Accidentally In Love With Ultra Marathons

Back Story:

Back in Feb 2021, I remember I was sitting on the couch looking at my race calendar. It was blank and sad! I wasn’t sure what would happen with COVID and the races. Trail running seemed like the safest option. I could always do it virtually and away from the crowd. And if you know me, you know that I couldn’t settle for a 5K or 10K on the trail! It had to be an ultra marathon. It was either an ultra or learning Salsa dancing! It was a close call people!

I did some research, okay, I just looked online for a couple hours and signed up for the DHRT 50K in August. It is true that I hate the heat and was terrified of being over heated at the race, but it was the only flat option and seemed reasonable!

So I started training for it. I would park my Car at C&O Lock 7 and go for runs. Why at that specific spot?! Because my cousin lives 5 minutes from it and I would go over there to eat and pass out on their couch. I wasn’t following any particular training plan. I picked up what we had for Challenge Roth and just continued off of that.

I knew it was 50K, which is TEN 5Ks. SOMEHOW I had it in my head that it equaled 36 miles! Thanks to some very good friends, who did the math for me and showed me that I had over trained! Is this really a shock though?!!! Haha…

Aug 6^th, Day Before:

I told everyone that I knew that the race was in Fredericksburg! Where do I drive to when I leave the house to head down? BALTIMORE!!! No further comments on this one!

I sent a photo of the email that race director sent us to some friends. Saying “Look! They are setting me up for failure”. Friend: “I would be more concerned about what they wrote two paragraphs above that – the electrified fence!!!” And that is the first time that I actually saw the note about the fences!

Driving up to Baltimore was hectic, since there was traffic. I took the time to make a shopping list 😐

Once I got to my hotel, I was set for a quiet evening 😊

Aug 7^th, Race Day!

I woke up at 4 AM, made coffee and did some art work on my arm. That is the cutoff time for turn around point and the locations of aid stations and Porta Johns.

I got to the race start at 6 AM, and had 30 minutes to chat with some cool people! I do really like the Ultra Crowd. I might’ve accidentally terrified another girl, talking about the electrified fence with a touch of Final Destination. Sorry!

It was a gorgeous day! At least it was for me. When we started the temperature was in the 60s with overcast! So lucky.

I had been training with 4 minute run and 1 minute walks, but at the race start I decided to run a little more. So I did the 1 Mile, 1 minute for the first hour and half. Then I met Jodi, who was struggling. I was starting to feel it too. So we started chatting and she did the 4/1s with me.

I had only half of my nutrition in my bag and the second half in my drop bag at mile 15.5. Right around mile 15 is when my body decided to do the weirdest thing that it has never done. I have done a few marathons, and have never felt this way. This is sort of like a Reel video from Hayley Morris, I love her videos on Instagram. We will keep it PG for the purpose of this post …

My Stomach: I am going to act like you are about to puke every time you think about eating anything.

My Bladder: I am going to make you feel like you are about to explode, even though I am empty. And I will not stop until you squat somewhere.

Legs: We are going to cramp no matter what you do, because we need electrolytes!!

Brain: I am going to make you want to run fast and also think that you are about to pee yourself!

Mother Nature: sky! Open up and dump rain all over them!

Mile 24: Mother Nature: Oh look! That fool is still running! Here are thunders and a bunch of Deer flies for you! Enjoy!

At that point I put my headphones in and ignored everything around me. The problem was that the race director announced they would start the race with rain, but if there was thunder or lightening, we had to seek shelter. And only continue at our own risk. I had come too far to quit! So I decided to ignore everything unless someone pushed me in to the race van!

The rain didn’t stop! My shoes were filled with water. I loved every minute of it. The rain made it cool and also was a great distraction for me. I was tired of counting how many miles I had left and how long it would take me!

The volunteers treated us like kings and queens. At the turn around someone was standing holding my drop bag for me and he would hand me what I needed! How cool is that?!

As I was running the last few miles, the volunteers would ask if I needed anything and I kept saying, “My Pajamas!”

