A Kidd CAN do Ironman too!!

The words I have wanted to hear over the past year rang through my ears on Saturday night, 1^st March 2014 at 10.35pm.  Steff Kidd, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN.  I raced my perfect race and had the most perfect day. 

My day started at 4am after a great sleep.  I woke once during the night to the sound of some severe wind and then again by my alarm.   The wind had fortunately died down so I got up, got changed, had brekkie, double checked my gear to take down and then was off with Jan to start my day of all days!

I headed to the registration tent to hand over my gear bags and then into the bike rack to locate my bike.  It was buzzing in there but I focused on what I needed to do and completed this almost in robotic fashion.  I had been going over and over these moments in my head for the past week so it was just a case of carrying it out.  Check bike tyres, drinks in cages, food in pouch, unclip helmet and get outta there!  Located Jan outside the bike racks and had a quick nervous chattery skip down the hill to the loos.  Made my final loo stop, wetsuit on, gear in bag, cramp stop up leg, timing chip on, goggles and hat in hand I made my way to the start line.  Threw my bag up to the truck and then found the matted area to stand on to keep my toes warm!!  Then everything started to fall into place.  Located my awesome family for a photo shoot and hugs before heading into the water.  It was electric in there but just focused on my swim, had a quick paddle around after the pro's went off and then before I knew it, it was my turn.

 

The cannon went off and I slipped into the water to 'have a little swim'.  That is how I put it to myself.  The reality of it was that it was actually a bit of a thrashing.  Settled into my swim fairly quickly but definitely battled with bodies the whole 3.8km swim.  Got dunked under a beauty at one stage and had few moments of clear swimming. But I was still moving forward so just had to keep on going.  The final buoy was a blessing as I was starting to dream about eating butter chicken pies! I knew from training I must have been close to the end once this started happening!  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would exit the water after a 3.8km swim with a smile on my face and plenty more energy in my tank.  The highlights of my swim: Giving my family a cuddle on the way past up the chute to the transition tent; people yelling my name in support; getting up those steps! I managed to jog up to the transition tent, locate my bag and then start on phase 2.  Swim time: 1:16:23.

 

The transition tent was a buzz of excitement and people nervously chattering to the helpers.  A lady came and tipped my bag onto a table for me and I methodically placed all of my gear on, again remembering what I had rehearsed in my head for the past week! It was then a case of breaking the ride down into 4x 45km stages!  The first leg out to Reporoa was quick and easy - settled well into my own pace and was careful to eat and drink regularly.  Watched my line behind people and was sure to keep back my required 10 mtrs to stop a drafting penalty.  Waved to spectators, waved to photographers, chatted to the technical bike guys and in general - enjoyed my time out there.  The turn around was awesome.  Sally was out there with smiley signs and it gave me a lovely little boost to get back into town.  Was still feeling great but knew I had a long way to go.  The wind on the way back was constant but not enough to be a pain.  Just focused on eating, drinking and peeing regularly!  Before I knew it, I was back into town and getting lovely support from my awesome family, friends and complete strangers.  I had already decided to stop at the RATS drink station at 90km so it was awesome rocking up there to familiar faces and the family on the other side cheering also.  Headed off again and this is where my first/only wee blip occurred on my radar for the day.  I had a wee twinge of cramp in my quad going up the Napier/Taupo hill heading out onto the 2nd lap of the course.  I stopped at the top of the hill and took a salt tablet which was AMAZING.  It cured the cramping straight away but little did I know the other effects it was going to play for the next 90km!  Stopped to grab my salt n vinegar chippies out of my special needs bag and then headed off to stage 3!  Just a little ride to Reporoa and back, again!  Within about 10 minutes my eyes started getting a bit sore and stingy.  I kept blinking it away,  which actually made it worse.  It took me a wee while to register that although the salt tablet fixed my cramp immediately, it actually made me cry salt for the next 90km!  I managed to get by with pouring water into my eyes at the drink stops and blinking profusely and continuously!  Although it was a pain, it wasn't going to break me so just got on with the job at hand.  Was really careful to keep my pace steady and constant so that I still had enough energy in my legs to deal to a marathon after dismounting!!  I met some amazing people out there on the bike course who all became Ironman ‘friends’.  We egged each other on, had a wee laugh, sang songs to pass the time and competed for our elusive spot in the toilet line!  I also saw all of my training buddies and gave them a shout when I came across them.  Stage 2 was complete again before I knew it and my highlight of the bike course was coming down Centennial road for the final time and hearing the cheers of Greg and the kidds from his car -Just the lift I needed for that last little burst into town; high fiving my mum and dad, Penny, Peter and Margie on the lakefront as I headed out off on my bike; and not getting a puncture. Bike time: 8:00:25.

