra food, jacket, drink).

Bag 4-special needs bag for run (arm warmers, headlight, gloves).

Bag 5-drop off for morning and after clothes.

Thank God for Scott. I could NOT think straight. He made sure I had everything I needed AND it was supposed to rain!!!! So we needed to plan for that. I couldn't eat I couldn't drink. How was I going to get through this race without eating the day before????

Still sulking, we walked to the race that afternoon and dropped off 2 of the 5 bags and my bike. I'm looking at all the cool bikes thinking, "Was I kidding myself?" I had my 10 year old Ironhorse bike, which is 3 sizes too big for me, weighs 150lbs and added aerobars which I got on sale at some bike store. I thought about putting on my disc wheel I borrowed (thanks Ed!!!) but heard it was supposed to be windy on race day. And honestly didn't think I wasn't going to be riding anyway. I was SO DEPRESSED! I should be excited.

Then Scott suggested I get in the swimming pool at the hotel and do some laps, pretending I'm in the lake. I went back and forth about 20 times mentally putting myself in the lake. Piece of cake. Chatted with some other race participants in the hot tub. That was fun, but still thinking, "I'm still fooling myself".

We went out for dinner. I had a few bites salmon, some mashed potatoes, some cheesecake and 2 glasses of wine. As much water as I could handle, which was not much.

Went back to the room and just got under the covers. Got a call from Coach Tom and said to not think about it and RELAX! 2 more glasses of wine. Painted my finger and toe nails hot pink.

I slept like a log until about 3am. Took a shower, got everything together and was thinking I would be back in a couple of hours. Didn't even think about the bike, the run, or even the finish. Just the swim. We walked to the race area, felt like I was walking the Green Mile. I couldn't smile, could barely talk. It was miserable. Poor Scott. What an embarrassment I would be to him. A disgrace to my family, friends, Coach Tom. Ugh.

Scott got me to place the bags in the correct areas. Told me to put my bottles in my bike, check my tires (which I forgot to do). I saw Chrissie Wellington and Chris Leito. that sparked a minute of excitement but nothing was pulling me out of this funk.

It was getting close to start time. Got numbered 2477, wetsuit on, time to go! Cannon goes off for the pros. Everyone was ordered in the water, this time I felt like I was in a Nazi camp. Same thing started happening - I couldn't catch my breath, couldn't put my head in the water. Then I remembered what Scott said, "You need to do your pre-race warm up you did 2 weeks ago". I didn't do that yesterday.

I floated on my back for about 2 minutes, and bobbing up and down in the water in the craziness of bodies. People bumping me, others struggling as well. The second cannon goes off, "NOOOOO!!!!! I'm not ready!!!!!!" Everyone takes off, except for me. I'm there watching everyone go, watching my months of hard work go. I start doing the side stroke to a kayak. Another woman is holding onto the kayak, pulling her wetsuit away from her chest, "I can't breathe!!! I need to get out of here!!!" The kayak dude is telling her calmly, "Think of your family, think of your hard work, this is for you!"

That was it. That was me 6 weeks ago, that was me yesterday. It was not going to be me today! Something took over my body and I just started swimming buoy to buoy. I've never swam like that before. The sun came out and was blinding, but before I knew it I got to the turn around point. I didn't know where I was time wise but suddenly I started to feel other swimmers. Kicking, poking, elbowing me, I wasn't alone anymore! OMG! I caught the pack, I might have a shot at this! I was thrilled!

There were 5 things I kept repeating over and over again. Coach Tom saying, "Just don't stop", Scott saying, "You always bring it when you need to", my kids saying, "Good Luck, you can do it Mommy" (heart melting), all my friend's positives thoughts and prayers, and the song, "Cause you're amazing, just the way you are". (OMG I'm going to cry right now!).

I turned at the last buoy and swam my little heart out. I looked up and saw the millions of people and the clock - 2:02!!!!!! I was going to finish this in under 2:20:00!!! I started tearing up, just floating there, treading water like my friend Kim showed me. People were cheering me, telling me to come on! Get out! LOL! The lake was low, the stairs didn't quite reach the water. There were people helping to hoist you up. I swam over and 2 people pulled me up and said "Congratulations!!!! Now go get ready for the bike!" WHOO HOO!!!! I looked up and saw 2 friends, Curt and Jay cheering me on. It was surreal! I screamed," I DID IT!!!!!"

I ran to the "peelers" and they helped to get my wetsuit off. I sat on the ground as they were trying to pull my legs out. Dragging me on my butt, I was laughing so hard, my feet finally popped out. Such a funny sight! They wrapped me in a foil blanket and I ran to the tent. I saw Coach Tom and Scott, and the look on their faces was priceless (going to cry again!!!!). I gave them big fat hugs and ran in the tent.

