Part 1: Ironman Arizona Pre Race Thoughts

Guest Blog by 2014 Klean Team Ambassador Beth Ulibarri – Sponsored Athlete

It is hard for me to believe that just a few days from now I will be at the starting line of my first IRONMAN®. My journey began a year ago when Klean Athlete selected me as their Klean Oath Contest winner. I was honored to be chosen to represent this company that has a philosophy in line with how I choose to live my life: live healthy, train smart, and compete at my best. With the support of Klean Athlete I had the extra push I needed to take the leap and sign up for both my first Half IRONMAN® and my first IRONMAN® in 2014. I began training and have devoted the past 12 months to getting ready to tackle one of my biggest bucket list items.

I can honestly say that I am ready to jump in the water and get the day started this Sunday in Arizona. I know the challenge will be huge and that I will have both good and bad points throughout the race, but I hope to be able to remember how blessed I am to be out there attempting such a feat. Living with Multiple Sclerosis, I don’t know what each day will bring; will I have any numbness in my legs today or sharp shooting pain in my side or back, or will some new symptom pop up out of nowhere? This race is just one more unknown that I am anxiously waiting to see how it plays out.

Do I have expectations of race day? Sure… I expect to be put to the toughest physical and mental challenge of my life. While that sounds a bit daunting, I believe I will get through it. I have trained hard this past year and feel like I am in the best shape of my life. I am ready. Reaching that finish line and hearing Mike Reilly call my name and announce that I am an IRONMAN® is something I have dreamed about for the past year, and I hope with all my heart that will come true this Sunday.