Deja Vu: The RyBread Racing IMWI Lineup

I can't help but feel like I've been here before. Four years ago I packed up all of my triathlon belongings and embarked on my first Ironman journey, naive and full of nerves and uncertainty. This time around, I'm what most would call a "veteran" with some upgraded equipment over the years. But I still can't shake the same emotions I had four years ago.

Pre-Bike check-in 2014!
Please note the borrowed race wheels and road bike

Sometimes I wonder, if I wasn't so naive going into Ironman Wisconsin in 2014, would I have even attempted something like this in the first place? Would I EVER have decided to attempt an Ironman? I remember dismounting my bike on race day, very vividly. I stood still without moving for the first time since the race had started. The volunteer grabbed my bike from me and we made eye contact. "Do me a favor, sell it, " I told him. He laughed. Less than a year later, I owned bike number 2. But in that moment, I swore I'd never ride a bike again.

I might have also LOOKED naive.
Crooked helmet and all 

But here we are, 4 years and 6 full Ironman later. I'm heading back to the land of nostalgia. Looking over the lake from Monona Terrace, that left hand turn onto Witte Road on the bike, wondering "where exactly will the clown show up?",  and cruisin' down State Street with a view of the capitol building. And so.much.more.

IMWI 2014 Swim Start
I'm in there somewhere

Four years ago, I raced alone but had a great deal of support. My family, Rob, many friends, and Ryan (Coach Speedy, who will still tell you to this day, "I fought back tears watching you find that finish line!"). We've used the word "lab rat" over the years to describe my training that summer, and it's damn fitting. Back in the day, RyBread Racing wasn't even a thing. Coaching was still something Ryan "wasn't sure about" for a full time gig. The day I signed up for Madison in 2013, I called him up and told him I wasn't about to do this alone. And the rest is history.

Back when he pulled double duty
Powerbar Tent by day, Coach in the background

This time around, the racing crew looks a little different. In fact, I was the LAST to join the party. Unsure what would happen at Grandma's Marathon in June, I left the 2nd half of 2018 wide open. Once I took care of the major goal of qualifying for Boston, I could do whatever I wanted. And here I am, with my RyBread crew. Don't worry, I'll re-introduce everyone in case you forgot.

The 2018 RyBreading Racing IMWI Lineup

Mr. Tomato
Nathan Tamayo - #mrtomato

IMCHOO 2017
Nate gettin' some support from his dad on the run course!

Once again, we haven't broken the trend. I have raced ALL of my Ironman races with the Tamayo's since Ironman Lake Placid in 2016. Still living the vampire life with the Mrs, Nate continues to show up on race with his guns loaded and ready to tackle whatever comes his way. Living life opposite of the rest of society isn't a piece of cake, but this guy always makes it look easy. Nate raced Ironman Wisconsin as his first IM back in 2012 so he's ready to see what kind of progress he's made over the years. 



Mrs. Tomato

Trina Tamayo - #mrstomato

IMCHOO 2017 Swim exit

This is the first year since 2015 that the Tomatoes and I haven't raced 2 Ironman in one year. I decided to take the running route the first half of 2018, while the Tomatoes decided to donate some of their Ironman funds to their tattoo collection. This year when Trina exits the water, she'll be sporting TWO fabulous sleeves. Of course this passion of theirs cost them some valuable time in the pool. But not to worry, the RnR did them both a solid because I sense some fast swims out of these two! Living the night life makes it hard to find a common time for the group to get together with the Tomatoes. So if racing an Ironman once a year means I get to laugh until my cheeks hurt (which cheeks, eh Trina?! 🤣) then so be it. I don't get nearly enough time with this fabulous couple and I can't wait for more memories in Madison with these 2!

