I did it!
What an amazing time I had this weekend. The whole weekend was such a positive experience -- from watching my teammates complete the long course, to watching 65 year old women zoom pass me on the course (knowing they started a full 30 minutes after me), to celebrating our accomplishments with big hugs from coaches and teammates at the start line. Today (Monday) I am still exhausted and thrilled.
The weather was great, probably mid or low 80's, very little wind, and clear skies. We started at 10:10am with one of our honorees (6 year old Lauren) singing "I Will Survive" to us at the swim start. While navigating the swarms of arms and legs, I kept chanting my swim mantras - "reach and twist" and from Finding Nemo "Just keep swimming." I had some serious going-straight issues, but finished strong.
The bike was great! I had a fantastic time out there and didn't even mind all the people passing me and Speedster. I conquered the hills, didn't fall or drop my water bottle, and managed to max out at at a top speed of 31mph (which terrified me to no end). In all the excitement, however, I did not drink or eat as much as I should have. I still haven't figured out how much energy I expend on biking. And I'm also a little afraid to drink while riding. I did stop once at the turn around to drink and managed to drink a few times while riding, but not enough. My butt and back were aching by the last few hills, but I was pleased with my ride. Speedster was happy, too.
The run, on the other hand, was less than impressive. I think I might have to rename the event to be a swim, bike, walk event. I couldn't catch my breath and the dust was making me wheeze more than normal. But I found my friend Eileen at the first few miles and we ran/walked together, which gave me a boost. The first 4 miles of the course is a series of uphills. I shuffle-ran on the flats, walked on the hills, and tripped down the downhills. By mile 3, I was getting delirious from the heat. The sun was over head (it was about 1:30 or 2pm) and the asphalt was radiating a lot of heat up. I started to get the tingly, blurry-eyed, dehydrated feeling. There were water stops at every mile and and Cal Poly students to hose you down. I took advantage of each stop.
Somewhere around mile 4, my head coach was out there in a clown suit/ pimp suit shaking a Budwiser can full of coins yelling me on -- this is what you got up every Saturday for -- this is what you've train for the last 3 months for -- look at Chris (honoree), a cancer survivor running along side with you -- you're doing it for him -- you can do it, girl. While I appreciate his encouragement and all of the support he was providing me, I was cursing him and wishing that he would stop running with me, so I could resume my walk of self-pity. After they left, I almost started crying from exhausting.
I kept trying to put things in perspective -- thinking of our 6 year old honoree and her "Beads of Courage" (one for every treatment or spinal tap or ambulance ride she has had to have in her short life) -- thinking of how much harder my first backpacking trip in the Sierras with Chris was -- thinking of the delicious Mexican food and beer I would have in a short time -- thinking about what it would be like to shave one of the alpacas I saw on the bike course --- wondering if alpacas made milk you could use for cheese. . . Clearly my mind started to wander.
I tried every sports psychology trick I knew. None of them made me run any faster. Even the naked Cal Poly students at the last water stop didn't get my going any faster. But finally, finally, finally, I made it to the last mile, and it was mostly down hill. I dug deep down inside, past all the pain, cursing, and self-pity, ignored the fact that my quads might give out at any point on the steep descent, and rolled down the hill to the finish. Even found enough energy at the end of pick up the pace across the finish.
4 hours and 6 minutes of work and I finally earned the title of triathlete. With my medal in hand, I made a beeline for the lake, ripped of my shoes, and dove right in. 64 degree water never felt so great!
Thanks to everyone who supported me. I've raised nearly $3500 to cure blood cancers. (Know that I spent a good mile while "running" trying to think of all of the names of people who supported me. I don't think I got past the "Ds" before I wandered off into some strange thought tangent about what my double-layered socks would be saying right now if they could talk.)
I think it will take a few days for all of this to really sink in. What a trip it has been. I am exhausted, but ready to do it again!
Go Team!
