I was pretty beat after that walk with Jennifer on Fri (midday). Took the afternoon in the a/c to "chillax". Didn't really get any work done (though I had hoped to). Picked up my daughter and headed for the Osage River with friends (with husband and son already there). Watched as my kids each tried their hand at skiing. Ate too much dinner with said friends. Then played around in the warm river water for a while and only did a little swimming that evening.
Saturday, I took my son on my "easy" bike ride (to Militia and back with swinging through Wakoda Woods). He was a ball of negativity and whined about 2/3 of the time. I was really getting fed up with how slow he was and all his lip. I told him to try to get up the long flatter incline on the way back and that I'd walk with him up the steep part of the one nasty hill (which mind you I only learned to ride up myself in June!) I rode about half way up the steep hill and turned to realize I couldn't see him so I rode back to him. When we got on a more flat area at the bottom of the steep section I told him to ride up as far as he could - "to the storm drain", "five peddle strokes past the storm drain", "gear down, honey, you've got it - see if you can make it to the bushes", "you are almost there - keep pushing - yes, you can have a drink at the top". Because I had stopped to cheer him on, I ended up having to walk up the hill which I could have ridden, but it was worth it to see his big smile and sense of accomplishment!
His total attitude changed and he was so freakin' pleased with himself. I know that feeling - I got it in June when I finally mastered that hill. I showered him with praise as I was really wanting to drive home how awesome the feeling of looking something that hard in the eye and kicking its butt to him. He had told me earlier in the ride (in the midst of his negativity) that he just didn't understand why I would want to do a tri. I told him I liked facing the challenge and proving to myself and everyone else that I could do it. He mouthed off about not seeing the point again and I rode ahead - totally irritated by his inability to see my hard work and accomplishment as I saw it for myself. He's had a taste of it - don't know if I'll be able to help him feel it again, but it will be worth a shot.
Sunday was another day full of chillaxin'. Mass in the morning, some reading the paper, some hanging out on the computer and a ton of school supply shopping. Better enjoy the down time...another busy week awaits. One in which I hope to find more time to "climb those hills".
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Greenway Walk w/ Jennifer
I have a friend that is doing a 60 mile walk in Chicago next weekend to raise money for cancer research. She did it last year and then kind of let exercise slide for a while so signed up for it again. She's been putting in the miles and will do fine. They have TONS of aid stations and support along the way and it is much more about putting one foot in front of the other and getting to the end than it is any kind of speed. Today, even though the weather was fiercely hot and humid, I agreed to walk with her for HALF of her training time. We met at the Dunklin St parking lot for the greenway trail here in Jeff City and then she drove us out to County Park Lake. We got out and headed up the hill on the trail (a nice wide concrete walk going through most of town).
After the first mile, she suggested we stop and stretch. She warned me of the minimal amount of shade on this leg of the trail which I generally knew, but probably hadn't remembered. The hill up Edgewood by the new El Jims was kicking my butt. I was sucking wind and had to slow a little. SO HOT! Jabbered on about tri this and that (stuff I've read on blogs, stuff I went through over the last few weeks, etc) and slogged my way along in jean shorts and a tee. I know this was the wrong thing to wear, but I only really have one outfit and it hadn't been washed since the Show Me Games so this was what I had. I know - another trip to buy some gear isn't far into my future. I did try out the new shoes and socks I bought at the Starting Block and they worked out pretty well.
By the time we got to JCMG, I was kind of hitting the wall. Not enough nutrition and water was getting warm (and low). Thankfully, I had packed a granola bar and I nibbled on some of it and sipped some more water as we came through a shadier section of the trail. But then my guts started to twist and I thought my pants might get some brown action. And there went the last of my water. Did I mention it was HOT? Got to Schnucks and swung in to get some ice and water. Man that cold felt good. Jen went to the bathroom (I did not as the sphincter was no longer contracting). I was feeling better after the water and just wanted to get to my car. We were about 2/3 done and started back down the path. More shade was much appreciated, but I was getting tired and more hot and ready to be done. Stopped on the bench near my car and sat with Jen as she doctored some blisters she is fighting, changed socks and let her stepdad bring her some more water. We finished 6.7 miles and she was heading back - without me. Poor thing! Way to go Jennifer! You rock!
