We Got A Leaner!

Training and racing Ironmans was a great chapter. It was hard work but I was driven and encouraged by my teammates at Dynamo and Coach Matthew to push myself farther than I thought was possible. It worked. I got faster and achieved my goals but I never really loved racing. The nerves and pressure always felt so heavy. I did love the training and traveling together as a team. The best part of being in Dynamo was going to watch my teammates race. Just imagine standing in the shade with a cold drink in your hand yelling “YOU CAN DO THIS!” and then sitting back down in your lawn chair after they pass and shake your head thinking about how much that must hurt. However, the very best part of cheering at an Ironman race are the midnight finishers. If you are really lucky you might even get a leaner.

The Ironman course shuts down at midnight. After watching my buddies all finish, I would grab some dinner and a shower and then head back out to the course around 10PM with my bike. Location is key. I wanted to be about a mile from the finish line so I could still hear infamous Ironman announcer Mike Reilly. Before his retirement, Mike served as the finish line announcer and roll-down MC at over 200 Ironman events worldwide. I met Mike in Utah and he felt like family. He loved these final finishers too – especially the ones that would come stumbling through the dark with their glow sticks waving trying desperately to make the cut off.

Mike would get word that an athlete was coming and he would ramp up the crowd before you could see them coming. I liked to ride out to them and cheer them on. I never ceased to be impressed by these fighters. Sure, it’s also impressive that the podium finishers finished in time for brunch but these racers were my real heroes. They were regular folks achieving what used to seem impossible or they were seasoned athletes that had a tough day. They stuck it out – gritted their teeth through pain and suffering even though they were moving so slowly. Just because they said they would. No one really cares about your time at the end of the day but making that midnight finish was everything.

I’m not sure why it happens, but every once in a while you get a “leaner.” A leaner is an athlete that had pushed so hard for so long that they couldn’t keep their bodies upright at the finish. This got Mike really excited and he would scream into the microphone – “Hey folks! Looks like we got a leaner.” The crowd would go wild and cheer on the poor soul shuffling sideways through the chute. It always brought tears to my eyes to watch the relief fall over their faces when they saw the finish and knew that they were going to make it time. I am going to finish this thing but it ain’t pretty – you’ve got your leaner!

I felt slightly better after two nights at Riverton but the small town was starting to strangle so I headed out for the beach walk to Oreti. I wasn’t completely right yet but felt strong enough to walk slowly. It was a slog along the thirteen miles of beach until I got to Oreti Beach campground. They had one cabin left and I snagged it and then grabbed some dinner at the cafe next door. Kazu and Ryuji were also there having just finished the trail and relaxing for a few days before heading out. Kazu is headed back to Belgium and Ryuji is going to Bali. Now that they were both done, I think they felt a little more free to share their experiences. They both had fun but were just as frustrated as I was by the seemingly endless road walks and mud sections. We all agreed that it was a great experience and the Kiwis made it all worth it in the end with their endless hospitality. Seriously, these people have hearts of gold. They were so kind to us every single day.

I also caught up with KJ and Sophie – they are two super sweet Kiwi SOBO hikers that hiked the South Island together. We really hit it off. Before I left Oreti Beach campground, they convinced me to stay at the last trail angel farm stay on the route. I’m a sucker for farm stays. This one was run by a super friendly guy from the Netherlands and he had pigs, llamas, sheep, chickens, geese and kittens. Any chance to pet a pig and I’m in. We met there after a long and boring road walk along the highway. It was just six miles from the finish but we all had some extra camp food to eat through and I was feeling nostalgic for just one more night in the tent.

We set out together at 6AM for our last hike. The hike started off on the highway but then it took a hard right into the bush and the TA had one final surprise for us. The trail climbed up a gentle slope and we dipped into a beautiful coastal track. The sun was just making its way above the horizon and the gentle waves were splashing against the rocky shoreline. This trail is on the undeveloped part of Bluff – super quiet and easy terrain. It was exactly what I needed as all of the complicated and strong emotions started surging to the surface. I am happy to be done and I can’t wait to see Bryan and Chuck but it’s the end of something very cool. Some of the days were miserable but most of them were very special. I will miss my hiker trash lifestyle and all of the kindred spirits that I met along the way. I had that lump in my throat as we made the final climb across Bluff Hill to the finish marker. We turned the corner and there it was – the Bluff sign that had seemed so far away. I touched it just to make sure and the girls grabbed a great finisher’s shot.

Post hike is a weird time. I feel so relieved and happy that I made it but now my daily purpose is gone just like that. I have so much to look forward to though. I am embarking on a new chapter if my life and I can’t wait to get back to my sweet family, friends, swim team, rowing club and run buddies. I’m going to miss the birdsongs, steep climbs, sweet farm stays and that incredible feeling of freedom on the trail. I’ll really miss my hiking buddies and sleeping in my tent in the rain. Waking up to a setting moon and rising sun that help me find my way SOBO. Towards a simple sign that means so many complicated things. I’m going to head out early tomorrow morning to go back and find some NOBOs. To tell them that it’s going to be worth it.