If you are a triathlete and even better an Ironman, you know how high energy the finish line is at those races! It is a big party, you hear it from miles away. The Ultra Finish however ... I had to do a double take and make sure it was the finish! haha I did get my medal though :)

Writing this while sitting on the couch in my pajama. I realize this is not a race report. It is an entry in my  blog that has the memories of all my epic experiences. I am not sure what I will do next for it to be epic enough to make it here. I will think about it and I am sure it won’t disappoint. Definitely, not a one and done. I will pickup another ultra for later this year.

Note to self: Never sit in a salt bath after a long run! 😱😱😱 Well at least the pain came at once and was gone fast. 

Ironman Mont Tremblant August 2019

About 8 weeks ago as I was enjoying my bourbon at a gathering, Grant Pettrie had an idea. He challenged me to avoid alcohol and sweets for the remaining time until Ironman Mont Tremblant. I kept with the challenge and lost about 12 pounds. Had a faster IM by 1 hour and never felt better. So Thank you Grant!

Navid is my brother's best friend and our childhood friend. This guy made the trip from Toronto, to spend the Saturday evening and race morning with me. Wish my brother could join us! I am not sure if he would ever come out to support any other races. He didn't look impressed when I woke him up at 4:30 AM to head to transition.

At the briefing on Friday night, they told us not to put any nutrition on our bike nor the transition bags. There were bears, raccoons, etc. That messed with my checklist.

The Morning of the Race:

I woke up at 4 AM. Double checked my bottles, and bags. Made sure I packed my running shoes to take to T2 bag. By 5 AM we walked over to the transition. My hotel was in the IM village and only 2 minute walk to Team Z HQ. I walked to the body markers. Then headed in to the Transition tent. Here is where things didn't go well. I was nervous and distracted. So didn't put the nutrition in the T1 bag. Everything went in to the Bike Special Needs! Oops.

I went to the bike, put 4 scratch bottles on it. Pumped the tires ... ALL SET! I was excited! I wasn't feeling nervous before that morning. I was feeling all the feels at that moment. I went out and found Navid, we walked over to Team Z HQ.

As I was sipping coffee. Someone said:"Everyone make sure you have your timing chip" ... Me"CRAP!!!!" and I started running to the hotel. Phewww it was on the floor by the bed.

We all started walking to Swim start. It was a 20 minute walk. Once there, everyone got in their pace lines. And before I knew it, it was go time.

My main goal was to have fun. I honestly didn't think I would even finish!

Swim:

As soon as I got in to the water, with my sleeveless wetsuit, I started freezing! I thought maybe it was death that was coming for me. My feet, face, arms all were freezing. It felt like that for 10 minutes, until I warmed up. No of course I didn't do a warm up! Why would I?! I got kicked in the head at the first turn. I had already gone too far to quit, so I kept going. I did stop and yell at a guy who kept grabbing my feet. I am sure he completely understood every word that came out of my mouth. As he changed NOTHING!

Swim was otherwise uneventful. Swim Time: 1 hour 42 minutes.

Once out of water I found the strippers, they took the wetsuit off and I started running to T1.

This pic is for Cliff. Both feet off the ground! Look how happy I am to be done with swim!

T1 Time: 11 Minutes 17 seconds. Here is why:

One reason was the long run back to the transition tent. The other reason is once I put my clothes on for the bike, I realized I had no food! Then and there I had a nervous breakdown on the chair. Threw everything out of the bag and found no food. Then I decided that I needed to suck it up and get on the bike. I thought "Plan says to take it easy on the first 10 miles. So do that and drink your scratch. At the aid station get food." 

Bike:

Since the swim, I never got warm. I felt a little cold all day. If you know me, you know I absolutely loved that. I was in shock when teammates complained about the heat the next day. The fact that I didn't feel the heat also explains my later visit to medical tent.

Once I got to the first aid station at mile 10 I told the volunteers that I had no food. And they filled up my jersey pockets with bananas, bars and Gu. The Gu and Banana were okay, but the bar made me sick. So I ended up not eating until mile 56 special needs. That wasn't smart, I know! Because I was bonking while trying to bike through the Duplesis. After the first loop I stopped at the Special needs. Filled up my water bottles and grabbed my food. It was too late, I just kept getting slower and there was a wind! Seriously! 

