2013 IRONMAN Canada Race Report

Arrival: Drive from Vancouver to Whistler

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

My welcome to Vancouver, Canada was Olympic filled, with remnants of the 2010 Olympics still displayed with pride in the airport.  It was also a warm welcome by the Immigrations Official who asked who out of our group was there for IRONMAN, with much pride and joy in my voice I said, ME, and then looked at my Dad reminding him this was about MY RACE, not his (jk jk it’s a family thing haha)!  

I’ve traveled to many different countries and explored mainstream destinations and off the beaten path sites (my favorite), but the drive up the Sea to Sky Highway was filled with some of the most pristine and beautiful sites I’ve ever seen. Riding with my Mom and Dad, we took our time making the trek from Vancouver to Whistler, stopping at various overlooks, waterfalls, parks, cafes and even art shops along the way.  We talked to some of the kindest people, ate some of the most delicious food (I’m personally obsessed with Nanaimo Bars, mmm sooo good), saw unique and beautiful art and jewelry and the most pristine sites.  All I wanted to do was get out and ride my bike on the highway to really take it all in…soon enough!

Welcome to your DREAMS Megan Doerr!

The Famous Shark Fin that will follow me through this entire IRONMAN Journey (you will see)!

Getting settled in Whistler, first swim in Alta Lake

Listening intently and FRIGHTENED

Upon arrival in Whistler we got checked into our condo which was a perfect fit for us three, and soon enough my friends who would be joining us.  The condo was covered in athletic snowboard and ski pictures of the family we were renting from; it was like looking at our family cottage covered in bike pictures.  Mom and I discussed what type of personality we thought they each had, we had great appreciation for the little intricacies of how the condo was arranged and decorated. 

As I unpacked and got ready to go swim at Alta Lake, site of the 2013 IRONMAN Canada START (eek and wahoo), Dad put together his decoupled mountain bike and Mom further explored the cabinets in her investigative, curious fashion.  Finally we hopped in the car, wetsuit in tow, all three of us heading to Alta Lake to see the swim start.  It was quite surreal walking up to the lake with the pieces beginning to fall together of the massive set up that will send me off to my dreams in a few short days.  We took a moment to discuss the swim with a nice man who seemed to know the route.  Then it was time for me to hop in the water surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks.  

As I started the swim I quickly realized the light pink goggle lenses were not going to suffice.  As I turned to breathe the sun shined bright in my eyes over the mountain peaks.  I stopped at a dock and yelled for a goggle change from my Mom.  Tinted goggles it is.  Fortunately the water was so very clear making it easy to see even with tinted goggles, a gorgeous, yet slightly chilly, glacial lake.  As I swam I became very nervous and started to feel too constrained by my wetsuit, almost having a panic attack.  I had to work hard to calm myself.  Each time I took a breath I tried to appreciate the beautiful sites of the mountains, soon enough I had relaxed into my swim.  Since the buoys were not out I can only estimate that I swam a little under a mile. 

After I finished my swim I discussed it briefly with Dad, looking at the water and analyzing the expected layout of the buoys.  We discussed where I should be at the start and the line that I should take on the swim.  Dad did a great job of talking very calmly about the mass IRONMAN swim start, that I have so eloquently referred to my whole life as the washing machine.  While Dad calmly explained his thoughts, I tried to process mine being filled with extreme fear and nerves. Then I took off for a short 5 mile run back to Whistler via the bike path.  While running I ran into the owner of Newton and his daughter, they recognized my team gear.  That was the first point while in Whistler where I realized how special it was to be on the IMFNR Team, such an honor!

Alta Lake IRONMAN Swim Start for my practice swim

Packet Pick Up and Expo

Thursday, August 22, 2013

The day after arrival in Whistler is packet pick-up day, WOW it’s all happening so fast.  I woke up that morning and went for a shake out run, I believe it as about 30-40 minutes.  Then after breakfast mom, dad and I headed over to the main stage area to get my packet.  The expo was a site of excitement, nerves and pure greatness!  I got in the long line to pick up my packet and all the volunteers were so helpful and cheerful.  I guess it’s pretty easy for other IRONMAN athletes to recognize the face of a first timer, because a lot of people were giving advice and encouraging me and a few other first timers.    When I got my packet they explained everything and then sent me to the next stage.  A very sweet older lady had the job of writing my number on my swim cap.  Watching her hands struggle and shake while trying to write, due to the very obvious arthritis, made me take an extra second to give her a very heart felt thank you and also thank God for my having the physical ability to take on this endeavor of IRONMAN.  The packet pick up was was quite the process and spectacular.  After leaving the tent I noticed everybody had on blue bracelets but me, but I just figured, no biggy.  We spent some time at the Newton tent where I bought some new Newtons and pretty pink Newton socks!  Mom and I also spent some time talking to the daughter of the owner of Newton, discussing Leadville (although she was talking about the run while we were referring to the mountain bike race).  I then went to the Sugoi tent and got a great new suit for super cheap, SCORE! When buying it I thought, this will be good for training and the pool, but in the end I actually wore the new suit on race day...CRAZY I KNOW, NEVER do anything new on race day, but this chica is always the fool that does.  Fortunately it worked out perfectly for me, I was lucky and still tell people and try to live by, NEVER DO ANYTHING NEW ON RACE DAY.  

Another important point from this tid-bit of my IRONMAN experience, the theme of this experience, EVERYTHING is SO important, every last detail, like the blue bracelet! 

After picking up my packet it was time to retrieve my bike from Tri Bike Transport, having made the journey by road/truck from Michigan to Whistler.  I finally got to retrieve my bike; Amira and I will be reunited again after two weeks.  After picking up the bike I met one of my teammates picking up her bike, Pam, such a nice lady, she really knows her stuff when it comes to IRONMAN!  I had told her I was going to go try to ride Callaghan (8 mile mountain climb on the bike course) before meeting up with the team for the volunteer project.  She said she was going to rest.  The more I thought about it the more I realized it would be hard to squeeze the ride in before the volunteer project.  I decided it was time to head back to the condo and rest while mom and dad went to eat and to the bar.  I really needed time to myself in a calm and soothing environment, distressing at its finest when gearing up for such a big and important event.  I'd like to thank Pam for mentioning the necessity of resting at such a big event when there is so much going on around you.

