IRONMAN COZUMEL
A Race Report in Pictures
The year 2013 has been one wild adventure! From Kilimanjaro to blood clots to Ironman, this has been one hell of a ride. With the year coming to a close, I am proud to say that I AM AN IRONMAN!
I am still trying to process what an incredible journey this was. Later I will write down what my thoughts were during the entire 12 hour race, but for now I hope you enjoy my race report in pictures. Thanks again for EVERYONE'S INCREDIBLE SUPPORT!
November 29, 2013
Hello Mexico!
We stayed at the Park Royal which was a fabulous hotel. I arrived on Thanksgiving to have a few extra days to take it all in. The hotel even had a Thanksgiving dinner for us. My family arrived on Friday and it was so great to see them! They hit the pool (bar) while I went to register and pick up my race bags in Ironman Village in downtown Cozumel.
The energy and excitement in Ironman Village was contagious. So many beautifully fit people! I also got to see my Fredericksburg friends there too. I was looking forward to seeing their familiar faces out on the race course. I knew it would be a huge motivator. Once I bought a significant amount of Ironman Cozumel merchandise, I headed back to get organized.
Gear bags!
I thought it would be an awesome idea to rent scooters and pre-ride the course the day before. Well if this picture doesn't exemplify bad ass I don't know what else does! Nothing screams intimidation like compression sleeves and a scooter helmet.
It's just like Sons of Anarchy! But on Scooters..... in Mexico!
This is the east side of the island. The ocean is absolutely breath-taking. HOWEVER, it is so incredibly windy that there are no hotels or development on this side of the island. I thought the scooter was going to blow over during a few 20+ mph gusts. I kept thinking what a joy it was going to be riding my little bicycle on this 3 times tomorrow.
After our 40 mile cruise around the island it was time for me to get serious and go drop off my bike and gear bags. See, don't I look serious?
I put hot pink tape on all of my gear bags with my race number- lucky 1777. The tape was a brilliant idea! It made it super easy for all the volunteers to locate it fast.
This is the Dolphin Cove pier that we climb out of at the end of the swim course. There are dolphins in the middle that jumped and performed a show for the spectators on race day.
It was a serious jungle in T1, a giant maze. But I found my spot and tucked my bike in. She was ready to rock!
This is at the T2 in downtown Cozumel dropping off my red run gear bag.
After bike and gear drop-off I went back to the hotel to relax (and hydrate!) with the fam.
That night my sister wrote some names on my forearm to keep me going through the race. My Oma passed away the weekend before the race. I was fortunate enough to go up and spend time with family for the funeral. I was racing for Oma. Then my grandma and grandpa who are the most amazing people I know. I was racing for them.
Best support team a girl could want!
IRON(Leh)MAN! Givumhel in Cozumel! Swim, bike, run, DRINK!
December 1, 2013
Show time!
On the bus heading to the race start! Ok this time a little more serious. What am I doing there? Praying? Taking a moment of silence? Going through the race? No I'm texting my dad how much I love him.
Team Stop the Clot!
This is my game face. Yea maybe a little more Vaseline here...
Now I'm ready!
Beautiful morning for a swim.
The swim exit. Calm and waiting for me.
Here I come!
Smiling and high-fiving my support team!
Grabbed my bike and I'm off for 112 miles of fun on the bike. I LOVE BIKING!
Leaving Chankanaab Park and headed into lap 1. Feeling good! Feeling fresh!
Entering one of Dante's Inferno Rings- Wind
Every lap I found my crew. They were not hard to miss. They were the loudest, yelling, cowbelling, cheering, red polka dot sherpas there! And boy was I all giggles. I stopped and gave them the biggest sweatiest kisses each time around. Easily could have gone sub 6 hours on the bike without the make out sessions ;)
Leaving downtown Cozumel. The wind is at my back and I am flying!
Let's see how this water bottle hand off goes.... yup, nailed it!
Others not so much. There were crashes at each aid station.
Heading back into the wind. Look at that grit.
Lap 3 I made a friend Cathy. So glad we have a picture together! She was from Texas and did this race last year. We talked for a long time trying to keep each other mentally preoccupied in the wind tunnel from hell. Also we both looked smoking hot in our matching Soas Racing kits. I ended up dropping her on the bike, but she blew by me on the run later.
I wonder what they did while I was biking for 6 hours? Pretty much sums it up....
Coming into T2.... 112 miles done!
Dropped off my bike in T2 and I'm off for 26.2 miles of hot hot running!
"Watching all this exercising sure is making me thirsty!"
Finishing lap 1- Did I mention is was hot?
Determination.
Then came the torrential downpour.
But look at the rainbow!
Finishing lap 2- Not as spunky here....
but I'm still high-fiving!
During the last lap I finally hit the Pain Cave,
but I dug deep.
Then I turned the corner,
and it was right in front of me.
The finishing chute.
People screaming and yelling and cheering me home.
IT WAS GLORIOUS.
Going into the light.....
Words can't explain...
Victorious!
Stepping out of the finish area to find my family. And they are right there waiting for me. Hugs, kisses, smiles, laughs, delirium, more hugs.
Jessica Lehman, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!
December 2, 2013
The aftermath......
Look at those sexy racing kit tan lines! It was funny to look around at people in the hotel. You could tell who the racers were by their ridiculous sun burns or severe limping. I was both.
In heaven...
December 3, 2013
Last day in Mexico. We had time to enjoy some morning snorkeling and enjoy the beach before having to pack up.
We had to depart paradise and fly back to Virginia. We landed pretty late and by the time we got out of Reagan Airport it was well after 10 pm. We had to drive an hour home still. When we got in the car I looked at Arman and said, "I really want a milkshake." Arman drove 15 minutes out of the way to find me a Silver Diner and got me a Peanut Butter Oreo milkshake.
A special thanks to my amazing boyfriend for supporting me, riding my emotional roller coaster, and getting me milkshakes :)
The end :)
This is simply amazing. So proud of my cousin Jess, very inspiring, especially to my family personally. I know me and Iron Man (my brother, Ryan) have been awoken to the wonders (and pain) of fitness competitions. The best of all was that this was for a great cause, personal to Jess and her trials and tribulations. On a less serious note, can we talk about the "older gentleman" in the ponytail, on the verge of saggy man boobs, somewhere in the first 1/3 of the pics. I had a dream about this guy. Get your mind out of the gutter, not like that. On that note, what a memorable, sick experience. Never stop Jess. This is the stuff that stays with you and your legacy for the rest of your life. Kbye.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Justin! If you're lucky SMB will be in your dreams tonight too ;)
DeleteYou're awesome, Iron LehMAN. I read your facebook for motivation every now and then.:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Anna! I follow your pol pictures too- you're an amazing gymnast! I hope you are doing well. Miss you!
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