My dad use to tell me each gymnastics competition as a child "Qa Pla", klingon for SUCCESS! I revert and recall fondly these memories as I prepare for my newer hobby and activity of triathlon. Yesterday as I walked toward an unknown open water start format, a bike course I didn't drive, and an uncertain run course. I thought how much I loved my two years of racing alongside my dad. He raced recently in MN and I impatiently awaited the results. Yesterday I felt he was in my shoes as I got a text after seeking results of Will and me. I look forward to the day we can toe the line together again!
Chattanooga is a beautiful town nestled along the TN river and close to the Smokies. I love visiting. The heat in TN has been suffocating the past two weeks. We had a small break in humidity last weekend for our 100mile ride. This humidity quickly returned and made outdoor running at 5am feel like a slice of what I imagine hell to be, immediate perspiration upon exit from an air conditioned setting, and filled lungs with heavy damp air that made a 40minute easy run feel like you had survived. We had perfect weather in Chattanooga, with storms and a front that moved through Friday night. Humidity broke and we woke up feeling grateful for 60 degrees and a projected high of 84 with light winds. Saturday prior to the race we dropped our bikes and spent our time witnessing sheer joy with friends and their son at the TN aquarium. I'm glad we got to spend this time relaxing and also experiencing the Aquarium alongside a little, he's joy at the sharks and turtles and every new exhibit was so precious and made the trip wonderful. That evening we ate outside on the porch of our bare bones cabin, a practice run for the Ironman event coming up in September. I will say I didn't sleep the greatest but that the evening of relaxation and company was wonderful prior to my first start at a triathlon in 11.5 months, my last race was Vineman in July of 2014.
We left our bikes in transition over night, an option provided. I thought it'd be great I set my bike exactly where I prefer it near a post so I have the area under the post to put my bag. We got to this race site and my bike had been moved over night, placed in order of number - lame but understandable. Set up transition. I debated for far too long what race top to wear. The water was 85 degrees making wet suit an non issue. I debated because I felt prideful and uncomfortable in a bra top because I feel out of shape still without regular yoga. I realized that I was being absolutely ridiculous, wear the top you've had regular open water swims without wetsuit, and suck up your insecurities. I feel badly and juvenile even admitting to it. I'm 120lbs and close to the best shape of my life, but I want to also acknowledge that I am aware of insecurities and have them myself.
We (Will, Chris, and I) decided to walk to the starting point of the swim opting out of taking a bus to the field they set us in for organization of the swim start. We listened to the anthem as we waited in a Porta Potty Line, nothing like the camaraderie we feel in these lines conversations are brief but contain a lot of information.
I feel anxiety knowing that my significant other is on the race course, especially when his swim start is after mine as it was yesterday. I suspect that I'd feel the same if my dad was awaiting start. In most races I've participated in the guys go out first. I like to know that my family is safely in the water and on their way in the race before I enter the water. I don't know why but it is absolutely the truth. The swim start was a time trial start except we got in with sets of three and "monkey" crawled down a dock to where a volunteer read our number and said "GO". We were off on a downstream swim. I felt someone drafting me the entire race, making it obvious by the regular brushing of my toes in the water.
It was a HOT swim. And in my case was left un-timed and unofficial, my attempt to start my watch was unsuccessful. The bike which our friend Chris had told us had 500feet of climbing was much more challenging, I should have read the complete email and driven the course. It was a fun smooth course though along primarily an interstate road that one lane of traffic was blocked for us. At mile 11.2 Chris passed me, yelling something about the climbing. I didn't see Will on course. Of fun mention was the tri bottomsALOT of people including her. I didn't see too many of my own age group, but it wasn't of relevance because start times were determine by some equation of past swim times, I wasn't near anyone in my age group... which I still cannot figure out if that's a good thing or not. I finished 6th in my age group in the swim. It was somewhat disheartening to be passed by women and men in their 50's but I also realize that I have a lot of racing left in my life and maybe one day I'll be passing 30 somethings :)
of a lady who passed me reading "you just got passed by a GIRL". I got passed by
I didn't have a particularly stellar race, my transitions were both under 3minutes - I can definitely improve my bike to run. I felt so unsteady I had to sit down to put my shoes on, and clean my feet from grass that was in the transition zone. I also applied sunscreen in each transition, it's important that I do this because of a significant family history of skin cancer.
The run actually felt particularly terrible, it was getting hot. I had consumed too much water and felt a bursting bladder. I ran for four miles before I had to make a stop to use a bathroom. I had been searching desperately for one since right after mile one. I walked a hill and the stairs - yes there were stairs on this course. I saw Will and felt relief that he looked good running. I finished to shouts from my friends Lindsey, Chris, and their son. Chris improved his Olympic time. I feel satisfied with mine at 3:14:35. There is still room for improvement obviously and that is what Will felt that he wasn't happy with his performance. I reminded him that we are on a journey to the Ironman, we are not at the peak of fitness at this day. Our peak is going to be in late September and we'll have bad days and days that we worry about each other, it's part of the process, we will feel triumphant and progress in increments and we're in it together and on our own at the same time.
This journey is terrible, trying, and terrific all the same. I feel that I am constantly pushing myself to fit things in, find time that may not exist in the week total hours, and be free of regrets. I'm simply doing my best as an age group athlete with a fantastic life to find the time needed to know that on race day in September I won't look back and wish I had spent more times with friends looking at the fish -socializing and living in precious moments or our lives. So I don't update this blog enough because I am frantic at times, running from the gym to a happy hour with my girlfriends or to dinner with my partner in all of this and in my life.
My advice to myself in the next 90 days of this Ironman journey and for the rest of life, Let it Be and know that I and we've trained and will enjoy the swim, ride, and run in the days and years to come. Enjoy the moments along the way whether it's a day at the aquarium, an exchange of love and support from family, a night on a patio or deck, or hearing friends cheer as you cross your finish line whatever line that maybe. This life is a constant transition and journey.
 |
| My Results within my age-group. I like to see and reflect on areas for improvement. I tied for 30th in my first race in the 30-34 age group. Fitting :) |
No comments:
Post a Comment