1:27:31……

I pushed all my fears aside and overcame all the obstacles that got in my way.  In just under 1 1/2 hours, I made a magical transformation to a triathlete.  This is a long one kids….pop some popcorn…grab a beer and settle in. 

My partner in crime, Kim, is my OCD, over planning twin!.  True to form, we arrived at our hotel, checked in and unpacked a full 3 hours prior to the pre-race meeting.  We drove the bike and run course, checked (double and triple checked) our transition areas, and went over our race strategies a million times.  This was my bike’s race home, #460

After an (over) filling dinner at Carrabba’s, we went back to the hotel and went through our bags over and over and over again.  The weather was really throwing us off.  The forecast called for 70% showers and 39 degrees with 8mph winds at race time….YIKES!!!!!!!  Just walking around last night in regular clothing was uncomfortably COLD, I could not wrap my mind around what 39 damp degrees was going to feel like in a wet trisuit!  I have a feeling, during this summer’s scorching races I will be thinking “Cool Breeze Tri wasn’t so bad!)

I, surprisingly, slept well last night, except for dreaming that Kim was trying to make me eat salad and strawberry sherbet prior to the race.  We woke up at 5:30 and again, true to our OCD form, we arrived at the race site way too early.  But I would rather be way too early than rushing around at the last minute.  We got our chips and bodies marked, then dilly dallied around for a while.  Once it was light out we set up our transition areas.  I couldn’t have had a better spot in transition.  At the end of the rack, and right in front of the swim finish and bike finish.  I couldn’t miss it.  I had planned to rack my bike by the saddle, but everyone else on the rack was racked by the handlebars…..typical case of “if everyone else jumps off the bridge”, but it did make logistical sense, my bike would already be facing the bike start.  I needed all the time I could spare for T1.

Since the weather was really bad, my regular paparazzo (AKA, Mom) stayed at home with Haley, so I don’t have a ton of pictures.  But my dad and hubs came to cheer me on.  They literally showed up 5 minutes prior to my swim time, better late than never!  Prior to the swim we mingled with some of the other Lincolnton Multisport Club members there and watched the other swimmers and how they made their turns and exits.  I finally got in line to enter the pool and we had a little extra time to get in the water before starting.  I’m so glad I did.  The water temp was a little shocking, it took my breath away.  Our home Y pool is usually a toasty 87 degrees, today water temps were around 79.  So I tread water for a few minutes to try and warm up.  Luckily I found a familiar face at the swim start.  Our LMC president was volunteering and doing swim the starts.  It made me feel a little better knowing someone I knew was there to get me started!

There I was, two people ahead of me, 20 seconds before I would be starting my triathlon and I was so calm it was scary!  I replayed what our friend and swim coach told us at our last clinic….”treat this like it is just another training swim”, and I did.  Smooth, long, controlled strokes.  I passed a guy during the second lap and that got me off my rhythm a little, but I recovered quickly.  Wall transitions were a little awkward.  I wasn’t used to how the bottom of this pool was marked.  It wasn’t like our home pool with a solid black line.  Every time I would get to the end of the lane, it would sneak up on me and I would run right up onto the wall almost.  Towards the end of the 7th lap I felt a little toe tickle so I paused at the wall for a few seconds to let him pass, but I was happy that I was only passed once!  As I was coming to the end of the last lap I was thinking “crap, now the real fun begins!”  I was dreading the blast of cold air as I ran out of the gym.  I quickly ripped my goggles and cap off as I ran out into the cold.  Yes, it was COLD, but adrenaline must have taken over because I was not that cold. 

I knew T1 would be bad.  I opted for arm warmers, gloves, a rain proof (golf) jacket….um yeah, that sugoi jacket….NOT water resistant IN THE LEAST!!!!!!  I tested its water resistance last night in the sink and water went STRAIGHT through.  Glad I tested it!!!!!  I felt like a total TOOL in a golf jacket, but I was a warm, dry TOOL!!!  I did not want to wear gloves, I knew they would be a NIGHTMARE to get on.  But I rode for a few seconds in the parking lot to make sure everything was working and I was in the right gears and my hands FROZE within 2 minutes, no way I would make it 12 miles without them.  Just like I was warned, I was disoriented and dizzy coming out of the swim and during T1.  But I was pleased with how calm I was and how I made quick decisions.  My orange lens glasses fogged up as soon as I put them on….ditched them immediately.  My fingers weren’t working properly, I knew I didn’t have the manual dexterity to get my Garmin on….forgot about it (although it killed me to leave it!)  When I was finished in T1 I hesitated a little, I felt too easy, was I forgetting something???  I internally yelled at myself….GET YOUR ASS MOVING!!!!  I shuffle/jogged down the wet transition in my slick shoes, crossed the mount line and I was off……

