I am officially embracing the wetsuit, full on loving it, living in it, and enjoying it.  Really.  When you swim nearly naked in the warm waters of Hawaii, having to put on that big floaty suit truly feels like you are un-human in the water.  Maybe seals and whales like it, not me...until this week.

The wetsuit has now done an Ironman distance swim in salty Pacific water, it has even been cut to fit my ankles and wrists the way I like it.  In fact, I no longer finish a swim with those high school looking hickeys that usually take over my neck after a make out (er, swim) session with the deep blue.

Just to make sure it truly has become a "friend" to love on race day Sunday, I gave it the final test...sit in the ice box.  You know what, it was warm.  Zoot has made a wetsuit a girl on an island highly approves of!

Tomorrow it's off to Idaho.  Excitement is filling all I do around here lately.  Of course, even with an eagerness to do something I love, I am fully aware of the discomfort that can happen during an Ironman.  Much like life, sometimes we land in places we want to give up, wonder if we have enough strength keep going, fear the unknown, hurt, question how much longer we can hang on, wonder when the pain will pass, and have to dig deep to keep giving after we feel we have given our everything.  It's in those moments it always helps me to believe in some relief, in the case of a race-the finish line.  And after every finish line it always helps even more to have something to look forward too...

So here is my very brief list for soon after the race:

1.  Grab hold of Kainoas medal
2.  Call home
3.  Ask my homestay to take me to that cliff they jumped off, all I know is it lands in the cold lake and you take a boat.  That sounds brilliant to me!

And later after the race, when normal life resumes:

1.  Take a hike to a waterfall
2.  Fix up the gardens
3.  Take my sisters Booty yoga class that I keep saying I'll go but haven't.
4.  Night dive 
5.  Make a donation pile of those clothes I never wear
6.  Think up a way to be on Molokai when Leahi swims the channel

See ya in Idaho,
Bree

+ read more of Bree Wee's post

Yesterday was a day for the head.  You know how sometimes what you think is way more important than reality, that was my yesterday.  After a tiny taste of the flu bug flying around Kona, I was on the up swing and wanted to grab hold of a couple final good sessions for race day, for my head. 

Sunday's run held a good portion at goal race pace, I needed to feel it and breathe it in.  I've yet to run a marathon during a race the way they go during training.  Over and over I kept repeating, "You can do this, you got this, legs you know this pace".  Over and over. It felt really good, really comfortable, and then over the ocean a rainbow filled the sky.  That will for sure be a keeper in my head on Sunday.

From run to swim, where I landed a beautiful draft during a local swim race.  It felt way better going from flu to fish.  Now to settle down, way down and keep the positive thoughts strong while the race week tries to play it's tricky mind games with my body.  Trust time...

As of a couple hours ago, all but the bike and wetsuit are packed too!  My goal was to use the small luggage despite the need to bring more than shorts, sun dresses, and bikinis.  Somehow the island girl in me has kept it simple, not much more than what I need to race (and stay warm).  I have heard lovely rumors that the lake is warming up and the trees are absolutely gorgeous this season.  Sounds really nice and I'm very much looking forward to a return to Idaho.

Now to be honest, I promised to lay way low in the final wrap up to the Ironman, and I have.  Yesterday though, after sitting in a lawn chair like a cheer leader who lost her pep during the boys ball game, I got up, ran after a foot ball or two, and never felt so thankful for the boys in my life. This little family together for Summer has truly meant the world to me.  Life with 4 boys has perhaps been part of the best preparation into the Ironman.  For many reasons, other than learning to use dirty toilet seats (similar to those on race day) and eat some gnarly food. 

Of course, Saturday did hold Kainoa's race and who better to teach me how to race than Kainoa...

1.  Be focused on the start line
2.  Stick to your own routine and plan (like no shoes if that's your style)

3.  Stay positive even when you hit rough patches
4.  Breathe in the support & cheers of the crowds 
5.  Celebrate the finish line

6 more sleeps till the big dance, almost ready...
Bree

+ read more of Bree Wee's post

This morning was absolutely gorgeous, not that it's ever really ugly, but it was especially beautiful out this morning.  Swim practice was just okay.  Nothing special (I was hoping for fireworks).  One thing I've found in this sport, it's never really a disaster because you have at least 1 out of 3 chances for things to go "boom, bang, oooo, aaaaa, and wow".  That said, I got my fireworks on the bike.  

When I landed at the Kawaihae intersection all of me wanted to turn right.  A right turn on Friday means Hilo.  That ride and me have become best buds, not today, the North side of the island I went.  Left hander means Ironman Hawaii course.  With today being flag day too, the island pride was roaring beautiful.  And all of a sudden, it felt good turning left, to be on the Ironman Hawaii course.  After all, next weekend at Ironman CDA I'll need to keep these pretty Hawaiian moments at the forefront of my mind when the going gets rough...because I want to race at home in October.

