How to be an Awesome Spectator

Yesterday my amazing husband competed in Ironman Wisconsin 2013. He planned for his nutrition, fluids and any technical issues he would have. My preparation as a spectator was kind of the same, but different....  Here is my list of what you can't live without if you are going to survive watching a race that lasts longer than...well, things that are really long. 

1. Wear sneakers. That picture is from pre-race for HIM. Notice I'm all geared up too. Running shoes on. You will never make it to transitions if you don't run your ass off. And I mean run. It makes it easier if cops are chasing you (don't ask)...you have to run faster than them if you're going to make it to see him  leaving transition. Be ready. 

2. Wear a sports bra. You can't run fast without it. Plus it holds lots of stuff. I kept his race splits written down in there for easy access, my phone, phone charger, and a few bucks. 

3. Wear a backpack. Have a backpack packed for yourself, but remember he is going to give you all of his extra crap when he jumps in the water. You will look like a Sherpa and feel like one too, but you really don't get to complain on Ironman race days. Pack only what you NEED. Ladies, this is not a day for your latest Michael Kors bag. It looks cute, but your butt is just going to sit at Starbucks all day if you're dressed for cuteness on race day. That's a fact, Jack. 

4. Bring TP. Pack a roll of toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. You will have to most likely embrace the porta potty...just deal for 1 day. Think of how strong your thighs will be from all the hovering you'll be doing. And the TP? Yup, I needed it. There is no one to ask, "can you spare a square?", in a porta John. But I stole a roll from our hotel room, so I was good. Pack it. 

5.  Pack snacks. Make sure you pack crackers for yourself and a drink like coconut water (it has great electrolytes). You will need the electrolytes when you forget to eat all day and are ready to pass out. This came in handy yesterday (yes I had the snacks, but I'm lazer focused on race days on finding/cheering for/sharing some good energy with my husband, and I forget to eat). So be smarter than me and eat. 

6. Take maps. Chances are you are in an unknown city for the race, like we are, and you have no clue of where to go. I made it my job to pump locals we met for any extra info, and I made friends with a super nice cop (not the guy who chased me earlier) and picked his brain about how to beat the crowds from spot to spot. Yes, some side street I went down was desolate and had no "race goers" in thick lines down the roadway, but it just made me run faster to get to the next spot, and I was right up against the barrier. Score. I also circled locations where I thought I could see Bill the most, numbered them, and stuck to my plan. 

7. Know Splits.  Have your husband/friend/whomever give you their approx race splits, and corresponding times of day that will match up.  It makes estimating their arrival times into a viewing area much easier to predict. 

8. Be a hawk. You will get to know race goers as the day goes on, especially people who have loved ones around your persons timing...if their friend/family passes through an area before your friend/family member, take note. At the next good-viewing-spot, they may have a good position, closest to the racers. Stand with/behind them...as soon as their person comes by, they're bolting, and so are YOU, right into their spot. People are bat-shit-crazy when jockeying for position  to be closest to the race. I'm right there with them. That's why I watch, wait, then pounce into their spot as soon as they turn to go. I watched old ladies get pretty hard core yesterday trying to get into good position. Stay aware, people!  If your racer doesn't get to see/hug/kiss you along the race, then you may as well have stayed home. They NEED YOU out there! Hustle!

9. Be willing to wait. Especially during an Ironman, once they go out on a portion of the race, they will be gone for awhile. This does not mean you get a break. It means you have six hours to get your behind into the most perfect position to see them return. Waiting for my husband to come in on the bike, I stood on my tippy toes, hanging over a 3-story concrete barrier for about 2 hours. Yes, my toes went numb, and I think I bruised my ribcage, but I saw him come in off the bike, and was able to bust it to get a sweaty kiss from him as he was starting on the run. 

For the finish? I went over 2 hours early, staked it out, found the best position then waited for an opening. I got in, then stood still for a loooooong time. It was worth it. He saw me, and I saw him finish. Boom. My race was over too. 

