Ironman Wisconsin 2009-My day as a volunteer and spectator

As you all should know by now I am doing Ironman Wisconsin in 2012. I started volunteering last year and will volunteer every year until I do it and will volunteer again after I do it. It is such an awesome experience, so here is my day as a volunteer and spectator in pictures. Enjoy.



This year I was only able to volunteer the day of Ironman unlike last year where I volunteered Saturday and Sunday. Keith's sister came in to visit us from California and I had a U2 concert the night before, which was AWESOME!! I parked around the lake from where the swim start was. This first few pictures are the view as I was walking to the swim start. I love this one with the boats.



The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon.





I'm getting closer you can start to see the swim bouys in the distance.



As I was walking I was welcomed by this sign.



I got situated on the lake front in time to hear the cannon go off and the pros start.



Ten minutes later the age groupers started.







Here are the pros starting the second loop. They were amazing. Everyone was amazing the whole day.



I got myself to the finish line. I had several friends doing it and was hoping to see them come out of the water. I also love to watch the wetsuit strippers in action. It's fun and a job I hope I can get next year. :)



Here they are in action. I had three friends specifically that I was trying to see come out of the water. They are Matt, Nic, and Ken. It gets so crazy and I missed all three of them. The neat thing is is that they came out of the water at the 1:09 mark and were within seconds of each other. They don't even know each other. Amazing.







This Ironman athlete lost 185 pounds on the way to his Ironman dream. Another lady lost 180 pounds.



This guy lost 211 pounds on his journey. They are so inspiring to me. By the time I toe the line at my Ironman I will have lost between 130-145 pounds, so I enjoyed being able to be there and cheer them on.



Here are the strippers cheering on the last swimmers. I stayed until the cutoff to cheer on the last swimmers.



Hree comes one of the last swimmers. I thought he was cute and we were all hoping his speedo stayed on while he was stripped. It did. :)



Here is the last swimmer that made it out of the water as the cutoff time hit. I have never yelled so much as I did cheering him in. He just made it. There were only 6 swimmers I believe that did not make it if I am remembering right. There was a 3 year old next to me in her mom's arms while I was screaming like a wild banchee and she looked at me and said, "You're loud." HAHA



After watching the swim finish, I headed to State and Lake Street where I would be volunteering for 8 hours at a run aid station. On the way there I took this picture.



Here is a picture of State Street with the capitol in the background. On this street everyone writes messages to their atheletes in side walk chalk. What follows are the messages I wrote to my friends.




Here is my message to my friend Ken. He was doing his first Ironman and rocked it. Proud of you Ken.


This was a funny message that I laughed at.



I met Nic last year volunteering. We kept in touch and I am so glad because now I got to be part of his first Ironman. Nic, you are a stud, and you really rocked it. He did his first Ironman in 11 hours 15 minutes. Great Job!!



Here is my message for my friend Matt from The Fitness Pursuit. Great job out there Matt and all you other TFP atheletes.



Team Brazo (Robert) is a friend I met online through our blogs. We met last year in person for the first time at a blogger meet up dinner the night before IMWI. We did not get to see each other this race, but he did AWESOME!!



XT4 (Chris) and I met at the blogger dinner last year as well and follow each others blogs. Unfortunately, we did not see each other all day either, but I was cheering and praying for him all day. Great job Chris.



I just liked how this looked. People of all ages were writing messages for their atheletes and were out there supporting them for the full 17 hours plus some. Spectating takes a lot of dedication and I know that all the atheletes appreicate it. Anyone not busy in 2012 is welcome to come out and cheer me on. I'll need all the support I can get that day.



Here I am at my aid station meeting. We were all set up and ready to go for the first runners. Just getting our last minute directions.



We were told in an email that the aid station was jungled themed and that we could dress up, so I brought an Indy hat and snake, but the thing is no one else dressed up, so I ended up not wearing it. We also helped make the balloon arch.



Here we are filling water. A couple weeks before this I joined a Masters Swim class at the YMCA. The guy to my right, Bill, is in that class. We had never met, started talking one day, figured out we were both volunteering at the same station, and he's doing it next year. GO BILL. Small world. We had a lot of fun. Those are his friends Bob and Kim.