 

Coming off the bike, I felt absolutely AMAZING.  I had a spring in my step and fire in my belly “You got this”, I said to myself over and over and this just made me want to get to the finish line faster.  I had a 5 min transition time between bike-run, which was made easier by having Knisha helping me out in the tent.  She asked me if there was anything I needed and my reply "Just a hug"!  I headed off for my marathon run, running!  I basically realised that I would get  to the end quicker by moving forward and quickest by running.  So that is what I did, for the majority of 42.2km.  I managed to run the whole first 18km and was only reduced to a walk due to urgently requiring a loo stop!!  The run course was 3x out and back laps.  I broke the laps down by going drink stop to drink stop.  Completing the same process at each one.  2 waters please ( a few drops of Elete electrolytes in) cup of water on my head and a cup of ice down my top.  This was my routine up until around 21km when I started adding in a cup of coke at each stop also.  Coming from someone who never really found the joy for running in my training, I have to admit - I loved every minute of it.  The atmosphere and support out there on the course was unreal.  It was like nothing that you have ever imagined.  People were calling my name, tooting, singing the ‘PORSE PORSE PORSE for a better day’ song, fellow competitors cheering for you, high 5's and it all just made me happier.  I don't think I could stop smiling and just got on with the job at hand, to complete 42.2km which ever way I could but all moving forward! I just loved seeing my family, coach, friends, support station volunteers and training buddies along the way. People just kept popping up, it seemed, when I needed them the most and I am forever thankful for the support from everyone I saw on the day.  I could name you all but would hate to forget anyone, so each and everyone of you who came out and cheered me on, or left messages of support, or watched me all day on live stream - THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU.  The highlights of my run: Seeing the look on my family/ friends/coach Zippy's face when I yelled at them "Don't worry - I've got this!" on the way back in from my 1st lap;  Hi 5's/hugs from my kids; Coming down the hill in Wharewaka point to the most amazingly big chalk message of support on the pathway just for me; seeing Laurel and her kids and wishing Riley Happy birthday; hugging my mate Korrin who came from Australia to just watch me; seeing my uncle at Wharewaka point when I was having a wee walking pity party!; having Belinda pop up with her smiley shirt; Smiley face signs just for me; Steve and Katrina treating me like royalty at the Sweat to 7 aid station; Jacky focusing me at the same aid station; someone from the RATS group yelling 'only 4 laps to go' when I headed out on my first lap (made me giggle!); running/walking parts of the marathon with Lee-Anne and Teri;  Sarah whacking me on the ass as I cheekily danced past the huge contingent of RATS supporters; the proud look on my parents, husband, daughters, son's, friends faces at the finish line; and of course, sprinting to the end of my very first Ironman.

 

The last 2km was a real buzz and I was still running, I was so excited I could almost taste the finish line before I got to it!  I picked up my pace as I still felt AMAZING and yes, I was still running.  I soaked in every step, thanked everyone I passed and managed to contain my emotions enough for that last little sprint into the finish line.  Running up that shoot was incredibly emotional, so many thoughts running through my head and I managed a little dance with the commentator before taking my spot in history.  Stage 3 was complete... Run time 6:03:49.

 

STEFF KIDD, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN.  Overall time 15:35:43. 

 

This will ring in my ears forever.  No one can take this away from me but many people were there with me. It is now my time to bask in the glory of competing in one of the toughest races in history.  Again, hugest thanks to my family, friends, supporters, volunteers, coach, fellow competitors, training buddies, sponsor PORSE and anyone who played a part in my journey.  We did it!

 