I could see the cutoff time vehicle coming from the other side. Even though I really wanted to just stop pedaling and take a nap for a while, I kept going. I am lucky that I didn't get a flat nor dropped a chain. The second round on Duplesis was hard. I think I cried a little and maybe just maybe asked for my mom! 

The team Z cheer crew were at the start of Duplesis and they gave me the energy that I needed to push through.

I made it to T2 10 minutes before the cutoff time. 

Bike Time: 8 Hours and 15 minutes

T2: 7 Minutes 41 seconds

Run:

As I came out of the T2, Ed told me that I had to keep a 15 minute mile pace or I wouldn't make it. For some unknown reason I was able to run after that horrific bike ride. I didn't want to push it. Since my back was completely out and I was in pain already. So I kept it around 11:30-12 per mile. That way I would have more time at the end if I needed to crawl through the finish line. 

People kept telling me that I was on fire! And my response was something like:"Yes! My back is on fire and I am having labor pain! I may be running with a baby on the second lap!"

Jamie saved me. She had Advil and that changed everything for me. I danced with the volunteers at the aid stations. Why not!? I met a guy racing his VERY FIRST Triathlon that day at age 65! 

I ran the last lap with the oldest finisher, 75 year old guy. We were both so delusional that he spoke to me in French and I spoke to him in Farsi. We had a fantastic conversation about Arctic I think. 

My Garmin died around 2 miles before the finish! I saw John right around 24 mile and he mentioned his head was foggy. I should've stayed with him. But I knew I was running on absolute empty and didn't want to faint before hearing Mike Riley saying my name. 

Somewhere through that marathon, I decided that I wanted to break 16 hours.  I finished IM Cozumel in 16 Hours and 47 minutes. I was in a better shape at Mont Tremblant. The more I did the math in my head the more I wanted to push. Once In the village I kept asking people for the time. The run to the finish felt like Tour de France with everyone high fiving me. 

The face you make while trying not to faint before Mike Riley says your name!

I slowed down enough to hear Mike Riley saying:"Newsha Nazmi Ansary, you are an Ironman!"

Total time: 15 hours and 50 minutes.

Once in the tent, I went straight to the medical tent. I told them that I wasn't an emergency, but I was going to faint. I then laid on the ground and put my feet up. They checked my HR, Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar and were high fiving each other!They said they had never seen such low numbers. I was shivering at this point. After 45 minutes of eating and forcing down Sprite I was better. They wouldn't let me leave, Debbie had Tom release me from the medical tent. I walked over to the transition, grabbed my bike and bags and headed to Team Z HQ. 

What is next you ask?! Watermans Half Ironman and Marine Corps Marathon

Antarctica Marathon 2018

I was still on Ironman High at the end of 2014, and that is when some of the Team Zers convinced me to signup for Antarctica Marathon. For the record: I hate running, but it is more socially acceptable to run than to punch someone in the face! So I do it almost every day. I am over the NOVA Humidity and no snow winters, so of course I would go to my dreamland of snow! Flash forward to early 2015 when I found out I was pregnant. I had forgotten all about the marathon by then! I couldn't workout, doctor's order, so I became an expert in Couch Potato-ing (it is a thing, google it!). In February 2016, I got an email from Marathon Tours congratulating me and letting me know I was on the list to race in March 2016. I emailed them back, something like this:

" ... Would love to race, however the race day is 2 weeks before my due date! I am happy to come if my baby can get Antarctica citizenship by being born there!" 

So obviously, they opted out and left me to stay on list for 2018. Again, I forgot all about this, because once baby was born I lost all my identity. I became a zombie with no sleep, and was consumed by the new massive love in my life. I loved every moment with her. I kept telling everyone "I just had a baby! That is why I am overweight and can't workout!" 

Fast Forward, to 2017. I started working out slowly. Finally, I got the email saying I was on the list for 2018 and to confirm I had to make my first deposit. That evening, Bobby and I drank a bottle of Insignia, then Bobby looked me in the eye and said," Are you going to finish this marathon? I am in if you say you will finish!" I had a few glasses in me, so I said "HELL YES BABY!" ... The next day, I wasn't so sure, but money was deposited.

I enjoy running only when it is cold and snow is icing on the cake. So I started training in Fall of 2017. Bobby, is awesome in supporting me in my crazy missions. Nava and him cheered me on through the miserable training runs. 

