the big race

It's done!!  Yeah!  Now I can go back to "normal" life.. what ever that is for me. 

I finished in just under 4 hours which is what I expected.  The swim (1500 meter/ .9 miles) took about 45 minutes, then a few minutes in transition, then I biked 1 hour and 47 minutes (40k/ 24.8 miles with icky/yucky wind), another minute or two in transition (including a potty break), then I ran 1 hour and 17 minutes (10k or 6.2 miles).

These are our temptorary tattoo's with our race number. 
I don't have any tattoo's so it's kind of fun to have one (that is temporary). 

I totally feel like a penquine is this wet suit but it was necessary.   For the most part no one looks good in a wet suit (although I will say last year there was one lady that looked REALLY good - like cat woman - and I almost told her that but I didn't want to seem like a pervert : ). 

I will say, this wet suit, just about ruined the race for me.  I didn't get it in time to practice in it which was a big mistake.  It was very tight on my throat, just enough that when combined with the freezing cold water in my face, I had a very hard time putting my face in the water.  I panicked as I could not breathe and swim at the same time.  It took me 5 minutes to regain compusure and make myself "just do it".  I had trained so hard and physically I had no reason to not get going.  It was mind over matter.  I HAD to get my face in that water.. even if it sucked all the air out of me.  So I did little bits at a time and the next thing I knew I was doing it.  I had seriously considered pulling my wet suit half way down to get it off my throat but I knew that would be crazyiness. 

1/2 way through the swim (at the turn around) I stopped to just look around.  There were two people there with me and I commented that we were 1/2 done.  One asked the time as I had just looked at my watch and it was 22 minutes.  So we headed back.   On the way back I stopped a couple of times.  I truly believe that with these races you need to enjoy yourself and I find enjoyment in stopping (well treading water) and just looking around at the plane going over head, at the people behind me or in front of me, at the crowd waiting or at the kiaks/boats that are out there for us.  Maybe next time I will even go far enough to tell the safe guard thank you on my swim journey or stop to chat with one of them.

 

Don't I look like I could be 70 years old and doing this!  Was it Mary Poppins that rode a bike?  One friend of ours (her husband was racing) commented that evertime she saw me in transition, I had a smile on my face.  Apparently, that isn't common.  But how can you not when you have family and friends there chearing you on?  If I haven't said it enough, more people need to be doing this for fun.. not just to compete.

The day before we were waiting in line at check in for our bikes to be inspected.  Phil commented that some people were kind of looking at my bike and snickering (I have a normal bike - not a racing bike) and he gave them the dirty look for me (that's what Phil and I do when we're in the car - some people yell or flip the bird; Phil and I just give the person a dirty scowl).  Anyways, he told me this so I had to loudly remind him (and our friends in line with us) that I believe that I was representing those of us who do triathlons for fun.  Some people just enjoy doing them and you don't have to spend $$ on fancy bikes to participate.  I think I embarrased Phil a little bit by my loud tone.

Not a great close up picture of me but it does show transition area.  Here I am taking off for the run.  I actually feel pretty good at this point (especially since I just emptied my very full bladder).

Almost done!!  Still smiling!

There is a GREAT story behind this... and the picture captures the story VERY well.  (Phil's mom is on the right).  But I can't tell you the story, yet : )

Post race.  At one point I was laying on the ground because my back was hurting (and I was resting/stretching).  I need to snag that picture from whomever took it.   

Yeah, I'm done!

Phil did the sprint distance and finished in 12th overall, 3rd in his age group and ran his fasted 5k ever. He did very well so I'm proud of him.  He was going to do the Olympic with me but had a hamstring injury that made him decide to go to the sprint race.  Good thing because he did so good!  Phil finished 12th from the start and I was about 12th from the last person.  Kind of funny. 

We were very blessed to have such a great support system.  Phil's parents, my mom, and our cousin came to watch.  My parents watched the kids (Phil and I volunteered for the kids tri that was on Saturday - that is a whole other story) over the weekend.  It is so nice to have some family that supports us and enjoys seeing us compete.  In fact my mom was very sick the night before but she still came up to see it, she just couldn't resist seeing me race, because she's so proud of me.  Another special treat was that Phil and I got to race with a new (this year) tri friend, Rooney.  We met Rooney and his wife at the tri social back in the spring and we've kind of walked (tri'd) with them this summer.  Phil and Rooney both competed in the Cooper Creak Triathlon this summer and then for Peregruine we all did the last race to wrap up the year.  It's kind of neat because we've done a lot of work outs together this summer, had some cook outs, and just hung out swapping triathlon tips.   It's quite a journey and I love sharing it with people. 




So that is my wrap up on the race.  I'm glad it's done, I don't think I'll race again where I have to wear a wet suit and who knows what next year will bring. Phil is thinking about doing an urban (Minneapolis) race next year.  And eventually I hope to do a dirt race (dirt trails for the bike and run).

Thanks for encouraging me along the way!!

** spell check is not working so my apologies for any typo's