Mr. Speedy

Ryan Giuliano - #speedygiuliano

Aka - Da Coach

IMTX 2018
Overall Amatuer Win
North American Champion

This guy, you know his story. His limits are meant to be pushed on a daily basis. Between him and his wife, they work harder than anyone I know. The amount of work ethic, dedication, and commitment it takes to race at his level for as long as he has is something most can't even fathom. He'll tell you his training has suffered the last few months due to work, life, being sick, stress, and more work. And he's not wrong, I've witnessed multiple training cycles out of his man. But at the end of the day, his willingness to take the mind to that whole separate level is what separates him from the mere mortals of the world. You gotta be willing to really hurt, and that's what this guy does best.

Mrs. Speedy
Jacqui Giuliano - #thecomebackkid

Grand Rapids Half Ironman 2018
Overall Female Champion

I could go on and on about how much these 2 impress me. But until you witness their commitment to the sport, day in and day out, month after month, year after year, you won't truly understand. Winning is the name of their game in that house and together, they do everything the can to make sure that the rest of the pack is chasing them. This summer, Jacqui brought home her first W in the 70.3 triathlon world in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her smile says it all. She oozes joy whenever she's on that race course. Her passion and love for this sport is infectious. It's been an entire YEAR since we've raced a triathlon together (to the day actually, 70.3 Worlds on my birthday last year was our last tri together) and I'm ready to see that smiling face somewhere on the run course on Sunday.

The BFG

Mark Hode - #bfg

IMCHOO 2017
Showin' off for the family

BFG. Brother Bear. Pain in the a$$. He's about to embark on Ironman #3. His training has been.... incomplete, to say the least. Working and flying (yes, flying) has COMPLETELY taken over Mark's day to day life. He's about as close as you can get to sinking his teeth into his private pilot's license and he works his ass off everyday (starting at 5am) to pay for it, because the good Lord knows it ain't cheap to do that. So Mark has taken a different training route for this Ironman. His motto is something along the lines of "Well, I'm gonna get my money's worth at this race and push the 17 hour time limit." He knows what he's in for. He knows it's gonna hurt and that it's gonna be far from pretty. He knew when he signed up for this race he'd be testing his fitness luck due to life.  But he also knows that there's not much that can top that feeling of crossing the Ironman finish line, and he wasn't willing to go an entire year without. 

Nathan Jeffrey

Nathan Jeffrey Vannoy - #amijeffreyoraminate

Post Race IMCHOO 2017
"Ironbae, come at me" - Nathan Jeffrey

So I have to start you off and immediately tell you that unfortunately, Nathan Jeffrey is not racing Ironman Wisconsin. He was the first to sign up for the race, way back when. But as of 48 hours ago, his Dr. officially put him in a boot and told him the race was out of the question due to a stress fracture in his foot. I can tell you 100% that this is the right decision, racing an Ironman with a stress fracture could mean so much more damage in the future. He's still trying to find a way up to Wisconsin for race day, he's told me many times he misses his RyBread family. And we can't imagine race day without our favorite Southern Gentleman. 

Yours Truly
Megan Hode - #mightymouse

Grandma's Marathon 2018
BQ - 3:30:27

Had you told me back in December when I had dedicated 2018 to "Boston Or Bust" that I'd be spending my birthday on the IMWI race course because I already checked BQ off my list, I would have given you a laundry list of reasons why your prediction was wrong. But here we are. This is my 2nd year in a row I've decided to celebrate another trip around the sun in the Ironman world. It was a no brainer, really. Once I knew my body was going to be recovered and ready to go in time to race, I really didn't have to think about where I'd want to race this fall. Madison stole my heart 4 years ago and I've ALWAYS promised myself I'd go back and race one day. One day. I never imagined that "one day" would be with a team of people I've grown to call family on my birthday. My emotions reach an all time high when I think about everything I get to experience in the next 72 hours, and I simply.cant.wait.

