Saturday, June 17, 2006

I'm a Triathlete!

Big thanks to Mia for totally being there for me, you rock babe and I see a tri in our future!
Yep that's right, I want to do it again!

There was 1000 participants and it was a bit chaotic weaving in and around bodies and bikes. We racked our bikes and checked in. After a quick tinkle we gathered on the beach for a few instructions. My wave (5th) was the largest and I lingered long enough in the back to get cut off, which was fine by me. The water was warm like Nancy said it would be. She's a bulldog, but she's my bulldog, I just love her! Not listening too closely to what the announcer was saying I surveyed the swim route and got my stopwatch ready, remembering to hit it just before I plunged into the water.

The swim went pretty well for me. I went out with the last wave and hung back. I was able to freestyle almost all the way to the first buoy, I started to struggle so I rolled over to catch my breath and breast stroked the entire rest of the way......no dog paddle or anymore rolling over.
I finished the 1/4 mile swim in 15 minutes. I was not last.

T1 went smooth, that is once I found my stuff! I ran right past it! I had a little trouble clipping in on the bike, weaving abit. Such a rookie! I saw T out of the corner of my eye.

The ride was pretty much flat with an occasional bump compared the practice tri . I stopped looking at my watch after T1 and I'm guessing the 11 mile ride was 40 or so minutes There was a crash and I had to dodge glass at one point. I was not last.

T2 was a little confusing because I hadn't bothered to scope out where to head out for the run. Legs felt great, no cramping at all! I was slow but steady. It was starting to get pretty warm by this point and I knew I better just take it easy and save whatever kick I had for the end.
And kick I did, on the home stretch I picked up my pace and one of the volunteers shouted out
"looking strong, don't you know you just did a triathalon!!" With a big ol grin on my face I crossed the finish line according to my stop watch in 1:27:47.

It was so fun and I would like to tri again in August. For now I'll spend more time with family, but keep up with the bricks and work on the swim. During both the swim and the bike I felt so emotional. Just happy and proud. The run, a sort've crazy star-like loop was challenging especially in the heat. Seeing my family at the finish line is always the best part.

What a great event. I was sure to thank several volunteers along the way and we (triclub) took lots of pictures and plan on meeting next week for a final gathering.

What a great way to kick off the summer. I know I've been hot and cold with this tri biz. It's just too fun not to tri again. I need to keep this excitement and enthusiasm in my life, despite all the family issues.

I also want thank all you guys for your supportive comments. I means more than you know!

Race Day Morning 6.17.06

It's 4:27 am and while I'll admit to being a little nervous about the swim ( a feeling I've grown accustomed to!) I'm not afraid. The swim is my newest discipline, one that I've given much attention to yet I'm in the early stages of still. This event today is the culmination of that effort. Freestyle hasn't really happened outside the pool much and so I approach this thing with a determined yet humble heart. I haven't given the lake it's due but not because I'm a slacker but more because I've only just started making strides in the pool. The lake will tolerate my presence today because she knows that I've worked hard. I haven't earned the right to dominate her yet but I can hold my own.

It's so cool .....yeah, this silly little sprint....that's got me schlepping my tail around at 4 freaking o'clock in the morning feeling like a true athlete, a warrior even.
Ok, let's do this thing!