Just so you know, Hawaii has the best aid stations.,,

As said, today was perfectly pretty for a 4 hour ride.  Just me, focusing on next weekend, focusing on the moment, focusing on the possibility of October and me.

The rest of the day was spent in the dirt with a 6 year old.  He was certain we landed in heaven because every seed we planted was now edible.  It took time (I even grew impatient) but here we go, seeds planted have finally paid off.  Kind of like training...eventually it pays off. 

Tomorrow is a day off.  The challenge will of course be, to sit more than stand.  To rest more than play.  And to pack...

Have a good weekend.
Bree

+ read more of Bree Wee's post

The 10 day window is upon us!  It's within those 10 days before a race I roll a little easier into "pre race mode".  Of course all the day in and day out of training, sleeping, and eating leading up count too, maybe most of all.  But I have found it silly for me to really put too much focus or stress on the minor details too soon before the 10 day window, because I belly flop.  Months before a race I'll do all the work and more.  I'll eat really good and more.  I'll sleep good and more.  But then again, more of everything else happens.  I'll miss a workout to get Kainoa from school, I'll bake a birthday cake for a friend and eat some, and then I stay up too late at family movie night.  Of c.ourse you can relate, that's life..

And so, the 10 day window is here. My beach time, up late time, and cake eating time is out the window.  Sadly, that means those super training adventures are too.  Friday was my Kona to Hilo ride, the one I have fallen in love with because it lands at Mikes truck, where he will drive me back home with him and be okay with my stinky self sitting next to him gushing about all the fun on 2-wheels that happened. 

I pretended it was my Ironman CDA bike route with all those big trees and deer.  Except with other trees and llamas.   However, our sunshine did hide and a rain storm tackled me for a good hour-freezing.  Now I can say I have officially trained in the cold, ready.

My ride ended up being the longest time I have ever, ever, ever spent with my bike.  Thanks to my ever so adventurous heart for exploration, it was pretty much all day long. The best part was going down a hill, turning up it in the big ring, and falling over.  You can picture feet clipped in the pedals and slow motion side flop with the bike on top of me and the feet still hooked in, of course.  I managed to laugh it off and tell the men wanting to help (while laughing) that "it happens all the time, don't worry, I'm okay".  Oh it was embarrassing...

 I love that ride, it is now my new favorite in all the world...

 ...and driving back to Kona with Mike, delirious, makes it like a finish line to some adventure race I just won.  Back to Ironman CDA, I'm ready.  I'm excited.  I'm happy too.  Most everything is packed and today I found out that I'll be racer #37.  In the Kona points I'm sitting #50-yikes.  The goal is to take all the hard work, use it on race day, and grab as many points as I can.  Seriously, sounds funny to be a point chaser, but that's my job holding a goal to make it into the big dance this October...

The final Hawaiian Summer days leading up to the 10-day window have included a jump or 3 off the cliffs.  That was fun, now it's done.  It has included girl time on bikes, talking about boys.  A few movies on Netflix that went past my bedtime.  Some beach with family/friends under our gorgeous sky, and you know...baking.  Now I can officially sit on my bum and just think about 140.6 miles...

 As for the optional swim, coach gave that to me for tomorrow.  After so many races under his guidance I have finally matured enough to understand them.  At first, it seemed like a must. Always. Of course do what it says to do no matter how worn out I feel. Its the ocean after all.  Now that I have learned to make training sessions really count, when a day off happens, sometimes it's money in the bank to make them count by taking the day off.  What a luxury it is to be in the 10-day window and see the beauty of an optional swim...

Bree

+ read more of Bree Wee's post

There will forever and always hold a special spot in my heart for the Sunday run.  Since 2003 when I decided to start running, 'er jog/walking, Sunday has always been the best morning.  Maybe not always waking up to run when it's cold, or I'm sleepy, or everyone is going to the beach...but after...

And sometimes during.

This month celebrates my 10 year anniversary of  "I want to be a runner".  Its so special to think back on the runs, the people I have met running, the places I have run through and things I've seen.  To think of the races, challenges, and the cute shoes and clothes!  To think of everything and anything that comes with lacing shoes and finding a little piece of happy in the middle of  "being free".

Without a doubt Sunday mornings have landed as my favorite mornings.  And yesterday was the same.  Mike loaded his bike in the truck, some water bottles, and kept me company.  We run together sometimes, but these mornings when he rides and I run, are when I feel so completely blessed.  These are the mornings when he gives up his time to be part of the journey of my dreams.  He rides next to me, holds my goal pace, and even spits out some motivation.  Of course I know how fortunate I am!  This is something I used to dream about, and now it happens.

