Good-bye to a Friend

Cooper, Cindy, Kelly and Marz at the start of Vineman 70.3, July 14, 2013

The road to an Ironman starting line has many bumps along the way. Some, like fatigue and muscle ache are to be expected; sadly, losing a loved one suddenly is not. Especially when they are taken from us far too soon. Ilmars Ziedins, Kelly's boyfriend and soul mate, passed away last week, a mere 10 days after his 38th birthday. 

I will let Kelly caption the photo above, "This is my big Ogre holding the sign as Cindy and I are about to hit the water for Vineman, our first HIM this last July. Always being supportive of my triathlon and all of my dreams. He was the one carrying 2 bikes with a million bags strung over his shoulder on the way back to the car because he knew we were tired from whatever crazy race we just completed. He was my best friend and soul mate."

I had the pleasure of getting to know Marz better last summer, when he accompanied Kelly and I to our Boulder, CO triathlons as we trained for the big 70.3. He was the one snapping pictures with the iPad, cheering out loud and smiling as big as the mountains as we ran by him and crossed the finish line. I'll remember our celebratory breakfasts afterwards at Crazy Craig's and the "perfect breakfast sandwich" that he made and lingered over as he took each delicious bite. Then meticulously packed up the leftovers to take home. 

He also accompanied Kelly and my family to Sonoma County for the big Vineman 70.3, our first half Ironman. He helped around the kitchen cooking meals, paddled the Russian River with Jason in a kayak, played with Cooper and motivated us every step of the way. I'll think of him anytime I see David's Killer Bread on the shelves at the grocery store and of the sandwich he labored over for an hour with the "best bread ever"! 

While Jason was snapping all the amazing pictures for us, Marz was holding Cooper up high so he could see his Mama cross the finish line. I was told he carried Cooper around most of the afternoon. That's a feat in itself! :-)

Fast friends. Marz loved kids!

Birthday picture time!

 Choo choo! Chugging back to the house after our post-race day breakfast feast.

 

Kelly and Marz in their element in the redwood trees at Armstrong Woods.

Relaxing on our deck with some local wine and cheese.

A few more thoughts from Kelly:

"He told me every day of my life that he loved me and he was proud of me. He was soooo excited about Chattanooga.  He always asked about my foot (injury) and how I liked my bike and what we were doing.  He couldn't wait to see us cross the finish line.  I think it was honestly the thing he was looking forward to the most this summer.  He could not stop talking about it.  He was so amazed at us in Cali.  He kept saying he knew how it was - he had his time to shine when he downhill raced (mountain bikes) and now it was my time and he would support me no matter what.  And he did."

IM Chattanooga is still a long way off; 214 days to be exact, a little over 30 weeks. With only 30 or so rest days built in, it's going to be a long and arduous journey for both of us. It will be harder now without Marz by Kelly's side and without his spirited support and animated encouragement every step of the way. With heavy hearts, we will carry on and keep moving forward. You will be missed dearly, Marz, as you've left a void in our lives and hearts that will never be filled. We will carry your spirit with us in our future adventures and think of you always. Rest in peace, friend. 

Ilmars Zeidins, 1976-2014

Frozen Tundra 13.1 AKA The Ralston Creek Half Marathon and a WLC "Slip Up"

 

Freezing our butts off before the 9 a.m. start. 19 degrees

Last week today's weather called for 45 and sunny. We were greeted by wet fog and 19 degree temps at the start. There was an ice skating rink surrounding the porta potties thanks to Saturday's brief thaw, which made for an interesting pre-race potty ritual. I left my ice skates at home thinking they wouldn't be required for a half marathon.  I was mistaken, apparently. I wish I had a picture.
 
We started right at 9 a.m.. It took me a few miles to warm up and start feeling my fingers and toes again. The course began on the road and at mile one we turned onto The Ralston Creek bike path which was mostly covered in ice and snow forcing many more walk breaks than I had intended. There was no way I was risking falling and injuring myself in a race where the entire purpose was to keep up my training through the winter. We enjoyed the solitude and quiet of the cold and the fog. The course winded through tall trees, pretty snow-covered meadows, a golf course and then up the side of a mountain, switchbacks and all. It was a challenging course in the foothills which was a nice break from the downtown half marathons we typically run. It was more of an adventure race and Angie and I had a great time.

There was a gal behind us, though, who wasn't having so much fun. She insisted on telling all the amazing volunteers (who gave up their mornings to stand outside in the freezing cold so we could have a safe and enjoyable race) about the "worst course ever"! Hello! It's February. In Colorado. Where it sometimes snows in the winter. Which she voluntarily registered and showed up for. I eventually told her that in a kind-hearted way and she smiled and said she had just moved here, etc, etc. At least she didn't bite my head off but I couldn't let it go. She was actually very nice and was making the best of it.

Here I am at mile 3.5

 

 Mile 8ish; Frozen reservoir in the valley.

 

 

This was coming down the mountain. It wasn't actually snowing,

but the Google enhancement sets the tone nicely here!

 

 Mile 12, after a long climb up into the clouds and a "speedy" decent to a bit warmer climate. That was supposed to be a copy of Tate's "Freezing Face". Feeling pretty good with 1.3 miles to go. (The course was a touch longer than 13.1.)

 

Angie and I both finished the race with smiles on our faces and very cold but intact bodies. There were a few slips and slides on the course to get the adrenaline pumping a bit, but luckily, no falls. We were happy to be done, thankful for hot chocolate with whipped cream, homemade banana bread made by the race director, a warm car and The Golden Diner where we went for breakfast. Pancakes. Bacon. Coffee (the way I like it). All illegal on the WLC (see previous post), which brings me to the "slip up" portion of this post.

My fall off the WLC wagon was intentional, well planned and greatly anticipated. I had been planning my cheat meal(s) for weeks leading up to the race.  Up until this morning (race morning), I had only lost 5 nutrition points total; this was way better than I did on this challenge last year so I am feeling pretty proud of myself and my clothes are fitting better, to boot. The mindset for me has always been to race then reward myself with yummy food for a day or two then get back on track. It's all in the mindset. I CHOSE to cheat and planned it. I could have CHOSEN to pack my WLC compliant recovery meal, but I chose NOT to.

I perused the menu and chose my meal wisely: decaf coffee (with sugar and cream) as I was still feeling like a icicle, chocolate chip pancakes, bacon and an amazing green chili smothered omelet (most of which went home with me in a box). I enjoyed every bite of the pancakes and bacon.

 I only had one pancake (the size of my head) but you get the idea.

It was as good as these look. Trust me. 

 Then I stopped for chocolate chip cookies at Tony's before going home. Yum. I was going all in on Sunday and it was all delicious. Worth every nutrition point that I burned along with the 1400 calories I torched on the trail.

 

 I almost forgot to mention the pizza I shared with the boys at

Jason's hockey game that night.  That was pretty tasty, too!

 

Watching Daddy down below.

 

 The Zamboni always holds their attention better than the hockey game. Sorry, Honey!

After one more day of not so great food choices, I am back on the wagon whole heartedly and am looking forward to the next 23 days or so to finish the challenge strong. With my Ironman "IronFit" program starting in just 2 weeks, I don't have much of a choice!  He's to the next adventure! And thanks to Angie for a great day of running and eating!