Wow. I finished the triathlon. When I tell people this, once they get over their amazement, many times they ask me what is next.
I may have officially been bitten by the racing bug. Maybe. Sometimes I think it's sort of hard to call moving at my pace "racing" per se, but that competitive spirit is apparently lurking within me somewhere, and it's starting to show itself! So far, I have been in four official races - the 10K Davis Stampede, the Shamrock'n Half Marathon, the 5K Zoo Zoom, and the Tri For Fun. I will probably be in another 5K race on the 4th of July, and I am probably going to participate in another half marathon in October. My husband has been saying he wants to do the Tri For Fun in August as a relay - I would swim in the lake with the icky grass, he would ride and then I would do the run. So far, though, I am not 100% positive he is on board for that.
I have really discovered a lot of things about myself on this journey. It's been quite the learning experience! Even though it has been painful at times (as my daily ibuprofen intake count will attest!), I would not trade it for anything. I discovered that I actually like swimming, and I think with some more work, I might get a lot better at it. I don't go into shock thinking of myself as an athlete as often. Other people are more willing to accept that I am an athlete than I thought they would be. This team of super-fantastic people that God has blessed me to train with - well, I can't say enough good things about them. Any group of people who are willing to see me in spandex, grouchy on a Saturday morning, over and over again, and not even complain about it, are great folks in my book! :-) But it's not just the spandex. It's the encouragement, the friendship, the love.
So, I don't want to give this thing up yet. I want to keep a goal out there for myself, and keep working towards it. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Thanks! And a Race Report
I want to start out by saying a big, huge, gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who showed up to cheer me on today. You are terrific people, and I am honored to call you my friends! What a boost it gave me to see and hear you! Wow!
So I actually woke up on time today, which I was stressing about (seeing as how I overslept for the last athletic event I did and almost missed the start). I had a little breakfast, loaded up the bike, and left to go over to one of my worthy teammates' house so we could go together. Her husband gives me a cup of coffee. All is right with the world.
We get there, we get set up, things are sort of rolling along. We go get in the water. I realize that my asthma inhaler is back in the transition area. I go back, use it, and wander back over to the lake. I was kind of hoping that there would be at least one group starting after me, so there would be a sort of outside chance that I would not get out of the water last. No dice. We watch all the other groups go. With a big, deep breath, I go. There is icky grass, but I have decided by this point that the only way to deal with the icky grass is to get as shallow in the water as I can and just go through it as quickly as possible. I do this. It works(!). The first buoy looks an awfully long way out, but miraculously, it gets closer and closer. Round it I go. I notice (and am actually glad that I am noticing things) that one of our Fearless Leaders is in a kayak as part of the Water Safety Team, and that he is lurking near me, shouting out encouragement. This is heartenting. Round the second buoy, and I can start to hear my friends yelling themselves hoarse on my behalf. Time to get out of the water arrives, and I am told I finished this swim in what is for me a record time. Yippee!
I find my bike with a minumum of trouble, seeing as how about everyone else is gone already, get on it and ride. The ride, which I thought was going to be the easy part, is not. The road is not closed to traffic, and there is practically no shoulder. The hills, which are not huge, sure feel like it after that swim. I carry on. By the time I turn around to head back, I know that I am the last one on the course. But hey, a CHP guy was following me and at least I did not get run over. The loooong, gentle slopes UPWARD to the park loom before me. I keep telling myself that I will NOT poop out on the bike. If I was gonna poop out, it was going to be in the water. I will myself not to give up. It would be so embarassing.....and then I discover that I finish the ride in good time.
Transition time again. Mom and the support crew are all shouting and cheering me on. Other racers (some of whom are done already, and look very well-rested) also call out encouragement. The transition area is full of people who are packing up their stuff. Onward. Off with the helmet and gloves, on with the hat and onward! Just three miles, right? I've walked three miles who knows how many times, in heat, in cold, in rain....but not after swimming and riding. Out on the trail, another worthy teammate tells us that the first mile marker is nearby, and that the refreshments are not too far after that. We carry on. The refreshments people are fabulous, encouraging, and helpful. Forward!
