I tri!

This morning I competed in my first triathlon as an adult. Dunte and I drove to Midland after I got off work last night, we arrived around 11:30. A big thanks to the Shahan family for hosting us.

So here is the story:

Dunte and I settled in to go to sleep and I was gittery and excited and couldn't go to sleep. To pass the time I was bothering Dunte, which he wasn't thrilled about. To settle down I decided to visualize the race. I imagined jumping in the pool and swimming a smooth relaxed 500 yards, then I imagined getting out of the water and going... where? I didn't know. And then it hit me that I didn't know the setup at all. I didn't know the bike course, I didn't know the run course. This didn't help me nerves but I finished a general visualization and fell asleep.

5:30 came early, but I got right up and was excited, sort of. Dunte and I ate and chatted with Patrick and his dad. Before I knew it we were in the car, and my nerves weren't too bad yet. I was as prepared as I could be, now it was time to do it. We get there, and setting up was more rushed then I thought, and then we waited forever!!

They had a staggered start because it was a pool swim, so with 172 competitors, starting every 30 seconds: it was time to hurry up and wait. Waiting in line I had butterflies, but when I got up to the front I took a couple deep breaths and was ready to start.

Ready. Set. Go.

I jumped in the pool and was ready. I love swimming, I was relaxed and taking it easy. A couple people passed me (which happened a lot throughout the morning) but I was okay with that. 500 meters and 10 minutes, 10 seconds later I jumped out of the pool feeling really good.

I jogged to the bike and put my got all of my stuff, I wasn't terribly disoriented. I spent 2:03 in transition and then was on the bike for a good ride. It was a steady pace, with a steady cross-wind. The landscape was as flat as a crepe, you know those little thin pancakes (hehe). I kicked it into the big ring and stayed there the whole time. Several very encouraging competitors passed me, and I loved all of the support. It really helped, and if I ever pass someone I will be sure to shout my own variation of, "Looking good! Keep it up!" My favorite cheerleader passed me going almost twice as fast as the others and from behind shouted, "Looking good babe!" Before I could even question who this over-friendly stranger was, Dunte flew by me. Check out his story (after the weekend because he is racing tomorrow) at www.thefitlife.me He kicked some serious tail. I down shifted and spun to loosen up my legs before the run, after 54 minutes 54 seconds on the bike this was necessary.

Getting off the bike I felt pretty good, tired for sure. I wasn't completely out of it, but I was wishing I had invested in some bike shorts. I only spent 1 minute 27 seconds in the second transition. Now was the run... the dreaded run.

I got started and things were going well. I ran for 3 or 4 minutes feeling good, and then I found the big ugly wall again. It smacked me right in the face. The run took me 43 minutes and 47 seconds, which is a really long time. I walked a lot, especially in the last mile. I really wanted to run across the finish line, and I didn't think that was going to happen if I ran too much in that last mile. I almost puked, but I didn't.

I did finish, I did run across the finish line and I did finish in under 2 hours. The final time was 1 hour 52 minutes and 22 seconds. I really enjoyed it, Dunte ran with me for the very last part of the run and I enjoyed running with him right before I finished. I wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for his craziness, I am in better shape for it, and I really loved it.

Side note:
You should do a triathlon! You can do them in teams, so find a friend or two and pick the least of the  three evils (for you personally) and do it! It is really rewarding, and not a bad way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday morning.

Dash and Splash

4 miles running, 400 yards swimming. I have been nervous about it all week because I was completely unprepared. I have never ran four continuous miles before and I have never practiced swimming after running. So here is the story:

We woke up around 4:45 so I could take Becca to the airport. She has been visiting since Tuesday and we had a great week catching up. I got back from the airport around 5:50, ate breakfast, made some muffins for later and got everything ready.

Tori and I left the house at 6:35. I was anxious but not rushed, I had a good breakfast and was feeling pretty good. I dropped Tori off at Mia's house and took a relaxed bike ride to the rec. It was a really nice morning and the bike ride was a good warm up. I got to the rec, parked my bike and checked in. A girl from the fit-well staff wrote the number 45 on my arm and I went to set up my transition area. I chatted with a few competitors as they were coming in, then we all headed over to the pre-race meeting.

As I was looking around I noticed some major differences between this Dash and Splash and the 5K I ran at the beginning of summer. There were no power walkers, no strollers being pushed, uh oh these people are serious. As I noticed this and was starting to get a little nervous, it was time to go. And go we did, the pace was FAST. Everyone took off and the main group was out of sight within six minutes. I was focusing on not getting too excited and running faster than I could maintain. During my training runs I would run for six minutes and and walk for two or three. Today I ran for 13 minutes before I took a break and then I walked for a 1.5 minutes. My left calf and ankle get very sore when I run from the blood clot I had when I was pregnant. The pain creeps in when I rest, so I was determined to never rest long enough to let that pain get too bad. Throughout the 40 minutes it took for me to finish the 4 miles I walked about five times each for two minutes or less.

I got to the two-mile point feeling great! I got there in 16:30 and I was really proud of that. I kept running and was really doing well until about the 22 minute mark. My right foot went completely numb, below the knee all I could feel was pins and needles. It was very strange and, believe me, it is difficult to run with an appendage you can't feel.

I ran through the numbness and thankfully it went away after about eight minutes. Around the 33 minute mark I hit a giant ugly wall, it was right around the 3.5 mile point and I was tired! I wanted to walk, I wanted some water and I wanted to sit the heck down. I pushed through, and made it to the finish. I wasn't in a terrible hurry in the transition area, and I was confused and went the wrong way trying to find the pool. I jumped into the water around 44 minutes and all was right in the world.

I started swimming and it felt so, so amazing! I know how things work in the water, I know what I can do and I know how it will feel. I swam the first 100 yards freestyle and the rest breaststroke, it made breathing easier and I didn't lose too much speed. I had the pleasure of passing a couple people in the water and finished my 400 yards feeling pretty accomplished. I got out the water and my time was 55:10. I finished, and I wasn't even last. If it had just been the run I would have hated it, but the swim made it so fun. I really enjoyed it, and will be having similar adventures soon. We are working on the logistics for a sprint triathlon this weekend.

Dunte I stretched and relaxed in the hot tub then rode back to Mia's to pick up Tori. I took an awesome nap and then made myself a feast. When I woke up I felt... hungover. My brain wasn't working, cooking took twice as long as it should have because I was so groggy. I didn't realize until after I ate that my shirt had been on backwards for an hour. I think my brain was just making sure I knew how hard my body worked that morning.

I learned that four miles is a long way. I was reminded how much I love to swim. I was also reminded how intoxicating competition can be.

For a more athletic perspective from the winner of the men's 18-24 age group, keep an eye on Dunte's blog.