IRONMAN Foundation/Team Volunteer Project

In the late afternoon after packet pick-up, rest for me and bar for mom and dad - dad and I went to meet the team for the IRONMAN Foundation volunteer project.  I was happy dad joined me and I think in the end he was too.  Dad and I road our bikes around Whistler going door to door providing reusable shopping bags for people to fill with food and donate to the community food bank.  We spent a good 3 hours riding and knocking door to door.  This was well within my comfort zone since I had done a lot of canvassing work in the past, but it was far from dad’s comfort zone, although he was really good at it.  We met some very nice people and had lovely conversations learning about Whistler and teaching about IRONMAN.  I met one of the head nurses for the medical tent, my only response was, I REALLY hope I don’t ever see you again, she agreed and wished me luck!  We of course had some less than happy encounters considering not everybody was happy their roads would be shut down all day Sunday. But it was worth it to spread the word about the value of competing in an IRONMAN, what it means to the athletes and what the IRONMAN Foundation does to give back to the community that hosts the event.  We also learned of some great block parties that I was looking forward to passing on the bike for some fabulous cheering and support!  As we were canvassing it was a bit warm so it was very important I kept hydrated, fortunately dad gave me his water bottle when I ran out.  After we finished we road back what would be the last 5-mile stretch of the IRONMAN bike course, if I thought I was beat then I had a lot more in store for me a few days later.  But all in all I think that ride was a good spin out for my legs considering it was the first time I really rode my race bike in two weeks.   When we got back we checked in and then went back to the condo to share our experience with mom over a fresh salmon dinner.  I typically hate salmon but this fresh pacific coast salmon was prepared perfectly by the one and only most supportive and dedicated mom in the world. 

Callaghan Training Climb and Opening Ceremony

Friday, August 23, 2013

Today was the day to face one of the biggest climbs on the course, Callaghan, an approximately 8 mile climb in the first half of the race.  I was nervous for such a long climb, but I love climbing so I was ready for the challenge.  Dad and I put the bikes in the rental car, my road bike and his decouple mountain bike (I might have had an advantage that day, but he did just finish his 9^th Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race in Gold Belt Buckle, age group winning AND record breaking time, he was made for the mountains).  We drove out to Callaghan, struggled to find a spot to park, but finally did, hopped on the bikes at the bottom and started climbing.

Death by Callaghan (taken at the turn around point)

It was not a good start for me.  I was feeling sluggish, the legs did not want to turn over, I was distracted and could not focus, and I was basically a mess.  I couldn’t keep up with my dad and he was on a mountain bike.  I had multiple moments of serious fear taking over my body and mind: I was not ready, why was this so hard, I need more training time, I can’t do this, what have I gotten myself into, I can't do this.  All these horribly negative thoughts sprinted through my mind until I finally broke down as a typical whiney child, crying and yelling at my dad to stop or wait for me.  It was pretty ridiculous; I reverted back to my terrible twos.  There were a few points during the climb where I got it together and pedaled to climb strong.  I had to force myself to look at the beautiful landscape to attempt to relax.  As we approached the top we entered Olympic Park, at this point I started to pull it together more.  I was so excited to see all things Olympic.  That seemed to be the excitement and motivation I needed.  When we got to the top, the IRONMAN turn around point was at the Olympic Biathlon shooting range.  We went to the range in all our excitement and thought, WOW I had NO idea they had to shoot that far, what a sport!  We took turns on the Olympic podium, in gold medal position with our bikes of course.  It was really fun and just the excitement and light-hearted inspiration I needed.  The ride down went a lot better, go figure considering I usually climb much stronger than I ride downhill (I know, what? that's opposite of almost every human being).  Dad peeled off and went on some trails, ignoring the bear signs of course.  I kept on course and ended up riding all the way back to Whistler.  I was really glad I rode all the way back because the “rolling hills” heading back to Whistler were nothing to scoff at,  they included some good climbs, plus by this point I was finally starting to feel like I had my climbing groove back in me.  I needed those last 15 miles heading back to Whistler just to gain a little confidence back after the horrible climb.

Olympic Biathlon Gold Medalist -
Miss Megan Doerr and her trusty bike Amira

Upon return mom and I waited for dad.  He wasn’t coming, wasn’t coming and we started to get a bit nervous.  He finally returned.  He said he was trying to see bears, he didn’t see any, but he did see some gorgeous views.  He was also thinking he should catch me on the way back, me on the bike, him in the car, and he got nervous that he missed me so he pulled over to wait for me.  He figured I was riding so poorly up Callaghan that there was no way I was going to make it back so quickly.  Gotta love the confidence hahaha, but it was all too true.  Fortunately I pulled my head out of my ass and got my spin back!

One IRONMAN, another IRONMAN to be, and one large statue made of IRON in Olympic Park.

Symbolism at its finest, note the Olympic Rings and the Number 8

After the ride I spent the remainder of the day relaxing on my own while mom and dad went on the Peak to Peak gondola.  I surely wanted to experience the gondola but 1) did not want to spend the money and 2) knew I needed some relaxation and decompression time on my own.  I read some of my book, took a short nap, took a walk around the village and enjoyed some time at a cafe eating NANAIMO bars and discovering some absolutely delicious homemade half chocolate dipped granola bars, I cleaned out their chocolate granola bar and nanaimo bar supply!  When mom and dad returned from the gondola it was time to for me and dad to put on our VIP passes, feeling pretty special and being treated like royalty as a member of the IMFNR Team, and head to the opening ceremony.  I honestly did not feel like going, I just wanted to stay in for the night, but I was doing my duty and went. 

WOW am I ever so glad I went.  The opening ceremony was a spectacular I had not even remotely expected.  We had front row seats in a special VIP area all to ourselves.  The people behind us happened to be from Michigan, they recognized dad's McLain Race Team jacket, so that was fun. Then I was introduced to one of the original IRONMAN from 1978, Dave Orlowski.  I was in shock, so

Dave Orlowski, Original IRONMAN 1978

extremely honored and excited to be in the presence of one of the original crazy minds to put together one of the greatest endurance events in the world.  I love most what he said to me when I shook his hand saying it was my first IRONMAN.  He said, "oooo you'll be fine you guys have it easy, have you seen the bikes we had?"  I FULLY appreciated that comment, IRONMAN was a whole different story and kind of raw guts before all the fancy gear and products.  Some people may have taken offense, but not me, I love a vision from the past and a focus on the purity of the sport.  The purity was then epitomized as I watched the introductory IRONMAN video.  A man appeared on the video with long wild hair and no shoes, running IRONMAN Canada.  I knew this man, it was Heart Ackerson from Costa Rica, the man who did La Ruta de los Conquistadores in cut off jean shorts and Birkenstocks.  I promptly texted my friend Corina, who is from Costa Rica and grew up with Heart, that man is an earthy beast.  Then next thing I know the video is saying a name I recognize, Michelle Wilkinson...breast cancer...  WOW, I know Michelle from my time living in Madison, she is an inspiration, a breast cancer survivor, she is a fighter and a champion in every sense.  I couldn't wait to tell her she made the IRONMAN Canada opening ceremony video, she deserved the recognition too, being the amazing women she is.  I was so touched by the opening ceremony video, I fought off tears, I felt nerves, I felt inspired, I felt scared, I felt weak, I felt excited, I felt everything.  Showing yet again, the journey to be an IRONMAN is a parallel to the journey of life (remember all those emotions on the Callaghan ride, during my training all the ups and downs?).  They also had an absolutely amazing show from a World Champion hoop dancer from a Canadian Indigenous tribe.  I had never seen anything like this hoop dance, my jaw dropped open, it was beautiful and extremely technical.  What a show it was, so inspiring to see somebody perform that loves their art form and embraces their heritage.  This whole IRONMAN journey is me embracing my heritage, thanks dad, and performing the art I know, the art of swimming, biking and running.

