I DID IT!!

Yes, I successfully completed a triathlon. Does that make me a triathlete?? I like to think so.

I could not sleep much the night before (as expected) and woke up for the day at 2 am. I laid in bed for an hour and half and then got up, sat on the floor and did some light stretching for an hour. I felt eerily calm. At 4 am, I started getting dressed, loading up my equipment and was out the door by 4:45 am. I managed a eat a granola bar on the way an had plenty of fruit to snack on up to the 2 hour before mark.

I was pleasantly surprised to run into a friend on my way to the transition area. I got everything out, organized and ready to go, ate and apple and wandered around. I made many unnecessary bathroom visits and checked out the pool. I wish I had taken a camera to get a picture of the big electronic screen all lit up in the early morning hours. I could hardly believe I was taking part in a event that included a big, electronic screen. Before long it was 6:30 am and first wave of swimmers was in the water.

I was in the third wave so once the second wave took off I jumped into the diving/warm up pool for a couple of laps. Everything felt good. I was ready to go.

I took off fast...maybe too fast. I felt dehydrated (dry, cotton mouth) right as we were going. I quickly lost track of laps. The only problem during the swim happened to be a fairly significant one. My goggles fogged up. They also happened to be tinted goggles and so I was screwed. There were a few laps where I was feeling for the wall because I could hardly see it. I finally had to just stop and clear them. Since I had lost all count of my laps, I ended up slowing a bit to ask the counter how many more to go. After some confusion, I was told six more laps. No problem. I was one of the first in my wave out of the pool.

I dragged my behind out of pool. It was a serious challenge and one of the moments I dreaded most. It was over fast enough and I was wobbling back to the transition area. Apparently, lack of oxygen and an adrenaline rush is the equivalent of hauling down a Margarita.

I took off on the bike and, as usually, I was moving slow. I got past right away but just wanted to get a feel for the course when I took the first of three laps. Halfway around the course, on my first lap, the "bib" number on my bike flew off. I had no idea what the procedure was for this and so I stopped my bike as fast as I good, ran back to pick up the paper and then reattached it to the bike. I want to believe that this all took five minutes. Maybe the extra time is the cause of the slow bike time. On the second lap, I downed a quarter of a banana and chugged at my water bottle. On the third lap, (oh sweet third lap) I ate another quarter of a banana and finished off my water bottle. I started to cramp a little bit but was just so anxious to start the run and see how my legs felt.

My transition to the run was good. I defnitely did not waste time and thank goodness I managed to remember everything that I needed to take off and leave and put on to take. I had another water bottle for the run. I fear cramps. The course was so lonely, I saw three other runners the entire time I was out there. I felt like I was barely moving and I was convinced I was losing tons of time. When I pasted the 2 mile marker and could see the last turn to the finish line I was overcome by a huge second wind. I felt like I could go forever. I turned the last corner and my husband was nearby and he encouraged me to finish strong and even kind of ran a few yards with me. It felt so good to have the support. I crossed the finish line, grabbed my free t-shirt and got a big hug from my husband and father.

Interestingly enough, the end was kind of bittersweet. So much time was spent training and the whole race only lasted 1:43 minutes. They say this sport is addictive for a reason. I can't wait to race again.

Holy Anxiety

Race is tomorrow. Twenty-four hours and it will be all over. I hope I make it into the water without losing my breakfast to anxiety. I am already fumbling over myself.

Good thoughts, positive energy. I'm ready.