SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THROUGH IT
and IT PAYS OFF!
I left with my transition bag packed and rode my bike 1/2 mile to transition about 1 1/2 hours before the race. I was excited and wanted to get down to the lake and absorb the energy of prestart. So far so good, until an Ironman veteran decided to rack right next to my bike. Hundreds of spots open, yet he had to pick right by me. He TOLD me I needed to share the space. I moved a half inch and told him anymore I would be on the other side of transition. Even though he rubbed me the wrong way, I shrugged it off. Of course, he has done many Ironmans, qualified for Kona more than once, didn't start racing until he was 46 and was I listening and telling him how inspiring he was. Now it was my turn. I decided to share my journey so far. As soon as I told him I had lost 75 lbs by racing, he gave me a looked, sized me up and told me I needed to lose at least 30 more. WHAT?!?&^%$$ The winds have left my sail and I wanted to cry. What is WRONG with people? I called my Knight to check where he was because he (Pat) would know what to say to me. Thank goodness, I saw him and Booger crossing over the beach. I left that OLD man and really wanted to tell him off. I never saw him again and I was ready to share my mind. (P.S. IF SOMEONE EVER TELLS YOU THEY HAVE LOST 1 LB OR 100 LBS, ALWAYS! ALWAYS ENCOURAGE!! )
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| Transition Ready before I was told to share |
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| Before the madness |
Swim start!!! I got in the water and could not believe how perfect it was. The lake was like glass, clear, 65 degrees without boats. I talked to some women around me and was "coaching" a first timer. It's so fun to give "words of wisdom" and see them pull trough. I've been where they are. The swim was great except for the part where a swimmer didn't know how to site to well and zig zagged across me a few times. The last time, I got a nice hit in the left eye. I stopped and let her move forward. I tend to swim with a even, smooth stroke not too fast, not too slow, and enjoy it. I do get a bit disturbed with the ones who panic, go fast, go slow, zig zag, flip, etc. I always stay in the far back right/left side. So, if you are not a strong swimmer or nervous, just be respectful and position yourself accordingly. I stood up and saw 37 minutes on my watch. Of course, I had to stop for a few pictures, wave at Pat, congrats the girl who finished her first open water swim, run up a small hill through sand, dunk my feet in the water bucket and run to my bike. First part done! (Official Time was 38:54 for a .9 mile swim with a transition of 3:04)
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| I was talking to the young first timer. |
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| Love swimming |
The Bike is my favorite and I didn't have any worries at all. I test rode the Pink Lotus the day before. I knew we were ready. I left transition feeling good. The second climb came (same one I did the day before) and there went my chain. I'm not sure what is going on.. is it me and shifting or the bike? I have had this bike since January and have rode all over. However, these last two races, not so good. There went the wind from my sails again. A sweet couple stopped and the guy helped me get it back on. I was 40 minutes into my race when this happen (according to my garmin). By the time I decided I had no choice but to ride in one gear, it was 59 minutes. I walked my bike up the hill. I could hear the crunching of my chain. I wasn't going to DNF no matter what. I made the turn right and downhill I went. Of course, I had to TEST the bike and change gears to make sure and there went the chain again while I was going down hill. I stopped again, put the chain on and decided Yes.. ONE GEAR ONLY!
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| Heading out for the 25 mile bike |
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| Leaving the park |
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| Heading in to prepare for the run |
I was cruising through town, smelling the fresh air and went to move my helmet and there went my face shield. What the Heck?? Really, is this happening? I turned around, found it laying on the road waiting for me. I put it on and realized it wasn't right. Well, I was missing a magnet so only had two magnets to keep it in place. I said a prayer and hoped it wouldn't fall off again. Off I rode... into a beautiful downhill, along bubbling creeks, pass waterfalls, lakes, trees and more. It was so beautiful and I knew I had plenty of time. I was back at transition... A beautiful 1:46:54 ride with a few hills in one gear and I felt great! (Transition time 2:15) (And literally take off at least 15 minutes for the chain and face shield issues my ride would have been 1 1/2 hours)
Off on the run. Oh boy running on sand is so much fun, then it turned to a nice .25 mile climb up a dirt trail. Once I got to the top, I got in my grove (5 minute run/1 minute walk). I thought, " I could do this" and then I saw the volunteer pointing towards another dirt trail that had no ending in sight. I didn't see ONE person run up that hill. According to Strava, there was at one point 21% incline. I climbed for 2.5 miles. Once on the top, I stopped to catch my breath (being up at 8400' and feeling dizzy wasn't good). I lost my breath again as I gazed out at a huge beautiful meadow! I could see where there had been least 2 lakes before this horrible drought). At mile 4 (and I was still on top of that mountain thinking of Julie Andrews.. "I run through the hills, to the sound of music...ahhahahaha..") there was an aid station. I asked if they were a mirage. They told me just 1 mile straight down then you are home free. First, I had to make a pit stop behind a BIG SEQUOIA. I let A LOT of runners past me going down. There was no way I was going to fall down that mountain. I made it to the bottom and was home free. Just about 1 1/2 miles from the finish. However, I stopped to talk to this volunteer about the PCT as he poured water over my head. (I have to remember sometimes I'm racing not there to socialize.. but then it wouldn't be fun). I got down the last hill pretty fast and heard my Knight, Pat, calling my name. I saw the finish and new I made it. Another successful race after a few bumps! (Run/Hike/Walk 2:00:27)
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| See you in a little bit.. |
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| FINISHED |
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| Got my Finishers Medal to prove it |
The event had the food catered for the athletes. YUMMY! Grilled chicken breast, lentil salad, quinoa with snow peas, lots of fruit and an entire table of desserts. Thankfully, I wasn't that hungry and stayed with the food that was going to refresh my muscles. After I ate, Pat, Boogs and I went to transition to start packing up. That is when Pat heard my name and I heard Phelan, CA. There I was again, running down to the beach to get my 3rd place plaque. My day was amazing.
We packed up, went down to the beach. Booger and I chilled in the water (like a cool bath) while Pat loaded up the buggy. We then went back to the campsite, changed, went to dinner to celebrate and had a perfect ending to the perfect day.
I'm so happy I'm picking these more challenging races. It sure seems to be helping me get to the podium. I didn't even race in Athena this time. I am 10 lbs lighter than my last race, a lot more confident and on my way to becoming an Ironman.
Thanks Coach Kandi @ Train-n-Tri for coaching me to another podium finish and letting me proudly wear your new Tri Kit. It's working!! All of it!!
Special thanks to Energy Bits #PoweredbyBits, #RynoPower Motivation and Endurance, #doTerra Oils (I make my own Energy blend & vitamins) and #DingBat Bars... This is my daily regimen for long workouts and races. I haven't felt tired and always have more to give.
Santa Barbara I'm coming for you in August!