Bag/Bike Check, Arrival of Friends and Nervous Night Before the Race

Saturday, August 24, 2013

The day before the race, "shit is getting real" is the best way to describe it.  The day started with meeting the IMFNR team for our photo shoot.  Something I thought was no big deal.  Nope, big deal it certainly was.  Professional photographer, Nils Nilsen, from Triathlete Magazine was our photographer.  I of course showed up in a rush, fresh out of the shower with my crazy wet hair, zero make up and zero attempt to look remotely decent, aka my typical style.  It was dreary and rainy, but me and my teammate Aldo road our bikes a few miles to the photo shoot site, while everybody else road in cars, they were smart!  I'm not the most photogenic person, nor do I like getting my picture taken, although I surely do love it when I actually get a good picture.  When we did our running action shot he only took one of me.  I was thinking, um excuse me there is NO way that turned out, please take more.  But, I didn't say anything.  Good thing I kept my trap shut because when I saw that picture later that afternoon, he nailed it on the first try!  I finally have a running picture I love.

We took a few other photos, including some team pictures which I'm happy to have in my memory book (aka facebook)!  

After the photo shoot it was time to get my gear bags ready and checked in.  Who am I kidding, ever since Thursday when I got the gear bags at packet pick up, I'd had them laying out, reviewing them, obsessing over them and what to put in them.  Here is a list of what I came up with, while dad reminded me not to put too much stuff in the bags; I wasn't going on vacation, I was doing the damn thing, I was doing IRONMAN BABY!

Swim Start Bag (not pictured): Tri Slide, body glide, wetsuit and my warm ups will be added after start

Bike Gear Bag: Bike jersey, bike shorts, arm warmers, bike shoes, socks, sports bra, towel, gloves, chammy cream and spray sunblock.

Bike Special Needs: Extra frozen bottle of Herblife meal replacement, bottle of EFS electrolyte, extra tire and tube, 2 extra CO2 cartridges, 2 Pay Day candy bars, extra succeed salt tablets, extra shot blocks and my last minute addition, a chocolate covered granola bar from the Whistler cafe!

Run Gear Bag: tri jersey, tri shorts, running socks, running shoes, small hand towel, race number belt with number and 6 GUs attached, IMFNR team visor, and bodyglide.

Run Special Needs: This was a difficult one for me because I REALLY did not want to lose an extra pair of running shoes.  But I decided it was worth it since I had been struggling with blisters on my pinky toe.  Extra running shoes, long sleeve top, extra gels, sport beans, extra succeed salt caps, body glide, extra socks and my last minute addition of a delicious coconut water with a straw that I bought at the local grocery store, I figured WHY NOT, it can't hurt.

I took my gear bags to check in and added them to the rows and rows of bags.  I thought man, how in the world am I going to find these when the time comes.  I saw some people had special ribbon etc. tied to the outside, dang it why did I not think of that.  Then I hopped on the bus to take my bike to the bike transition.  It was a school bus, a schools bus in the mountains that made me extremely nauseas, I thought I was going to pass out, NOT cool.  When checking in my bike I looked at the transition area filled with bikes, millions of dollars of bikes sitting there, seriously it must be millions of dollars worth.  They took a picture of me with my bike and number.  Still not quite sure why, did they think I was going to cheat and have somebody else ride, or was it for theft prevention?  Then I hopped back on the bus, getting nauseas again, and returned to a bar near the condo to meet my parents and my two friends that had arrived.

Two amazing friends I met during my time in Costa Rica just happened to live in Victoria and Vancouver and were so very kind to come watch.  Sheleena and Marney, two uniquely different girls that I love and hold dearly and will forever more be indebted for their friendship and support at Ironman.  This whole Ironman experience was a new concept to Marney, she was absolutely adorable with her questions, trying to figure out what in the world this whole spectacular was about and what it involved.  Sheleena is an event organizer, including cycling events, so she knew what to expect but it was a whole new angle to our friendship, we weren't on the beach at Chicos bar partying anymore, that's for sure!  I feel kind of bad I was unable to spend much time with them, considering I was preparing for the race and racing.  I also feel bad I was pretty quiet and on edge when I was with them, pure nerves from the race.  But I'm sure they understand being the two very supportive good friends they are.  I was just SO THRILLED to have friends their to support me in achieving my dream.  I wanted to share this experience with as many people as I could.  Once we returned to the condo mom made me dinner, I honestly cannot remember what I ate, I REALLY wish I could.  Then us girls sat around and caught up while reminiscing about good 'ol times in Costa Rica.  My mom said we were giggling like 12 year old school girls.  It was fun and kept my mind off things, THANKS GIRLS you saved my sanity that night, and my parents!  Then it was time for bed, was I really going to be able to sleep???

The run course went right by our condo and I very well knew this.  Around 2:00am I heard yelling and woke up completely confused and freaking out that I had missed the race and the run portion had already commenced as they were cheering on runners outside our condo.  I finally realized it was just people partying after leaving the bar that night and I had two more hours until my alarm would go off starting my day to become an IRONMAN.  Surprisingly I was actually able to go back to sleep, I don’t think I have ever slept that well before a race.  I thought I would be the most nervous leading up to IRONMAN, but I can honestly say I was significantly more nervous and stressed leading up to Cross Country Nationals in college.  Then I had my teammates depending on me to perform, for IRONMAN it was just me out there.

Race Day - The Day My Dreams Come True

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Race Morning - Pre-Start

I got up with the alarm at 4am and felt clear minded and just started going through each step I knew I had to.  I went to the bathroom and then my Dad joined me in the kitchen and started brewing some coffee as I began to make some pancakes.  Dad offered to make the pancakes and then Mom got up and offered as well.  Normally I would quickly sit down and take both offers, but I chose to continue making my own blueberry pancakes, having something to focus on calmed my nerves.  Once mine were done I sat down and covered them in whipped honey, ate my pancakes, drank my coffee and talked with my parents and Sheleena who was now up with us.  Around 4:45 I got up from the table and went to the bathroom, which was a celebration for me and my Mom and Dad too, I typically struggle with nerves and the ability to use the bathroom before a race!  I then sprayed myself with Trislide and put on my bathing suit and sweats. I chose to wear my new Sugoi bathing suit I bought at the expo.  Risky wearing a  new suit, but I liked it and found it comfortable so I went with my gut, which worked out just fine! I grabbed my bags and Dad joined me walking out the door.  I insisted that we stop at a store to grab a bottle of water just in case they did not have any in the transition area.  As Dad walked with me down to the buses to head to Alta Lake we reviewed everything in my bags to ensure I had what I needed.  It was a nice walk down to the buses in the dark, everybody walking for the same reason, not just to achieve the title of IRONMAN, but  to put their minds and bodies through one of the most humanly challenging fetes, some for the first time like me, and some as veterans.

