Not so Savage

This was the calm before the storm.  Literally, a super crazy storm. We took our pre-race photo and lined up to start the race.  It began to sprinkle and a mile in, the sky just opened up.  It down poured like crazy, followed by thunder and lightning.  The closed the obstacles, closed the course, and we could finish.  Luckily they were willing to accommodate us with free race entries to the October race...so we will be back to dominate.

Triathlete!

Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote about trying a tri; not getting though the swim, struggling with the bike and then not living up to actually doing a triathlon later in the year.  Fast forward one year, I now get to write about actually finishing a tri!

In September, I signed up for a triathlon at the beginning of May.  That would give me plenty of time to get through my Marathon, take a quick break (which ended up being almost a full 4 weeks off...and it was nice), and change gears to biking and swimming; with maybe a little running along the way.  So mid January hits and I get back in training mode.  I got lucky that early in my training I met another triathlete (and a super successful one at that) at the pool who introduced me to some improved stroke techniques, a near-by (and pretty car-less) 11 mile bike loop and some other triathletes working towards a half iron-man a little later in the year.  That is just what I needed; some pros at this sport that were nice enough to teach me the tricks of the trade and keep me accountable for time in the water and on the road.  And thanks to them, I finally over came my fear of biking.  There had been few and far between rides after the "accident" that happened in September of 2011.

With some solid training behind me, I was getting anxious for the big day.  Literally couldn't wait and decided to do a race before the "first" race.  Cocoa Beach Triathlon was the chosen winner!

Pre-race prep photo.  I honestly had no idea what I was doing.  Just tried to copy everyone around me, keep the nerves low, and the excitement high. Luckily I had my very own cheerleader with me that morning.  Josh did a good job keeping from looking inexperience and crazy; all while pumping me up.

Check me out center of photo with the pink cap.  Fake smile much?  I was definitely getting very nervous at this point.  Ready to hit the water.

As I entered the water, reality set in.  I was swimming in open water for the first time.  I was swimming with other competitors for the first time (nothing like taking a foot to the face for the first time). And I was swimming in a wetsuit for the first time.  Yes, I panicked.   I got out there and immediately didn't know how to swim or breathe.  It was actually very scary.  Even though I knew that I would not sink in a wetsuit, something told me I was going to die.  When I heard the whistle for the next wave, I tried to get myself together.  All of a sudden, the next whistle went off.  Who knows where my head was...but it wasn't there.  I did some doggy paddling, some breast stroking, some frog kicking and a bunch of other things to move in the water that were not free style swimming; like I practiced.  Finally to the end and feeling defeated, I exited the water.  Actually the yellow caps started 2 waves after me...leaving Josh a little concerned how many people got out and I didn't.

As I entered transition, defeated and upset, I decided to do what any 3 year old would do.  Throw a tantrum and whine.  Yup sat there for nearly 5 minutes saying things like: "This is stupid," "Why would I even want to do a tri," "I almost died," "ERRR." But I'm here and I ain't quitting.  So on to the bike I went.

Something happened on the bike.  Something really good.

I found myself realizing why I wanted to do a triathlon.  Not to win the race, but to win for myself.  Finally being able to say I can swim; finally being able to say I got back on the bike; and finally being able to say "I am a triathlete!"

It was nice to get my head right...and at that moment all was good in the world and I was happy to be there.

The Run!  I love the run.  I'm not fast, but I run it. It was a great day for a run and I couldn't be happier at that point.  As I turned the corner and saw the finish line, I had to restrain myself from crying.  I sprinted forward and finished with all I had.

Finished!  I AM A TRIATHLETE.

Third time's the charm

What an interesting race that started as just a run.  I decided about a week before hand that I would just take this run easy and have some fun.  I have one more half marathon this season next month that I decided to focus on; so this run was just going to be for training. And when I woke up to 50 degree weather, rain, and winds up to 30 MPH, it was confirmed...time to just have fun and run. Or at least I thought but just a few miles in...it turned into something incredible for me.

I had the most random mind set that morning.  I was just in the best of moods and not worried about time or trying to get a person record.  I was gabbing with other runners, commenting on all the ridiculous sayings on the back of people's shirts and hamming up each photo op.  Turned up the jams and was just in the zone.  As mile 1 and mile 2 passed and I was averaging 10 minute miles, I wasn't even worried.  There were a ton of people and I was taking my time.  After about mile two, things started to thin out a bit and I fell into a groove. I watched my time drop to the mid 9s and I am usually good with that.  Its not a race pace...but I wasn't racing so I was happy to just be cruising along.

As the sun started rise, it seemed we were in the clear from having any further rain.  With over cast skies, cool temps and a breeze (okay, still very heavy winds), it was near perfect conditions for a long run. By the time I got to the mile 6 marker, I was still having fun and watching my time drop with decent ease; I then changed my mind that maybe I would actually try and race the second half. I didn't have anything to lose and if I hit a wall...well then I would just say that I intended to just "run" anyhow.  I crossed the mat at the half way point at 1:04:10 which was actually about 6 minutes slower than my half marathon last month.  But it was about this point last time that I hit my wall and quickly started averaging high ten minute miles.

At mile 7 I took a gel and picked up the pace again.  I love running sub 9 minute miles, but since I am still a slow poke and I didn't want a few really good miles kill the rest of the race, so pulled it back a bit for mile 8 and 9.  During these miles, I made sure to stop at both water stops and drink both water and Gatorade as well as eat my gummies with intentions of running a good remaining 5K.  My plan worked.  In fact, it worked really well.  A 27 minute 5K is great for me, and most of the time I don't run 10 miles before hand.  I was ecstatic to cross that finish line and proclaim a new personal record.  My second half took just over 57 minutes! That is the gusto I have been talking about for months. Guess, third time's the charm!

So close to a sub 2 hour half.