Something totally unexpected happened. Uncontrollable shivers, hypothermia kicked in. It took 8 women to help me get dressed and to calm me down just enough so I could get on my bike. They put on my shorts, shirt, bra, shoes, socks, number and helmet. One girl handed me my chamois butter to do myself. She said it would be an extra charge if she did it, LOL. I think I was in transition for 20 minutes? I had to be out by 9:45 or I would have that DNF (Did not finish). Hell no was I getting that after finishing the swim. I got out of the tent, they slathered me in sunscreen and handed me my bike (sooo nice!). I ran over the mat, got on and rode away. Shivering, smiling, laughing, crying all at the same time. I knew I had this. But wait! I didn't check my tires. What if I get a flat? I never changed a tire before. Crap. "I won't get a flat, I won't get a flat..." I kept repeating over and over.

It was a 3 loop course. Freaking windy as hell but I didn't care. An amazing IronWOman, Mimi Ford once told me, "The wind is your friend." so I trained in the wind and rain,  and cursed every minute. Thank goodness I did. I settled in and watched all the pros passing me coming and going. It was sooo cool! They were literally a half an inch from me when they passed. Crazy! I was riding with the pros!!!!!

It started raining. I felt more sorry for my family and Tom having to stand there in the pouring rain and wind, but so happy to see them. Started crying again. They have been so supportive of me and my journey. On my last loop going out I saw an amazing rainbow. Very cool.

I finished the bike and was exploding with excitement. I got in the changing tent, got myself in my running clothes with the help of a fabulous volunteer. (When you're changing, make sure you don't step in the dirt, or grass. If you do, dust off your feet REALLY WELL before you put your socks on. I had sticks poking my toes during the run).

Now time for the marathon!!!! This is MY thing! But I didn't want it to end. I sucked up every minute I could. We were all waddling like penguins, even the pros. I was laughing and relieved I wasn't the only one who runs like this. In training I was the only one "running" like this and my kids laughed. I laughed too cause I did look funny. Now I had company!

Coach Tom and Mimi were in my head telling me to walk at every water stop and take something. Water, gatorade, chicken broth, cola, SOMETHING. I had forgotten to mention that as soon as I got on the bike I had massive stomach cramps. Wasn't sure if it was from all the water I swallowed from the swim, the 4 glasses of wine I had the night before or the nerves. But they didn't go away until mile 16 of the run. I just kept swallowing mouthfuls of water, broth and gels. 26.2 miles is a long way. Bananas seemed to help my stomach as well. My last water stop at mile 25 was the longest. I didn't want it to end. Plus that last mile is where all the people are. There were a LOT of places where there weren't many, if any, people cheering for you. Just you and the other Ironman participants. No Ipods allowed. There were some dark, uneven surfaces where a headlight would have been nice.

In the distance I could hear the announcer saying the names of the people coming in. "Tom Jones, you are now and Ironman!!!!" "Teresa Williams, you are now and Ironman!!!!"  Ironman Kathy had told me to make sure I was ready for the picture, they take it after you cross. OK. The excitement was building, I couldn't help but to run faster. Then I feel these little pitterpatter footsteps behind me. It was a guy I had passed a long time ago at one of the water stops during the marathon.  He was 37 (I think), our ages are written on our calf muscle. We were walking at the mile 15 water stop. I asked him "How's it going" like I did with most people. He said he killed it on the bike and swim, but was having a hard time on the marathon, needing to walk most of it. I told him I almost lost it in the water, had a moderate bike, but was ready to kill the marathon. "Good Luck!" I said as I started running again. Those pitterpatter steps were his! I couldn't let him beat me. So as I stupidly "raced" him at the end I missed the song they were playing. "Sweet Home Chicago".

I was wearing a Chicago Cubs hat I got while visiting my brother and his family 2 summers ago. I wore that hat for them, hoping they would notice. If there is ever a next time (HAHAHAHA), I would make sure I was alone at the finish so I could take it all in, not let my pride take over!

As I crossed the finishline I see my idol, my superstar, my inspiration with the biggest smile on her face looking at ME and clapping!!!!! Chrissie Wellington! They had announced along the course that she had set a world record earlier that day in THIS RACE!!!! And she was right there, cheering for ME!!!!!! I went over and said "Congratulations!!! You are my hero and inpiration! This is my first Ironman!!! and she said in her cute British voice, "Congratulations to YOU!!!" and we hugged.

I walked over to get my metal, hat, t-shirt, chip off my ankle. A woman wrapped a foil blanket around me and put her arm around me to hold me up. I started lauging and said, "I'm totally fine, I feel fantastic" and started jumping up and down. She was laughing and said, "Yes, I guess you are OK. Are you sure you just did an Ironman??? Congratulations!!"

I saw Coach Tom and gave him a huge hug, then saw Scott, the kids and my mom. It was so awesome. They were sooo happy, I was sooo happy. (Tearing up again!!).

Yes, I was sore as hell. Every inch of my body hurt, but the pain goes away. Pride is forever!

I am an IRONMAN and no one can ever take that away from me!!!!

Kirsten "Ironman" Cooper