As we arrived at parking lot 4, site of T2, there was instructions being yelled and music on the loud speaker.  There were people wandering aimlessly, hugs all around us, tears, cameras and so much emotion.  We dropped my special needs bags off and went to the body markers.  As they marked me with #312 I felt strong, like my arms weren’t the tiny twigs they have always been, but like they were thick solid paddles.  Then I pulled my pant leg up as they marked 30 for my age on my left calf and I began to laugh at myself thinking and saying “geez 30”.  Then the guy next in line pulled his pant leg up and said “30 ha, go ahead and mark 71”.  My mouth and my dad’s mouth dropped open and we both instantly repeated 71 and huge smiles lit our faces.  This man was incredible, the oldest three people to do the race are 72 and here I was checking in with a 71 year old, a man with grey hair and a grey beard surrounding a huge “I’m awesome” smile that ended by telling me “it’s all about finishing baby”.  We then walked to the busses where I stood in line for a split second.  Once the line started to move we were already loading the busses, what incredible organization, completely flawless.  As the line moved Dad said “ok baby here ya go” and we embraced for our last hug as I began to cry and the bright light of the camera was in my face but I did not care because I continued to cry and even whimper.  My last embrace with the man that has made this part of my life, the man that is not only a father but an inspiration, a coach, a psychiatrist and a reason to make that line no matter how much I suffer.  My last embrace with the guy I saw laying on a hospital bed in the middle of a hallway because he is capable of pushing the human limits beyond any measurable point and ignoring the body and the brain and simply doing what is necessary.  This man was with me during training and the reason I was here today, this man is why I knew I would finish, there simply was no other option.

I sat next to an IRONMAN veteran on the bus who talked to me calmly and reminded me how possible the IMpossible is.  I can't thank this man enough for his bus conversation, it kept my mind busy and I didn't get nauseas on the bus ride!  Once we arrived at Alta Lake I retrieved my bike, Amira, and walked it to T1 where they took a picture of her.  I racked Amira at #312 and my teammate Pam and her husband Warren were there to greet me.  Pam, a 7 time IRONMAN veteran had the game face on, whereas I had the Doe Eyed What Am I Doing look.  I went to check my bike transition bag to ensure everything was in order and began to search for water because the water Dad and I had bought did not fill my aero bottle.  I finally found water and filled the bottle.

Once my bike transition was all set I walked toward the waterfront to begin putting on my wetsuit.  As I was bodygliding my feet and spraying more trislide I looked up to see what appeared to be a familiar outline of a person.  I looked closer and it was my dad.  I yelled "dad", that did nothing, so I yelled "Jeff" and he looked right at me.  Somehow in the sea of athletes, spectators and volunteers, dad and I managed to run into each other.  When we said good bye at the bus in the morning I didn't expect to see him again until I was riding or running.  This was a very pleasant surprise.    Dad stood with me as I put on the wetsuit, and a nice man took a picture of us together.  Then we walked down to the waterfront to review my start/swim plan.  At the waterfront I saw two huskies and made a b-line to them.  The nice man let me pet and play with the dogs.  WOW, it was too perfect, I found Dad and two huskies, my nerves were in check and under control!  As we continued to talk I felt in control and then we talked more and had another hard embrace and more cracking of the voices with the last good lucks, you got this, good bye and the final let's go baby girl.  With all my emotions I can't even imagine the emotions my Dad was feeling.  This might have meant as much to him as me, doesn't every father want to watch their kid achieve their dreams.

My start plan, tread water before the start to get a good straight line for the first buoy, or don't tread water and start on shore?  Tread water, I was a solid enough swimmer.  When to head out and start treading water, how many minutes before?  That ended up being decided for me as others made their way out I didn't want to lose a chance at a good starting spot.  I chose between a quarter of the way out and half way out, at the front of that section of the pack allowing for a fairly straight, diagonal path to the first buoy.  Dad and I saw Dave Deschenes and Dad realized it was time to enter the VIP area to watch the start, so off he went and off I went.

I made my way out and was treading water.  Each kicking, water treading foot that hit mine hurt, because the water was a bit brisk.  We all said a few words to each other, apologizing for potentially hitting or swimming over top of each other, wishing on another luck, and mutually freaking out together.  Then we quieted for the national anthem, while treading water.  Tears filled me eyes. I feared the mass swim start, I feared getting knocked out.  BUT, even more than fear was excitement that I was going to do it and I was going to survive and I wanted more than anything to experience and live that mass swim start.  I wouldn't trade the mass swim start experience for wave starts at IRONMAN, NO WAY!  I heard 30 seconds.  I wiped my eyes, pulled my goggles down, sealed them, turned forward took a big breath, had a HUGE frog in my throat, continued to fight off tears and then 10 seconds, 5, 4, 3, 2....

Swim

Dad thought the snorkel was funny...it is!

BOOM - to be honest I'm not sure I heard the BOOM, I think I just heard and saw splashing and white water and stuck my face in the water and started to try to swim while fighting off other bodies and arms flailing around me.  I swam hard, I protected myself, it was like karate or MMA in the water.  It was a two lap rectangular course, each lap 1.2 miles, totaling 2.4 miles, starting on a long side of the rectangle.  As I was swimming the first side of the rectangle I was just trying to stay alive.  I got hit hard in the temple, kind of shook my head a bit, no biggy it will probably happen again.  Then as I approached the corner I got nailed in the nose, that one stung and made my eyes water.  Focus Megan, this chaos is what you were made for and your nose has gone through a lot more than that, having broke my nose 5 times thus far throughout my life.  I made the first turn and quickly approached the next turn which was somehow pushing me out far from the corner forcing me to take it wider and swim a longer distance than I wanted.  It's ok just try to get back on track.  That second corner just seemed to take forever.  Once I finally got around it I noticed I was swimming practically alone, which I did not want to do because I wanted to catch the draft to pull me along faster.  I kept trying to get back in the draft but it seemed to be taking too much energy and not getting me anywhere, so I finally decided to settle with my own stroke and take my own path.  Before I knew it I was with another person, who likely got off course a bit as well.  I just kept going and then started to hear music, I was approaching the next corner and then another, LAP ONE DONE!  I got a little bit of a draft going into lap two, likely because I got pinched at the corner buoy.  I don't remember the first turn of the second lap, or the second turn.  But I do remember the back stretch.  I remember I started singing the cliche Dori song, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming swimming swimming.  That is exactly what I did.  I had hardly any draft so I just kept swimming.  I made the final turn, sighted the shore with the arch and went for it, pulling as hard as I could.  As I approached shore I could hear such loud cheers and music.  I got so excited I started to yell and cheer and scream and shout under water, not smart as that usually results in inhaling water, which it did.  I didn't' care, I kept literally yelling under water and swimming as people stood in front of me, but I kept swimming, swim as close to shore as possible, stand up at the last possible moment, that is what dad taught me.  Then bam, I swam into the back of some guys calf so my only choice was to stand up.  When I stood up I ran by people, I must have had the biggest look of shock, awe and amazement on my face. I felt more alive than I ever had in my entire life.  As I crossed under the arch I saw 1:17, I didn't think twice I just kept going.  Now I'm honestly disappointed in that time, but during the race was no time to focus on disappointment, or looking backward, focus on continuous forward movement only.  Ultimately I had a very fortunate swim, I didn't get beat up hardly at all and I came out in one piece!