Fast forward to the day I flew to BA, Argentina to meet everyone! That morning, I went to Jannie's Spin, and secretly wanted to say goodbye to her in case I never came back. Made videos for Nava and Bobby in case I don't make it through the Drake Passage (I know, a little too dramatic there!). 

I traveled with Jimmy and Dexter. On the plane, I met Ryan, he was a life saver with his sea sickness medication. I was mess at the landing in BA since we circled in the air for 45 minutes before we could land. Thank you Ryan!

BA was super fun with our group of 5 friends. We did everything together and that made it so much better. At the welcome dinner, we met so many others on our ship. We met Charlotte, who had done 200 marathons in 20 years! Paul and Colin, who over trained behind each others back and were injured at the same time. We met Nathan, who left his wife and 3 month old at home for the trip! I told him I would've stabbed him, if I were his wife and that she was an absolute angel for letting him leave her with a new born! 

Flight to Ushuaia was uneventful, I sat next to Han on the flight. Little did I know, he would become my motivation on that marathon! Ushuaia is GORGEOUS! I fell in love with that place almost instantly. Marcia, Jimmy and I hiked up to the Glaciar Martial. Such a beautiful day and view!

Once we had lunch, it was time to find Loffe and get on board!

Selfie, or it didn't happen!

At 6 PM, we had a briefing at the dining room of Loffe. I had a more important date though: My last Facetime with Nava before we go off the grid! Sorry Sinckers! I missed everything that was said that evening about the safety and Lifeboat drill! SOOOO ... I went ahead and took a shower. until I heard knocks on the door. Dexter told me to get out for the drill, My answer: "Dude, I am conditioning my hair!" Joking aside, I jumped out of the shower and was going to run on the deck with my towel on and my Sat phone. But the line was up to our room in the hallway. So I got dressed and headed out. Sorry to disappoint everyone by not showing up in a towel! hahah Anyway, we lost, because I was last to come out! But here is a proof that I finally showed up! 

We had Drake Lake experience on the way south. So I spent endless hours on the deck 6 and 7. The second night on the ship, we had rough waters. I couldn't sleep, neither could Dexter. We talked about shows and most random things you can think of. We were tip toeing around the obvious "What to pack for life boat?!" We all made it through, and at breakfast the next morning it became apparent that everyone was thinking about what to pack for the life boat as well! 

March 15

Sinckers voice through the speaker:

"Good Morning Everyone ..." We could see land and race course! We were like little kids excited walking around the deck and pointing out Pinguins! 

We had our first Excursion that morning. We watched a leopard seal kill a penguin. Well, everyone watched, but me. How cruel! 

I would rather post a photo of a live Penguin than a dead one!

We are so cute!

More selfies!

I don't look amused in that picture, do I?

Evening before the race, I was terrified. The whole day, as I watched everyone being super intense, I didn't think I could do it. I told myself, "show-up, do what you came here for. If you don't finish, no one cares other than you and you will get over it!" 

March 16: RACE DAY

Erica, Jimmy and I were the first people on the Zodiacs to head to race course. 

We were freezing!

Us and Pepper (With British accent. She was adopted by a family from UK. Long Story) My lucky Penguin. She ran the marathon with me in my pocket!

It started snowing as soon as the race started. Everything was completely white after a few minutes. And it made my day! It totally made our first loop that much better. Jimmy, ran with me on the first loop and thank heavens that he did. I was not optimistic at the start, but running with a friend changed my mind. 

I started off feeling great! I always hit a wall right between 6 and 8 miles. I know, if I push through, I can make it. Once it stopped snowing, the course got super icy. It was tricky on the rocks. I went too far to the right at some point, and CRACK, Ice broke under me and I went knee high in the mud with my right leg. I cursed so loudly, that I had to apologize to others after. It didn't even matter though! Either the toe warmers kept me warm, or just the run! 