That is the longest I've walked in a really long time. It was nice to chat with Jen as we went. Her Runkeeper app told us that we were walking around a 14 mph pace so not crazy slow and good considering the heat. Told her I'd do a shorter walk with her next week as she tapers. :)
After the first mile, she suggested we stop and stretch. She warned me of the minimal amount of shade on this leg of the trail which I generally knew, but probably hadn't remembered. The hill up Edgewood by the new El Jims was kicking my butt. I was sucking wind and had to slow a little. SO HOT! Jabbered on about tri this and that (stuff I've read on blogs, stuff I went through over the last few weeks, etc) and slogged my way along in jean shorts and a tee. I know this was the wrong thing to wear, but I only really have one outfit and it hadn't been washed since the Show Me Games so this was what I had. I know - another trip to buy some gear isn't far into my future. I did try out the new shoes and socks I bought at the Starting Block and they worked out pretty well.
By the time we got to JCMG, I was kind of hitting the wall. Not enough nutrition and water was getting warm (and low). Thankfully, I had packed a granola bar and I nibbled on some of it and sipped some more water as we came through a shadier section of the trail. But then my guts started to twist and I thought my pants might get some brown action. And there went the last of my water. Did I mention it was HOT? Got to Schnucks and swung in to get some ice and water. Man that cold felt good. Jen went to the bathroom (I did not as the sphincter was no longer contracting). I was feeling better after the water and just wanted to get to my car. We were about 2/3 done and started back down the path. More shade was much appreciated, but I was getting tired and more hot and ready to be done. Stopped on the bench near my car and sat with Jen as she doctored some blisters she is fighting, changed socks and let her stepdad bring her some more water. We finished 6.7 miles and she was heading back - without me. Poor thing! Way to go Jennifer! You rock!
That is the longest I've walked in a really long time. It was nice to chat with Jen as we went. Her Runkeeper app told us that we were walking around a 14 mph pace so not crazy slow and good considering the heat. Told her I'd do a shorter walk with her next week as she tapers. :)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Show Me State Games Race Report
I did manage to get in a short swim after a lot of just lounging in the river on Friday night. Took yesterday off. This morning I got up at 5:30 and out the door before six to head up to the Show Me Games. Definitely there on the early side - one of the first ones parked. Drove through a couple little cloud bursts on the way up so I was worried what the day would bring. Saw some lightening off and on while setting up and getting registered so they postponed the beginning until 8:30. Just two waves - 34 and under in first wave and 35 and up 5 min later (which included me). So in theory, I started 8:35 AM. I really need to invest in a waterproof watch!
The swim was 0.5 mile which was twice as long as Pewaukee. There were only two buoys, but I had plenty of people ahead of me to follow. I was 3rd or 4th from last out of the water. But the few that got out behind me quickly passed me on the bike. The ride wasn't crazy as far as hills, but it was a bit more rolling than I thought it was. But now the sun was out and it was hot. I brought up the rear of the race and felt bad for all the volunteers who had to wait on me. I managed to get through the 15 miles without having to get off the bike. Only slowed down (more than my usual slow pace) a couple times to drink some Gatorade. I got through it the same way as I had before, one mile at a time fighting the mental battle by thinking of a song, prayers, counting pedal strokes ("Just 10 more and I'll gear down"). I didn't hit the mental wall too badly, but I was dreading the "run" leg.
Got back to Phillips Lake and most people were done. Worst fear confirmed - I was dead last and not by a little bit. Even the "stragglers" were over half way through the "run". A CMC lady I met before the event cheered me on, but I really was wishing I could just pack it in and go home. But I kept with the idea of "one foot in front of the other" and started out on my walk. So tired and so hot, but plodded along and drank my water (from the one I froze the night before). Tucked it in my bra a couple times to cool off. Could hear them handing out awards and cheering in the other latecomers. Started wanting to cry as I thought about having to pass the finish line and go around again. But sucked it up and finished. Got some kudos from some of the athletes still hanging around. Seriously, I was last by A LOT - like probably a solid 30 minutes. But my time isn't up on the web site. Somehow not included in the results - grr.