T1

As I ran through the first transition area it was MAD CHAOS.  People all over, yelling, running, cheering, simply mad chaos.  I got my wetsuit ripped off, which looking back I could've done faster and better on my own, mental note for next time.  Then as I stood up on the grass and ran to get my bike bag, I slipped and flipped backward hitting my head on the ground.  I must have looked like a cartoon character slipped on a banana peel because that is exactly how it felt.  I jumped up so fast that it barely phased me.  But, as I stood up with a ridiculous smile of shock on my face, lets go baby lets go, you gotta go go go, RIDE baby RIDE like the wind!  I had to run with the bike for a little ways and before the mounting area.  I just wanted everybody to move, so many racers all over and I just wanted my own clear path.  You don't get a clear path when there are 2500 IRONMAN athletes starting together.  Then I heard WOOOO GO MEGAN!  I didn't see anybody I knew but I was positive it was my friend Sheleena and Marney, love you girls!

I did see a main camera guy turn toward me, oops he missed that one!  I ran and grabbed my bag in the long row of bags.  I was lucky I found it so easy.  Then off to the changing tent I went.  Oh the women's changing tent, how to describe it, are you sure you want to know?  Naked, wet women running around, throwing clothes all over, it was like a war zone.  I was led to a seat and sat down.  I will admit as I sat down I relaxed a lot, which was a relief after so much chaos, then, I peed, yup I sat there and peed and nothing was going to change that and I didn't care.  Then I semi-toweled off and got all my gear on.  Tossed the bag with my swim gear in it to the volunteer and ran out of the tent to be covered in sunblock.  I'm not sure why I stopped for sunblock considering I sprayed myself in the tent, but oh well sun protection can't hurt.  Then off to my bike I ran.  As I was grabbing my bike off the rack I heard my dad yelling

Bike

I felt ALIVE once I mounted my trusty Amira, those two wheels and saddle were going to take me down the road closer to my dreams.  I was yelling as I road by people, screaming and cheering.  I was uncontrollably excited.  I had to remind myself to calm down, settle in and reserve energy, considering I had kind of a long day ahead of me!  I honestly think I was yelling about the first 15 miles, I was so excited.  The crowds were great, the cheers were loud, the athletes were a mixture of focus, fear, settling in and excitement (that was me excitement).  WIth my track record in competitions I was quite shocked how excited I was.  I imagined I would've been the focused one with a death stare.  Nope, not at IRONMAN, I was reaching for my dreams and I was going to smile while doing it!  As I road I saw a bright yellow color and then a lady stepped into the road and threw her arms up in the air yelling GO MEG GO, GO MEG GO.  DEFINITELY my mom, she's impossible to miss!  Somehow dad had made it there to join her so I saw him again too.  FABULOUS FANS make an IRONMAN's day!

As I made the turn to start the 8 mile climb up Calaghan I was ready to embrace my mountain climber polka-dot helmet, I LOVE climbing.  Never once did the fear of that climb enter my mind like it did on the training ride.  As I started to climb I passed people cheering and smiling, not everybody likes to climb.  I of course also got passed.  I kept a high cadence and maintained a positive attitude.  Then I

started to realize my head was really bothering me.  I focussed on taking in enough fluids concerned I was already becoming dehydrated, but I couldn't figure out how that could be possible, it wasn't even that warm, I was still wearing arm warmers.  I tried to brush off the headache and focus on climbing and taking in the scenes.  Once I got to the turn around at the top it was so exciting, I MADE IT.  In my head I broke the bike out into 4 parts, out to Calaghan and up, down Calaghan and back to W
histler, Whistler to Pemberton and Pemberton to Whistler.  Part 1, check.  Now time to fly down this mountain.  I typically hate going downhill, at least on a mountain bike, but this was smooth sailing descending Calaghan.  The descent was also covered with pristine gorgeous mountain views...and that shark fin I saw upon arrival to British Columbia!  On the way back to Whistler I noticed my head was bothering me again, it seemed to be getting worse.  Fortunately there were great crowds along the road keeping things exciting and keeping me distracted from any pain and focussed on the excitement of racing IRONMAN.  As I road through Whistler I saw my parents and my two friends again, cheering their hearts out.  I know this is a long day for spectators too, I was so grateful and excited to see them.

As I started to head toward Pemberton I was entering the unknown.  I had never seen this part of the course and knew very little about it.  I encountered a very steep climb that about killed me, but I powered through it.  THen upon arrival into Pemberton it got exciting again.  The crowds were great, after all the whole town was trapped considering the roads were closed and their only option was to stay in town and cheer us on.  I especially LOVED the trash can band and the young girl playing her fiddle at the end of her drive way.  Then I stopped real quick for my special needs bag.  Swapped my Herbalife food replacement for the frozen bottle, which was STILL frozen, eek.  I stuffed my jersey pockets with pay day candy bars and the chocolate dipped granola bar.  As I got back on the road I decided that chocolate dipped granola bar sounded good so I started to gradually eat it to keep myself entertained for a bit.  Packing that new item was the best move I made, that thing was DELICIOUS!   As I continued my ride through Pemberton I noticed it seemed to be turning more into the high plains the resembled Leadville, Colorado and ranches than a town.  I was just waiting and yearning for the turn around, where was the Pemberton turn around.  I kept riding, scrunching my head as my headache became significantly worse and I waited for the turn around.  Finally I shouted, where's the turn around, to the people coming back toward me, they shouted different things, but the point was it was still way up there.  I don't know how I couldn't figure that out looking at my mileage on my bike computer which was clearly not enough to be turning around yet.  Man, I wanted off this long, boring flat and I wanted to be heading back toward Whistler where I could get off this bike.  I kept pedaling forward and started to zone out, I tried to force myself to focus on my cadence but it was just hard with my head pounding.  Finally, somebody said the turn around was about two miles ahead, THANK GOD.