Around mile 16, was when I hit another wall. I was walking and I met Han! He had the biggest smile on his face, even though he was in pain. We walked hills and shuffled the rest. It was his bright smile and enthusiasm that gave me strength! I was feeling great at mile 18, so I started jogging. And then I just kept jogging and then running! After I finished my 5th loop, I went to my bag and got my flag out of my bag. Wrapped it around my neck like a scarf. Smell from home, made me run faster. I sprinted the last 2.5 miles. I told Larry, I was done with China and its Great Wall! THANK YOU LARRY for being out there and cheering us on! I never felt that good towards the end of a long run, let alone a marathon. So I kept my sprint up and held my flag up high as I ran through the finish line. Marcia was there waiting for me! She put a medal around my neck and gave me the biggest hug ever! 

After finishing the race, in about 30 seconds I started freezing and shivering. I rushed to my bag put layers on and jumped on the first Zodiac I could find. Back on the ship, after a long hot shower, my fingers and toes were no longer purple! 

Bad Assery Club!

It took two washes to get all the mud out of that right foot shoe!

After the run, my real vacation started! Tons of Excursions and a hike on Antarctica Continent. So many great memories on Loffe. So many nights dancing and DJ'ing! I loved to DJ and watch people love the song choices. We hit very rough waters on the way back north. Below are some photos as the words cannot quite explain the magical beauty of that land!

Why did I agree to this!? 

Polar Plunge 0 Celsius

Get me out of here! haha

BBQ Party. Our only photo with Sinckers

Ice for our drinks. Yes, that is from an iceberg! 

March 20th was Norouz, and my new year. I asked Tessa if she could help me find some stuff for my Haft Seen. We had to go with Potato (Sib Zamini) instead of Senjed and Tray (Sini) instead of Samanoo! 

Jimmy was kind enough to give heads up to Sinckers to make an announcement at lunch! I was super tired that day from all the shakes in the storm. So I stayed in bed reading all day, except for lunch and new Year! I missed one big party that evening, even though Dexter came up twice to get me to go. 

We made it back to Ushuaian on March 23rd. We partied the last night on the ship.

 This trip will forever be one of my best memories of all the time. I am so thankful to have met and found so many new friends! 

Big thank you to Marathon Tours and One Ocean group to make everything happen and this trip 100% perfect!

Ironman Cozumel 2014

Background

Growing up in Tehran and only 20 minutes away from Alborz Mountains we spent a lot of time hiking as a family. My dad taught me how to be patient and listen to my breath and find the rhythm. My mom taught me how to enjoy nature, she has the most angelic voice you can imagine and she would sing for us while hiking. My brother and I both loved cycling, but he was more determined than me. He followed his dream and cycled alone around Iran in 3 months.

My sport in college was trekking and mountain climbing, anytime I got a chance I would go and spend days in mountains with my friends. When I moved here in 2007, I immediately realized that I needed to find a new hobby. Something extreme and challenging, new goals.

I was never a runner, nor a cyclist. Growing up in Iran as a girl makes developing those sports very tough. I only knew how to swim breast stroke and that was it.

My first 5k was in 2012 and it took me one hour, because I had to lay down half way through to rest. yup! My first Tri was a local Super Sprint in 2012 and I became 3rd in my age group. Yeah, you guessed it right, there were only 3 girls in my age group.

Ironman was always a dream, but never thought I had it in me to become one.

I became addicted to spinning and would join my friends every day and spin at CycleLuv. An Olympic Triathlon was the goal for 2013. So I found Team Z and joined. The first swim practice that I showed up to was in March of 2013, with my race being in May. I couldn't even swim one whole lap of Freestyle. Alyssa, Ryan, Jessica and Kiki were the most patient, consistent and loving coaches anyone could ask for. They somehow managed to teach me how to swim free style.

I bought my bike (second bike ever!) in March and used every chance I had to ride my bike.

My first Tri with Team Z was Kinitec Sprint and I knew there and then that I was in love with The Team.  Jean taught me how to set up my transition. She called me on the phone talked me through packing and helped me set it up on the race day. I don't think I could do it without her! 2013 was busy, I raced almost every weekend and finished the season with Watermans Half Ironman.

Pre Cozumel:

My bike was too small for me and was giving me knee issues. One day as I was hopelessly trying to find a way to get a new Road Bike, Ryan told me that one of the generous Zers had donated her Tri Bike to the team. I tested the bike and it was a perfect fit! How lucky can one be? I will forever be grateful. Bill at Bike Lane (The Wizard) and I had many many days spent in the shop and finally the bike and I were ready for the journey. As Bill says, "I was so comfortable that I could be in aero and put a pillow and take a nap while biking".

