The

Undeniable

Ruth

®

…and the Ruth shall set you free!

  • Undeniable Recap of 2024

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    Ruth Carter

    It was a busy year with lots of ups and downs. In case you didn’t know, I keep a Word doc going all year and add to it as pertinent events happen. It gives me a richer perspective as I look back on the year, and I’m glad I get to share it with you. Here are some of my top events from 2024, in no particular order:

    PR at Mesa Marathon: 4:03:33

    When I started running marathons, my goal was just to finish. I didn’t care how long it took me to cross the finish line – but then the Boston Marathon added a non-binary division in 2023.

    Previously, I thought the qualifying times for Boston were too fast for me to have a chance, but this motivated me to try for it. In 2023, I finished in 4:22:59, cutting about 11 minutes off my previous personal record. For 2024, my goal was to finish in under 4:20, and my super lofty goal was to finish in under 4:05. (I need to finish in under 3:50 to qualify for Boston.)

    It was rainy and cold on race day. When I started the Mesa Marathon, I couldn’t feel my feet. Somewhere in the middle, I couldn’t feel my hands. I was shocked when I finished in 4:03.

    Besides my amazing finishing time, the other highlight of the day was my friend Randy Walters holding a sign for me around Mile 16. I was so touched, I almost cried.

    (I know watching other people race can be so boring, but being there means so much to the athletes.)

    Hanging Out with PJ

    This might be the best night of the entire year. I met PJ online in 2022, through an Ironman Facebook group. He stood up for me when others gave me a hard time when I asked if any other non-binary athletes were doing IM Lake Placid that year. We finally got to meet in person this year, when he came to Lake Placid to watch me race and do some training himself because he had his Ironman in Wisconsin on the horizon.

    My favorite memory with PJ was the night before the race. We were in my hotel room, sitting side by side on my bed, eating dinner, and talking. Nothing fancy – just two friends connecting.

    Bonus memory with PJ came the next day when he ran onto the course when I had about 2.5 miles to go and made a video with me – at least until the race official made him go back to the sideline.

    PR at IM Lake Placid: 15:00:33

    Ironman is a brutal race: 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run. Lake Placid, New York, is gorgeous, but it has so many hills – helpful on the way down, brutal on the way back up.

    I took 21+ minutes off my finish time from Ironman Lake Placid 2022. Most of this was on the bike. Even though the course had more elevation this year, I still finished faster finish time.

    The crazy part about it was how well I did because I felt so depleted during the race. Ironman changed the sports drink it offered on the course from Gatorade to Mortal Hydration, something I’d never heard of. I thought it would be ok, and it wasn’t. When I crossed the finish line, the volunteer who “caught” me asked, “Are you ok?”

    “How bad do I look?,” I responded weakly. I could barely hold my head up.

    Shortly after that, I went to the medical tent where they had an impressive field hospital. The volunteers helped me lower down to one of the vintage jelly tube folding chaises they were using for cots and covered me with a heavy foil blanket. I was so dehydrated, my blood pressure was only 88/60. I still remember my conversation with the medical staff:

    “Let’s get you a Gatorade.”

    “You have real Gatorade?” My eyes went wide with disbelief and joy.

    The volunteer smiled. “What flavor would you like?”

    “Can I have a red one please?”

    My body was so shut down, I could barely manage sips of it at first, but within 30-ish minutes, my blood pressure was back to normal, and the medical staff released me just after I heard the announcer call Coach David’s name as he crossed the finish line.

    My photographer friend Marc Farb also came up for the race. We did a photoshoot before race day, and he got himself a press pass so he could be on the course during the race. My favorite photo from the race was this one he took a few seconds after I crossed the finish line, and I could finally let myself feel exhausted.