I promise you I'll take all the pictures. I'll make all the mental notes. I vow to soak up every moment of the day. I wholeheartedly promise that I will cherish the entire weekend. I'll make sure to bring my words to life for you in my next post about the race. Because we all know, NOTHING ever goes according to plan. And I certainly didn't plan this race into 2018.

And because this race wasn't on the calendar, this guy may or may not be making an appearance because of his work schedule. Of course I WANT him there. But I can't be selfish. I can't throw these curveballs and expect everyone to cater to me. But, I've got my fingers and my toes crossed, all in hopes we'll be able to snap a similar photo at the finish line on Sunday, my 31st birthday. As a side note, if he can't make it, the new Garmin 935 (birthday gift from him! Spoiled, I know!) I'll be sporting on my wrist will serve as a nice little reminder that I know he wants to be there as well.

IMWI 2014 finish line

But we'll have some friends and local triathlon acquaintances there on race day to help us when we need it most. All in all, it's gonna be a great day. Well guys, I'll see ya'll on the other side.

Running on Camp Randall Stadium

IMWI 2014 Finish line

Cheers.

The Green Guys

If you've run the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in the last 11 years, chances are you've seen one of the infamous Green Guys running through The Loop.  Confused? Let me enlighten you:

Yea, I wasn't kidding. All the G R E E N 💚

I'm very proud to state that these incognito people are my friends, one my brother. In reality, I envy them and their courage to run the streets of Chicago in March half naked. 

But Megan.. What? Why..? I'm so confused.. Just.. huh? 

Right, I know. I was in the same boat the first time I saw these guys floating across my TV screen while I sat on my bike, pedaling away on a Sunday morning training for Ironman Wisconsin circa 2014. 

Let's back up. I met John Atchison and his wife in 2015 at the Egg Shell Shuffle, all of us volunteering our time for good friends Jacqui and Ryan (Mr. And Mrs. Speedy). Less than 3 months later, we were signed up to race across the country together in Lake Placid, New York. In reality, I had "known" John for a while, I just had no idea. John proposed to his wife Brittany the morning of my first Ironman in Madison, Wisconsin. John and I were both racing. I got out of the water and proceeded to my bike. John got out of the water and snagged a ring from Ryan and popped the question to Brittany on the helix. Ryan had told me about the plan millions of times. "I'm sorry I can't see you before the race starts, I have to save a spot on the helix!" Fast forward to the run and I remember seeing a guy running on the course wearing a tuxedo. Oh, that's Ryan's friend John. He proposed this morning! This guy, I knew before I "knew" him. He's all about the fun and makin' memories. And his large heart was clearly evident. It should have been no surprise to me that this was the same guy I saw running across my TV screen in March, completely covered in green body paint at the Shamrock Shuffle. 

Back in 2008, John convinced long time friend Ryan to invest in an $8 container of paint, a green afro wig, and a pair of green tights to run the Shamrock Shuffle. I can't tell you if it was a long conversation or not, but I can tell you that that's how the Green Guys were born. 

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 2008

And the rest is history. Over the years, John has recruited a few of his closest friends to run alongside him during the kick off to Chicago's racing scene. The only constant over the years has been John himself. 2009 resulted in blizzard-like conditions, easily the worst weather he's ever had to run {naked} in. 

2011
RJ Pucci, Oscar Munoz, John Atchison, Ryan Giuliano

The Green Guys multiplied over the years, the painting got a little easier each time, and the look started to make a name for itself. They began to be noticed as "The Green Guys." Walking around before or after the race proved to be difficult, photo opportunities aplenty with every stranger they encountered. 

In 2014 the first Green Girl was added to the lineup. John will tell you this might have been a turning point for The Green Guys. At the time, John had convinced his princess to paint herself green and run the streets of Chicago. 

2014
RJ Pucci, Oscar Munoz, Brittany Sorensen, John Atchison

Little did she know she'd soon be married into this crazy tradition. 

2015, just a few months prior to the Wedding Bells!

