The Best is Yet To Come

Checking in the bike on Friday afternoon w/ the Momma Bear. The machine is sweet as is my awesome pink skulls bento box... and Louis Garneau 2009 helmet!
The bikes tucked in for the night on the pier.

Yup, Race day was my birthday. Smiled all day long.
At 6:30 AM on race day 3 navy seals sky-dived into the water before racing. Very coolModeling the sweetest skinsuits on the planet, made by the fastest wetsuit brand on the planet - Xterra. Thanks, Glynn, Victoria and the whole Xterra crew!!!

The swim start. They call it the "washing machine" . Roughest swim of my life. But by far the most beautiful
Momma B finds the Tsunami evacuation route and practices her safety plan!
Out on the run w/ Julie. We had a great time running together - until she dropped me at mile 24.5
The finish!! Being interviewed by Ironman and NBC crews. I then spent a few hours in the med tent when they discovered I was covered in blood.
Jubilant!!!
Best breakfast ever. "YAY Cake! I love cake!!" - this one's for you Hot Toddie!




So you've all been asking for it - the race report.

Race morning began like any other - wake up early and get the body fueled - 3 cups of applesauce, sports drink, protein shake and a banana... all crammed into less than 100 lbs of me. We all headed out to the race start about 4:45 as you have to line up and get body marked one-by-one before going to transition - and it's a long walk all over. The day before the race I hurt my big toe while running for 5 minutes... it was painful to walk or move it and I was all worried about racing. Yet another example that my Mom is always right - she said I wouldn't even notice it on race day and surprise, surprise - Momma bear was right!

Once on the pier I pumped tires and got my nutrition ready on the bike - that took about 5 minutes and it wasn't even 6 AM. Hung out w/ the Fam and tried to stay relaxed. At 6 AM a conch shell blew and these Tribal drums began to sound. My eyes welled up as I realized I was actually standing on that pier that I've seen on TV for years. The Hawaiin Priest said a blessing and then they announced "Happy Birthday to Amanda Braverman, 24 today!" on the loudspeaker. SO COOL!

At 6:30 3 navy seals sky dived into the water, then came into transition to prepare for their race. I can't imaging starting the day like that.

At 6:45 the pros went off and I entered the water. The NBC camera crew was there and we chatted a bit b/c I was with Rick James, an amazing young athlete that lost use of his legs in a moto-cross accident. He still races motorcross and WINS! He is such an inspiration and he even did the "I'm Rick James!" from the Chappelle show. Such a badass dude! Ironman is hard enough w/ all your limbs to use, I can't imagine doing the whole thing with your arms. Inspiring beyond belief.

I made my way to the front of the pier and began the 15 minute tread water session. Below the surface are divers and camera crews and amazing sea-life paying no mind to the 1800 athletes above!

The pre-swim was as rough as the race - a lot of the men were pushy and dangerous. I looked up to see mike Reilly talking to someone and managed to catch a 5 second countdown. The drums still beating I smiled and then went deaf in my right ear from the cannon. Thought I was having a great swim, but guess the currents were stronger than I thought as my swim was SLOW! As I went around the turn-around sailboat, A guy that had been swimming on me clawed up and ripped off my cap and goggles. I frantically searched for them and not sure how, but I found them just as they were sinking. Strapped the goggles on and continued on my way. Came out of the water and was shocked to see my bad time, but didn't really care - the swim was amazing.

Onto the bike I let people go. Alex M and M warned me not to go too hard in the first little out and back. I heeded the advice and loosened the legs up. Good thing b/c a lot of people got penalties there.

I saw Mom and John and Dad and they said I was 8th - nice, top 10, though I didn't really care where I was today - this was my day to enjoy, no matter the finishing place.

The first 40 miles of the bike were awesome - averaged about 20 mph and then the wind hit. Hawaii, despite the TV coverage, is quite hilly - if you're not going up, you're going down. Mostly with a honking head wind and unpredictable cross-winds. Race day favored the larger athletes and us small folk got tossed around. Heading up to Hawi (and on many downhills) I was barely averaging 10 mph - Instead of getting demoralized, I just focused on my nutrition and on not getting blown over. I was blown across the road a few times and just tried to take it all in. Everyone was going thru the same thing.

Leaving the turn-around at Hawi was a pick-me up as we were headed home. There was a nice respite from the headwind, though the cross winds were still brutal.

I was hoping for some downhill and tailwind. No luck. The winds changed on me on my way home and it was just HARD! Before the race they announced the aid stations would be every 5 miles. I thought that was overkill. I took bottles from every aid station on the bike. Pouring cola over myself accidentally at one. THe volunteers were amazing and militant. Such great folk! It's hard work!

