My Ironman Journey – Tonia Appelt

“Congratulations! You now have 364 days to train for Ironman!” That’s what the guy told me as he swiped my credit card, passed me a confirmation letter, and sent me on my way.

I can’t believe a year has passed since I came to Penticton to watch the Ironman, and volunteer. Feeling the nervous energy as I walked through the Ironman Village, the electric buzz of the atmosphere along Lakeshore drive, and being inspired by all the faces and stories of people taking on the incredible challenge of Ironman. Last year, on race day we watched the swim start, with 2600? swim capped bodies standing on the beach as O Canada played in the background. And then the chaos! As bodies ran, and jumped and splashed and fought for every last space of open water around them. It looked frantic! It was an amazing spectacle, and slowly they spread out, and got smaller into the distance, caps bobbing up and down in Lake Okanagan. Then returning and dashing out for the bike! We watched the bikes disappear along Main Street, and hours later the bikes came back, and the runners left and a few more hours later, they made the final stretch! I was a “catcher” at the finish line, and got to look after and talk with them immediately after they crossed! What really struck me was that there were so many normal people out there doing it. Not just super athletes, but people from every background, and body type, doing it for so many different reasons….a bucket list, a lifelong dream, as a dedication to a cause or a person, just so many inspirations.

When I signed up for Ironman, it was probably foolish. I had only had done 2 triathlons – a sprint, and an Olympic. I had never ridden a road bike, or cycled more than 40 km. Something about this race just got into my head, and into my blood when I was watching those people live out their dreams. The day I signed up, we drove around to the vineyards after. I bought a bottle of wine from Misson Hill winery and put a ribbon on it, and a card that said “to be opened after completing Ironman”. It has sat on my bookcase all year as a reminder to me.

I looked around at a lot of tri groups last summer, and joining Kronos was the best fit! Amazing coaches (thanks Bart, Sandra, Marcelo and Ashley- I learned SO much!), an excellent structure, and some of the greatest people to train with. Having that core group of people really helps you to keep going, to wake up early, to stay up and drive to late winter practices, to just keep focused and stay sane! Thanks to every one of them!!! Kronos really prepares you for the race. Your body feels ready. You just need to keep reminding your head of that!

Fast forward to Race Day – August 29th, 2010! This year was a high of 21, and the bike had rain, hail and wind! At one point, the temperature dropped from 18 to 10 degrees in minutes. I woke up before 4am, and ate breakfast, got ready. Mental note- “Remember to enjoy this day”. My family drove me to the race start and dropped me off to get a spot. I immediately spotted a kronos jacket- Jen Walker (who did Ironman last year). She gave me a hug and “good luck”, and I went off to get my race numbers put on. You could totally feel the energy, all those nervous people, 900 first timers, just trying to keep focused, keep calm, and get to the start line. After dropping off special needs bags, I got in line for the porta potties. You wouldn’t think this would be a major event, but apparently it is. I was in line at 6am, and the race start is at 7. I was in a panick at 655 when I finally made it to the front of the line. I was literally entering the water, doing up my suit as they played O Canada, just in time for a quick dip, and then the start!

I had been extremely nervous about the swim. I hurt my shoulder about 3 weeks earlier and had only gotten to swim 2 times in the weeks preceding the race. Jen Walker, Debbie Mclean, and Emilie Langevin had all done Ironman the year before( and done awesome), and given me some great tips from their experience, and lots of inspiration-(thanks girls!!!). I had a calm, steady swim and didn’t panick like I thought I might. At the turn of the first houseboat, I got smoked in the face with an elbow, and split my lip. I stopped thinking about my shoulder the rest of the swim. A good distraction? I felt great getting out of the water, not nauseous like I had been every outdoor swim before. I got a huge rash on my neck from putting on my wetsuit in a panick, but I didn’t notice until the day’s end. It was 1 hr 10min on the clock!

The bike was the biggest challenge for me all year. The final month (when it was too late to throw it into the river), it broke down on me several times (thanks Johnny and Bart for the fixes). Flat tires I learned, but busted cables, and broken chains…..every long ride was a huge learning experience, a mini mental meltdown, and sometimes very lonely. On race day, my bike held together. I had a pretty good speed on the first 60 km. I know it's a little downhill, but the same stretch had taken me and Erin 3 hours in May (thanks Peter for riding with us that day). Race day, I did it in 2 hrs. That felt great for me. It was around that time, my stomach issues started. One of those little things. Part nutrition? part nerves? But anyways, long story short, I had 7 "breaks" that day. Richter’s Pass wasn't as bad as I thought. Neither were the infamous "Rollers". It was the "out and back" that plays tricks with your mind. Feels like a cruel joke to do that extra 20 km at that point. Yellow lake was tough, probably mostly because of where it was in the course...near the 140km. There are so many people there though, cheering you on and up the hill. And then you are at the top, and it’s such a great feeling to know, that you are going mostly downhill from there to the transition! Coming into Penticton, the big crowds line the streets again. There is so much power and energy from the spectators! My bike was 6hr 58 min.

Transitions were good. Another helpful volunteer. Another dry pair of socks, and a hat. I was just so incredibly happy to be done the bike. Knowing it was just the run left, and there was nothing to break down but my body, was a relief for me. I started to struggle at the 15km mark. The 6km to the turnaround at special needs seemed like forever. My pace slowed but I kept running. I kept thinking, “Just keep moving forward”. There were so many people walking at this point. Especially at the hill, which at that point of the day seems like a mountain. At the half way point, I saw my family and boyfriend, got my advil, and a huge second wind. From then, I was heading to the finish line. On the home stretch!!! More and more people were walking, and I kept running. I think I passed about 400 on that run (though many of them had passed me on the bike).I ran the whole way, just walking for the aid stations. I had gels, soup a few times, Gatorade and water, and had coke the last 5 km. My stomach felt much better after the halfway on the run. About 3 km out from the finish, Jen W was out riding her bike and found me, and gave me a last chance pep talk! She reminded me to enjoy the last few km! That I was almost there! You feel so invigorated those final few km. My pace picked up, and the crowds got bigger and bigger. By the time I hit Lakeshore Drive, I must have been beaming! I was going to make it! I saw Jen again, and Peter hi-5 ed me on the home stretch, and my family and friends were there too! It was such a rush! My run was 4 hrs 28 min.

It was incredible to cross that finish line and know I had done it! It was a long hard day, but I was incredibly happy with my time. I had expected to be closer to 14 hours so getting 12hr 44 min was awesome! Finisher’s photos and medals. Smiles and emergency blankets. Overwhelming emotion. Happiness. Relief. About 10 minutes later, I could barely walk, hardly breathe, and was hobbling around in the manner of all individuals who finish the Ironman. Penticton must look like a town of penguins the next day! Everyone has their own reasons for doing it. Everyone had their own journey to get to that finish line. A year of sacrifice, long, long training days, 6 am swims, hours on the trainer, runs in the snow, wind and rain. Sore muscles, injuries, and mini mental breakdowns! Perseverance, commitment, exhaustion, doubt, strength, reflection. And triumph! At the awards dinner, someone said “Ironman is just a day, but it stays with you forever”. I ‘m sure it will.