We had an announcement that the first runner was coming, so I was all ready. I wanted to give the first runner his water. If you notice someone running in the background, that was not the first runner. HAHA



Here is Pro, Chris McDonald. I heart him. He won this race last year. I got to give him water twice. S I G H!!



Here is Kim giving pro Hilary Biscay water. I heart her too. She won it last year.



I cannot remember this little boys name, but he was such a trooper and really wanted to help and he did. When he realized at one point that more runners were taking Gatorade he ditched us for the Gatorade table. HAHA.


Here are Bob and Kim in action.



Here they are hamming it up for the camera.



Look at this awesome aid station. I will be volunteering at it again next year. It's also a great way to see your friends that are doing the race a few times.



Here is my buddy Nic. Always has to flex for the camera. He looked strong the whole run. I was bummed I didn't get to see him cross the finish line. He was so fast, I was still volunteering at the time.



This is my friend Chris. We met through our blogs, met in person last year at gear check. I had the honor of giving him his medal at his first Ironman. Can't wait to see you out there again Chris. He's doing IMWI 2010.



Tihs is a new friend I met, Katie, she will be doing it next year as well. Good Luck Katie.



This is my friend Ken. This was his first Ironman. We volunteered together a lot last year. That is how we met and we will be friends now for a long time. Gotta love his jersey. HAHA



Can anyone guess what these are? Yeah, us either. Actually they are power bars, but by the looks of them they should have been called Power Pooh!!



My friend Chris again.



Chris in action.



Ok, this is one awesome man. This is my friend Larry. We met years ago on a message board on active.com that I started called PLUS SIZE TRIATHLETE. We started emailing and kept in touch. He had some weigh to lose, he had gotten adult onset asthma, and never knew how to swim. In the last 5 years he has learned to swim, control his asthma, and has lost weight. His first Ironman was last year and this was his second. We lost touch and there I was at my aid station, grab a water, hold it up, yell water, and there was Larry. I'm so proud of him. He is 53 and this is not his last Ironman by any means. Larry I know you had a tough day, but you overcame it to finish and hear your name again. "Larry Schultz, you are an Ironman."





This is my friend, Maddie. We both go to the same weight watchers meeting. She now in college in Madison. She stopped by to see me twice at my aid station. She was about 70 pounds overweight in high school and decided to lose her weight by graduation so she could have a more active life in college. I'm so proud of you Maddie. I can't wait to have you cheering for me in 2012. Thanks for all your support and encouragement.



Here's Nic again.



Here comes Matt.



Way to go Matt getting a sub 12 time. You were great out there.



Here is a picture of me and Chris. Chris thanks for being such an encouraging friend. I appreciate you.



I wrote all my friends names on my arms. I cheered for them all day and prayed for them all day.



You guys all rocked.



Here I am waiting for a few of my friends to cross the finish line. Nic and Matt finished in under 12 hours, so I missed them. I was looking for Larry, Ken, Chris and Robert.


Here is an athlete from The Fitness Pursuit. Not sure who, but way to go!!



Here is TFPer Lauri crossing the finish line. I worked out with her once at The Fitness Pursuit. Way to go Lauri.



I loved this poster. So true!!



Here is my buddy Ken crossing the finish line. "Ken you are an Ironman." Great job.



Looking for Ken in this mob.

Yay, I found him. I missed Chris and Robert crossing the finish line, but saw my friend Larry come in. By that point my battery in my camera was dead, so no picture of Larry. I got to go and congratulate him. Last year I missed him crossing the finish line, so I'm glad I got to see him this year.

The race officially ends at midnight, but a bunch of us stayed until 12:30 to cheer in the last athelete. Two people that came in before her were Jenny and Mike Wimmer. They are a couple that I just learned about online they have both lost a lot of weight and although they DNFed (Did not finish) this race they are amazing and very inspirational to me. I got to see Mike cross the finish line around 12:16.You'll get them next year for sure. Thanks for inspiring me even more in my journey.