    Photo by Marc Farb

    Finished the Penny Experiment

    I did a year-long experiment, from October 11, 2023 (National Coming Out Day) through October 10, 2024, where I kept track of the times I was misgendered, the times I was correctly addressed, and the instances where I either misgendered someone or assumed someone’s gender. I had a jar for each category, and for each instance, I added a penny to the appropriate jar. I did this to tangibly show what it’s like to be a non-binary person living in a gender binary-centric society. Here were the results:

    Misgendered: 893
    Correctly addressed: 230
    I assumed someone’s gender or misgendered someone: 72

    I was, and for the most part continue to be, misgendered on about a 4:1 basis.

    An unexpected result of this experiment was how people who knew I was doing this experiment became more self-aware about their word choices. It became common to be in a situation where a friend would either correctly address me or inadvertently misgender me, and they’d follow it with, “I get a penny for that.”

    Taking Lucy Jane to Coronado Dog Beach

    I was so happy when Content Marketing World announced that their 2024 conference was going to be in San Diego. At the top of my list of things to do, besides the conference, was taking Lucy Jane to the dog beach. She loved our trip to Rosie’s Dog Beach in 2023.

    No surprise, Lucy Jane loved Coronado Dog Beach. She loves being near the water, as long as she doesn’t have to touch it. Lucy Jane ran up and down the beach, and when she was tired, she plopped herself down on the sand next to me. This photo may not show it, but this trip was filled with joy.

    Lessons Learned (or Re-Learned)

    Some white girls wear bonnets, just like black girls.

    Even if she’s stoned off her ass on trazodone, Lucy Jane will still throw a fit during a nail trim.

    I don’t like loud noises or children.

    If you fart on an airplane during a flight, other people probably won’t hear it because of how noisy everything is.

    You cannot pick up your next bottle of ADHD meds until it’s been at least 28 days after you picked up your last bottle of ADHD meds.

    Lucy isn’t allowed to go to the gym with me if I’m going to be running on the indoor track. She will whine constantly when she can’t see me – and I mean for hours.

    Turn on the volume on your phone when you go to bed so you’ll hear your alarm the next morning.

    If you learn about “breaking news” 12 hours after everyone else, it seems like dramatic, and it’s easier to accept it and move forward. (Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris while I was in the middle of Ironman Lake Placid.)

    Non-binary people are described as having purple shadows.

    If you forget to remove your CO2 cartridges from your bike before putting it on the plane, they will not blow up the plane. They may be perfectly fine when you land at your destination. Also, TSA may not notice your CO2 cartridges, even if they search your bag.

    Don’t put your fingers in Winston the goat’s mouth. He bites.

    I am a better version of myself when I’m properly medicated.

    Lucy Jane likes being an only child.

    Mortal Hydration sucks as a sports drink.

    There’s nothing like seeing a familiar face on the sideline on race day.

    Dogs at airports and pre-race events reduce anxiety and bring joy.

    If you want a particular number on race day, ask for it.

    Trisuits need more pockets.

    If you wear a shirt with Hebrew verbiage across it, people will assume you speak the language.

    Starting the race hand-in-hand with your friends is awesome.

    Barely jogging is still faster than walking.

    Verify that the porto-potty has toilet paper before sitting down.

    Starting Ironman Lake Placid with Coach David and Shlomo

    Firsts

    A stranger committed assault and battery against me. (It was nothing crazy, just a drunk person walking up and purposely bumping into me.)

    Baby goat chewed on my ear. Baby goat chewed on my nose.

    Ellie, the super skittish goat-sheep hybrid, touched my hand!

    I put too much soup in glass jar, and then I put it in the freezer. The jar cracked from top to bottom.

    I picked up a rooster.

    Coach David sent me an emotional support pickle.

    I attended my first Savannah Bananas game!

    A flight attendant asked a plane full of people if there was a doctor or nurse on board.

    My flight was diverted to a closer airport due a passenger’s medical emergency (not mine).

    I bought a kid-leash where both wrist straps fit an adult-size person. (Since I have a tendency to  wander when I’m nervous, I figured it would come in handy during race weekend.)

    While volunteering at Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary, I administered subcutaneous medication to a farm animal, applied diaper rash ointment to pigs’ skin, changed dressings on an animal’s wounds, and gave an intramuscular injection to a pig.

