I used the word two times on the bike in 2014:
-As I was climbing the same hill I fell on last year it wasn't that difficult of a climb. When I passed the gravel road that I stopped on and fell over last year, I flipped it the bird and sang "Fuuuucccckkkk you."
-As I went down the hill at mile 6 of the bike course, after climbing out of the damn, I screamed "fuuuucckkk yeah."
The bike was challenging but so much fun! I can now see why people think it's a fun bike course. There weren't any wild turkeys crossing my path, I didn't think "are you fucking kidding me" at every turn. I wasn't sick of the wind. It was night and day from the previous year. I passed people, I rode past people walking up hills that I had walked previously and I didn't cramp.
I worked hard in the off season at the Cycle Studio. Sometimes riding as many as 4 times a week. I worked hard at intervals, listened to my coach and the other coaches when they challenged me, I got a compact ring and kept pushing my zones. I'm so close to a 200 Watt TT I can imagine it; I have always sucked at tests.
It paid off and left me wanting more.
I had a decent swim, shaving off 5+ minutes from my 2013 time, I definitely can shave a few more minutes off my swim if I would just stop freaking out when the waves behind me swim into me. My transitions were shorter and I took 1:05 off my bike time. Yes, an hour and five minutes!
My run fell apart. That was actually the other time I said fuck on the course. Brian, Shea and Sara came out on their bikes, I knew that meant I was going slow. I wasn't event really running at that point, I was fucking walking. After the race I told Shea I need a run coach, she said no, you just need to run. Which is the truth. My run was the same time as my run in Cedar Point last year, which is bullshit, because I'm running much faster than last year.
I still finished the race more than an 1:20 faster than 2013. I scored an official finish and I'm so fucking proud of it. Thanks to Chris and Heather who came from an hour of sleep to see me off on the swim and Chris who was the paparazzi taking pictures during the run and at the finish. Thanks to Brian, Shea and Sara for coming out encourage me (and harass!) me on the run and waiting to cheer me on at the finish!
So enough about the race. Let me share some the really fucking cool shit that has happened leading up to this race. I felt like a celebrity at this race, like I was in the Cheers bar and everyone knew my name. I've told a few people this story that didn't realize it and they said I had to share it on the blog, so here it is.
David, Glenn, Tom and Bryan have made a big deal out of me (staff that work Ironman races). I didn't realize until I got to Arizona how much they talk up my story. So David and the Ironband (http://ironbandmusic.com/index.php) caught wind of it. They wrote a song about me. Yeah, I have a music video and everything! I cannot thank all of you enough for making this experience SO unique from everyone's, it's been very cool! <3
Click to watch the video
Take Your Cutoff
http://youtu.be/chdkBEI2J9M
So coming into Kansas I'm so excited to see everyone. I go to the Athlete's Meeting and see David first, he gives me a big hug and we catch up. There's a woman there that is an official, she says "I know your face but don't know who you are." So I give her my name and David tells her how much they love me and that I finished both Kansas and Arizona after they took my timing chip. He said it has always stayed with him how grateful I was when they were there to meet me, I thanked them and had a big smile. They love my attitude.
As I was walking into the store in the village David wished me good luck over the PA. When I went to go buy something in the store, I got a "friend of David's" discount as he knew all about me through the guys.
Before the race I was so glad I got to see everyone else. I ran into Glenn aka the Godfather as he was setting up T1. I ran into Bryan and Tom as they were setting up around T2. I saw David from the Ironband and got to chat with him before the swim. I got another pre-race hug from David Downey before I set up transition.
As my wave got into the water, David wished me good luck on the PA and he told the crowd about me. As I got out of the water they announced I was out and on my way onto the bike as I ran up the yellow brick road carpet to the pavement, which still fucking hurts as much as last year!
Out on the bike Bryan found me a few times and told me I was looking good. I would find out later that he was telling the guys how I was doing.
As I got to mile two of the run, I saw the Godfather and he gave me a big hug. I was running near the run turnaround in the campground and I heard them announcing my name from stage. David was telling everyone that I was last seen on mile 47 on the bike more than an hour ago and I was going to make it to the run. David had no clue where I was on the run and that I could hear him on stage.
Then the coolest God moment happened. Just as I reached the closest point to the stage and finish line from the run at the turnaround point I heard it. The Ironband started playing MY song, the one about me. They had no clue that I was there, but their hope was that I would hear it somehow.
I went through the aid station singing it and telling people it was my song about me. They all started clapping.
As I rounded the last quarter mile before the finish, I was bummed that the award ceremony had already started and David was on stage announcing the winners going to the World Championships in Canada. But as soon as I hit the carpet, which in 2013 was LONG gone by the time I reached that area, I heard it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please pardon the interruption, we have a very special finisher. Our girl Chrissy Vasquez is finishing." David got to announce me from the stage. It was a really awesome and special moment. Tom was at the finish and just before David finished he said "David, guess who's coming to the finish, Chrissy."
Just steps before I reached the official finish my song started. Although the Ironband had to leave, they had downloaded the song and Tom played it as I finished. It gave me goosebumps and a huge smile to sing my song as I crossed the finish. I said to Tom "you didn't have to take my chip this year" and he replied "no way I was going for your chip." I got to say goodbye to Glenn and he said I was their girl and convinced me to sign up for Racine, another race they do. Already can't wait to see them again!
2014 is a year of redemption. I wanted an official finish in Kansas and I got it, taking 1:20 off my time. 1 down, 1 to go! Several months of hard work are in front of me so I can get redemption number 2 at Ironman Arizona in November. Damn it felt good, I can't wait for it again!
Great ****ing post Chrissy! Incredible accomplishment!
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