Tri and Stop Me!

I don’t even know how to start this post. I have no great opening statement or pithy comments. There is so much story to tell of that day so I’m going to just get on with it.

You might want to grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair because this post is looooooooooooooooong….

I set my alarm for 4:00am which is just a stupid time of the day to be awake. Really dumb. I hardly slept at all the night before, partly from the heat and partly from the nerves. I got dressed, packed up my breakfast, loaded up the car and was on the road by 4:15am.

Then I realized my car was almost out of gas. I had just enough to get to the race. I hoped.

Crap.

I got to the race by 4:45am. At which point I realized that I had left my breakfast on the kitchen counter. And I was still almost out of gas.

Crap.

I needed a backup plan and I needed it quick. I unloaded all my gear and headed for the transition area. I wanted to get a spot close to the end of the row so that I wouldn’t have to deal with people touching my stuff and messing it up. Since the transition area was set up in a parking lot, I was able to score a spot on the end next to a concrete parking spot thing so I had a place to sit, too.

I headed back to the car and started looking for a place to eat. They say you shouldn’t try anything new on race day as far as food is concerned, but at this point I had no choice. I headed to a gas station (thank goodness for my iPhone), filled up the car, and picked up a yogurt and a granola bar. That would have to do.

I was back at the race site by 5:30am. At which point I sat. And did Twitter. And sat some more because Karena is the only one awake at 5:30am. And then I sat some more.

And then after all that was done, I stood up. And then I stood around for a while. And then I ate breakfast. And then Dave called and said he couldn’t find his wallet. And then my phone died. So I went to the car and charged it.

And then I sat. And then I decided that for my next race, I did not need to be there so damn early. Feeling comfortable in that decision, I decided to sit some more.

Then I got to start cheering because the first racers (that started at 6:30am) were just starting to cross the finish line at around 7:30am. That was fun…to see the people that were the elite in this sport. Truly inspiring.

At about 8:45am, FOUR HOURS AFTER I GOT THERE…Dave and the kids got to the race, just as I was getting in line for the swim portion. I was able to talk to them for a bit and they actually got to come in and watch the swim.

Then at 9:15am, I entered the water…

Swim – 9:44 (Goal – under 9:00)

I think adrenaline took over for the first few strokes because I FORGOT TO BREATHE! I realized after about 6 strokes that I hadn’t taken a single breath. Then I realized that I was kind of going SUPER FAST. Which I had no intention of doing. So I tried to slow down a little bit. But I was thrown off by the breathing and the wake of the other swimmers and getting kicked and hit and OHMYGOODNESSI’MDOINGATRIATHLONANDICAN’TBELIEVEIT’SFINALLYHERE…BREATHE…THEYNEEDTOFIXTHEBOTTOMOFTHISPOOL…BREATHE…

I had to stop in the middle of the pool a couple of times, but I finished and that’s all I can ask for. As far as my time is concerned, I didn’t realize that the time it took to get from the pool to the transition area actually counted as my swim time. I need to keep that in mind for the next time.

Transition 1 – 4:11

I felt good coming out of the swim. I had everything laid out right where I needed it. I did try to put my shoes on the wrong feet though. I felt kind of silly at that. Thankfully Dave was there to tell me to take a few deep breaths and focus and stay calm.

I walked my bike out of transition and hopped on…

Bike – 57:45 (Goal – under 60:00)

The bike ride felt awesome. There were some hills, but I just kept telling myself (out loud) to just dig a little deeper. The first half of the course was pretty flat, so I was able to make good time. The 2nd half of the course was where the hills were so I went a little slower, but I never had to get off my bike and walk it up any hills.

Also, my back held up. I hurt it about a week before the race while I was biking so I was a little concerned. Everything went great though.

My biggest regret on the bike was that I hit a little bump and one of my fig newtons went flying out of my bike bag. I really wanted that fig newton.

Transition 2 – 2:22

This would have been much faster, but Emma wanted to give me some flowers and acorns that she picked for me for good luck. And, I may or may not have been trying to delay the inevitable…

Run – 44:58 (Goal – under 40:00)

I don’t like running. I knew it would be me “worst” event. But, let me just tell you…it was HOT! It was 95 degrees when I got off the bike and started my run. And I ran about 10 steps before I conceded. I tried to keep up a 1 min run/1 min walk, but even that was tough. There was almost no shade to speak of, and the first 1/2 mile or so was pretty much uphill.

I consider this one a victory since I didn’t stop by the side of the road to throw up. And I didn’t pass out! Those are both major wins in my book.

But, as promised, I ran the last 100 feet so that I could cross the finish line RUNNING.

Total Time – 1:58:58 (Goal – under 2:00:00)

I crossed the finish line, doubled over and started crying. The race volunteers draped a ice cold wet towel around my shoulders and it was just dripping off of me.

Seeing me like that, doubled over, with something splashing the ground, Dave ran up to me and thought I was throwing up, LOL! But I wasn’t! I made it! I made it in one piece!

I am so excited for the next tri in September. I’m just hoping that it’ll be a little cooler. And that I have an earlier start time.

But I’m kinda hooked…