Here at runladylike.com, Fridays are all about sharing the inspiring stories of fit people who motivate all of us to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. My Friday FITspiration series profiles runners, triathletes and casual exercisers who are making choices every day to be as healthy as they can be – in both huge ways and through simple, small victories. Their stories are about the journey of transforming from ordinary to extraordinary each and every day.

When I think about strength, when I think about courage, when I think about winning, I think about Kristin McQueen. As I was preparing for Beach2Battleship last month, I thought a lot about the people and stories that inspire and motivate me to do better, to be better. Kristin’s name is always floating around in my brain and my heart. You might remember this unbelievably gutsy runner, triathlete and cancer fighter from when I profiled her earlier this year. She was about to have her 10^th brain surgery (and 15^th cancer surgery overall) and was hoping to make it to Kona for the IRONMAN World Championships.

Although she didn’t end up going to Kona, this inspiring and strong woman modern-day superhero – who has had to reteach herself to swim, bike and run after many medical complications and pain associated with her cancer – finished her 10^th IRONMAN in Wisconsin in September (followed by the Chicago Marathon in October). The perspective she brings to life and to endurance sports is profound.

Today, Kristin is sharing her race recap from IRONMAN Wisconsin – in her own words. She also shares the 10 lessons we can all learn about life from IRONMAN and having cancer.

“Let’s just say that Ironman is always a humbling and challenging day, no matter how many you have completed. Two days prior to IRONMAN Wisconsin, I got a call from my neurosurgeon’s office. I was told I’m at the end of the road.

“In the past, with every start line I’ve made it to, I always had the hope there was another option out there so I wouldn’t always have to live with this pain and other difficulties. It smacked me right in the face at IRONMAN that this is probably as good as I’m going to get in terms of physical quality of life. Some days, I am good to do an Ironman and others I struggle to get through my work day. I have adjusted to vertigo, to losing hearing, to losing vision, to having a restricted airway, to losing my voice easily … so I will keep on trucking.”

The Swim
“Swimming is the most uncomfortable/difficult discipline for me in IRONMAN due to surgical complications. The wind was making the water very choppy, so I knew I was probably going to be in that lake for a while. The cannon went off, and I started to swim but couldn’t see a thing. I was barely a minute in and already had to hang onto a kayak to fix my goggles. I started again and realized that it wasn’t fog on my goggles, it was Vaseline. Vaseline? Yes, I coated myself in about a half a jar because my wetsuit is too big and would give some nasty chafing otherwise. Apparently some of it found its way to coat the lenses of my goggles. Well crap. How do I wipe off Vaseline when I’m in a freaking lake? I found myself back at the kayak again to try wiping it with my wetsuit.

“By this time, almost 15 minutes had passed. Most of the swimmers had cleared out, and I had not even gone 400 meters yet. I told myself at the next kayak hang I would pull out of the race because there would be no way I would make the time cut-off at this rate in this choppy water. I put my head back in the water and still couldn’t see but this time I got mad at myself for even thinking of taking the easy way out. I decided at that moment that I was going to do my damndest to finish that swim. I could not be disappointed with a DNF (did not finish) if I made every effort, but I would be so pissed at myself if I pulled myself out.

“The advantage to my excessive kayak time was that I pretty much had the lake to myself! I kept swimming and every so often would stop and take my goggles off to see where I was going and when the turns were. After a long time in the water, I finally made it to the swim exit to realize that I not only made the cut-off but I made it with 35 minutes to spare.”

The Bike
“The bike was uneventful (as uneventful as 112 miles can be I suppose), which means that I had no tumbles or flats. It was just a long and grinding ride. Madison, Wisconsin, is a very hilly course and the wind added a bonus challenge. My speeds ranged from 40 mph on a downhill to 5 mph going uphill and into the wind. When I finished the bike, I was physically spent. Thankfully, I knew I had enough time at that point that even if I walked the whole marathon, I would finish.”

The Run
“The first 13 miles I actually was able to run the majority of the time. Now by run, I really mean shuffle along, but I was pleasantly surprised. Throughout the race, I periodically took out my angel list (a list of all the names of the people I’m racing for who have been affected by cancer on a piece of paper that is tucked into my visor on the run) and read the names. I will not let myself cross that finish line before each name is read aloud. My list had the most names I’ve ever had (117 total), so I had plenty of reading material. Each name was read aloud and thanked for helping me through the day. With each name I could feel my feet lighten a bit. Maybe it was just dehydration making me delusional but I think it was my angels giving me a push.

