Operation Ironman Lake Placid 2014

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. Nope. What is it about the flip of the calendar that triggers the do-good in people? How about recognizing the opportunity to make changes and do better each and every day? Waiting for the new year is wasting time. You deserve better than that. But here we are, 2014 is upon us and for me this represents the start of a new training season and seven months of all things Ironman. YES! Before the awesome train leaves the station, I want to reflect on some of my favorite moments of 2013. Moments that undoubtedly will sound like bragging. Not my intent, but this is my self pep talk to kick off a big training season. This one’s more for me. But I bet you’ll find some inspiration within.

January 2013 my friend John Tedesco ran the ING Miami Marathon. I ran all of his long runs with him. Something he has done with me when I was marathon training. John had taken his runs to the track as a way of attempting to acclimate to the Miami heat. Round and round and round on that damn 1/8^th mile track at The Edge... We were doing his final long run before the race. He was setting the pace. In the final half mile, he had gas in the tank and felt the need for a little speed so we kicked it up a notch or two or ten! He was still setting the pace, but we were running faster than I’d ever seen him run. Recognizing he could run yet faster, as we rounded the corner for our final lap, I told him I was going to be in his back pocket punishing pushing him. The more I pressed, the faster he ran! When we finished I told him we were running sub-6:00 pace. He just looked at me and said, “It’s nice to finally hear you breathing.” While he didn’t append “Bitch”, it was implied….and most definitely appropriate. This was a huge compliment and I’ve thought of this moment time and time again. Now that my self full-filling part of the story is over, I have to add some color to John’s marathon journey. This wasn’t John’s first marathon…far from it. It was his 8^th, but it was different from the rest and so gigantically symbolic, as John had drawn the parallel that a marathon was akin to life. You see, John was racing just nine short weeks after undergoing his second surgery to rid his body of the cancerous cells growing within. This is a really big deal, people. Think about that when you’re complaining about whatever obstacle is in front of you. John Tedesco, you are a rock star!

My next moment of happiness comes from REV. I have a good friend, Amelia Leme, a kick ass personal trainer and a frequent partner in crime for many of my shenanigans. If you’ve ever had a personal torturer trainer, you know the depth of the love and hate that coexist, sometimes even at the same time. Amelia sent one of her clients to my spin class at REV. During the cool down, I said to Sasha, “If you hate me half as much as you hate Amelia right now, that would make me happy.” To which she replied without hesitation, “I hate you more than Amelia right now.” Grand slam!!! Sasha, you have no idea how many times that moment has propelled me in 2013!

The next two things that really struck me in 2013 came from my Ironman journey. Specifically, race day. Sarah DeGray, esteemed owner of my beloved REV Indoor Cycling, was in Lake Placid the day I became an Ironman. She was a constant supporter and offered so much encouragement throughout my transformation. Race day, she shared the following with me: 

“WOW - today was truly an emotional and special day. I am so happy to have witnessed part of Nancy Ovitt's journey to 140.6 of true grit, greatness and smiles. Every step of the way she was energized and lovely - happy - even giddy. I'm so proud of Nancy - she has worked hard for her goals and now she is an IRONWOMAN... but the funny this is that we all knew she was one even before today, now the rest of the world knows. Have a beautiful night's sleep Nancy and a HUGE piece of chocolate cake!”

Thanks Sarah. I take much inspiration from you and all that you do. This has resonated with me over and over.

This next one was shared with me the day after IMLP by my long-time friend, Chris Leavitt, who was in Lake Placid with his awesome wife, Josie, and their girls, Jasmin and Jade.

“My youngest daughter started her bucket list tonight.

Item 1 - Ironman Lake Placid.

As I type this both daughters are currently starting their training(sit-ups and pushups).. You are a true inspiration Nancy Ovitt...thank you for being awesome.”

<Gulp> That one still chokes me up. To inspire a ten year old after having witnessed what she thought was so awesome on that day in Lake Placid…do you still wonder why I do this?