Yesterday was my "focus on Ironman CDA" run.  And for the first time since really going full focus on reaching Ironman Hawaii this October, it felt as if he was more sold on next weekends Ironman "job to be done" than me.  Mike did that thing some really good friends/family do for us, they get right in your face and make you face yourself.  He brought up the run from Hawaii 70.3 and made me go back to that rough spot when my pretty little moment of being in the lead went dark and ugly, and he challenged me like nobody else, only I have in the the quiet moments when I get mad about it.  He asked me why I didn't try to chase the girls back down, why did I just try to hold off 4th and be okay with giving up my lead just because of some tuff-luck.  He was so right, I never chased down the 1 and 2 girls that took advantage of my disadvantage out there...

With tears in my eyes, feeling like I left some of my race out there, he challenged me yesterday on that run to be an even better runner.  I love how running does that, how it makes us that much better every time we lace our shoes.  And I love how it brings good people to our lives, helping us go one more step...

Happy Running!
Bree

+ read more of Bree Wee's post

If the path is pretty I lose the need to ask where it might lead...

It took till Thursday this week to calm down enough to be able to soak up a single moment at a time, without having to know all the details. Sunsets do that to me, especially running to them.  This day has been filled with Summer favorites, saltwater, sand, surf, and sun...

Today was my "Ironman CDA swim/run" day.  2.4 in the wetsuit and plenty of running.  I'm absolutely positive the beach in Hawaii could have done without the full suit for that swim and I'm most certain our palm trees are not the same as those in Idaho.  But Iron distance stuff is still Iron distance no matter the views (or temperature).

 

Tomorrow I plan to ride the "Ironman CDA" course.  It will be different, I already know that, because 112 miles in Hawaii might not be as hilly or chilly.  Good night,

Bree

+ read more of Bree Wee's post

 

Booked! Last night, way past my bedtime, the flight to Idaho was booked.  I believe shifting focus from one goal to the next really helps keep momentum of bigger goals moving forward.  And, it helps to heal up the little battle scars (if any) from goals that went a little differently than hoped for.

And so...

Warm weather racing will now be thoughts of freezing with penguins.  It's so hot in Hawaii today that I smell like a sauna. It's gross.  But I will imagine coldness, arm warmers, booties, and long clothes that cover more of your body than anything anyone on an island owns.

To imagine Idaho hills, lakes, and big trees I flipped through my 2010 Ironman CDA photos, I only found the wetsuit picture in green water.  In a lake.  That was a pleasant reminder of the fact I hold a DNF on that course, to have so few photos is rare in my world.  It's alright, I'll finish this year and have plenty of pictures.  Tomorrow coach is sending me out on a 2.4 mile swim in a wetsuit, here in Hawaii.  I'm partially embarrassed to be seen in that thing over here and partially scared that I might have a heat stroke.  I'll let you know how it goes.  If I chicken out wearing it into our warm Pacific I'll just fill the bathtub with ice and wear it in the tub. 

While shifting focus from one race to the next, I have to take a couple memories Leahi snapped with me.  Good times out there. Good reminders that hard work pays off and a really good reminder of how happy I am to race at home.  I know that when it gets tough (and cold) over in Idaho these memories will serve as reminders to keep strong and keep at it, to grab some Kona points to be able to do it all over again in October.

Recovery week is filled with sushi. Green tea. Macnut cracking. Mochi. And surf...

This morning, after my little bike ride, the surf board and me paddled out into the big blue and spent time amongst the surf lovers of Kona.  It's really pretty, really blue, and really big right now.  Some waves swept over me, others carried me, and a few burried me.  I'm pretty sure I needed that...

It's back to training now though, swim practice just called me and I have to answer...
Have a good day,
Bree

+ read more of Bree Wee's post

Saturday morning I believed with all my heart the race was mine to win or lose.  And I lost it.  Around mile 9 of the run, holding a precious little lead over a couple girls I knew wanted to win as much as me, I was directed in the wrong direction and landed at mile 12 not 10. They told me I was now 4th guy behind Luke Bell.  My heart sank.  I had to run back to mile 9 and get back on course in the same way I got off course to stay fair in the race. In a quick moment of confusion, on a course I have run before, I lost the race, for myself...

I have never felt so disappointed at a finish line.  I just cried to Mike, "Why did this happen to me, why was I sent that direction?".  And the tuff bald guy he is, gave it to me straight, "You still have to be in your head out there, that one split second you lose focus, you lose".  

And so, from winning to third place...