I hit the turn around and started to head back to realize I REALLY NEEDED to use the bathroom and could not relax enough to turn my bike into a moving bathroom.  I made the choice to stop ont he side of the road in some bushes and squat.  This was completely illegal and could result in a penalty or even being DQ, but I NEED to go to the bathroom.  As I came out of the bushes another athlete was entering, I wasn't alone in my need for a bathroom.  I hopped on the bike and started going at a better pace.  It felt good to be moving now.  I returned to Pemberton significantly faster, at least it seemed faster, than it took me to head out.  Once in Pemberton I perked up and used the crowd to feed off.  It was the boost I needed.  As I exited Pemberton there was a big climb.  I started strong, cheering others on and then focusing on my cadence and pedal stroke pulling up.  I gradually tired and then felt like I was not moving, I felt like I was stuck in the mud and somebody was pulling my legs to the ground.  I repeated, pull, pull, pull, over and over.  Finally I made the crest of the hill/mountain, and I knew had it been any longer I would've been in BIG trouble, I left everything I had on that climb.  But there were more, there oh so many more climbs before returning to Whistler.  It was starting to get really hot, my forehead felt dry and like the skin was burning and breaking and I scrunched it as much as I could to try to get the head pain to go away.  That pesky headache, I can still feel that pain as I write this story.  On another climb I must have been very obviously struggling because a nice German man handed me a waffle telling me to take it an eat it.  I took it even though I didn't need it, he was just being nice and helping.  He then shared his story as we pedaled and climbed.  He was going for a Hawaii qualifying spot, he was a semi professional triathlete in Germany, but he blew a tire twice and had to wait for assistance so his "race" was over, he was just going to have fun and finish now.  Not long after that I hit the 90 mile marker, YES.  But STILL more climbing, this last section of the course was BRUTAL.  If it was flat it would've been brutal, but it was practically all up and it was hot and the sun was beating down on my super salty face and throbbing forehead.  I then realized my head likely hurt because of the fall I took after the swim.  It was more my neck than my head, but the neck was causing the headache. Knowing I never take Ibuprofen because it messes up my stomach I stopped at an aid station and asked the medical volunteers if they had anything for a headache.  I can't believe I stopped, especially since the aid station was ON A HILL.  They said they had Ibuprofen.  Without even thinking I said, yes give me some.  They took my name and number and asked why.  I told them I had a headache.  Then they quickly got me on my way, quickly is an overstatement because I was trying to start pedaling on a hill.  To be honest I think I practically tipped over and had to stop and re-start again.  I took the Ibuprofen and kept pedaling.  Down the road a few miles I met up with a girl who said all she wanted to do was get off the bike.  Boy oh boy did I feel her pain, at this point I hated my bike and wanted to throw it and kick it and never see it again, but we still had about 17 miles to go.  The LONGEST 17 miles of my life.  I remember my first real road ride was 15 miles and I thought it was the longest ride ever, no, no this 17 miles was definitely the LONGEST ride ever.  Fortunately this lady and I played cat and dog a bit, which helped pull us both along.  I'd get a burst of energy and go, she would fall back.  Then I would die off and she'd get a burst of energy and pull ahead.  This REALLY helped us both.  Finally we entered Whistler, but we didn't get to go straight to transition, we had to weave around with people lined streets, Tour De France style for about two miles.  As I made one corner I saw my friends and was so excited I forgot I was riding and turned to say hi, I'm LUCKY I did not crash myself or make my new friend crash.  I realized soon enough I was still riding and faced forward to pedal.  Then I heard MEGGY BABY, it was my dad!  It was right at the dismount area, where I got off that bike and threw it at those volunteers NEVER to even consider looking back, keep it, I don't want that bike anymore, I want my second transition so I can RUN.

Note: I know I looked at my bike computer, the time and the average miles per hours during the bike, but I can't really remember what went through my head.  I knew I absolutely, positively needed to go under 7 hours to stand even a small chance at my goal.  I finished the bike in 6:50.  Nothing special, but I would take it as long as I could get off my bike.

T2

After leaving my bike behind I went to grab my T2 run gear bag.  Again, somehow I managed to find it rapidly in the long line of bags.  The volunteers were so wonderful helping with the bags.  I grabbed the bag and ran to the changing tent.  An approximately 12 year old girl tried to help me.  I felt so bad for her as I ripped my clothes off completely naked in front of her.  I realized she was embarrassed as she turned her head away from me.  A changing tent is NOT the right volunteer spot for a 12 year old.  I quickly told her I didn't need help because it also made me feel uncomfortable and I preferred to be left to do what I needed to do.  I changed and ran out of the tent.  I immediately stopped at the bathroom, but that was a pointless stop.  As I ran out of the bathroom I noticed I still had on my biking gloves, screw it I'm not going back I will run with them.  

Run

Dad was taking a pic so my gloves hit the people next
to him in the head and my pic turned out ridiculous!

As I ran through the transition area and out onto the course I was FAST.  I felt FABULOUS.  My headache was gone, it was a miracle.  My legs felt light, my attitude was positive and I was ready to roll.  I kept repeating to myself, lets do this thing Doerr, this is your race, this is your time, this is your event, time to run baby!  I quickly heard my dad yelling, so I took off my gloves and tossed them to him.  I knew you were not supposed to do that but I just did it out of habit.  As I continued the crowd went wild for me, yelling about how fast I was running and saying how amazing it was.  I have to admit it was pretty impressive!  But I knew I was putting myself in danger so I kept telling myself to slow down.  It was SO hard to slow down.  Then I saw the first mile marker and noticed I was at about 7 min pace, NOT good.  To a runner that may not seem so fast, but to a first time IRONMAN in my position a 7 minute mile marathon was going to cause hell later in the race.  I knew I NEEDED to SLOW down.  I kept trying and it was just so hard to slow down. I saw my two friends and then my mom, out in front of the condo!  I saw there sidewalk chalk art, 88 inspired, Doerr, mom's typically funny face drawings, it was so sweet and inspirational, the most important thing is that it made me smile. They were yelling about how great I looked and so excited to see me.  I smiled and chirped a bit, but remained focused because I knew I NEEDED a solid run to reach my goal.

Mom's Art!

I knew reaching my goal was a long shot, but there was still a shot, especially with how well I was running.  It was a mental battle for me, stay running fast and have a chance at my goal, but also risk blowing up, or work harder to slow down.  Finally after the first 2 miles being at about 7 minute pace, my 3rd mile was at abut 7:10 and then my fourth was at 7:20.  Perfect, 7:30, I will accept that, oh wait I still need to slow down a little bit more.  Finally around mile 5 and 6 I hit two solid 7:30s and was able to maintain and sustain an even pace.  As I ran along passing people, they cheered me and I cheered them.  I ended up catching up to the nice German man that gave me food.  We ran and chatted a bit, he said he'd stick with me and help me out.  He asked my marathon goal and I told him that today I needed about a 3:45 to 3:50 to reach my ultimate goal.  He looked at his watch and said, um you do realize your at about a 3:15 to 3:30 pace or better right?  I said yes, but I know I expect to fall off pace and right now I feel good so I'm going with it.  He said ok, you seem like a great runner so lets keep going.  We stayed together nearly the entire first half.  I did slow some completing the first half somewhere between 1:45 and 1:50.