10. Scream like crazy when you see your person. They will be in the midst of the most...ahem..."messed up" anguish and pain they have ever experienced. Letting them see you gives them the little lift that will help propel them through the next umpteen miles.  My husband kept saying, "My god you're all over this course!".  Well, hell yeah I am! 

I put those running shoes on for a reason. 

Have a great day, and remember to forgive my formatting until I can get home to an actual computer! Thx people!!

{Jenn}

IMWI 2013 finisher

Awesome job, babe!!! Love you💗

Ironman Wisconsin 2013. Done!

IMWI 2013....out of the swim

My husband is right on track...the race morning has been really exciting. Cool temps~ seem like perfect conditions for the bike/run!

{he always draws the girls faces on his arm~it's good luck...}

This team got the loudest roar from the crowd! I'm not sure if they are friends, brothers, or what...but I do know everyone was inspired when they came out of the swim!

Congrats to everyone on the course! They are all biking now...

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

IMWI 2013 Buzz

Pre-race in full effect...body marking, bike checks, and potty breaks...the energy is kind of like a live wire flopping around in a puddle..this place is buzzing!

IMWI Race Day 2013

Damn, it's early....

"Happy Accident" Bars

There are times in the morning when I don't feel like messing around with all the bags of ingredients...especially if I'm not in the mood for our apple cereal, or I'm feeling extremely lazy, and think that drinking coffee as breakfast is a good idea (it's not).

These bars happened by accident. It was a day when the apple cereal wasn't chopped up in the fridge already, and I figured I'd mix up a small bowl of ingredients for myself.  I had already mixed the dry ingredients, and added the milk when I realized we were out of apples (figures!). 

Instead of throwing it out (sorry that costs too much to pitch!), I put the mixture on a piece of foil and stuck it in the fridge. About an hour later I thought maybe I'd just add the blob to some yogurt and call it a day. But when I retrieved the blob from the fridge, I noticed it basically resembled a "bar" like consistency, since the dry ingredients absorbed the almond milk. So I mixed up more, and realized I had just figured out a way of making a portable version of our usual apple breakfast that required several bags of different ingredients. 

They hold up very well in the fridge in a container, but since they're kind of "wet" they will go bad (after maybe a week or so?), and they are NOT something you can take on a run (unless you don't mind a pocket full of mush). 

But if you're going on vacation, and don't want to travel with a ton of small bags of Bobs Red Mill products, this is a great alternative, and makes creating a healthy breakfast quick and easy. 

When I make these, I break one up in a mug with Greek yogurt, or add to some chopped fruit and slivered almonds. If I'm in a real hurry, I'll eat the bar on its own...but that's not the best tasting option, believe me...It does give you the nutrition you're looking for, though. 

Something tells me, on our journey to Wisconsin for my husbands upcoming Ironman competition, that these bars will be on the list of foods that travel with us.  God knows we'll be packing a ton...

 

"Happy Accident" Breakfast Bars

1c oats

1/2c ground flaxseed meal

1c shredded, unsweetened coconut 

1/2c hemp protein powder

1/4c sesame seeds

1/4c agave syrup

1c unsweetened almond milk

Mix together all ingredients (you can also put in whatever amount of "add-ins" you like, like chapped dates, mini choc chips, pulsed almonds). Flatten on piece of foil on cookie sheet or large plate.  Place in fridge, to set up for about an hour. 

Cut into bars as a "serving size". Makes about 36, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" big. 

Mix them with....whatever!  Experiment with the add-ins, the recipe is what I make, but I'm sure they would be just fine to add, and still stick together :)

Enjoy❤

Have a great day!

 

{Jenn}

 

PS-I linked to Bob's Red Mill because I love the products, I'm not affiliated with them at all...just a favorite.

Give Blood

Recently, when a Philadelphia police officer was shot, there was a call to donate blood on the news. Thankfully people came out in force to help. Of course blood is needed  in the event if a tragedy, but it's also needed for people in hospitals everyday. It made me think of the day I was the one in need. 

I received a blood transfusion when I gave birth to our first daughter, and it saved my life. 

