First Triathlon of the Season

Last night was the Father and Sons camping overnighter. So Dwain took Andrew, Charlie and Samuel. I had Sarah, who wanted to be camping with Daddy.

Sarah and I went out to get dinner and to WalMart, the same time Daddy left so it wouldn't be so hard on her. We had a good time. By the time we got home and ate it was time for Sarah to go to bed, but I let her stay up and play with me as we watched TV, and I put stuff together for the triathlon. I had to be up early to have breakfast and get mentally ready for the "race".

Sarah woke up in time to be ready to go to Jill's house. She is my Best Friend and agreed to watch Sarah even though it was so early in the morning, and that she would not be able to get her usual saturday sleep-in! She is dear to me! I love her for making that sacrifice so that I can pursue health. everyone should have a Jill-Friend in their life.

I dropped Sarah off and took off to the American Fork Fitness Center.

I rocked out to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (is that possible?) It was a song from their new CD called Saints Bound for Heaven. It has a great uplifting message that moves me, so I listened to it about 5 times in a row.

I arrived, parked and unpacked my bike. I have done this race course 4 times, once just for practice, so I felt prepared. I headed to the registration tent, found my number, and then...

they asked for my USAT card. CRAP! I knew I had it, but I traded bags and the card was in the other bag. The lady told me I would have to go bum the $10 to be legal (coz I didn't have the cash or check). I left, a bit miffed at myself for not having that card, and found some triathlon friends that i swim with on Saturday mornings at the pool. My friend Scott willingly gave me the $3 I needed and wished me luck on my 'race' as I headed back to the registration to get my packet with my number and shirt (which, although labeled XL, would NEVER fit). I found my place for transition, set up my stuff, and was met by my Coach, Keena. She asked if I was ok, told me I looked ready and like a woman who had done this before, then headed off to find other triathletes she coaches, with the shirt that would never fit me.

I finished setting up my transition area at which time they were calling the athletes to the side of the pool for the pre-race meeting. I hadn't gotten any time for a warm up. I thought that would be ok, I would use the swim as the warm up.

I made a quick trip to the port-a-potty, and then to the pool. I found some women who swim a 300 about as fast as i should and then jumped in the shallow end for a few short laps as I waited for my position to reach the front of the line to start my 'race'.

Reaching the front of the line didn't take long and i jumped (feet first) into the pool, for a wonderful strong swim. By the end of the first lap, I caught up to the woman in front of me. There were 2 other women on my toes by the end of the next length, and I let the one go in front of me. As I pushed off the wall I was already reaching to her calf as i swam, but as I think it is better to be in a drag position then in a lead position, I slowed up just a little and let her pull me along. At the end of the next length i had to hold up just a little to let her get more in front of me so as to not get kicked in the face. She picked up her pace and pulled me along once again.
Out of the pool and heading to my bike, I tried to slow my breathing, but I really wanted a quick transition. So I did jog, then walk. To speed transition, I didn't put socks on for the bike ride. i was quick and headed out to the course. It is 2 loops and longer than last year by 4 blocks. I was determined to make it a fast ride. I also knew there was a hill, the dreaded hill, but I talked myself through by saying it wasn't anything harder than what I had practiced for weeks before. I was passed by some on the hill, but managed to catch most of them on the DOWNHILL. It was a long not as steep downhill during which I can hit speeds up to 30 MPH. i think I only got up to 27 today, but still flew past the other women who are a bit more careful than I am. But then, once I get my mass going downhill, it is hard to slow it down. ;-)

I did the second loop with women passing me uphill and me passing them downhill. but finally I get to head into transition for the run. Keena was there cheering on her athletes as we had to dismount the bikes. (it is funny how I can forget how to do that during races, I just about fall over every race. I have to chuckle about that now.)

I took off the helmet, put on the hat, off with the bike shoes, on with the socks and shoes for running (I use that term loosely) and grab my water and head out for the last time to "run" 3.1 miles. Checking my watch, I hope to get through this in 45 minutes. I followed the bike course doing my jogging/walking shuffle and made it to the hill, where I allowed myself to walk (not that I wasn't walking before then, but this was the one place where i knew I could). One and a half miles into the run I was wondering why I was doing triathlons. I really like to swim and bike, but I am not a long distance runner. I like to run the distance around bases, not miles. I kept telling myself I should find something I like to do and get back to what i am good at. Right about then, I turned the corner to head downhill to the finish line. that is when i met up with a fellow triathlete and friend who convinced me to keep jogging to the finish line. Sherry was great in keeping me going, no matter how slow it is, in my jogging type forward motion. Then Erica came and found me and ran with Sherry and me. It was a much more enjoyable jog from the point of having people with me. They encouraged me as I got closer to the finish to sprint hard to the end. And I did. I finished on a sprint, and stood at the finish line trying to breathe and cool-off for 5 minutes before I remembered to stop my watch. I was pleasantly surprised at the time I saw on my watch, but knew it wasn't official. I guessed it was a good time, but didn't know for sure until I checked the official times posted at the race finish.

No, I was not in the top 3, or even 13. I think I placed 22 in my division (if only I could run, I would be competitive with my division.) But I was 26 minutes behind the winner.

And the best news is that I finished with a personal Best 1:40:29.

Good times are had by all or, at least, most.

No, I am not sore.

Next week i will be doing an Olympic Distance Triathlon. That is twice the distance of today's tri.

I will let you know how it goes. Until then, enjoy life, work hard and smile.