My alarm clock went off at 4:30am, and the first thought that went through my head was the freezing water I was in the day before and "what was I thinking?!?!"
I dragged myself out of bed, put on my tri clothes, ate breakfast with one of my coaches, grabbed my bag and my bike and went down to the lobby of the hotel to meet the rest of my team. We all checked in, hopped on our bikes and biked down to the event site. The nerves were beginning to kick in along with a bit of fear and doubt. Could I really do this?
I set up my transition area, went over everything three times, then had one of my coaches go over everything because that nagging feeling that I was forgetting something just wouldn't leave me.
At 7:30am, we were to meet up as a team to go on a warm-up jog. All I could think was that I was already going to have to run 6 miles in a couple of hours. Why in the world would my coaches be so evil to make me run even more? Haha. It was nice though to run togther and stretch together. All too soon it was time to tug my wetsuit on and head down to the water to await our warm up time in the water (10 minutes before we were to start).
I was sad to discover that the water wasn't any warmer than the day before -- in fact it was colder. I forced myself to stay in for the full amount of time we were allowed. I even got another woman to do a headstand with me just to lighten the mood. We looked like synchronized swimmers -- haha.
There we are, getting "warmed up." We were the first female wave to start which made it even more exciting. We were also the biggest wave to start.
All of our caps huddled together. There was cheering and dancing and hugging and threatening the jellyfish that may be awaiting us in the depths of the water. All too soon the start horn sounded, and ready or not, we were off:
I don't know which one I am in that picture. The swim was difficult with so many people around. I was kicked, smacked, stuck behind people. It was frustrating at times, but I just tried to stay focused and keep my technique as solid as possible despite the bodies pressing in all around me. Eventually I managed to break away enough to not have to battle too many people. I finished the swim in 40 minutes and ran up the path to my transition area. It wasn't until I got to transition and bent down to pick up my bike shoes that I realized I was far more dizzy than I thought. My first transition took a little over 4 minutes because I was trying not to fall over the entire time. I managed to not forget anything, and I was off on the bike before I even realized it.
I raced around that course like nobody's business, passing some of the boys who had started 15 minutes before me. I probably pushed myself too hard, cuz when I finished the bike part of the race an hour and 26 minutes later, my legs were tired. I knew the run wasn't going to be fun. Not that running is ever fun for me -- haha. After 25 miles on the bike, it's even less fun. I ran pretty much the entire first two miles with a couple of 30 second breaks. I ran/walked the last 4 miles. Here I am, struggling through mile 3:
I finished the 6 miles in 1 hour and 9 minutes. My average pace was 11 minutes, 8 seconds per mile, so I don't think I walked as much as I thought I did. I think it just seemed like I was walking more because it was more than I had wanted to be walking.
I made it across the finish line 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 49 seconds after I started.
Other than some pain in my left kneecap, I felt fine. I was proud of my time. I thought it was going to take me much longer than that. I guess when you have people inspiring you,
things seem a lot easier. Everyone on my team did stellar that day. I am so proud of all of us and so grateful to our coaches and mentors for pushing us the past four months. I have done something I didn't think I could do, and I did it well. I can shamelessly say that I am proud of myself.
Thank you all for you support -- financially and emotionally.
This experience has been challenging and inspiring in so many ways.
There was one experience that was particularly inspiring. It happened on July 22, 2007 when a few members of the team went to visit the Los Angeles Children's Hospital. It was there that I met the most amazing 8 year old boy. His name is Evan, and he is fighting leukemia right now. Meeting him has inspired me to sign up for the Lavaman triathlon on April 6. I will be doing this triathlon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training again. I will be doing it in honor of Evan and the life he is fighting for. Of course, I need all of your support again for this one! Actually, I'll need even more support for this one because the course is VERY hilly (which I'm no good at), and I'm trying to raise even more money this time for Evan and the thousands of other kids and adults like him. If you want to be inspired by him, visit my website:
Joy4EvantheWarrior
He truly is amazing!
Thank you again!
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