Perseverance

Preamble: this post is long and wordy as most race recaps tend to be... go grab a coffee and sit back for a long(er) read!

Definition as per the Webster dictionary: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

A running friend used that word to describe my actions in the triathlon I competed in yesterday.

After some time of reflection, I agree with it. I am not only accepting it, but welcoming it. At first, I tried to mask that POSITIVE word with words like "stubborn" and "cheap". I am trying my hardest to let go of those negative words - albeit it is not an easy thing to do.

My triathlon story started off with an early wakeup at my mother's house (where I was staying so I didn't have to travel as far in the morning to get to the race site). She gave me the bad news that she was suffering from some major vertigo and wouldn't be able to come and watch me at the race. I've suffered from vertigo before and remember all to well its nasty effects. I understood. She was disappointed she couldn't be there, but I was fully confident that if there was any way, she would have. (xoxo)

While waiting for my breakfast bagel to toast, I checked facebook and was welcomed by this status from the husband:

Heading to bed thinking about the incomparable Josee Sisson challenging herself yet again with her first ever mini triathlon (try-a-tri) tomorrow morning. You're gonna be awesome and have a friggin' blast in the process!Can't wait to hear all about it tomorrow over a homemade gingerbread latte and slice o' homemade apple cake.Love ya lots. Now go kick some ass and have some fun!!!

There were also 3 other statuses from friends who would be at the tri as volunteers that expressed their excitement to watch us (there were 3 of us newbie tri LIO friends competing) finish. Also, 3 posts on my wall wishing me luck.

People were in my corner.

People had confidence in me.

Most importantly, I had confidence in me.

I arrived at the site right on time, got my kit and headed to my meeting spot. I had the normal pre-race jitters, but I was ready and I was excited.

Time seemed to fly by between arrival time (7:00) and our start time (8:30). At 8:15, we were in the pool and getting seeded in our respective times.

The Swim

The swim is only 100 meters, and I did not had any difficulties with that distance in trainig, but this time, it was different. The pool was a 50 meter pool, and about 3/4 of the way through the distance, I could feel myself slowing down and struggling to get to that deep end of the pool. I managed to, and the second half of the swim seemed easier, but getting OUT of the pool was a different story. Although I was exiting in the shallow end, the top lip of that shallow end (which really wasn't THAT shallow - the water still was up to my shoulders!) is HIGH! All of the sudden Jay's decision to take on of the side lanes and get those stairs didn't seem so silly!). I flopped myself over the edge like a beached whale (scraping up my knee at the same time) and headed to the first T-zone).

What I took away from the swim: I need to enroll in some adult swimming lessons to improve my strokes and stop feeling like I am sinking. Breast stroke would likely not cut it for a distance any longer than 100m. Also, need to work on my shoulder strength for exiting the pool.

T-1

A bit slower than I had hoped, but then again, I had nothing to compare with. The big smiley face balloon acted as a great maker (and thanks to Jay's heart shaped one that she left behind, I had something to bring home to the kiddies in the end!) to find where I had placed my bike. I wished I had a more absorbent towel that didn't make it so I was rolling down my shirt. Also, I was wearing too many layers. I wasn't hot, but it takes a lot longer to get dressed when you are putting on shorts, shirt, vest, socks and shoes...

What I took away from T-1: Wear as little as you need for the different portions of the race. make sure water bottle spout is open and zippers are unzipped before. Also, I decided at the last minute to have my shoes untied and ready to go... that was a good idea on my part!

Bike:

We had a 13k bike ride consisted of 2 6.5k loops along the road way surrounding the Sportsplex. I went out strong, and passed quite a few people relatively quickly. This is where my brother's road bike came in really handy. Often times, I felt like I was flying. I didn't get passed once during the whole first loop, and passed a lot of people. I was excited - and when I rode by the LIO cheering section (thanks Tracey and Leigh and gang!), I was totally pumped by the loud cheers. Halfway though the second loop, however, things (well, one thing, actually...) changed. I felt a wobble from my back tire and noticed how I was immediately slowing down. I thought for a split second about whether I could keep going for the last 3 or so kms on a flat tire, but at the first turn when my back tire slipped out from underneath me, I knew I was toast.

After a few un-mentionable words, I went to the grass to see the damage. This is a good time to note I did NOT have a bike kit; nor have I EVER changed a road bike tire. #!@%^!!!! 

Lucky for me, I had passed one of my LIO pals Barbara and I knew she DID have a kit, so when I saw her and she asked if I was ok, whether I had a spare tube and then offered me hers, she's lucky I didn't pull her off her bike and give her a hug. 2 separate, big, (motor)biker race officials came to my rescue, the first, who knew just a LITTLE more than I did about changing a tire (which is really not much!), the other that became my saviour. At one point during the whole 15 minute (at least) procedure, yet another race official asked me if I wanted him to call it in and get someone to come and pick me up. I politely but confidently informed him that I WOULD finish this race!!!! And #121 from the sprint race... thank you a thousand times for stopping briefly to loan me your bike pump.

Once back on the bike, it was smooth sailing back to the T-zone. But with lots of muttering obscenities to myself about the fact that "I CAN'T believe that happened - grrr!!"

What I took away from the bike:  This one is likely obvious: Get a bike repair kit (with a pump) to put
on the bike. And learn how to change a freakin' tire.

T-2

This one was pretty fast. Hop off bike, unclip helmet, run beside bike to happy face balloon, drop off bike and helmet, put on cap, glug one more bit of Nuun, and start running.

Run

This is the first time I managed to see my friends as I was running by the finish line. While they cheered at me, I yelled at them that I had blown out a tire... and I was frustrated. I started the run "naked" (with no music), but decided if I wanted to get this race done, I wanted to lose myself in my music and just.... GO. I popped in the headphones and made a concious decision then and there. No matter what... JUST KEEP RUNNING. I gave myself a little pep talk about not paying attention to anyone else around me. "If they are walking, you do NOT need to as well. You had 15 minutes of time to "build more energy" while you were waiting for that damned tire to be changed. YOU.CAN.DO.THIS.". And I did.

The only time I walked was during the water station, when I gulped down a gatorade first, then a water on the way back. About 30 seconds after I crossed the last km mark, I heard the 1k kids race start up and knew I'd be finishing my race along side (or, in some cases, behind!) a bunch of sprinting kids. I let them carry me home. At one point, a kid a little older than Madie sprinted past me, and I began to goat him on. Telling him he was doing awesome and to keep it up and that he could beat me! And I kept up to him.

As I turned the corner and could see the finish line, I started searching for my beacon. There were a bunch of kids in front of me which meant she was being kept busy, but I saw her, and knew I was almost there.

I crossed the finish line and gave my chip to Allyson (and a big hug). I walked a few more steps and got my medal from Donna (and another big hug), then, as I continued through the finishing shoot, banana in hand, I saw Caroline who gave me the most very awesome hug I think I have ever had. THAT's when the tears came and I allowed the disappointment to come. I let myself realise how well I was doing before the tire blow and how much it affected my time. I had a little cry while heading back to my bike. But also let myself be proud of what I DID accomplish.

...And knew I couldn't wait to sign up for my next one. :)

May 2014 = Redemption