At some point during all of this Green, The Bank of America noticed The Green Guys. Enough so that this happened: 

#famous

Yes, that is the entrance to Shamrock Shuffle expo. And yes, those are my green friends faces greeting every.single.person that walks in the door. 

2016 - John, Brittany, RJ
I mean, how cool? 

I guess you could say this was practically a dream come true for John. What you don't know is that he's a physical education teacher in the Chicago Public School system. He spends day in and day out trying to make America's youth as active as he can. For years, he had painted himself green to run a race and maybe just inspire a student or 2 along the way. "Green means go! Go out, have fun, be healthy and enjoy life!" Yea, that's The Green Guy's motto. 

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, 2017 happened. It made the papers and John still raves about it to this day: 

"GUYS! I was the first to the Pedestrian Bridge! Photo proof!"
2017 Shamrock Shuffle starting line

Cruisin' with the elites 🏃

And that brings us to present day. John convinced a few others to join his posse, my brother included. When I found out that the Mark was joining in the fun, I decided to sherpa/spectate/document this Green Guy process. I pulled out of my driveway at 4am, parked my car at 5am, walked into The Chicago Hilton at 5:15am, knocked on The Green Guys door at 5:17am, and by 5:30am the painting started.

5 people in a tiny Chicago hotel bathroom
Good thing we're all friends

Somehow these 2 snagged their own bathroom?

I learned a lot in the hour and a half it took everyone to get ready. I learned that 3 fingers dipped into a cup of water works best to moisten the paint. I learned that circular motions make for the most even green appearance. I learned that this process is one of the cleanest.

And to think... John used to do this at his own house!

It's like a leprechaun peed everywhere!

Finally, it came time to head down to the race start. John huddled everyone together and said, "Alright, here are the rules!" Rules? What's he talking about? "When we get into the lobby of the hotel, you can take pictures with people if they ask. At some point we'll have to leave, but some pictures are ok right now." You gotta be kidding me smalls, this is gonna be like walking around with a celebrity. And that it was.

Because they're classy

I couldn't believe how people swarmed them. "Can I have a picture with you? Oh please, one more! This is so cool!" I stood in the background and watched as the 6 of them entertained the guests of the Chicago Hilton. Eventually it was time to depart. We had to make our way to the Elite tent and meet up with newest Green Girl Amanda McGrory, 7x Paralympic Medalist. Yep, this just got REAL. 

Once again, John had to lay out the rules. "Alright, as soon as we walk out the doors, we BOOK IT to the tent! It's COLD! Stop for no one! Take no pictures! JUST GO!" 

And that we did. We walked outside and the wind cut through me like a knife, and I was wearing all the layers. Shrieks filled the air on Michigan Avenue as we all sprinted down the street and played frogger the entire half mile to the tent. Once inside, I immediately started to sweat bullets while everyone else hugged the heaters that were keeping the tent warm. We found Amanda, said hello, and then made our way to the start line for our photo opportunity. 

They're all muscles in a heated tent.

Caveat, I was nervous as soon as we left the hotel. I didn't have a race bib. I didn't have any official credentials. I was just their sidekick. After the Boston Marathon bombings, race security it always very tight and I was convinced that I would be held back at some point. Except, security allowed me all the way to the starting line, hassle free.

Once more, because it just makes me smile so💚💚💚
Eric, Brittany, Mark, RJ, John, Matt and Amanda in the front!

They even let me sneak in for a group photo!

"Hey coach, is this aero?"

The originator and his beautiful Green Bride 

Mark and I 

Brittany christened me with Green war paint

Eventually, it was time for me to say my goodbyes and find my spot on the bridge for the starting line photo. I was a little happy to be moving, but not so happy to be in the wide open wind. I got to my position at 8:15, plenty of time to spare (and for my fingers to go numb). Soon the gun went off and the wheelchair athletes took off first, followed by the elites. It was time to play where's waldo! 

Amanda, leading the wheelchair race!