Running STRONG  first half marathon

Lap 1 done, half marathon done, time to do one last half marathon before seeing that dream, that IRONMAN finish line become a reality.  At the half way point I gave myself a little self pep talk, reminding myself this is where it will really counts, this is where I will see the difference between minor pain and true pain, this is where I will be able to prove to myself and my family that I can handle pain, that I can live up to the legacy my father has created, that I CAN BE A TRUE ENDURANCE ATHLETE, A TRUE IRONMAN.  I know near the start of lap two I hit the special needs bag site.  I can't recall exactly where this fell in the order of events, but I do know I pondered as I approached the bags if it was necessary to change my shoes or socks.  I chose not to change them.  But, I did grab the coconut water.  I stuck the straw in it and carried it with me as I ran.  That was some darn good coconut water.  It felt like a tropical vacation in my mouth.  I drank it through the straw while running and drank it gradually over about 1-2 miles.  I remember some spectators looking at me funny as a carried a box and drank out of a straw.  But it was working for me and I was REALLY happy I packed it.  Then I ran by my friends who cheered their hearts out.  I remember looking at them and either thinking or saying, this is going to hurt, but this is fun and this (holding up the box) is yummy!  Soon I approached my mom.  I could see her chitter chattering away with a lady and her son.  I didn't shout anything and then BOOM I was on top of her as she realized it was me.  She jumped and hopped and skipped and yelled, That's my Meggy Baby, go Meg go.  It gave me a good chuckle shocking her like that hahah.  Then I saw dad as I entered an aid station.  I stopped to walk to grab water and he asked how I was feeling.  I told him I was fine.  He asked if I had a 1:50 half marathon left in me because if I did I was going to break 12 hours, my ultimate goal.  I perked up and said Hell Yes I do, I got this, I got this.  Then off I went.  As I ran I started to run the numbers, I thought, hmmm is that true, will that work out.  Somehow the math did not work, even as I type this race report the math still isn't making sense.  Either way I knew it was a long shot and dad admitted to knowing that too, but he still wanted to do the right thing as a coach and a father and push me to reach my potential.  I am grateful for that, I needed that push and it did help me.  I ran along and at about mile 15 I felt a stabbing pain in my abdomen. This was nothing out of the ordinary for me, I felt these pains a lot, welcome to the world of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and running.  I thought I might have to go number two so I stopped at a porta potta but that did nothing.  I just started running again, then the story of IRONMAN REALLY began, the story that defines why IRONMAN is what it is.

Running strong, smiling and having fun!

I kept running along trying to stay focussed on my pace.  At one aid station I saw feet poking out from behind a porta potty.  I looked and saw a man laying down on the grass all stretched out.  I whispered to him to get up, get up or they might pull you I told him, come on you can do it, come with me.  I kept moving but when I looked back he had gotten up, that made me smile.  Each mile I saw my pace fall off track.  Each mile that knife in my abdomen drilled in harder and harder.  As I watched my pace fall off more and more I kept adjusting my overall time goal.  It went from the seeing my dream of breaking the 12 hour mark, to 12:10, to 12:15, to 12:20, to 12:30, to not even caring or being able to think about the time and just striving to finish the race.  It got brutal for the last 6-10 miles.  The pain increased, I was hunched over in excruciating pain and could not figure out how or why this was happening to me.  My mind went blurry, my vision went blurry and it took everything I had just to put one foot in front of the other.  I stumbled in and out of porta potties at every aid station, aka every mile.  I somehow got addicted to grapes imagining they were wine, wine, really while running, why did I want wine.  I'm pretty sure I crossed the line from sanity to insanity.  I set goals of running to the next tree or the next guard rail or the next anything I could focus on.  Sometimes I met those goals and made it, sometimes I stopped and crouched to the ground before I could get there.  I was experiencing pure, raw survival of the fittest.

Look closely at my eyes, blood shot death

Looking around I saw some people walking and then trotting along with huge smiles and carrying on conversations.  That had been me earlier, but it was with a focussed face and rapid cadence and solid pace.  What had happened to that feeling?  I didn't want to give in to the pain and just accept walking the rest of the way, so I just kept trying to run when I could.  I saw others around me doing the same thing.  I played cat and dog yet again as we pushed one another to keep moving.  The other athletes were my saviors, they made it possible for me to keep going.  It was survival of the fittest, yes, but it was also a glimpse into humanity.  Humans are good, even when humans are dying and suffering more than you would ever want to imagine, they still give that last little bit to help another human along.  It was touching and I tried to focus on that, the goodness in people.  I also tried very hard to give that back to people anytime I had the extra energy to do so, even if it was a truly terrifying, half smile grimace and thumbs up to someone!  I remember about 2-3 miles to the finish a volunteer at an aid station started walking with me after I stumbled through the aid station, weebling and wobbling.  She talked to me asking how I was doing, telling me to focus on her and asking if I needed to sit down.  I refused, I yelled with a crack in my voice, NO I CAN'T SIT DOWN.  She must have realized I would make it because she finally left my side.  But then up ahead I had some medical volunteers calling me by name checking on me.  I still wonder if they called me in and I was close to being pulled.  But it's IRONMAN, that's what it is about, that is how it is supposed to be, push until I drop, if I drop leave me be, give me a chance to crawl and I will crawl.

As I closed in on the finish I could hear the music and the crowd.  I came to a parking lot and those pesky orange cones had me running around the parking lot, my instinct was NO, take the shortest route to the finish, but I followed those cones.  In this parking lot my two girlfriends met me.  I started jogging along again with them by my side cheering so loud, but I can only vaguely remember the approximately 300-400 meters I ran with them.  I was in so much pain.  Then as I left that parking lot I thought I was going to turn right and head down the straight away to the finish, NOPE, they sent me past the straight away and another direction.  I just couldn't believe it, I stopped.  Another athlete came up behind me and the man said, come on, come with me, so I did.  I ran with this man and though I don't know what he said I do know he was talking to me the whole way, helping me make the finish line.  As we finally turned down the straight away and could see the finish lines with thousands of spectators I completely broke down.  He told me to go, go ahead of him, go first.  I started running a bit faster and as the finish line became clearer and closer and I could finally see the clock, I completely lost it and started sobbing.  You might think I was sobbing in pain, but it wasn't the pain making me cry, it was the pure raw emotion that I was actually going to do this, I was actually going to be and IRONMAN.  The joy overwhelmed me and I simply could not stop sobbing like a baby, I sobbed and I trucked forward still feeling my abdominal pain but caring about nothing other than the finish line.  As I crossed the line I do not recall hearing those infamous words: Megan Doerr YOU ARE AN IRONMAN.