All I know is that I walked around and talked to the lady who had introduced herself to me (Paula I think) and drank some water and enjoyed a touch of shade. Then I loaded my bike up (took the wheel off and tucked it in the backseat) and the rest of my stuff and got in the car and it was 11:30. So I finished in under 3 hours, but I'm not sure how much. No timing chips so no breakdown (kind of a bummer really). The volunteers on this race were really great, but they didn't have nearly enough water stations (just one at the start of the run - which was also the half way mark). I was glad I packed my drinks!
Survived it. That is about all I can say. I was the only one on a slow ass mountain bike and I think that was just one of many reasons I came in last. Kind of shameful, but I am trying to focus on the fact that I am still 18.6 miles further ahead than those that never tried.
Edit Tuesday Evening 7/26/11 - They finally posted the results. I finished 0.5 mile swim, 15 mile bike and 5k walk in 2:42:54. I'm pretty happy with that given the longer swim and only slightly easier bike route (compared to Pewaukee). Second to last finisher was 2:13:44. But I guess that is still better than the four DNF's. I'll take it as a "win" for me. Never mind Bryan Topash and his 1:12:22. And to think he almost chickened out with the lightening (we discussed the fact that he hadn't put any money down yet and neither had I while we were racking our bikes - could easily still just pack up and go home.) So sweet of the volunteers and CMC folks to hang around while I trudged around the lake.
The swim was 0.5 mile which was twice as long as Pewaukee. There were only two buoys, but I had plenty of people ahead of me to follow. I was 3rd or 4th from last out of the water. But the few that got out behind me quickly passed me on the bike. The ride wasn't crazy as far as hills, but it was a bit more rolling than I thought it was. But now the sun was out and it was hot. I brought up the rear of the race and felt bad for all the volunteers who had to wait on me. I managed to get through the 15 miles without having to get off the bike. Only slowed down (more than my usual slow pace) a couple times to drink some Gatorade. I got through it the same way as I had before, one mile at a time fighting the mental battle by thinking of a song, prayers, counting pedal strokes ("Just 10 more and I'll gear down"). I didn't hit the mental wall too badly, but I was dreading the "run" leg.
Got back to Phillips Lake and most people were done. Worst fear confirmed - I was dead last and not by a little bit. Even the "stragglers" were over half way through the "run". A CMC lady I met before the event cheered me on, but I really was wishing I could just pack it in and go home. But I kept with the idea of "one foot in front of the other" and started out on my walk. So tired and so hot, but plodded along and drank my water (from the one I froze the night before). Tucked it in my bra a couple times to cool off. Could hear them handing out awards and cheering in the other latecomers. Started wanting to cry as I thought about having to pass the finish line and go around again. But sucked it up and finished. Got some kudos from some of the athletes still hanging around. Seriously, I was last by A LOT - like probably a solid 30 minutes. But my time isn't up on the web site. Somehow not included in the results - grr.
All I know is that I walked around and talked to the lady who had introduced herself to me (Paula I think) and drank some water and enjoyed a touch of shade. Then I loaded my bike up (took the wheel off and tucked it in the backseat) and the rest of my stuff and got in the car and it was 11:30. So I finished in under 3 hours, but I'm not sure how much. No timing chips so no breakdown (kind of a bummer really). The volunteers on this race were really great, but they didn't have nearly enough water stations (just one at the start of the run - which was also the half way mark). I was glad I packed my drinks!
Survived it. That is about all I can say. I was the only one on a slow ass mountain bike and I think that was just one of many reasons I came in last. Kind of shameful, but I am trying to focus on the fact that I am still 18.6 miles further ahead than those that never tried.