#priceless

This was an event I wasn't 100% sure I'd attend when Mark made plans to race. Rob and I had originally tried to look at wedding venues that weekend, but the plans fell through. So off to the race I went. And after witnessing what I saw, I couldn't imagine missing it. 

I've heard about The Green Guys a lot, seen all the pictures, and laughed at every story over the years. But it wasn't until I SAW the process, the enthusiasm they have, the joy they ooze, and the memories they create for thousands of people. It wasn't until then that I truly understood The Green Guys. They're a passionate bunch that lace up their shoes and paint themselves green year after year for the love of the sport. They reminded me that this sport and community is one not to be reckoned with. To them, Green means Go. So let's all pull a Green Guy today and GO.

#Chirish

When the Dust Settles

I've started this post maybe 10 different times. Every time I get rollin' I get sidetracked. The doorbell buzzes, my phone rings, the laundry needs to be switched, the pizza need to be taken out of the oven (yes, you heard that right, the PIZZA). I could go on and on, but honestly what it comes down to is living. I've been living a little differently. And boy lemme tell ya, it feels good.

Triathlon is only one crayon of many in my box..

Don't get me wrong, I love racing. More than your average Joe. But every year when the season comes to a close, I yearn for a Saturday morning spent sipping my coffee on the porch while I contemplate, "Hmm.. maybe I'll do my run after I take a little nap." Weekends now involve a few more cocktails and a few less miles. I've found myself deep into some serious Netflix that keeps me awake a little later during the week, sacrificing some ZZZ's. I've gone through a few good reads (let me know if you're interested!) also pushing my bedtime later and later each night. I guess you could say, I'm being "normal."

So much of my identity is tied to swim bike run. So much so that I will likely never be able to truly disconnect from it. After a 2 week hiatus from any sort of workout structure when I got home from Chatty in September, I climbed back on the horse and am back to a training structure that keeps my twitches at bay.

But I can also say I that I identify with so many other things in life. One of those things is food. I don't think I've ever met a cookie I didn't like, a fried pickle that didn't warm my soul, or a piece of deep dish pizza that didn't sing to me. But in the heat of training, my favorite indulgences take a backseat. I never completely eliminate, that would just be silly. But the saying, "The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the quickest form of poison" is one of my favorites that I relate to training and racing. Essentially what it comes down to is: Food is FUEL (aka medicine). And if you're smart about it and eat the proper medicine (fuel), your body will repay you in ways you never thought possible. But the last 6 weeks, I've lived by another famous quote that I'm sure you all know pretty well: "YOLO." Ice cream after dinner? Yup. A glass of wine just because? But of course. Pizza for the first time since May (many times over the past 6 weeks)? HELL YES.

For example, take this TRIPLE batch of chili I put together for a little post season party...

Why yes, this IS a giant donut 

These are just a few small examples of how my diet differs once the season comes to a halt.

MEGAN WHERE DID YOU HAIR GO WHY IS IT SO SHORT!?! Oh yea. So I grew out my hair to it's longest ever with every intention to cut and donate it as soon as the season was over. The weekend after IMCHOO, I sat in the salon chair and watched my locks drop to the ground, ready to send them off to a child in need. 

Before... (yes, it's past my elbows)

...After.

Sure, I miss my hair. Some days a lot. But it's only hair. It'll grow back. And to be honest, knowing that I've given the gift of a "full head of hair" to a sick child is all the reassurance I need. 