The last mile is just awful. And then, appearing out of the dust as if they are a mirage, FOUR of our teammates are headed our way to walk the last mile. I get dizzy and two of them actually prop me up. Where would I be without you, gals? Where? My darling husband comes out with our dear baby for the last half mile! Finally, at last, the finish line looms....cheering, happiness, "you made it!" and a few tears of joy. I came in last, but you know, I came in! I sit, then lay down. A nice EMT guy comes over to check on me and make sure I am all right. I sit, he talks, I start to recover. My wondrous, fabulous teammates and husband load up my bike and all my stuff. Hubby drives me home.
I made it! I doubted for a while there that I had it in me. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, I made it.
So I actually woke up on time today, which I was stressing about (seeing as how I overslept for the last athletic event I did and almost missed the start). I had a little breakfast, loaded up the bike, and left to go over to one of my worthy teammates' house so we could go together. Her husband gives me a cup of coffee. All is right with the world.
We get there, we get set up, things are sort of rolling along. We go get in the water. I realize that my asthma inhaler is back in the transition area. I go back, use it, and wander back over to the lake. I was kind of hoping that there would be at least one group starting after me, so there would be a sort of outside chance that I would not get out of the water last. No dice. We watch all the other groups go. With a big, deep breath, I go. There is icky grass, but I have decided by this point that the only way to deal with the icky grass is to get as shallow in the water as I can and just go through it as quickly as possible. I do this. It works(!). The first buoy looks an awfully long way out, but miraculously, it gets closer and closer. Round it I go. I notice (and am actually glad that I am noticing things) that one of our Fearless Leaders is in a kayak as part of the Water Safety Team, and that he is lurking near me, shouting out encouragement. This is heartenting. Round the second buoy, and I can start to hear my friends yelling themselves hoarse on my behalf. Time to get out of the water arrives, and I am told I finished this swim in what is for me a record time. Yippee!
I find my bike with a minumum of trouble, seeing as how about everyone else is gone already, get on it and ride. The ride, which I thought was going to be the easy part, is not. The road is not closed to traffic, and there is practically no shoulder. The hills, which are not huge, sure feel like it after that swim. I carry on. By the time I turn around to head back, I know that I am the last one on the course. But hey, a CHP guy was following me and at least I did not get run over. The loooong, gentle slopes UPWARD to the park loom before me. I keep telling myself that I will NOT poop out on the bike. If I was gonna poop out, it was going to be in the water. I will myself not to give up. It would be so embarassing.....and then I discover that I finish the ride in good time.
Transition time again. Mom and the support crew are all shouting and cheering me on. Other racers (some of whom are done already, and look very well-rested) also call out encouragement. The transition area is full of people who are packing up their stuff. Onward. Off with the helmet and gloves, on with the hat and onward! Just three miles, right? I've walked three miles who knows how many times, in heat, in cold, in rain....but not after swimming and riding. Out on the trail, another worthy teammate tells us that the first mile marker is nearby, and that the refreshments are not too far after that. We carry on. The refreshments people are fabulous, encouraging, and helpful. Forward!
The last mile is just awful. And then, appearing out of the dust as if they are a mirage, FOUR of our teammates are headed our way to walk the last mile. I get dizzy and two of them actually prop me up. Where would I be without you, gals? Where? My darling husband comes out with our dear baby for the last half mile! Finally, at last, the finish line looms....cheering, happiness, "you made it!" and a few tears of joy. I came in last, but you know, I came in! I sit, then lay down. A nice EMT guy comes over to check on me and make sure I am all right. I sit, he talks, I start to recover. My wondrous, fabulous teammates and husband load up my bike and all my stuff. Hubby drives me home.
I made it! I doubted for a while there that I had it in me. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, I made it.
Friday, June 8, 2007
It's Showtime
Day 51
ibuprofen: 400mg on the way
1 day until triathlon
So here I am, writing one last post before the Big Day. I have had a really large part of my mental, physical and emotional resources devoted to....tomorrow for a really long time. I keep trying to counter the nerves with the affirmations. People have given me pep talks. Some of their kind words actually sank in. I had a nice pasta dinner with the family. And now I need to go to bed, because at 0430 (that law enforcement background just never leaves a person) the alarm is going to go off and then it will be time to go. Not time to get ready anymore, but time to go.