Edit Tuesday Evening 7/26/11 - They finally posted the results. I finished 0.5 mile swim, 15 mile bike and 5k walk in 2:42:54. I'm pretty happy with that given the longer swim and only slightly easier bike route (compared to Pewaukee). Second to last finisher was 2:13:44. But I guess that is still better than the four DNF's. I'll take it as a "win" for me. Never mind Bryan Topash and his 1:12:22. And to think he almost chickened out with the lightening (we discussed the fact that he hadn't put any money down yet and neither had I while we were racking our bikes - could easily still just pack up and go home.) So sweet of the volunteers and CMC folks to hang around while I trudged around the lake.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Endangered Species = Yellow Swim Cap
OK, so after completing my first tri on July 10 (during which I cussed and said I'd never do this again, then I thought about all the things I would change when I did it again, then I nearly wept being so happy to be done with the bike leg, etc), I came home and promptly started looking for another tri race. Next one up on the calendar that was at all close to me was the Show Me State Games in Columbia, MO - and it is even being held at a location on "my" side of Columbia (coming from Jeff City). Registration was closed, but they said they would allow "same day" registration which opens at 6:45 AM so I wouldn't even have to leave the house until about 6:00.
So then I got to thinking seriously about doing it. Talked myself out of it and talked myself back into it (repeated numerous times). The swim is twice as long as Pewaukee, but well within what I've trained for. The bike route doesn't look too awful although I was kind of hoping to drive it the other day and ran out of time - and it is a mile shorter than Pewaukee (which at first I thought it was 3 miles longer, but then realized I was looking at the duathlon). The "run" (ie. walk slowly) is two laps around the lake so a relatively easy course (no major hills), but will suck to walk past the finish and not be able to stop. The real concern is the insane heat. I kind of wish the race started at 6:30 like Pewaukee, but alas - nope 8:00! Will definitely have to think about taking in fluids hard core!
But that brings me to the hardest of all the "rules" - the endangered species known as the required yellow swim cap! MC Sports? Nope. CMA? Nope (only had ONE white one - WTF?). Walmart? Nope, only a bunch of blue ones. Target? Nope, almost every other color including a cool neon pink that I almost bought anyway. As I walked into KMart, I told the Lord "OK, if you want me to do this race - there HAS to be a yellow swim cap at KMart!" And wouldn't you know it! SCORE!! I almost bought the one right behind it thinking I could bribe someone with it on race day, but figured I'd leave it for anyone else on a dire search for the elusive yellow swim cap.
So I guess I'm going to dig in and go for it. What do I have to lose? I'd like to find someone to come be my support crew. Husband and kids will be at church (ushering 8:30 mass). Have a few friends I will call to see if they can help me. Just would be nice to have at least one friendly face cheering me on after the transitions and to be able to call if I break down and can't finish (which will DQ me b/c I don't know how to fix my own bike - another clinic I need to make it to).
On a side note, I got in a 5.29 mi bike ride this morning (house to Militia to Wakoda and back). Up early enough that the heat only partially did me in. Might do a short swim tonight in the Osage with the kids.
So then I got to thinking seriously about doing it. Talked myself out of it and talked myself back into it (repeated numerous times). The swim is twice as long as Pewaukee, but well within what I've trained for. The bike route doesn't look too awful although I was kind of hoping to drive it the other day and ran out of time - and it is a mile shorter than Pewaukee (which at first I thought it was 3 miles longer, but then realized I was looking at the duathlon). The "run" (ie. walk slowly) is two laps around the lake so a relatively easy course (no major hills), but will suck to walk past the finish and not be able to stop. The real concern is the insane heat. I kind of wish the race started at 6:30 like Pewaukee, but alas - nope 8:00! Will definitely have to think about taking in fluids hard core!
But that brings me to the hardest of all the "rules" - the endangered species known as the required yellow swim cap! MC Sports? Nope. CMA? Nope (only had ONE white one - WTF?). Walmart? Nope, only a bunch of blue ones. Target? Nope, almost every other color including a cool neon pink that I almost bought anyway. As I walked into KMart, I told the Lord "OK, if you want me to do this race - there HAS to be a yellow swim cap at KMart!" And wouldn't you know it! SCORE!! I almost bought the one right behind it thinking I could bribe someone with it on race day, but figured I'd leave it for anyone else on a dire search for the elusive yellow swim cap.
