TX Man Olympic Triathlon Race Report

It has taken me a couple days to gather my thoughts on this race. Mostly trying to rid some of the negativity that is brutally obvious in this report. I will try to at least point out one positive in each leg of the race to not be a complete pessimist.

Swim: 1500 yards/0.85 miles
37:20 (2:43/100m or 2:29/100y)
I was very nervous going in to the swim. It was not the open water just the distance in the open water that started messing with my mind. I texted my sister and my tri sis just to calm the nerves. While waiting for the swim start I met Kristen, another athlete. She was really sweet and talked me down to calmness. It always makes me smile when I think of the people we speak to at events and how we bond out there. I hope that one day I will be the calmness to another athlete. Shane was trying to calm my nerves, but unless you do this kind of thing I really think you don't know how intimidating it can sometimes be or what to say really. I mean I do this and still lack the right words to others. He kept saying, all the way to the orange buoy and around the other one. That is really far. The zoom on the camera does not even get it....umm, yea thanks Sweet.

The first 500 yards or so was rough. I just could not get into a zone. Truthfully, I am pretty sure I doggie paddled at some point, thinking forward progress is progress. I think the picture below of the graveyard racks visualizes it for you how the swim went.

POSITIVE: Being the last swimmer in the water gets you an entourage of kayaks.

Kayaker 1: Are you OK ma'am?

Me:Yes, I am OK, thanks.

Kayaker 2: Would you like to rest up against the kayak?

Me: No, I am fine, thanks.

Kayaker 3: Straight ahead ma'am you are right on course.

Me:Great!

T1: 3:39
It was a 1/4 mile hike from the sand up to transition. I usually do my woggle thing, not this time. Transitions is where I take pride. It is my only natural talent at these things. Let's face it, I was not born with an athletic bone in my body, but hell I can change shoes and hats on one foot. I was so disappointed when I got out of the water I just let the negativity build from there.

POSITIVE: Why in the world was I so upset?? I looked at my trusty Timex. I was right on target for me. In fact beating my pool swim times. Why did I let being the last swimmer out get to me? I learned I need to focus on me and my performance.

Bike: 23 miles 1:43:45 (13.3mph)
It was a challenging course for me. Not really a flat to be seen and hills are something I struggle with. This is where the race took a serious turn for the worst. There was tears, and I do not mean like one teardrop rolling down the cheek. No, no I was balling! I would look at my legs, they looked like they were not even pedaling. There wasn't another cyclist in sight then the wailing would start. I would have to talk myself out of quiting. A DNF was the only way I thought I could make the pain stop. Then again the pain of not finishing would just be atrocious!

POSITIVE: In being the lone cyclist on the course you get 4 police escorts for the last 8 miles. They will also call out, car back on their loud speaker.

*The video below shows the police escort in addition to the standing ovation*

T2: 1:20
It was in my range. It was slowed down a bit by the stunning effect I got from all of the sprint side of transition standing by their bikes with gear in hand waiting for the last bike to come in....yeas that would be me.

POSITIVE: You get a standing ovation being the last cyclist in.
Probably cause they are so happy to go home.

Run: 6.2 miles/10K (waiting on results for this split)
The run included bouts of walking. I would say about 6-8 minutes of walking total. My legs felt OK not overly fatigued just had huge blisters develop on the last 3 miles. I don't know if it was my cycling shoes or running shoes sockless. I have done 3-4 miles without socks but not longer. So, totally my fault for being stupid. I would walk thinking it would be soothing to the blister, but same pain so back to running. There was tough mental times on the run when I was the lone runner after mile 3. Then the crying would commence like a huge wuss(you know what word I really want to say but will keep it PG-13)! I really don't know what was up with all the crying?? People close to me will tell you they can not remember the last time they saw me shed a tear. It was getting bad like stutter breaths then I couldn't breathe then walking would start.

My mind was really working a number on me. I was wearing my Hager Racing visor, and I didn't even feel worthy enough to wear my tri team visor. I did not feel like I was out there racing, more like surviving. I thought of my family, friends, tri team, Coach, tri sis, blogging buds. How would I tell them I quit? Not because I was hurt or sick just flat out quit. I couldn't quit...not now. All, I could think the last mile besides finishing, was I hope they don't say the last finisher is crossing the line y'all cheer for her Vivian from Spring, TX the last OLY finisher. Oh my!

POSITIVE: Car loads of athletes driving home will cheer, honk, hoot, and holler for you on the run while driving home. I finished and found out I was the only Athena under 39 racing the OLY distance. I got the hardware because I finished, is how I look at it. If I would have quit they would have nobody to give it to.

Total Time: (waiting on official results for total time)
Trusty Timex Time: 3:45.32

POSTIVE: Coach encouraged me to hit up another OLY before the end of this season since Hi-Fi Oly will probably not happen in Galveston in late October. She also said sumfin' about doing it with a smile. Will the one below work???

I know what to expect from this distance now. I know I can do better. I have to get the mind right.

SO....On October 5th I will do it all again, Toyota US Open in Dallas. Which by the way looks to be a bad ass event!

A pic of me nervous before swim start. I think I have the same face today, still.

With friends like mine it is easy to start smiling again.....