Triathlon DAY! - WOW I had an awesome first time effort!| Overall Rank | Class Rank | Swim | Swim Rank | Trans1 | Bike | Bike Rank | MPH | Trans2 | Run | Run Rank | Pace | Final |
| 2083 of 2304 | 381 of 446 | 00:28:30 | 2078 | 00:05:44 | 00:53:06 | 1636 | 14.0 | 00:08:55 | 00:56:11 | 2198 | 00:18:07 | 02:32:29 |
I wasn't nervous, at the start of the swim this morning, I was feeling almost like I was going to cry. The swim went well, I had the strategy of staying in the back and taking my time. The fear of swimming with all those women wasn't too bad. As soon as any contact was made, many an "I'm sorry" were exchanged and everyone was so darn polite about it. It's the Danskin way, all women, helping and encouraging each other even after they kick you in the head, or the arm, etc. I started my watch when I got in the water, and after I cleared the 3rd buoy, I was at 18 minuntes. I had much more room in the water to just do my thing, keeping my breathing steady and that freestyle stroke strong. I was so surprised to see Betsy and Kristy when I got out of the water. They had taken up the role of telling my story through video and still photos. THANKS !!!! My transition to the bike felt good, I noticed that Paige and Claire were already on the course. I feel really strong on the bike, I knew I could catch them. I was flying like the wind on my bike. "Passing on your left" even on the uphill. My training ride, a proven success, made such a difference on this course. It was full of rolling hills a few more steep than others, I felt really strong out there. As I neared the finish, I started to worry about the run/walk. I had worked out my plan of running for 1 minute and walking for 1 minute in my head ready to go, but could I do that for the whole time? The temperature on the course was
REALLY FREAKING HOT! Just as I neared the bike finish, I passed a few more people and sprinted to the line. There was Betsay, but with the lenscap on her video camera (how about that day job) I know Kristy got a great shot but Betsy joked that I could do it one more time for the camera. HA! I had to get to running! At the start of the run I saw JEN... she had her medal on and was shouting and screaming like a bansheee when she saw me. She gave me a great big hug, some water and off I went. My strategy was working. I was feeling strong and confident as I got further out on the course, I could feel my body temp climbing and became very aware of the heat in the air. All I could think about was water, I was so hot and thirsty. I met Ginger before mile 1 and we started to run together. Ginger has done the Danskin 3 times and convinced me to sign up for the
Rattlesnake Sprint Triathlon in August. FINALLY I got to the water, and as I chugged 2 glasses and tossed one over my head I thought I can TOTALLY finish this! I'm so close, and it's time to run. The cones for the 1/2 way mark came up quickly after the water station, I chose to weave through them
SERPENTINE style and knew the end of the race was near. I got a bit of a second wind and felt great! The water station came up, I had more water and a few cliff blocks, that was probably my mistake. I really struggled with the last mile running, so I walked most of it. I had the beginnings of cramps in my stomach and almost threw up. Aside from finishing, not puking was my second goal. So I decide to walk and save my last sprint run effort for my big finish. When I saw that green fence line leading toward the finish, I took my dad's advice, one foot in front of the other and I finished strong! I was thrilled!
YIPPEE! I DID IT!