So I guess I'm going to dig in and go for it. What do I have to lose? I'd like to find someone to come be my support crew. Husband and kids will be at church (ushering 8:30 mass). Have a few friends I will call to see if they can help me. Just would be nice to have at least one friendly face cheering me on after the transitions and to be able to call if I break down and can't finish (which will DQ me b/c I don't know how to fix my own bike - another clinic I need to make it to).
On a side note, I got in a 5.29 mi bike ride this morning (house to Militia to Wakoda and back). Up early enough that the heat only partially did me in. Might do a short swim tonight in the Osage with the kids.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tri Gear = $$$
Yep, decided since I am feeling pretty gung ho about doing some more races that I needed to get a few basics. I bought a Zoot tri top and a pair of Zoot tri shorts. Scored as they were 40% today! Then I "invested" in some new shoes. Apparently I need more "support" as my feet roll in some. I also needed more cushioning. I settled on a pair of Asics after having a gait analysis and the whole nine yards. I could have gotten them in black with neon blue laces, but I decided that screamed "trying to look 20" and settled on a white pair with purple trim. Socks were 50% off so I got a few pairs with "wicking" material. Really haven't had trouble with my plain old cotton socks, but figured I'd already broke the bank so what the heck. Then I picked up a race belt (in pink!) so that I could avoid having to pin anything to my $$$ tri top. :) Guess this means I am all in. I am hoping my husband will let me call this an "early birthday gift" and not be too ticked off with me.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
HUMID!
Missouri summer has settled in and put a death grip on my desire to climb very many hills the last couple of weeks. Of course, coming off my first tri gave me some reason to take a breather and then did the Tour of JC and that gave me another excuse for some "rest" in the a/c. But after sitting and sweating (in the shade) at my son's baseball game tonight, there seemed no point to not getting in some movement today. OK, so maybe part of what spurred me on was the post baseball ice cream after a scale victory this morning (lowest number I've seen in a while with no real reason). It wasn't much - certainly not compared to the real runners out there - but a brisk walk with my tall husband did work up quite a sweat and made me feel a little less sluggish. We chatted about some of the things I've been reading on the various tri blogs out there and enjoyed the 30 min or so of uninterrupted conversation. Just a couple miles before it got too dark, but better than nothing! Going to try to see if I can get in a swim tomorrow.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tour of Jefferson City
OK, so I must have been bitten by some kind of "bug". Only days after I finished my first tri, I was cruising the internet to figure out if I could do another one. So much for that "I'm never doing this again"! LOL And then I'm flipping through the paper and see a local moonlight ride for this last weekend. What the heck? I just did 16 miles after a swim and before a 5K. Doing 15 miles around town can't be that hard! At 2 AM? Sure! I mentioned it to a friend of mine (surveyor I sometimes work with) and he seemed gung ho to join me. I spent all day Saturday moving my mother-in-law. My body was very tired from all the physical and mental effort, but since I had told my friend I would be there, I went to bed at 10ish, got up at 1:25, drove the truck over to HyVee (where it was starting) and rode 15 miles around town (walking up one hellish hill by JCMG). Chatted with my friend for a bit afterwards and headed home. Showered and tried to go back to bed.
I'm amazed at how much of my town is really "doable", but I also know that they picked a route with as few hills as possible (which is tough in our hilly town)! It was still quite muggy - temps still in the 80s (definitely July in MO). But the downhills felt breezy. Stopped for about 5 min in the middle-ish for some Powerade provided by Coke (sponsor). It was too watered down, but very cold. Did the whole ride in 1:30 give or take. Kind of slow, but it wasn't really a race. Or at least I try to tell myself that! LOL
And now I am still looking at tri's. Maybe the Show Me State Games this weekend? Is it too soon? Or maybe one later in Aug? Sis says her and her husband are eyeing one in Iowa City (where her brother-in-law lives) in Sept. Hmm....Definitely a great motivator to make yourself keep up the training.