    I attended the Ironman Arizona volunteers’ dinner, something I’d usually skip because unfamiliar people.

    While training for Ironman, I rode my bike up the 11% grade to the top of South Mountain – up by the antennas.

    I swam at the public pool while wearing only bikini bottoms. This is now the only type of swimsuit I own.

    I saw Hamilton on stage at Gammage, and treated myself to a seat in the front row in the balcony so I could see all the choreography.

    Professional comic artist Travis Hanson drew me a portrait of Lucy Jane.

    Portrait by Travis Hanson

    Adulting Merit Badges Earned

    Removed back tire from the bike

    Reinstalled back tire on the bike

    Changed a bike tube without getting a pinch flat – and I have Gatorskin tires on my bike.

    Assembled and filled a fountain pen.

    Disassembled the bike and packed it into the bike bag.

    Flew to Ironman Lake Placid with my bike.

    A colleague was defending a deposition in Texas when his flight was cancelled due to weather. My colleague and I managed to get him home that night on the last flight out, after scrambling to determine his birthdate for his new ticket. Did I mention it was also his birthday? We were determined to get him home.

    In Memoriam

    Hoomans: Jeffrey Mutter, Toby Keith, Richard Lewis, Larry Murphy, Morgan Spurlock, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Richard Simmons, Bob Newhart, Patti Yasutake, James Darren, James Earl Jones, Dame Maggie Smith, Jeri Taylor, Tony Todd, Jimmy Carter

    Animal Friends: Bentley, Bella, Ra, Oliver, Bertie, Lily, Lulubelle, Penelope, Pumpkin, Giggy, Watson, Bug

  • Training for Ironman Mont Tremblant 2021

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    Ruth Carter

    I’m doing my first full Ironman race in 229 days – Ironman Mont Tremblant in Canada. I was supposed to do it last year, but the race was cancelled, and we all got deferred to this year.

    I’ve never done heroin, but this is what I say every time I pay for something expensive related to my race.

    What is the Ironman?

    The Ironman is a triathlon, composed of the following distances:

    • 2.4-mile (open water) swim, then a
    • 112-mile bike, followed by a
    • 26.2 (full marathon) run,

    All in under 17 hours.

    The race starts at 7am, and you must finish before midnight to be an official Ironman.

    Why Are You Doing This?

    I learned a long time ago that if I don’t have a race or other athletic event on my calendar, I will not be motivated to work out.

    I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself to do something I’ve never done before. Races like this take dedication and mental toughness to get through not just race day but also the training to prepare for the race.

    In 2017, I hired David Roher to help me train to complete my first marathon. During Mile 20 of the race, even though every part of my body hurt, I knew I wanted to do more marathons. I knew David did triathlons and coached triathletes, so I expanded my training in the off season to include swimming and biking as cross-training. Within months, I was signing up for my first sprint triathlon. About 30 seconds into that race, I knew triathlons were for me. I did the Half Ironman in 2019, and after that went well, I signed up for a full Ironman.

    Are You Following a Program, Have a Coach, or Creating Your Own Thing?

    Coach David is overseeing my training. Every Sunday, I get a text from him with my workouts for the week. Most weeks, I have two swim workouts, two bike workouts (one on the stationary trainer, one outside), two run workouts, and a rest day. I also have strength work that I do three times a week and stretches that I do every day. 

    In addition to this, I also go to physical therapy once a week. I’ve been having long-term issues with my hips and back. My physical therapist is also an Ironman, which is helpful, because she has a greater understanding of my goals as well.

    How Many Hours Are You Spending Training, Prepping, and Planning?

    Oh geez. Right now, my shortest cardio workout is about 28 minutes (1,500-yard swim), and my longest is about 3 hours (48-mile bike ride). My strength workout is probably around an hour each time. Stretching takes around 30 minutes each day. A physical therapy session can last over 2 hours with all my exercises.  

    In addition to all of this, there are other activities like checking on airline ticket prices for the race, bike maintenance, and replacing gear when it wears out like running shoes, workout clothes, and swim goggles.