“The second loop of the run was more walking than running, but I was still smiling. I kept telling myself “run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must.” Slowly but surely, I found my way and I didn’t even have to resort to crawling! There is absolutely nothing as cool as rounding the corner to run the 2 blocks to the finish line of an Ironman. It is a big party that gets louder the later it gets.

“Two minutes before 10 p.m., I held my angel list up as I crossed my 10^th IRONMAN finish line a few months after my 10^th brain surgery. Madison made me work for that finish but I was exhausted and happy knowing I truly gave it all I had. Another 140.6 in the bag.”

“People ask me why I keep doing IRONMAN or why I don’t pick a less grueling pastime. I guess my answer is that IRONMAN is always very healing for me. IRONMAN gradually strips you of your ego throughout the day and when you get to that point of total exhaustion, you find a new part of yourself. In each race I’ve had between 13 to 16 hours of just me and my thoughts, so it leaves plenty of time to connect with the Big Man upstairs, think about all the angels on my list and just process and try to make sense of all that I’ve been though. It’s uncomfortable, but I like pushing my boundaries to see what may be on the other side. Why would I not continue to do IRONMAN when I get so much out of it and I hopefully inspire people to chase dreams they think are impossible? We are all capable of so much more than we think.”

To date, Kristin has raised more than $131,000 for the American Cancer Society through her running and triathlon journey.

Kristin’s Top 10 Lessons from IRONMAN and Cancer 

1. Trust your gut: In IRONMAN, you have to know your body well to get through the day. It doesn’t matter what other people do or think, you have to go with what works for your body. This is very true in life as well. You know yourself the best, so if something doesn’t feel right; it probably isn’t. I had 3 doctors tell me I was fine before one finally listened to me that something wasn’t right. What do you know, it was cancer and the rest is history.
2. The next race/day is never a guarantee: During the past few years, I have embraced that every race could be my last. I don’t mean that in a doom and gloom kind of way, it’s just that my body has had to work really hard to find ways to keep me racing. I know there will come a day that is no longer possible.  I have no idea of knowing when that day will be, so each race is like Christmas morning.
3. People will surprise you – in good ways and bad: The same people that kicked you in the head when swimming may give you encouragement on the run. Friends you thought would be there during life’s rough times can disappoint and disappear while others will step up in ways you never thought was possible.
4. Pace yourself: In IRONMAN, if you go all out in the swim, you may go faster momentarily but you will pay dearly when it comes time for the run. I have been forced to learn to pace myself through my every day so I can keep my body and mind as healthy as possible.
5. Shit happens, but your reaction helps determine your outcome: Things happen in IRONMAN that are far beyond your control – whether the forecast calls for crazy heat or you get a flat tire on the bike. If you just stand and stomp your feet at your misfortune, you are not moving any closer to the finish line. Let’s face it, life sucks sometimes. It’s ok to throw a tantrum and whine that it’s not fair, but then you have to stand up and move forward.
6. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional: IRONMAN is 140.6 miles of self-propulsion which is going to include periods of pain. If you are alive, you experience pain. We can choose to suffer and be miserable or we can try and find a way to manage and turn our pain into purpose.
7. One thing at a time/BE PRESENT: You can’t worry about the bike before you’ve completed the swim. You can’t worry about tomorrow if you haven’t gotten through today. When you are with someone, put the darn phone away and enjoy their company. Savor what is happening right now.
8. However you feel right now will not last: Knowing that feelings, good or bad, will not last keeps me humble when I’m doing great and gives me hope when I’m feeling crappy.
9. The little things are the most important: Being mindful of all the little blessings makes every day that much better. It could be a volunteer at IRONMAN who holds your bike while you make a pit stop or receiving a card in the mail from a friend. The little things make the rough spots much more bearable.
10. Everyone needs cheerleaders: Spectators at IRONMAN are the best. They are out there all day encouraging everyone from the pros down to the last finisher at midnight. IRONMAN would not be half the experience it is if nobody came out to see it. My cheerleaders in life are pretty awesome. One thing that has always bothered me during these past 10 years is how my cancer and my challenges have affected my family and friends. I wish I could shield them from all of the craziness, but I have not discovered that power yet. I am beyond grateful for the support and encouragement.

If you or someone you know has an inspiring fitness story and should be considered for Friday FITspiration, email me at runladylike@gmail.com.

What inspires you most about Kristin’s story? What lesson(s) have you learned through running or triathlons that has helped you in your everyday life?