The night before the race I read something my friend Cedes wrote, "A goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot". The race just felt so pressure-less, I was so excited sleep was impossible for me.  My foot was good, training had been brilliant, and a seriously awesome blessing happened earlier that week. A good friend in the community paid for my flight to the Ironman in a couple weeks!  Tammy's kindness took away the usual stress I race with, that huge push and tug for a payday to keep financially a float was no longer on my shoulders...

I was about to race the way I train, with all my heart, enjoying every mile of it...

Hapuna greeted us with the usual winds & chop that happen up North, to me, it was a welcomed feeling.  The swim was about as perfect as a swim could go, never got punched, kicked, or dragged under water.  Two guys and I made a little chase group and swam strong enough to get me out of the water as first girl.  The high light, other than not getting the usual under water wrestling match, was seeing Mike out there working water patrol!  There was even time to wave to him between breaths!

 

 

I absolutely loved running up the beach as the first girl, it is a feeling that is indescribable.  It sets you up feeling strong and eager to stay that way.  First girl out doesn't happen as much as I wish it would, so these moments are really special to me.  It also leaves you time to see and hear your friends and family cheering you on. 

The first turn of the bike they announced a 2 minute lead.  The bike only got stronger and stronger for me.  In Hawi they announced almost a 5 minute lead.  Honestly, I was in shock Belinda hadn't caught me, she always catches me on the bike and I know her reputation is for being one of the best cyclists in our sport.  She's brilliant and scary on 2-wheels. 

I just put my head down and pushed over the pedals with all my heart.  "Bree, you got this, remember you rode bike to Hilo!"  That was pretty much my mantra...the time I rode to Hilo! 

Off the bike I felt like a little kid just out to recess! It got even better when they announced an almost 8 minute lead.  No friggen way, "there is just no way", was all I could think.   Belinda & Julia can bike, I know this because I have ridden with them and suffered doing it.

I ran the first mile as easy as I could, my new plan to go "slow" off the bike has been helping to go "faster" in the end.  It made settling my stomach into run mode with the water/coke/sports drink combination a little easier to handle too.  It was weird though, eventually seeing the chase girls, even far enough behind that I could relax, I never felt like I was the winner.  It just felt like winning on this day would be too easy, and as any athlete knows, winning just never comes easy...

The entire run I was happy.  My friends and little Kona town were all over the course!  I got my butt slapped by the naughtiest girl I know, Kainoa chased me, Mike popped up from who knows where all over out there, my sister was waiting on top of a hill, all of them made it feel like a long Sunday run...

And then...

I got to mile 12, not 10.  Had to run back the other way.  My 5 minute lead became 4 minutes and 30 seconds behind.  My heart sank, I walked an aid station with tears rolling down my face, just sad as can be.  Mike found me and told me to move my @$$ because 4th place girl is on her way.  SO I ran, and ran, and ran...

A 15 mile half marathon in one hour and 48 minutes. 

Took third pro girl, cried.  Never cussed, never wanted too.  The finish line support really helped keep my chin up and the confidence of feeling strong all day I can take with me.  Of course the points and payday loss hurt worse than not holding first place.  Don't get me wrong, first place is a goal, but I really wanted those Kona points as each of them seem to matter when you are amongst a huge field of pro women triathletes and only 35 of us get a ticket to the big show in October.

It was a honor to still land amongst the top 3 and share podium with Belinda and Julia, who both raced strong and smarter than me. Congrats girls, sucks being blonde sometimes...

Mike and Kainoa, my promise is to not let my attitude about this stink worse than my shoes you deal with.  Love you both dearly for each moment you gave to me in the lead up to this race. I have a giant list of friends/family worth mentioning too, and a little handful of sponsors that have been wonderful in my triathlon journey, thank you...

Wendy, Brooke, & Tricia for help with Kainoa and SO MUCH MORE, Kona Aquatics and Coach Steve, Chandler and the high school girls for swim company that hurts. Sal and your run squad for hurting me so good while running fast. Bike Works and Nick for all the love you give to the AWESOME Swift Carbon!  To Zoot for the beautiful shoes and training clothes, you know I love the bright stuff!  Rolf for the wheels that LOVE playing in cross wind. Splish forever and always the most motivating swim suits! The kind family at Breakthrough Nutrition for all the fuel love you give. To Junko and The Club in Kona for great massages and treadmills!  And of course Coach Jimmy...you do a good job of handling the athlete in me!

And to the incredible pro girls out there, thank you for pushing me everyday to be better than I am today.  And of course, for swim practice this morning!!  We are such a blessed bunch to work in bikini's :)

So much love,
Bree

ps... 3 weeks till Ironman, maybe those extra miles will come in handy!

+ read more of Bree Wee's post