The week before the race went fast. I was nervous about the swim and was wondering how things would go at the end of the day.

Ironman Cozumel 2014 Race Day:

Goal: Smile, have fun and don't bonk.

 I woke up at 3 AM and looked at Bobby and said,"Hey, do you want to go on a cruise instead? We can pretend that IM was never a plan!"

Swim:

Goal: 2 Hours. Actual: 1:34

        

As we got to the swim start I started to calm down. Bobby surprised me and came to see me before the swim and boy did I need to see his smiling face!

I was joking around and talking with people at the start of the race and missed the announcement of my name and the fact that I was the only athlete from Iran competing.

I couldn't ask for a better swim, this was the most gorgeous swim I have ever done in my life. Due to the phobia of Barracudas, I kept my arms really close to my body in the water. I got stung a million times by Jelly Fish and it didn't even matter! It only itched for a second and was gone.

Every time I felt the faster swimmers coming by me, I would keep my face out of water so they wouldn't kick me in the face.Finally got to the last turn buoy, I had the biggest smile on my face. There was a camera man under the water taking pictures of us.

T1 was as fast as could be, 15 minutes. I changed in to my bike gear and left with my bike.

Bike:

Goal: 8 hours. Actual: 8:19.

I held back on the first loop of the bike, the coaches ' voices kept ringing in my ears :"no matter how good you feel don't push too hard the first 10 miles." Mary Pickering was kind and shared her bike checklist with me which was an absolute life saver. As the day went by and my brain stopped working the checklist helped a ton. It was easy: Hour X, be at Y millage and eat this.

I nailed my nutrition on the bike, never felt better on a long ride. I drank a ton of water, basically every aid station I would grab another bottle and drink that through out the hour.

Highlights of the bike ride:

1. The Scenery.
2. The locals cheering for you.
3. Bobby on his scooter showing up all over the course.
4. Zers cheering with cow bells. On the back of the island hearing the sound of the cowbells was like seeing a small light at the end of a long tunnel.
5. Alexis in his Speedo. I never biked faster to get away from something. Awesome, just awesome!

On the second loop of the bike at the turn around point to come back in town, Ed came with his scooter and said,"Now you need to focus and stop only if you have to! I better see you on that run course!" That was when I realized I needed to push harder and get in before the cut off time.

The 3rd loop on the bike got tough, the winds were vicious. I stayed low on the bike and ignored my speed. Pretty sure at some point I was going 9 mph. I did everything I could and made it in T2 before the cut off time! I made it!

T2 was quicker 10 mins. I changed everything and went for the run.

Run:

Goal: 5 hours. Actual: 6:27

My race plan was to run and walk every aid station. As soon as I started running my HR went to Zone 4. So I decided to walk for a mile or two. The HR was not coming down and I didn't want to faint.

I had to come up with a new plan, and decided that I would run until the HR goes to Zone 4 then I would power walk to bring it back down. On the course I saw the Zers and it warmed my heart. The cheer stations were full of energies. I saw Bobby and hugged him, I so needed that. Just reassurance that I still could do it. On mile 13 I went to my special needs bag and grabbed my Iranian flag. Wrapped it around me to keep my warm as I was getting chills. The saddest part was when I saw Daniel and Nathalie go to the finish shoot and I had to do another 8 miles.

During the run I realized that I needed to stay positive so I danced every cheer station that had music. People would dance with me. That made everything more fun. What went wrong with my run was that I didn't take enough food and salt in. Instead I kept drinking water and pepsi. I hate heat and humidity and the weather got to me.

4 miles to the finish I couldn't wait any longer to see Bobby and kept telling everyone who I passed on the way to finish. I could see the lights and I could hear the finish shoot, but I wasn't getting there. Bunch of Zers high fived me before the last turn in to the finish shoot. I fixed myself up, held up my flag and sprinted to the finish line. I heard my name "Newsha Nazmi Ansary you are an Ironman!". And that is how I became an Ironman :-)