I'm amazed at how much of my town is really "doable", but I also know that they picked a route with as few hills as possible (which is tough in our hilly town)! It was still quite muggy - temps still in the 80s (definitely July in MO). But the downhills felt breezy. Stopped for about 5 min in the middle-ish for some Powerade provided by Coke (sponsor). It was too watered down, but very cold. Did the whole ride in 1:30 give or take. Kind of slow, but it wasn't really a race. Or at least I try to tell myself that! LOL
And now I am still looking at tri's. Maybe the Show Me State Games this weekend? Is it too soon? Or maybe one later in Aug? Sis says her and her husband are eyeing one in Iowa City (where her brother-in-law lives) in Sept. Hmm....Definitely a great motivator to make yourself keep up the training.
Pewaukee Triathlon - My First!! (And my kids' too!)
Thursday before the tri we drove from Jefferson City, MO to sis's house in Oconomowoc, WI. We left kind of late, but got a half decent night of sleep when we got there about 11:00.
Friday was pretty much a hang out at my sis's house (she lives on a lake). Sis and I ran into Pewaukee to pick up the race packets for the kids and ourselves. I bought a neat neoprene timing chip band that I didn't think would dig into my ankle as much as the plastic band that they gave us. Pretty quiet evening, but not quite as early as I had hoped. Weather was GORGEOUS!
Sat morning we got all the kids up early and headed out to the kids' triathlon. We set up transitions and talked through some things and then waited as the waves were called. My nephew did the 3 year old race (too cute)! My other nephew competed with the 6 year olds. My daughter was in the 7s and son was in the 10s. It was another beautiful day - maybe a smidge warm by the end in the sun, but still perfect weather. My kids both did a 100' swim (or running in the shallow water LOL), 1 mi bike and 1/4 mi run. They both looked strongest on the bike, but that is probably what we do the most.
My daughter looked strong on the run, but fought the kids that were running when she was trying to swim in the water. She also fought her transitions. Mostly because I didn't know the race #s were waterproof so I pinned her # to her shirt and she had to pull it on her wet body and then she didn't seem to really know which way to bike out and my sister was waving her towards it, but I could tell she was confused. Definitely my bad for not walking through that better with her. That was a plus for my son having watched her so he didn't make that mistake. She also fought getting her helmet off and dropped it trying to take it back to her bike when she remembered she had it on.
My son looked hot and tired by the time he got back from the bike (although it had gotten warmer). But I was pleased to see him jog out of the transition. He made it about a half block before he started walking. Oh well. He ran about the last 1/3 of it, but you could tell it was hard. My daughter didn't look like it was even work. LOL She came in 4th in the 7 year old girls - one place shy of a trophy, but she was tickled with her medal and the whole experience. My son was totally in a mood that morning - pissed about getting up early to be there and annoyed about having to do it and just sour all the way around. He beat 3 or 4 other boys in his age group, but definitely had others that were WAY ahead of him. They don't post times for the kids' races, just places. But after all was said and done (and he was a bit more rested I think), I heard him tell one of my brother-in-law's family members that he would consider doing it again which surprised me.
I went to the course talk at noon and then another seminar called Tri 101 that was given by this funny older couple that apparently was sponsored by PowerBar to do these talks. My sis and bil did practice swims. I skipped it since I did one in sis's lake the day before and I didn't want to postpone nephews' naps any longer as they were really fussy.
Later that evening I started laying out tri stuff and did a bonfire with smores before sending everyone to bed. Except sis didn't go to bed b/c she seemed to forget how much she had to do when she was putzing around with the kids all evening. So at midnight I woke up when I heard her go to bed and then I was up again at 1:30 when her dishwasher was beeping it was done (and it doesn't stop until you open it??) and then still awake when the dryer dinged that it was done at 2:30 and then about 3 I went back to sleep only to wake up about 4:15 thinking about the tri and 4:30 got up to get ready to go. Ugh!