Once I settled in on the bike, I began to think to myself “this FREAKIN ROCKS!!!!”  I began passing people, I was in my grove.  I started to worry though that I was pushing too hard on the bike and wouldn’t leave anything in my legs for the run.  Then it started, it was my turn to be passed.  But I’m pretty sure most of the passing was done by dudes on tri bikes.  I was still passing every now and then, and I don’t think I was passed by any chicks (chicks don’t even like to be chicked!!!) and I KNOW no one on a MTB passed me!  I was totally lost without my Garmin though.  I’m glad we had ridden the course though, so I had some sort of idea of where I was on the course.  By the half way mark, I began to feel the effects of the cold.  My legs were red as beets, my rump and feet were both going numb.  There were a few wind gusts that took my breath away.  But before I knew it, I was turning back into the transition area.  I got to the dismount line and CAUTIOUSLY got off the bike.  I DID NOT want to fall today, and guess what….I DIDN’T for once!!!!  But OMG…..my legs felt terrible.  I could barely get them to move.  Thankfully my transition area was directly next to the bike finish. 

T2 went a little more smoothly.  I normally wear a knee sleeve, but I didn’t even fool with it.  I did not want to wrestle with neoprene on damp legs.  As I was getting ready to leave T2, I realized I did not drink or eat ANYthing on the bike.  Thankfully this was not a hot day or I would be toast!!!  So I took a quick swig of my electrolytes and shoved a bag of Chomps in my pocket.  I hobbled (at best) to the run course. 

The run course was changed at the last minute yesterday due to weather.  The course was now brutally boring.  Up and down the same street for two loops then an offshoot to finish at the walking track.  I knew this would be a tough course, it was ALL uphill one way and ALL downhill the other way.  I couldn’t take advantage of the downhill because I did not trust my legs to support me.  I tried to eat a Chomp, but at 39 degrees, they are basically solid, un-chewable bricks.  I sucked on it briefly then spit it out.  Hubs and my dad were standing on the sidelines cheering me on.  Hubs kept yelling to me that I looked strong.  I wonder how much he was exaggerating, I didn’t feel very strong. 

My legs began to wake up about a mile in (again, I didn’t have my Garmin, so I was clueless to distance and pace), but my feet were still asleep and now painful.  I finally got comfortable at the end of the last loop and I let my legs just GO….carry me as fast as they could.  But also around that time, I felt like a cat was chewing on my ankle….damned timing chip!!!!!!!!!  Must buy neoprene timing holder thingy before my next tri!!!!  

Finally, I see the finish area, I kick a little…..I want to finish strong.  But then I hear the announcer guy say “oh no #460, you got someone chasing you!!!!!”  I turn slightly and see a blue blur behind me so I kick even harder to an all out sprint.  Pretty sure it was a photo finish.  I have no idea which one of us crossed first.

(near the finish line……BAD heel striking!!!)

Here’s a video of the finish…..overlook the shots of the ground and overall poor shooting.  My dad thought he was taking a picture, but got video instead…..pretty cool though!  Stick with it until the VERY end of the video, you’ll see us STREAK past at the end. 

I got a quick glimpse of the results sheet they had posted.  I think I finished 324 out of 720, not too shabby!!!  And finished 4th out of my division.  I opted for the Athena category.  Might as well use my hefty frame to an advantage right???  I’m curious to know how I would have finished if I registered in my age group, probably not as well!  Kim finished strong.  I couldn’t see the clock so I don’t know her time.  But her goal was to just finish…..she did WAY more than just finish……so proud of you Kim!!!!!!!!!  WE DID IT!!!!!!  HUGE thanks to all the volunteers out there freezing their butts off for us.  I tried to verbally thank each one I passed.  Also BIG thanks to BDD, I know I have been a pest these last few weeks, but you helped me immensely!

I am officially HOOKED on triathlon!!!!

I felt good….BETTER than good at the end.  The emotions of knowing what I had just accomplished made me feel INVINCIBLE, like I could accomplish anything!!!!  Kim and I were asking ourselves last night…..”why do we race if it makes us so miserable???”  THIS very emotion…….I know now…..this is why I race!!!!