I didn't sleep last night. I was all nerves. Got out of bed at 4:30am, showered, we each got a kid ready, packed the remaining items and hit the road. It was only a 45 minute drive but apparently there are a lot of people on the road early morning Saturday... I had no idea. We get there after 6am and we are literally the first handful of people to arrive. I was really ok with that. I left the kids and Scott in the car, grabbed my gear and headed up to registration and transition area. EASY PEASY... except the chips were not ready yet. not a big deal... except when you are doing your first tri and all the details you expect to unfold smoothly don't. I sat on the edge of the pool and dipped my feet in (good thing I did - It was COLD!) Talked with others who were nervous. Went Potty and found out I wasn't the most nervous person there - someone was tossing their cookies in the bathroom...
They told us 15 minutes to race, I kicked off my flip flops and started walking to the pool, except I didn't pick up my feet and rammed my toe into the curb. Um Ouch. I have to give to one of our coaches was deemed last place finisher. She stood in the back of the line with us and calmed our nerves (I was 141 out of 150 racers). Once we got to the starting line I was all nerves and lost my training memory. I jumped in holding my nose (I freaked myself out - we jumped in the deep end and I had practiced jumping shallow). I tried to get my rhythm with my freestyle but at some point I did the back stroke and a frog style move just to make it to the end. I took on a bunch of water and just couldn't pull myself together. The last lap was the best 'cause my cheering squat (Jerry & Jennie Corbin, Scott and the kids) were cheering me on.
Transition 1 - My toe was throbbing and I was soaked. I dried off my feet, pulled my socks on, shoes and started walking my bike to transition. OUCH... once on the bike I got my groove.
Bike - After mile 3, I had caught my breath and settled my nerves from the swim and just pedaled. It was hilly and I used every one of my gears. My left foot went numb... again... but it was my Right Toe that called my name. OUCH.
Transition 2 - Stepping off my bike into Transition 2 was ouchy. When my shoe hit the ground I wanted to cry. I kept going and picked up my drink and started walking.
Run - This "brick" wasn't so bad because of the walk to transition. I started off running but it was up hill and I quickly learned going up hurt worse than going down... so that was my running rule. Run down, Walk up. It was a decently hilly course. I had put nuun tablet (yes - I have used them many time before) in my water and was craving it on the bike... well... lesson learned. electrolytes on bike ride (no breakfast + nerves = hungry once you get going on the bike) and water for the run. I saw some of my Tri 101 buddies out there givin' it their all and was so encouraged to see them out there. I watched other complete strangers going strong and it made me want to cheer them on! There are so many people out there who are my heroes!
Crossing the finish line was an incredible feeling. I Did It. I made a Mountain into a Mole Hill. The goal is attainable. I could hear Lizzie and Scott cheer me on. When I finished Lizzie asked if she could race when she was older.
When I got to transition area - I took off my sock. The evidence was there. OUCH.
Needless to say I'll be resting for the next couple days. Can't decide if it's worth seeing a doctor over. Lesson Learned... Pick up your feet when you are walking barefoot at a race!
I also learned you can do something even with pain.... yay me.
Did I mention I Did It? Swam 200m Biked 8miles Ran 2miles and live to tell the tale!
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