Although sis promised she would be ready to go at 5, we finally left at 5:15. We got to the race about 5:40 and set up our transition areas. Another BEAUTIFUL morning. Water temp nice, sun out (even that early), not cold, etc. I talked to sis and some of her inlaws for a bit. Kind of did a walk-through of our transitions so we didn't have the "freakout moment" and then hung out on the beach until it was time to start. First wave went in the water at 6:30. I didn't have a watch, but the other waves followed at between 1.5-3 min intervals. Sis was in Wave 7 and I got to see her come out of the first transition and cheered her as she left on her bike. I tried to just take deep breaths and clear my mind and before I knew it, time for Wave 21! LOL The waves are apparently mostly set up by when you register so there were some "real" athletes, but mostly not in my wave.
Got in the water and tried to get to the outside and the back, but my wave quickly spread out as it was a tough swim. There was a lot of lake vegetation. Luckily, bil had warned me about that from the day before so I tried not to let it throw me. But in trying to find my spot in the water and dealing with the stuff hanging from my arms as I brought them out of the water and getting in my face when I put my face in the water and then just having trouble finding my “stride” or “pace” or whatever, I just tried to finish the damn swim. I used every stroke from dog paddle to crawl to backstroke to sidestroke. Before long, the buoys were slowly going by and I managed to finish without having to rest on any of them or any of the lifeguard boats that were there if you needed them. In the end, I came out of the water in under 15 min for the quarter mile swim. About as I expected, but slower than I can do it in a pool. But some folks jogged out of the swim – not me. I was BEAT! And so I just walked to the transition area (across the street and my bike was at the back of the area across a parking lot of 1300 other bikes, but close to the middle aisle so pretty easy to find). Most of my wave had already left, but a few were changing into their biking gear and thanking God for having gotten the swim behind them. I dried off best I could and slipped on my shirt, bike shorts, socks/tennis shoes and helmet and took off out of transition (3.5 min after trudging in).
Bike was hard from the get go. I just was tired from the swim – much more than I had anticipated being. And as I saw mile marker 2, I was like “Oh shit – I was hoping I just hadn’t seen one of the markers”. They seemed to creep by. Some of the more gentle hills still seemed hard. But I never got off my bike – always managed to gear down and stay peddling – even if slowly. About mile 4 or 5, I figured out I had made a critical error in choosing to bring a bottle of Gatorade that I swapped for my normal water bottle at the transition. Wrong because it had a SCREW CAP! So I waited until the top of a pretty good hill where it started to flatten out and have a slight downgrade and managed to get the cap off and get a good drink, but dropped the damn bottle trying to get it back in the holder so I cussed, got quickly off the bike and picked it up and got back on only losing a few seconds, but it pissed me off! Every mile marker seemed to take forever to come around, but after the halfway mark I was getting some hope. I tried everything to keep up some kind of spirit. I said prayers, I thought about my favorite upbeat song, I told myself on some hills simply that I was not getting off this bike and damn it, just keep gearing down every 10-20 peddle strokes. LOL There were people at a few spots cheering for the athletes which really did lift my spirits. One family particularly was at the top of the most brutal hill about the middle of mile 14 and they blew their air horn and assured me it was nearly all down hill from there and to hang in there. I nearly broke into tears in mile 15 thinking about how tired I was and how freaking happy I was that the bike portion was nearly over, but how bummed I was to be facing the 5K now. Tears came to my eyes again when I saw my family sitting on the curb near the bike dismount cheering me on. I had planned for nearly a 1.5 hour ride and hoped for more like 1.25 and finished it in 1 hour 28.5 min. But another goal was to never have to walk my bike and I did meet that one too!