After the day I went to bed at my hotel and had to head back to real life the next day. :( Can't wait for next year.

Meet my new coach

I would like you all to meet my new coach, Bob Mitera. Bob, this is everyone. :) The picture taken above was taken on September 20, 2009 at our 5k we were doing together. The only problem is that Bob had a bad bike accident three days before and was in an arm sling. He had to walk it. My goal for the day was to beat him and I did. :)

Bob and I met a long time ago working out at the YMCA. I was doing a little bit of weight training and I kept noticing this guy with an Ironman finishers hat on. So I decided to go work out on some weights next to him, so I could strike up a conversation. I asked him about what Ironman he was in and we talked for a long time. I love when people who have done an Ironman don't mind taking the time to talk to me. I love hearing their perspective and their advice. At the end of our conversation we exchanged info and he said if I ever needed anything to let him know and he would be happy to help.

The time had come where I was ready for a change in my training. I remember talking to Bob a long time ago and that he mentioned he was a coach. I sent him a message on facebook. I really was not sure what I was going to do at this point, but wanted to see what he was all about and see if we would be a good match. I really felt like he was the one to coach me to my goal of Ironman and beyond. I talked to Keith and then to him and on August 4, 2009 I hired Bob to be my coach. We were in the gym on August 8 working out. I knew that day that I had made the right change.

Bob is awesome. Everything he has me do has Triathlon in mind. He always has a great explanation as to why I am doing something. He will explain that "we are working this muscle group to be stronger on the swim." I love how he does that. He answers my emails and calls right away and is always ready to lend a helping hand. He is very encouraging yet pushes me and gets me to do things that I never thought I could.

Bob is very kind and compassionate and really shows that to me as an athlete. He cares about me as a person as well as an athlete, but it is in that order. I know that I will reach my goal of Ironman and will do so with Bob at my side. I look forward to the future of my events and my life and cannot wait to see what lies ahead in all the areas, the mental, physical, and the spiritual.

Thanks Bob already for all your encouragement. You are greatly appreciated. Here's to our journey together.

CHECK OUT BOB'S BLOG AT www.kokuamultisports.blogspot.com
Bob has started a new coaching business called Kokua Multisports. Watch for more details on his blog or contact him at robertmitera@comcast.net

Enjoy your workout!!

Here is a conversation I had recently with someone.

Them: Hey enjoy your workout. Actually that's impossible. Never mind.

Me: I actually do enjoy them.

Them: Really I didn't think it was possilbe.

Me: It is.


After walking away, heading to the gym, I was really happy with this conversation. I realized just how far I'd come. I used to feel the same way as the person that said this. I now look forward to going to the gym and working out. Now don't get me wrong it does not mean that my workouts are easy by any means, but I do enjoy them. Every workout I am closer to my goals. My goals of losing 130 pounds. My goal of being the mom and wife that I want to be physically. My goal of not dying young like my mom. My goal of doing longer distance triathlons, and eventually an Ironman. My goal of being happy.

During my workouts i put my Ipod on and crank my music. It is just me, my music, and nothing else. I get in the zone. I do a lot of mental imaging. I picture myself out on the course for IMWI. I picture myself seeing my friends and family in the stands at the finish line cheering me in. I picture myself doing a marathon at Walt Disney World. I picture myself old playing with my grandkids and not dying young like my mom. I picture myself doing things I have never dreamed of and what is awesome is that I am starting to live my dreams. My dreams are not that far out of my reach and that's incredible and that is why I enjoy my workouts. I, Melissa Black, who was 306 pounds enjoys working out. I enjoy life and I am happy. I cannot wait to see what's next.

Ironman 2009

I am so excited that Ironman Wisconsin 2009 is upon us.

I will be volunteering from 1030am-730pm. I look forward to it.

If any of you are doing and you have not told me yet. Please send me your bib number and estimated time of finishing. I will be spectating at the finish line from the time I am done volunteering until the last athlete crosses the finish line at midnight.

Even if you are not doing the race let me know if you are volunteering, spectating, or whatever, so we can at least say hi.