Race Week, Wednesday 26th February 2014

Absolutely shattered tonight - so this is gonna be a quick one.. (Can hear you all sighing with relief from here!!)
Usual morning here at the Kidds household - chaos!!
Picked up some Hammer gels I needed from Jeff at Kiwi Bikes today - he is the only one who stocks my favourite Gels, Vitamin C from the chemist (Max and Lockie woke up with the sniffles today so they are going to be dosed!) and fruit from my favourite fruit shop.  Headed off to the forest straight after school run for a quick 30 min run.  Had a lovely chat to friends along the way and then met up with Mike from 'The weekender' newspaper for an article and Stephen Parker for a quick photo shoot!  Felt like a local celeb in my PORSE gear getting photographed in the forest!!  Will be in the weekender this weekend for you Rotorua lot!
Headed into the PORSE office for a chat with my lovely workmates and I was a little excited so didn't leave till it was time to collect Max for his school visit.  Thanks for all the wonderful laughs and support over this journey - you guys rock!
Same ole same ole this arvo, school visit, school runs, afterschool chores/homework etc and then headed off to the PORSE office for a celebration evening for our lovely PORSE educators with our founding director Jenny Yule.  Was a super night, celebrating all of our long standing educators for their wonderful commitment over the years. I also got the chance to personally thank Jenny for all of the awesome support she has given to me over the past year.  If it wasn't for her sponsorship - I wouldn't be doing Ironman today.  Plain and simple.  Hugest thanks. 
Got the loveliest surprise also as was presented a gorgeous 'good luck' poster with all of the children's handprints on from my PORSE family.  Was so chuffed and also in awe that they managed to pull the wool over my eyes about the delivery of this gift.  I actually helped the kids do the handprints and thought that these were going into a folder for Jenny Yule to take back to the head office for their 20th anniversary celebration!!! Thanks Niki Walton for organising!

Niki and myself with my poster

Me and Jenny Yule

Got home to the most amazingly awesome post from my husband and I just want to take this time to say - I most DEFINATELY could not have done this without you Greg.  It has been a hugely windy road to get to this week with huge up's and HUGE down's.  But we have stuck together and pulled through it and you are just simply - the BEST.  Thanks so much for your amazing support and your belief in me.
Tears from me, enough now - bed time.
Registration day tomorrow. HOLY CRAP!

Race Week Tuesday 25th February, 2014

My day initially started at 3am today.  Yes, Max sneaking into my bed, Greg trying to redirect him back to his own bed, tears, yelling, waking his brother and then finally relenting and letting him in.  I guess that's just how we will roll!  Mental note, sleep in a bedroom far farrrr away from those 2 on Friday!
Happy kids this morning thankfully which made for a smooth transition on school run.
Rest day today which I am extremely thankful for.  I have managed to keep this cold at bay for now but did wake with really tight, sore IT bands, all the way down the side of my leg and in my lower back.  Not ideal, but just a reminder to keep stretching and look after myself this week.  Maybe opting out of a massage wasn't a good idea??
ANYWAYS....What a day.
I helped out with the RATS Schools duathlon today which was just plain exhausting!  I give full credit to those volunteers on Ironman day who tirelessly help us out from 6am-midnight. I have helped out at the odd event here and there, but to be on my feet for 5 hours solidly, supporting, guiding, directing, cheering, telling, smiling, was just plain tiring.  I also admire the work that is put into these types of events by very few members of a small group VOLUNTEERING their time.  Sometimes people at events are quick to judge what isn't going well and often forget that a huge amount of volunteered hours have gone into creating this fun and inclusive event for all of these children.  Winners or not, we are all here to have fun.  My highlight for the day was running alongside a boy who looked like he was about to burst into tears on his final run of the long course.  I said 'I'll run with you if you like' and he thought about this momentarily, then looked at me and said 'I'd rather you got me a drink!'.  I ran back to the registration tent, located the water and raced back over to him.  'Oh thanks sooooo much miss' he said with a huge grin.  He drank the whole lot and then took off, passing a few children on the way! He came up to me at the end and said thank you again.  Now that's what its all about!! Awesome!
There were loads of people out there today that were eager to see how I was tapering and also feeling about the weekend.  Surprisingly I am really calm and totally of the attitude - 'I've done all I can, I'm just ready to do it'.  It is actually a nice feeling to be at peace finally with 'The Ironman'.  He has no hold over me..... not today anyway!
Enough time to quickly tick another few items off my list at the shop on the way to do school run.  Small containers for protein powder (have decided to have a protein shake in transition from swim-bike and bike -run). Can also use these to divvy out my chafe cream between my swim, bike and run bags.  Just have to put my magic 'Elete' anti cramp electrolyte mixture into my little eye dropper containers for bike and run and I think I might just about be sorted.!
Won't be far outta bed tonight - has been a huge day.

RaceWeek Monday 24th February, 2014.