I trudged through to rack my bike - a little disheartened by the fact that most people were done (and had been done with the race for a long time). I sucked it up and racked my bike and nearly forgot to take my helmet off, but grabbed my Gatorade that was now pretty luke warm and headed out walking as best I could. My Achilles tendons were feeling tight and the bottom of my feet hurt and it was getting very hot and humid. I think the earlier waves definitely had the advantage of less sun beating on them. I just tried to focus on one foot in front of the other, but I was regretting not bringing my MP3 player (which was allowed on the run portion, but not bike) when I saw another heavier lady zing past me with her tunes going. I made it up the nasty hills and hit a flat spot by the high school where some volunteers were with music going out the back of a car and a water station. The song “Dynamite” came on and I could feel my pace pick up. I didn’t think I was walking that slow, but I must have been. As I came up to the water station, my sister and her husband came by on their bikes and cheered for me and then road next to me almost all the way in. That was at about 1.5 mi in. A family had a mister set up at the 2 mi marker and there were more water stations. I drank some more, but the entire walk I needed to pee. Oops. I should have gone before! As we approached the finish line, I picked up to a jog and got another tear in my eye when my daughter was cheering me into the finish line. They called my name as I crossed the finish line after nearly 55 min on the “run”. I had hoped to do that section in 45 min and the whole race in 2.5 hours. I did it in 2:43. Not the slowest person, but damn near it.
But the goal to finished was reached. I was super hot so I got some water and a couple rice krispy treats from the finish line hospitality area. My kids and sis and family all congratulated me. We gathered up my stuff at transition and loaded it up and went back to sis’s house. I took a hot shower, stretched, tried to take a short nap, went out for lunch, ran a little laundry through, etc. Later, while sis’s family was napping, my husband took my daughter and I out on the boat on sis's lake. The water was pretty choppy (must have been that wind I fought on the bike ride!). Went to dinner at brother-in-law's parents house. Got home and gathered up all of our stuff and laid out clothes and got everyone ready for bed after looking at race results. Starting feeling a bit more stiff, but took some ibuprofen and got some rest. Up the next morning pretty early and out the door just before 8 AM, stopping in Springfield, IL for gas and food and home about 4 PM Monday.
So that is it – I’m now officially a triathlete. During a part of the ride I was thinking there is no way in hell I will ever do this again. And part of it was like “next time I won’t make this or that mistake” or “next time I spend more time training in this area”. So who knows. Maybe I’ll do it again with sis (which really is a bit of a pita – such a long way to go with all the gear, etc) or maybe on my own. I did find myself looking up potential future races this year yet. Maybe…
The professional photographer took some shots of me, but I can't bring myself to buy them for $8. My husband took one of me coming into T2 that is now my profile pic. I think I look really heavy in the ones that the photographer took, but thankfully smiled nice. Fake it if you can’t make it, right? There is an awesome one of my daughter that I am still waffling on purchasing.
I got one pretty nasty chafe wound on the upper part of my crack (sorry tmi) and two smaller, but painful, chafes at the seams of my bike shorts (the padding seam rubbed during the 5K). I’m a little stiff and sore, but not really as bad as I had kind of expected. I enjoyed glancing down at my leftover body markings for a few days. Just hard to wrap my head around how proud I am to have finished this.
Final Stats:
Rank (Athena category) = 22/26 (incl one that was DNF) Swim = 00:14:37.7
Swim pace = 03:38 min/100 m
T1 = 00:03:48.9
Bike = 01:28:32.2
Bike pace = 10.5 mph (very slow, even for me - lots of wind though) - usually about 12-13 mph on "my loop"
T2 = 00:01:22.2
"Run" (aka "very slow walk") = 00:54:47.8
"Run" pace = 17:40 m/mi - sucking wind - usually about 15 min miles on "my loop"
Total Time = 02:43:08.9 - had hoped to do it in under 2.5 hours - but such is life
Testing...1...2...3...
My first try at a blog. We'll see how this goes. I have been enjoying others' blogs so much lately that I thought it might be fun to try and keep a blog reflecting my own journey from fat ass to bad ass. Love that sign on "Dangle the Carrot". Still such a long way to go, but I know I am more fit than I was at the beginning of this journey. Will post my first race report in the next post so that those will be separate. This was just a test. LOL
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