I remember thinking that I wished the bags of blood hung on that IV pole had pictures on them, so I could see who was saving me. But, of course, it's anonymous....so here is my thank you, after almost 11 years, to the people who gave me my life back, and allowed me to be a mom, wife and daughter. 

Dear Donor, 
 

I know this is a long overdue thank you, but to me it will always feel like yesterday when you saved my life.  Maybe it was on your way to work, maybe on your lunch break.  Maybe it was at a blood donation event where they had those tables set up, full of juice and cookies for your "after-donating" treat. Regardless, wherever you were, you saved me. 

Maybe you donated because you thought it was nice to do. Maybe your employer encouraged you, or a friend was going that morning and you tagged along. Your simple decision to take a moment, and give your blood saved me. 

It's kind of obscure when you donate blood. You usually don't get to see the face of the person you are helping.  I am forever grateful, and there's something I want you to know...   I never thought I was going to need you. I had been a donor before, but never considered I'd be the one needing the donation. 

My first pregnancy was generally normal, but the delivery was not. My labor was extremely difficult and our daughter was a very big baby, got stuck, and had to have her clavicle broken to get her delivered. My body barely handled the prolonged labor, and trauma during birth.

About seven hours after having our daughter, I was in my room, alone with the new baby. My family had all gone home to change and get something to eat. I buzzed the nurse because I was in severe pain, and honestly thought I was having another baby. When she walked in I knew something terrible was happening. The look on her face, and the immediate call for every staff member on the floor told me something was very wrong. I was in the midst of a postpartum hemorrhage and had been bleeding out.

I could feel myself fading and wanting to sleep. There was one nurse whose only job was to hold my hand and stay in my face to keep me conscious. "YOU STAY WITH ME", is what I remember her saying the most, nose to nose with me, staring into my eyes. Others were on top of me in the bed, trying desperately to stop the bleeding. The pain was unimaginable, and I was scared out of my mind. 

My family arrived. I was taken quickly to the ICU. I remember the glass walls, and harrowed expressions. I was scared, but too compromised to realize how bad it actually was. I was in and out of consciousness but distinctly heard the doctor say, "If this bleeding doesn't get under control, we're going to have to do an emergency hysterectomy".  I was 28. I instantaneously realized the situation was worse than I thought.  The look on the doctors face was grim.  Then I started to bleed out, again. 

And that's when you came into my room, stayed by my bedside, and you saved my life. You didn't know it at the time, but nurses rushed in with bags of your blood, and started the transfusion. I recall two separate transfusions, but honestly, I have a hard time piecing my ICU visit together completely, so I'm unsure how much blood I actually recieved. I was very out of it, my body struggling with itself. The only blood I had left inside of me had rushed to my core internal organs. That's what your body does to try to keep you alive. It felt chaotic. 

But when you came along, my body calmed down. You may have been home playing with your kids, or eating dinner, but really you were saving me in my hospital room.  Superhero kind of work, and you didn't even know it.

I do have a perfect memory of looking at the bags of blood, and thinking, "thank you, thank you" to whomever had given me this second chance. I don't even want to consider what would've happened to me had blood not been available.  It was right before Christmas, and the nurses kept telling me I had better get well enough to 'get outta there' by Christmas Eve with that new baby. I listened. We left the hospital on the 23rd. 

You made that possible. You let me experience becoming a mom, continue to be a wife and daughter, and because your blood saved me, you gave me two more gifts. The hysterectomy never had to happen, and our daughter got to become a big sister, twice {I know, it sounds crazy that I had more kids...}.

My life with my family would not be what is without the gift you gave me. 

So even though we've never met, you stood by my side on the scariest day of my life, and have been with me ever since that day. Your gift runs through my veins. You became a part of me. 

Thank you for taking the time on that lunch break, way to work, or drive home to give blood. Your kindness was not lost on me. And it still makes me cry grateful tears. 

Sincerely, 

{Jenn}

To become a blood donor, go here and to find a local blood donation site (Delaware area) click here.