I will try very hard to get some photos posted very soon after the race. They'll be great.....me in a purple swim cap and goggles, me in Lycra trying to put shoes on, me all sweaty on the dusty run course....yeah, those photos are really going to be attractive! But you know, they will be a documentation of my effort, and hopefully, of my victory.
ibuprofen: 400mg on the way
1 day until triathlon
So here I am, writing one last post before the Big Day. I have had a really large part of my mental, physical and emotional resources devoted to....tomorrow for a really long time. I keep trying to counter the nerves with the affirmations. People have given me pep talks. Some of their kind words actually sank in. I had a nice pasta dinner with the family. And now I need to go to bed, because at 0430 (that law enforcement background just never leaves a person) the alarm is going to go off and then it will be time to go. Not time to get ready anymore, but time to go.
I will try very hard to get some photos posted very soon after the race. They'll be great.....me in a purple swim cap and goggles, me in Lycra trying to put shoes on, me all sweaty on the dusty run course....yeah, those photos are really going to be attractive! But you know, they will be a documentation of my effort, and hopefully, of my victory.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
More on the Affirmations Front
Day 49
ibuprofen: 600mg, will probably have some more before bed
3 days until triathlon (I think that's also counting today) Holy crap. This thing is happening on Saturday. It's Wednesday. Aaaaaargh!
Yikes. I keep getting that fear/thrill/nausea thing happening. I am trying to counter it with the visualization and affirmations. Here they are:
I am strong, relaxed and safe in the water.
I am swift and graceful on my bike.
I have strength and endurance on foot.
I keep saying them to myself, over and over, whenever that nausea thing comes up.
Some truly awful things happened today, but I don't feel free to write about them on the blog as they did not actually happen to me. Sorry about that for those of you who are not already aware, but now the excitement of the race is also mixed with sadness.
Hug the folks you love tonight, people. Now. Do it now. Treasure them.
ibuprofen: 600mg, will probably have some more before bed
3 days until triathlon (I think that's also counting today) Holy crap. This thing is happening on Saturday. It's Wednesday. Aaaaaargh!
Yikes. I keep getting that fear/thrill/nausea thing happening. I am trying to counter it with the visualization and affirmations. Here they are:
I am strong, relaxed and safe in the water.
I am swift and graceful on my bike.
I have strength and endurance on foot.
I keep saying them to myself, over and over, whenever that nausea thing comes up.
Some truly awful things happened today, but I don't feel free to write about them on the blog as they did not actually happen to me. Sorry about that for those of you who are not already aware, but now the excitement of the race is also mixed with sadness.
Hug the folks you love tonight, people. Now. Do it now. Treasure them.
Monday, June 4, 2007
The Support Team Gathers
Day 47
ibuprofen: none so far(!)
6 days until triathlon
Every time I think about the race, I get this little thrill of excitement, fear and nausea in my stomach. It's kind of a lot to process all at once, so I am trying to counter it with some more positive thinking. I am plowing through Jayne Williams' hilarious book, Slow Fat Triathlete, and she devotes an entire section to visualization and positive affirmations. Her thoughts on this sort of thing mirrored my own at this point (as in, "what a load of hooey"), but then she wrote about how it really improved her feelings and performance on race day. So let the visualization begin! Now, I am actually a lot slower and fatter than she was when she started racing, but she could do it, and so can I. I am not going to finish this triathlon in an hour and a half (!), or anything like that, but unless I get run over by a bus or something between now and Saturday, I am going to finish this thing one way or another!
I have been just touched and moved to tears by the fabulous support and encouragement that has been coming my way just all the time the past couple of days. Friends from all over, family, training compadres, everyone...it's making it possible for me to sort of ride on your faith in me, instead of having to just imagine on my own that I can do this. I am so blessed, and I thank you all, more than you know!
ibuprofen: none so far(!)