I don't know if all of you know I have moved my Ironman date from 2013 to 2012. I wish it could be sooner, but I'm not pushing it. I will be doing Ironman Wisconsin as my first Ironman. Mark it on your calendars now, September 2012, and come support me, IronMeepa.

Stay tuned for more Ironman Wisconsin 2009 updates and pictures to follow.

Change

It's hard to be ready to change and to be changing and some of the people in your life are not ready for you to change and do not like that you are changing.

I think that some people in my life have become comfortable with how I have been in the past and are not so comfortable anymore because I'm taking charge of my life.

Change is good and it is so good for me right now.

I need to do what is best for me and these changes are good for me.

I hope you can all understand and enjoy seeing me change for the better.

The old me is gone. Please take time to get the new me. It's ok, you'll like her.

Exciting Find!!

I am doing really well in my healthier life overhaul. I'm at 52 pounds lost. I'm dealing with the mental aspects of my weight loss journey and I find that I am the happiest I have been in years.

The other day I had to move my dresser to make room for a new one. I found some index cards that I had made a few years ago after reading Dr. Phil's Weight Loss book. What's cool is that back then I was trying to convince myself that what they said was true. I was reading the cards the day I found them and am so excited because I believe them now. Dr. Phil's advice was to write these down and read them to yourself everyday until you believe them. I will keep reading them, but like I said am very excited because I DO BELIEVE THEM. :) I hope that these quotes may help you in your journey as well.

Here is what the first card says:

It feels good to be in control.

When I get up in the morning I'm excited about the day!

No longer ashamed of my reflection in the mirror, I like what I see and I'm proud of who I am.

I've found discipline to eat according to my needs rather than be driven by self-destructive habits, impulses or diets.

Able to face another day without overeating, I no longer allow habit and cues to dictate my life.



Here is the next card I found:

I have a rock-solid foundation for my new eating habits that cannot be destroyed.

I live more fully now that my body is functioning better, and I am free to forget about food and get on with living.

Gone are my old excesses, and I now have time to use for productive, enjoyable activities.

Whether learning a new sport (TRIATHLONS), reading a book, or writing a poem, I enjoy it more because I am not overeating.

I've discovered skills I didn't think I had.

I have CONFIDENCE to get involved in new pursuits.




I love this next one:

When I walk into a room, people are cheering for me because they have known and shared my struggle.

I'm asked what I've done to look so great.

I finally feel good in my clothes-no more pants that won't fasten across my stomach and no more outfits intended to hide my fatness.

As my body gets thinner, healthier, and more athletic, I experience it with greater awareness and pleasure.





The next one says:

I have gained new satisfaction and self-respect in whatever I choose to do.

I know life won't be a bed for roses in the future anymore than it is today, but I know how to deal with difficulties.

I know how to handle life with greater maturity.

I know how to cope with life in positive ways without escaping into food.

I am no longer going in circles, but moving forward with tremendous clarity about why I am in this world and what I am supposed to do while I am here.

There is adventure in my day and joy in my heart. I have learned to live a life of meaning and significance.




The final card is to read when a crisis hits. I have seen this in motion in the last month in my life. Enjoy:

This is exactly what I knew would happen and I will not be ambushed by this situation.

In the past, a crisis was a cue for disintegration, now it's a cue for coping!

I am prepared because I have positive ways to cope with crisis, rather than react by choosing food and behavior that put my physical and emotional manageable fashion, and not make foolish choices.

I AM IN CONTROL, AND I HAVE NO DESIRE TO JEOPARDIZE THAT CONTROL



I really think it is neat after years after making these cards they fit my life so much right now. I do not think it is a coincidence that I found these cards. God knew that I was ready for them and had me find them. I have grown so much. Back when I made the cards I was not ready for change. Not only am I ready for change now, but I am changing, and will never go back to that person I had become. I don't even know her anymore and am very excited to get to know the new person that I have become and am becoming.

Exciting things are yet to come and I CAN'T WAIT!!

All of the above quotes that I had written on the index cards were taken from Dr. Phil's Weight Loss Book.