While it was up to me to do the hard work in preparing for race day, I have to give so much credit to Jonathan Couture for being my biggest supporter and playing Captain of my entire Ironman Crew. It could be argued that he is responsible for my success in Lake Placid because he gave me the tools, skills, and confidence to complete an Ironman swim. 2.4 miles….a distance I had never remotely covered….4224 yards….a distance that was downright terrifying to me. To fail at the swim would be an end to my entire race. Aside from taking my swimming to a new level, Jonathan organized 15 people on the ground in LP. He placed people all over the course so I had support in key places. He got team t-shirts. He served as my personal paparazzi, using his media credentials to personally photograph my entire day. Thanks JC. I couldn’t have done it without you. But what left such an impression on me is words he shared with friends a few weeks after the race. He was telling friends how he knew me. (If you’re curious, it’s actually Chris Leavitt, referenced above, who gets the credit for introducing us. Thanks Leavitt!) Jonathan shared that he is not often inspired by people, but I am one person who consistently inspires him. I hold Jonathan in such a high regard and consider him one of the greatest athletes I know. To say I admire him would be an understatement, so to know I inspire him makes it even more special. Jonathan will be on the race course again in 2014. This time he won’t be working media. He’ll be racing! Good luck JC. This means I’m in need of a Race Captain. If you would like to submit an application, please do so.

There are countess moments of inspiration, giving and receiving. Everyone that was in Lake Placid that day. All of my followers online! Friends. Family. Co-workers. My teammates from The Tri Shop….the list goes on.

No doubt, Ironman was the focal point of my year. A friend asked me in the days leading up to the race what I was going to do July 29^th (the day after the race). The truth….I had no idea and I was scared to death of life without Ironman. So what did I do on July 29^th and beyond? On the 29^th I slept in. I had a huge breakfast in Lake Placid with my Mom. I went home. My heart was overflowing with satisfaction and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. I rode my bike. I ran. For fun. I did not swim. I reacquainted myself with friends. I ate. I drank. I ate. I drank some more. I taught my spin classes at REV. I started a very focused strength-training program. I started doing yoga twice a week. I rode my bike. For fun. I ran less. I still didn’t swim. I returned to the hill and skied. Hiked. Went sledding. Ran in the snow. More REV. More strength training. Yoga. I ate. Yes….I drank. And no...I didn't swim.

Today marks Day One of Operation Ironman Lake Placid 2014. I registered for 2014 on July 27^th. The day before the race, I signed up to repeat in 2014. There was no doubt in my mind I needed to do this again.

So here I am. Day One. I ran outside with Sarah Voigt and her four-legged buddy, Garth. It was 9 degrees. I am 7 pounds heavier than I was on July 28th (or at least that was the damage the last time I dared to step on the scale)! The whole of my being is full of peace, love, and light. I’ve got a lot of work ahead, but I’ve got a great support system. Coach Dave is back on board. Ryan has increased my strength to an all time high. I can do ten or more full body weight dips! Yoga is helping to offset some of the beatings I deliver to my body; it also brings a sense of calm and keeps me centered. I am starting the season exactly where I’m supposed to be. Well, except for that seven pounds…

Back to this notion of not stating New Year’s resolutions. I support you in your commitment to them. But that’s the key. Commit.

I prefer a constant state of evaluation, modification, and re-evaluation. It’s a never-ending process. I’ll never arrive. Hell, I don’t even know where I’m headed, but I can assure you I’m having a blast!

My goal for 2014 is to shave about 45 minutes off my time. I raced 13:22 last year, which put me in the top third of my age group. That’s pretty respectable, especially for a first timer, but in my constant quest to be the best ME possible, I’m gunning for sub-12:45. It won’t be easy. It’s not supposed to be easy. But I’m ready. To know me is to know I will bring the highest level of focus, dedication, and commitment to the process. I will do the work. I will make the sacrifices. I will embrace the suck. I will climb every hill. I will live. I will learn. I will grow. Wait….I mean I will embark upon self discovery. I will not grow. I need to drop those seven pounds plus an additional five or more. That’s what Coach Dave reminded me I told him last year. Sigh… Goodbye pizza. Goodbye beer. Goodbye dark chocolate.

Sounds right to me….

2013 was my best year yet, but I’ve got big plans to make 2014 even better. The colors will dazzle. The music will make your feet move. I can only hope the awesome will inspire. Peace. Beauty. Magic. Light. Love. Laughter. I look forward to seeing you along the way. Don’t blink.