Quest for Double Iron: The Visualization

2.4 mile Swim
7 a.m. By the sound of a cannon 2,500 Ironman contenders merge beyond the start line to begin the 2009 Lake Placid Ironman. Arms flapping, water splashing, kicking, hitting, trying to make space to propel forward. So begins the swim where for the next 1/2 mile contact with other athletes will be plentiful. Settle in says the mind, settle in. It's going to be a long time in the water.

After 40-45 minutes, the Orca wetsuit with orange on the chest takes a few strides across the beach before re-entering the water. #2433 heads back for lap number two. Another 40-45 minutes later, #2433 will have her wetsuit stripped from her and be sporting a big smile as she climbs up the long course to transition.

112 Mile Bike
The maroon Elite bike is wheeled out of transition, mounted, and so begins a careful descent of some technical turns that will take #2433 out on the race course. Eat, settle in. Warm up the legs. Eat those tough early hills and prepare for the speedy descent into Keene. Focus, focus, focus. Enjoy the beautiful river flowing beside you. Through the flats of Keene, climbing to the finger. In and out of the finger, with it's rolling hills and wind. Make the turn back to town. The wind will cut you down, the hills will make lesser athletes cry, you will pretend it is the climb of the Pyrenes. Three hours and 30-45 minutes or so later, draw from the cheering of family and friends as you wind through town. Grab your special needs bag. Start the course all over again only this time faster and with deeper focus because this is when complacency will cause the unexpected. Eat, drink, focus. Don't forget the secret weapon--a stick of spearmint gum. There will be suffering--dig deep. Seven hours and change later, the smile returns. So happy to disconnect the saddle from her buttocks.

26.2 Mile Run
No, you don't feel like running and 26.2 miles seems so incredibly daunting. Don't dwell on it, it's hard to run when you cry. Be Tiger. Pull the cap down, focus. One mile at a time, a celebration with each passing step. Through town, the road getting quieter and quieter. It's you and the other athletes. Some flying with ease and grace, some sick or injured. Do not quit on yourself. There will be pain, there will be challenges. Down the hill to River Road, so desolate, so isolated. Do not look at the others, be Tiger, focus on what is ahead. The mental peaks and valleys will be plentiful. When it's bad remember the good is right around the corner. Do not give up on yourself, not here, not now. It's easy to climb back into town. So many people cheering you on, look as good as you can, drink in their encouragement. High fives from supporters in my tent, lock into their eyes, draw in their energy, tuck it away for the valleys. Make the turn at the end of the road, run by the Olympic Oval, hear the names of those finishing, head out of town and repeat. Hold strong on River Road. It is long, the body is weak, the mind must be mighty. Down and out on River Road, the glorious sight of the ski jump means the miles are waning. Climb the hills back into town, you can hear the encouragement. The crowd grows thicker, the cheering louder, one last glimpse of family and friends waiting on the sidelines. Down and back, beyond the lake where a life ago this all started, it is all downhill from here. Down the grade to the Olympic oval, the hallowed grounds bring you home. You hear your name, "Liz Towne, you are an Ironman". The finish in sight, don't forget to look good for the camera.