The scale moved!!

243.2

Woohoo!!!! That's all I have to say today!

Wild Rose Triathlon report

The last few weeks leading up to the triathlon have been exciting and busy. In addition to work, clinical hours, and the boys' ball games, I made time for swimming, biking, running, and sessions with my trainer. I was excited, and had confidence I could finish.
Except for having to crap in the woods last weekend during my run.  That concerned me because I knew there were no porta potties on the run course. What would I do? Suffice it to say I stopped eating fiber the last few days before the race and all was well. I didn't even think about going to the bathroom. Yeah!

The Swim
Race morning dawned wet and overcast.  Arriving early, I received my registration packet and timing chip. They passed out cute pink tech shirts. Of course the largest size was an XL, why??? Did they not expect fat people to do the tri? So it will be another 20-30 lbs before I can fit into the shirt. Sigh....
This triathlon was a pool swim, which ended up being life saving because I stood up many times. It's one HUGE pool.

See me? I'm standing up like a real goof. What will I ever do in a lake? Drown.

As you can see, it was a huge pool- 100 meters long. We had to swim 3 lengths. I didn't think it rained during the swim, but Tony said it did. It was a time trial start, with the fastest ones starting first. Hence, I was the last handful of swimmers to enter the pool.

The Bike

Once out of the pool, I peeled off the swim cap and goggles and jogged over to the bike area. I put on my biking skort, socks and shoes, helmet and gloves, and I was off.  I was sad because while I was not the last one out of the pool, I was second to last out of the bike area. These photos are very humbling because I look so huge. It's a wonder I didn't crush that bike. Thankyou, Raleigh, for making strong bicycles!

I post this photo because it will be a good photo in the future (Gosh i was huge! What was I thinking??) 

The bike was my moments of glory. And nobody saw it. In fact, Tony and the boys went to Starbucks while I was riding in the rain! In the first 5 miles of the 10 mile bike, I passed 6 people. Yes!! Nobody passed me, but I passed 6 people!! The ride was mostly flat. Just a few gradual slopes, but mainly flat and fast. It was my fastest time on the bike-- 38:39. One little gal passed me in the last couple

Miles, but on a downward stretch my weight works in my favor for speed and I passed the little gal. Of course on the next uphill near the end she passed me and was long gone. I finished the bike with a smile on my face. It was fun! And fun knowing I was ahead of several others.

     As I got off the bike, my son Jimmy informed me that my awesome coach Lisa had just finished the race in 2nd place. She's a beast I tell ya.

The Run

I started the run with a fast walk while I chugged a Gatorade. I didn't drink anything on the bike, and I knew I needed some liquid and fuel in me. I no sooner ditched the Gatorade and started a slow run, when it began to rain again. Within a few minutes, it turned into a downpour! I trucked along, finding my slow rhythm and just enjoying the moment. All of the cycles behind me eventually passed me on the run. 

    The run was 2 loops, to equal 3 miles. As we approached the halfway point, it began to thunder and I saw a flash of lightning. Surely to goodness they will stop the race if it starts to lightning! I passed a race official and he didn't tell me to stop, so I kept going. Then the gal in front of me took a left turn towards the bike area. I told her she was going the wrong way. She told me she was dropping out, because of the storm.

    Looking back now, perhaps that was my moment of truth. Personally, I am terrified of storms. Just ask anyone who has ever known me all my life. When I was a kid I would take my Bible and my flute and a blanket to the basement whenever it stormed. And here I was, trying to finish a triathlon in a thunderstorm?? If I dropped out too, it would be wise. Nobody would blame me.  But all I could think of at that moment was the likelihood that the storm might blow over - and I would regret for the rest of my life dropping out. Plus, I felt certain that if it did get worse, that Tony would come pick me up. So I continued on. I wanted to finish!

       The pouring rain continued for the next mile or so. I had to take off my glasses because it was so wet. At some point another runner caught up to me and we ended up staying together until the finish. We walked and ran and chatted the rest of the way. She told me she has done 3 other triathlons and she's always last but doesn't care, because it's fun and keeps her exercising. What a positive attitude! At one point another lady passed us, and I began to realize that we were it. We were last. Well, atleast I had a buddy to be last with. Misery lives company. Ha.

      It was a great feeling to see my trainer Lisa and my son Jimmy waiting for me at one point to offer encouragement. And finally when we climbed the last hill and entered the little finishers chute, I didn't think I could keep running. The Hal said "yes you can. We can finish this!" and so we ran. I heard those crazy wonderful folks from the Chattanooga Triathlon club cheering me in. It was just fantastic. Best feeling ever!!!!!!

    My goal was to finish it in under 2 hours. But I was really hoping for 1 hour and 45 minutes. But guess what! I finished in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!! Yes!! So even tho I placed last-- I still killedy goal, and considering I'm still 80 lbs overweight, I really really am happy, pleased, and grateful. 

So what's next? Today is a rest day, but tomorrow I'll run again and get back into the pool. I have new a new goal. Having a goal- in my case-- registering for another triathlon-keeps me committed to the exercise. 

All in all, it was a wonderful experience.

My heart is grateful today.