Note: I didn't know my marathon time until the next day.  I ran a 4:23, I BEAT DAD hahah!  It wasn't what I wanted, but I did it, that is all I cared about at that point.

Overall Race Time: 12:44:24
It was not my goal but I am very pleased with it, the important thing was growing as a person and as an athlete.  Challenging my body and mind, pushing myself to my limits.  I did that, I pushed to the limits and I am proud of that!  Being truly proud is a big accomplishment for me, there are very few things that I have ever been truly and honestly proud of, I can count them on one hand and this one made the top of the list!

Post Race

Thumbs Up Finish!

The volunteers caught me and started walking me toward the photo area for my finishing picture.  Then I heard a familiar voice, YOU'RE AN IRONMAN BABY YOUR'RE AN IRONMAN, I started crying more.  Then I could finally see the person from whom that voice came, my Dad, jumping up and down like a child giving me two thumbs up with the biggest smile ever filling his face.  Mom was beside him clapping and clapping!  It was so great to see them.  As I stood there getting my picture taken I was in so much pain, I just remember seeing dad give me two thumbs up.  I must have copied what I saw because that is what my finishing picture is, two thumbs up with me about to tip over in pain.  Then the volunteers took me to the bathroom per my request.  When I came out dad was laughing and smiling and mom and the volunteers were asking if I was ok.  I said I wanted a massage so they took me to the massage tent where I sat down.  Next thing I know they were putting me in a wheel chair and taking me to the medical tent.  I know I kept telling them NO, NO I DON'T NEED TO GO.

In the medical tent they put me on a cot and a few nurses spoke to me.  They asked me a lot of questions and I just kept telling them my abdomen hurt.  They poked and prodded me a bit and then decided to give me an IV.  That was NOT fun.  It took multiple nurses and doctors to finally get the IV.  They kept apologizing for poking me.  I did NOT want them to apologize I just wanted them to either stop or get it done, I did not want to talk or hear anybody else talk.  Then they told me they were going to give me morphine.  I said NO, NO, NO.  I told them I was American and did not have insurance in Canada, I did not want to pay for it.  They all laughed and chuckled telling me they understood.  One doctor told me a story about being in the hospital in the US and then getting the bill and being in shock.  Every time they discussed my condition I just kept hearing them say, she's American and chuckling that I was worried about insurance.  It became the only thing I could focus on, the cost and insurance.  The doctor sat down with me and told me they were sending me to the ER and thought I might have appendicitis.  I was so incredibly confused.  They said that if I did they would have to airlift me to Vancouver.  I simply could not process any of this information.  They then decided to give me more morphine, which I again tried to refuse.  Then the EMT arrived with a stretcher.  As they went to move me the one EMT looked at me with this gorgeous smile and handsome face and said, wow you're and IRONMAN, congratulations!  He then said, we don't mind working this event, all of you people are so light and easy to lift!  I just kept staring at his handsome face, my my was he handsome.  As they wheeled me out of the tent I heard, Meggy that's my Meggy and then saw mom trying to climb over the fence and push through the security.  I'm not a parent so I don't know what was going through her mind, but I can imagine she was very scared because she had no idea what was going on with me.  I was a little high on morphine so I was pretty calm.  I just yelled back, Mom it's ok, it's ok clam down.  The EMT must have told her where they were taking me.

Me and my medal in the ER!

Once I was at the ER they said only one person could go in the room with me.  Dad came with me, I'm pretty sure that upset mom because she left.  But I swear I did not make the choice, I would've rather have had them both or just been left alone, all I wanted to do was sleep anyway.  Sheleena was able to come say hi and ask how I was doing.  She told me Marney had to leave to head back to Vancouver but said good job and that she enjoyed herself.  That meant so much to me.  It was nice having Sheleena there, she was very calming during the few moments she was in the room.  My IV stopped working, it was really hurting my hand so I told the nurse.  I found out that apparently my body was somehow pushing it out, so they had to do another one but I had no place left to try.  Finally the doctors advised that I did not have appendicitis, which I was already pretty sure I didn't.  They said I was in the ER with 4 other people, 5 of us total, that all had ulcers develop during the race.  Remember the Ibuprofen I took, yup, it burned a whole right through my stomach and that is what felt like a knife in my abdomen.  As I was about to be discharged from the hospital, with hopes of seeing the final finishers at midnight, something came over me.  I could not sit up, control my body, respond to anything, talk etc.  It was a very strange feeling.  I just remember my Dad saying in a very stern low voice, you better pull your shit together, get your shit together or they are going to make you stay, get it together Megan.  I kept trying but I just couldn't control myself.  We still aren't sure what happened, was it the morphine, maybe, who knows, but I finally felt ok and they released me from the hospital.  Unfortunately it was after midnight so I did not get to see the final finishers.  In order to be released I had to pay the $1300 hospital bill with my credit card, yikes.  Had I not been so exhausted I would likely have experienced an anxiety attack.

The day after the race I woke up at about 3am or 4am.  I simply couldn't sleep.  My body felt so incredibly strange.  I was absolutely starving, but when I tried to eat I couldn't eat more than two bites.  The doctor said due to the ulcer it would be difficult to eat and I would have to eat small amounts, but I didn't think I could ever be so hungry and not be able to eat.  I also couldn't seem to stay awake for more than 2-4 hours at a time, but I couldn't sleep more than 2-4 hours at a time either.

When I purchased my finishers gear it took all my will power not to go register for IRONMAN Canada 2014.  I know, it sounds odd considering all the pain, but the pain meant nothing, it was the joy of accomplishment that I remembered and focused on.  I had never felt more alive or accomplished in my life - completing IRONMAN did that for me.  My body was completely messed up.  Additionally about a month after IRONMAN I had a check up with my doctor.  My blood work was very strange and showed signs of various diseases or problems.  This made me very nervous.  About a month later the tests seemed to stabilize and my body normalized.  People ask how long it took me to recover.  I ran about a week after, but I felt terrible.  I figure it took me about 2 weeks to start training again and 3 weeks to start training daily and feeling normal and not like I was going to pass out from exhaustion at any point in time.  But according to my blood work it took my body nearly two months to normalize and recover.

Guess what, I wouldn't change it or give it up for anything in the world.  Every little detail and experience from the training and preparation to the race, was all a perfect part of God's plan for me.  Each piece of excitement and each small or large pain I experienced made this IRONMAN journey what it was, it was a five year old's dream come true 1988 to 2013...

MEGAN DOERR, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!