Have been feeling a bit blaaahhh the last few days so when I woke up today, felt pleasantly surprised that my throat was not sore, just a bit of a blocked nose.  I guess it is better to feel like crap the weekend before Ironman and not on Ironman weekend!!
Have kept away from swimming at the end of last week so was keen to get out in the water today.
Woke first at 5am with small child entering my bed.  He snuggles as close to his dad as possible so as not to wake the roaring lion on the other side (me) who makes him go back to his own bed!  Back to sleep momentarily then woken with Greg leaving for work.  All the rest of the family still sleeping.  Get up, get my usual porridge with yogurt, protein shake, coffee and large bottle of water  - breakfast! The tribe awakes and today, Max was the only one who actually greets me happily.  The other 2 having issues of some sort or another that apparently are my issues to solve. Sort dishes, beds, clothes, lunches, washing and then off to do school run. Georja to her school, Lockie to his school and then Max to kindy.  Fortunately Lockie had forgotten that he was NOT going to school today under any circumstances and got out of the car without a fuss!
Home to collect bike, morning tea and swim bag.  Into Cyclezone where I got a much happier reception than the one I got first thing from my children!  Bike is in for a pre-Ironman check.  I was proud to say that I got my new tyres on not only by myself, but also around the right way!! (Yes - bike tyres have a certain direction they went in - who knew!!)
Head out to the Blue Lake - sending a quick text to Greg on the way as I hadn't actually told anyone I was swimming today.  Got into wetsuit and headed out to the 7th buoy and back 2x for my scheduled session for the day.  Tested out my new goggles and they work!  Out of the water and a quick run around the grassed area in my wetsuit to simulate the 400m run to transition area on Ironman day (much to the humour of the old couple having coffee in their camper van probably wondering what on the earth I'm doing!!)  Am continually blown away by the gains made over the last 6months in my training.  Not only is this distance now 'easy', but I can also do it on my own with not even a glimpse of panic or terror that I used to get in open water.  It just shows that if you just stick to doing something over and over, it soon becomes habit. 
Home for shower/lunch etc and a quick sort of the stuff I have started to collect on bedroom floor.  Seperated things into 3x bags today - swim, bike and run bags and realised I have nearly sorted everything I need!  Yay me!  Got out my race plan again and tweaked a few things here and there.  It is so helpful to get things sorted in your head early, as today I realised that I will need to put my bike fuel in my swim bag, not in my bike bag as it is going in my little bento box on my bike when I check tyres etc first thing in the morning of race day.  It is little things like this that you don't need throwing your head into a spin come race day!
Before I knew it, it was time for the afternoon school/kindy run and off to collect my bike.  Hugest thanks to the team at Cyclezone who have kept my bike maintained over the past year and also helped me out with advice.  My bike has seen and done a lot in its time but will definitely make it to the end of another Ironman!

Lockie, Steff and Benny at Cyclezone Rotorua.

"The Ironman"

My super awesome mentor Jacky James sent me a pearl of wisdom today called 'The Ironman'.  This was after I had a wee emotional meltdown last night feeling completely overwhelmed, under prepared,  utterly exhausted, absolutely guilty and totally fed up with everything. Fortunately last night, my other super awesome training buddy Lee-Anne picked me up, fed me pizza and got me back on track.  Jacky had received this from a friend of hers called Stu while on her own journey of Ironman 2011.  He had got it off an Ironman website somewhere along the way of his own journey in 2010. It is so fitting for the emotional rollercoaster I am currently on, especially the first and last paragraphs.  The middle paragraph is not so fitting to me personally, as I have had heaps of wonderful and encouraging support from everyone who has been following my training to Ironman 2014.  Thanks all.

"The Ironman.
The Ironman will try and psyche you out and wear you down over the course of the year.  If you know what to expect then each swing that Ironman takes at you, will have less effect.  The way Ironman can beat you is with self doubt.  If your self doubt gets to a point where you decide not to take on the challenge, then the Ironman has beaten you.
This is where it beats most people before they even get close to the start line.  The first self doubt weapon is in the form of other people.  They will constantly either tell you or imply that "you cannot do it" when they have no idea if you can or not.  They will tell you "it is a long way" which is not rocket science.  They will tell you they had a friend who has done ironman and make them out to be much better than you.  If they have already done it themselves and are really self absorbed they will even imply how much better they are than you.
The other more deadly weapon to ironman is Ironman intimidating you directly.  This will be you telling yourself you cannot possibly do something like that.  What were you thinking.  Are you insane? Don't tell anyone or they will laugh, your not good enough, etc, etc.   This is all Ironman trickery and not true at all.  Be ready for it and know that this is what prevents everyone else from taking on the challenge.
From Stu to Jacky - 'Just remember - It's you versus the Ironman, nothing more - nothing less."


Last night 'The Ironman' had me in his grip.  Today - I am free again...