    In terms of diet, I mostly try to eat healthy, avoid excessive sugar, salt, and white flour. I also try to make sure I have enough protein in my diet, which might require more planning since I’m vegan.

    Triathlon Shoes: Flip flops for the pool, bike shoes that clip in to my pedals, and running shoes.

    What Will be the Longest Training Workout/Brick in Your Ramp Up?

    That will be up to Coach David. In passing, he’s mentioned a 50-miles bike ride/5-mile run and a 100-mile bike ride/3.1-mile run.

    I’m also planning to fly back East to do a 3.1-mile open water swim with my coach and the rest of the “Jewish Swim Club” in the Atlantic Ocean. During the race, I’ll be able to remind myself that swimming 2.4 miles is easier than swimming a 5k.

    What Are You Most Looking Forward to Related to This Race?

    So much. I’m excited to be an athlete who is capable of completing an Ironman race. Every time I can go faster, go farther, or see more muscle developing, it’s exciting.

    What’s especially exciting about this race is the fact that I’ll be doing it with my coach and almost all of his other triathletes. There’s a strong sense of family and camaraderie in this group.

    What Are You Least Looking Forward To?

    My race is in August in Canada, but most of my training will be in Arizona. My longest workouts will be in June and July, when the low for the day can be in the high 80s. We’ll have to be careful to make sure I don’t overheat. On my long workout days, I may have to start at 2am or 3am to beat the heat.

    Are You Practicing Peeing on the Bike or While Running?

    To date, I haven’t needed to use the bathroom during a race. I’ve heard this is a thing. I even heard from another triathlete who was peed on by another racer while they were both on bikes. That must have happened while one was passing the other, because Ironman has strict rules about maintaining a minimum distance from other cyclists unless you’re passing.

    Are You Going to Get the Tattoo?

    Oh yes! I’m looking forward to getting the classic “M-Dot” tattoo.

  • New Swimming Accessory: Choker Necklace

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    Ruth Carter

    Yup. I’m wearing a choker.

    I don’t like things touching the front of my neck.

    I don’t own turtlenecks.

    I don’t wear kerchiefs or fashion scarves around my neck.

    When I go to the salon, I ask them to make the drape one snap looser.

    Sometimes I can’t even wear crewneck t-shirts because – you guessed it – the edge of the shirt barely touches my neck.

    When I picked out my wetsuit, I got one with the lowest neckline I could find. It still touches my neck. Actually, my wetsuit is snug around my neck. It’s snug around every part of my body. That’s how wetsuits work.

    When I’m wearing my wetsuit and I go from being vertical and walking into the water to horizontally swimming in it, the discomfort becomes more intense as going face down puts extra pressure across the front of my neck. (If past lives are real, I’m pretty sure I either drowned or was strangled in one of them.) Add in being hit by other swimmers and unable to find my swimming cadence, and it’s enough to make me panic.

    Heading into Ironman Mont Tremblant, I’m trying to work on this. I don’t want to start this race with a panic attack.

    I can’t control how choppy the water is.

    I can’t control other swimmers bumping into me.

    What I can do is force myself to get used to swimming with something snug around my neck. (I know some athletes cut their wetsuits to lower the neckline, but I don’t want to do that.)

    My chokers, courtesy of the junior section at Target.

    I bought myself a set of five stretchy choker necklaces, popular among tweens and young teens. I look like a person having a mid-life crisis when I wear them.

    Before I leave the house for the pool, I pull one of these things on, and I don’t take it off until I’m back. I figure the more I wear it, the sooner I’ll get over the heebie jeebies of having something touching my neck.

    For my first day wearing a choker to the pool, I opted to wear the red one so if the feeling of it touching my neck was too much and I ripped it off mid-lap, I could easily find it in the water and not litter in the pool.

    Thankfully, that didn’t happen. I don’t notice it when I’m swimming. Once I’m fully used to wearing one necklace, I may try wearing two, then three, at a time, so I can get used to the material covering more of my neck.

    Hopefully, this exercise will teach me that I can have something snug against my neck without feeling like I’m choking myself.