Coming off the bike I wrote off the bike time and just looked forward to running. The run around the pier takes a while and I think should be part of the marathon - no matter! Out on the run I felt good and saw friends and family instantly. It was like Alpe D'huez! The first bit of the run takes you uphill on Palani and then out and down t o Alii Drive, past our condo (which I refused to look at) and out to a sweet church that opens on the water about 6 miles later.

I was feeling good - legs weren't super snappy, but going into this race sick ( which I've never done before), I kinda expected the body to not feel really fresh. I just chugged long and at mile 11-12 I was headed back up Palani Hill and saw my family - and the crowd sang happy birthday. I saw Juancito and pointed to my visor - represent, represent! Farther up the hill was Eric Hodska - my Hawaii Guru.

I caught a girl in my age group on the hill and she asked me if I'd keep her company. We ran together all the way until mile 24.5 when she dropped me. Thanks, chica! Just kidding - so excited you were able to open it up!

I did the run taking in the scenery and going aid station to aid station. Despite the slow pace, we never walked a step and it was great to have company. About mile 19, Megan Searfoss (one of Eric's athletes) came around us and I told her I hoped my butt looked that good after 3 kids! She crushed it and had a great finish.

At mile 24.5 Amy girl came up on us and accelerated. I was so excited and I told Amy I was so proud of her - she was going to be an Ironman and I was so happy she beat me to the line. Just awesome Amy girl!

Coming down Alii to the finish was surreal. It is one of the greatest feelings in the world, aside from riding my horses. I crossed the line in my slowest Ironman time to date, but absolutely stoked to be there. The NBC and Ironman crews interviewed me and I finally got my lei. I saw my parents and John and wanted to thank them, but could not get the words out, I think I just smiled and shook my head.

Then the medical team came up to me. I was covered in blood and they asked where it was from. "my feet? I don't know, didn't know I was bleeding!" They rushed me to the medical tent for an exam to make sure I wasn't hemorrhaging and we found that it was some really bad chaffing on my poor lady bits (sorry to be graphic guys- ladies, you KNOW how much this hurts). After a few hours in the med tent I was finally allowed to leave. Got a massage and headed home.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to race the Ironman World Championships. I could not have done it without the friendship, support and generosity of so many people. I thought about you all day and it reminded me to stay positive and enjoy the experience more than anything. This was by far the hardest race I've ever done and it gave me new perspective.

BIG Mahalos to:

Mom and Dad - first of all for having me 24 years ago and for giving me some pretty sweet athletic genes. You are my greatest inspiration and I have no doubt, my biggest supporters.

John - I never thought I'd call myself Ironman, not to mention 4 times, 5 years ago. Thank you for making me believe my dreams can come true and to never limit myself.

Jim - Thank you for being my super motivator. Can't wait to watch you cross the line this November!

Eric - Your friendship, guidance and advice mean more to me than I can express. No matter how random or ridiculous the question, you always have an answer for me.

To all of my friends and family - you remind me on a daily basis of how lucky I am to do all this and to have such amazing supporters. Your calls, emails and texts were the foundation of yesterday's race.

Huge congrats to Cait and Tim Snow and Jesse of qt2systems. Cait won IM LP this year and toop 12 here!! WOW! Alex M and M, Sue and all of my other buddies who raced yesterday!!

To my sponsors:

Block Island Sport shop: Jim and Marion run the shop and it is the hub of everything athletic on the island. Huge thank you for your support of me this year. From shoes to clothing to sweet bags and sunglasses, I know I'm covered head to toe in the sweetest gear around.

Xterra Wetsuits - The fastest wetsuits on the planet - they got me to Hawaii and had me comfy in the water on race day.

Bear Naked - Yummiest granola ever. Go eat some. Banana Nut.

Cannondale Bicycles - fastest bikes. The slice felt solid and comfy. Can't wait to ride the '09! Thanks to Murray, Bill, Matt and the whole C-dale crew for getting me decked out and taking care of me and my ride!!

Perfect 3 nutrition - Thank you to Matt for his guidance. Registered dietitian with experience with top level athletes. And he tells me to eat more. I love Matt.

Larabar - 5 ingredients or less. Totally natural. Totally yummy.

Elizabeth Braverman Horse Training - pony rides to experienced dressage riders - she'll make you better.

Louis Garneau - Thanks to Pierre for hooking me up with the sweetest new LG aero brain bucket for this race... you can get yours in 2009!



So where to next? I'm still registered for Florida - not sure if I'll race or not. 3 weeks.

Now it's time to think about next year's goals....