6 days until triathlon
Every time I think about the race, I get this little thrill of excitement, fear and nausea in my stomach. It's kind of a lot to process all at once, so I am trying to counter it with some more positive thinking. I am plowing through Jayne Williams' hilarious book, Slow Fat Triathlete, and she devotes an entire section to visualization and positive affirmations. Her thoughts on this sort of thing mirrored my own at this point (as in, "what a load of hooey"), but then she wrote about how it really improved her feelings and performance on race day. So let the visualization begin! Now, I am actually a lot slower and fatter than she was when she started racing, but she could do it, and so can I. I am not going to finish this triathlon in an hour and a half (!), or anything like that, but unless I get run over by a bus or something between now and Saturday, I am going to finish this thing one way or another!
I have been just touched and moved to tears by the fabulous support and encouragement that has been coming my way just all the time the past couple of days. Friends from all over, family, training compadres, everyone...it's making it possible for me to sort of ride on your faith in me, instead of having to just imagine on my own that I can do this. I am so blessed, and I thank you all, more than you know!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Practice Run, Part 2
Day 46
ibuprofen: 600mg so far, plus an ice pack
7 days until triathlon
Most all of the team were out this morning, bright and early, for our second simulation day. I was very happy not to have another asthma attack in the water, and even happier not to get too tangled up in the icky grass. A couple of the avoidance techniques I have been thinking of using worked pretty well, so chalk one up for planning in advance....
The bike ride was very hilly (ouch), and I walked about 2 1/2 miles, just 1/2 mile shy of the race distance. I feel pretty good about my performance today...the transitions went all right (note to self: check toes for lingering sand before putting on socks!), I remembered all the stuff, and actually felt sort of cheery at the end.
So this week is the time to kick back a little, give my body a chance to recover and be in prime shape for Saturday. It's amazing to imagine that by this time next week, I will have done something most people never do, and something I never imagined was possible for me. I'll still be "just me," but "just me" with a load of victories, large and small, to carry with me into the future.
ibuprofen: 600mg so far, plus an ice pack
7 days until triathlon
Most all of the team were out this morning, bright and early, for our second simulation day. I was very happy not to have another asthma attack in the water, and even happier not to get too tangled up in the icky grass. A couple of the avoidance techniques I have been thinking of using worked pretty well, so chalk one up for planning in advance....
The bike ride was very hilly (ouch), and I walked about 2 1/2 miles, just 1/2 mile shy of the race distance. I feel pretty good about my performance today...the transitions went all right (note to self: check toes for lingering sand before putting on socks!), I remembered all the stuff, and actually felt sort of cheery at the end.
So this week is the time to kick back a little, give my body a chance to recover and be in prime shape for Saturday. It's amazing to imagine that by this time next week, I will have done something most people never do, and something I never imagined was possible for me. I'll still be "just me," but "just me" with a load of victories, large and small, to carry with me into the future.
Friday, June 1, 2007
I Can Go the Distance
Day 45
ibuprofen: none so far
8 days until triathlon
So I am trying to overcome the whole swimming-in-the-lake thing. I went to the pool on Wednesday and swam 1000 yards, just to prove to myself that I can swim farther than the race distance. I spent much of the time imagining how I was going to get through/over/past the grass in the lake, and really trying to strategize in my mind how I will succeed. Whenever that little feeling of dread pops up in the pit of my stomach, I am trying to counter that with some positive visualization and thoughts.
We are doing another race simulation on Sunday. I have all the stuff I need to complete it, and I think if I can do that simulation well, I will be in a really good mental space to do the event.
It's next Saturday, so here's hoping!
ibuprofen: none so far
8 days until triathlon
So I am trying to overcome the whole swimming-in-the-lake thing. I went to the pool on Wednesday and swam 1000 yards, just to prove to myself that I can swim farther than the race distance. I spent much of the time imagining how I was going to get through/over/past the grass in the lake, and really trying to strategize in my mind how I will succeed. Whenever that little feeling of dread pops up in the pit of my stomach, I am trying to counter that with some positive visualization and thoughts.
We are doing another race simulation on Sunday. I have all the stuff I need to complete it, and I think if I can do that simulation well, I will be in a really good mental space to do the event.
It's next Saturday, so here's hoping!
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