Celebrations have also been a plenty since September has come to an end. Very recently, a cousin of mine remarried and found his missing piece in life. This angel, her name is Niki. Her and her daughter Paige swooped into Scott's life when he needed it most. They married on a Tuesday in Fayetteville, Arkansas where they live in an effort to seal the deal sooner than later. And this October, they ventured back home to celebrate with the Chicago crew. This might be the only picture I took that night, but the more I see it the more I absolutely love it. So many walks of life brought together and bonding over a child's game: 

Serious Bonding

Oh yeah, and this picture of Mark and one of his high school baseball
teammates bonding over a little Ice Cream Sunday 😉
#baseballbae

Megan, you mentioned lack of sleep. Let's revisit that. Oh, right. So, I'm an early morning riser by nature. It's just who I am. It makes my training schedule totally manageable when I'm forced to see 4am more than any other time of day. Totally my father's daughter. But there have been plenty of late night extravaganza's since my September to remember has come to an end. Take for example, this surprise birthday party for another cousin, celebrating a family that doesn't know how to do anything "low key." My day started at 4am with a typical pre-work Friday swim, and I when I pulled into my driveway at 2am after dancing the night away, there's no way you could have convinced me that sleep was a better option going into my 13 mile long run the next day. 

Some of the best there is 

My cousin's are prettier than yours 😜

One of the FASTEST girls I know
Rockin' the heels ALL.NIGHT.LONG

There's some crazy talent in that family, some you wouldn't believe if I gave you full disclosure. Would you believe me if I told you that one those cousins is the manager for a Grammy Nominee? And her husband is a multiple time Grammy Nominee himself? How about that last picture, that girl I'm standing next to, her name is also Meghan (just slightly different). She's one of the Big10's fastest sprinters at the University of Michigan, landing her first sub-12 second 100 meter dash as a senior in high school. (11.7 in case you're curious). The family has nicknamed her "wheels" for a reason, and she's by far my fastest relative. And would you believe it, the talent in this family had the nerve to tell me, "We just don't know how you do it!" I'm sitting there staring at these amazing humans I'm lucky enough to call family, and without any second thought I respond, "Oh yea, well I could say the same for you guys!"

Celebrations started right after I got home from IMCHOO when Rob and I had the opportunity to watch 2 of our oldest college friends get married. It's been a long time coming, but it didn't make the day any less special. They say a little rain on your wedding day is good luck, right? Well, it poured BUCKETS during the day and the entire ceremony (that happened to be outside on an apple farm). But the rain did anything but put the fire out that these 2 have created over the years. It truly was an amazing way to watch this couple tie the knot. 

The happy couple 💓

Why yes, I DID wear rain boots to the wedding

If ever there was a fairy tale tent in the rain... 

And of course we couldn't let the end of the season slip away from us without a little team celebrations. Team RyBread got together recently to send 2 of them off to new adventures in Asheville, North Carolina. The next night we celebrated one of the newest RyBread teammates (but maybe the sassiest?) and her birthday. 

Mark's going to miss Lauren so much he just had to pick her up

We can't actually get together without something Triathlon related happening

#friendsthatarefamily

I guess you could say I've been busy since the season officially came to an end. And you wouldn't be wrong. This is proof that I need more in my life than SWIM BIKE RUN all year round. These people, these experiences, these memories are what TRULY make me whole. 

And in the same breath you know I can't live without a swim cap, or my bike, or my running shoes. And right now, my running shoes are seeing a bit more attention than the other 2. The end of 2017 left me feeling a little un-finished, if you will. A lot of pieces could have come together if my run was a wee bit faster.. stronger.. fluid. So instead of going back to the drawing board, I'm going back to basics. I'm hitting the pavement more. I've made my lungs burn more in the past month from un-welcomed track work and mile repeats than maybe all season long. (OK that was an exaggeration but you get the idea.) I'm ready to turn myself into the runner I know I can be, instead of hoping that "my run legs will show up on race day." 

My first test? I'm diving into the holiday season with the Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It's late enough in the season that I was able to give my body ample rest and still have time to get a decent block of speedwork under my belt. I truly have 1 goal for this race: see where my fitness lies going into the winter. Let's see what my body is capable of before it comes time to burn rubber on the treadmill allllll winter long. Because 2018 is practically here, and I don't anticipate it being slow by any means.