“To finish is to win“
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Backstory
The first time I decided to do a tri was in 2013, I was 38. I followed up with my 2nd tri in 2014, I thought at that point I would be a regular. Insert record scratch here…. Life got in the way. I stopped doing them, found every excuse in the book. We all know what happened in 2020 and I took quarantine in a different direction. In February 2020 I decided to go vegan, and in March 2020 I cut out all alcohol. With this I started working out on my Peloton more and trying to take care of my mind and body. Fast forward to my 46th birthday, July 18th 2021 I decided that I would do the triathlon again this year. Why not? I should be ready in 2 weeks… I have been working out… I swam for years… My goal is to smoke my best time… I was so excited. I roped my entire family into coming to watch. My kids were so excited to see their mom kick ass.
What I expected is the furthest from what actually happened. My worst time ever 2:04:19. What a humbling experience. I also have a lot work to do to be ready for next year.
Swim – 13:26
For someone who has been swimming since she was 8, this one had be reassessing life in general. The water was a whopping 61 degrees Fahrenheit. I never invested in a wetsuit because it was once a year and how cold can the river get in August. 61 is cold, like teeth chattering, bone chilling cold. 10 minutes before our wave all of the ladies with red caps slid in the water. It was arresting, took my breath away. The more of my body went in, the more I could not feel, and the more I sucked in my breath. I had an instant realization of “oh god, what have I done”. We waded across the river to the start area. All of us complaining and in total shock about how cold it was, even the women in wet suits. The swimmer in me kicked in the minute I heard the horn, but for the first time in my life my body could not react. I knew I was doing freestyle trying to move my arms and legs like I always have, but they were not responding the same. My face was freezing, the cold water was squeezing my head in a way that I have never felt before. I immediately took a huge gasp of air, tried to get my bearings as the other women swam by me. I resorted to breaststroke, it kept my head above water. I kept trying to try freestyle again as my body tried to keep warm, trying to will by chilled extremities to respond. However, every time I would put my face in the water I lost the breath I had just taken. I was just about halfway through the swim and I could see my kids on the beach cheering me on. All I could think about was what a disappointment I was to them. They came to see me dominate swimming like I usually do and here I am barely able to move and keep my head above water. I was embarrassed, and had I not had goggles on, I would have been crying. I had a fleeting moment of quitting, then realized who I am, that my kids were watching and I am not a quitter. Through the pain and disorienting cold I swam the hardest swim of my entire life. Willing my arms and legs to propel me to the finish line. Every few strokes I would look at the riverbank and see my kids cheering me on and as I got out of the water to move into the transition area I heard. “great job mom, you’ve got this!”
Bike – 1:07:32
I walked into the transition area still reeling from that swim to dry off and get all my gear on. The woman behind me was struggling to get her wetsuit off, she is stuck and starting to panic, worried about her transition time. I said “hang on, let me help”. There was a little rogue thread caught in the zipper and I got it out then released the zipper. She was very thankful and continued to get ready as did I. I walked my bike out to the mount area and started out on my 15 mile ride. My legs felt great, all the pain and anxiety from that swim had washed away. I was passed by people faster than me and I passed some people as well. All of the athletes cheer each other on and encourage them on their journey. As I approached athlete 172 I recognized her from the station next to me in transition. I also noticed her age written on her left calf, 13. As I passed her on the left, I looked over and smiled and told her what a great job she was doing. I was proud of her, what a endeavor to take on at 13. I made it through the rolling hills of Greenfield to the covered bridge and came to the bottom of “the hill”. This was another challenge I was not prepared for, my indoor training did not prepare me for this. This challenge, however, did not upset me like the swim. I cycled as much as I could, then got off and walked to the top. I was not alone, I cheered on the cyclists going by me, and they cheered me on while I was walking my bike as well. I finished lap one strong, and as I was whizzing past the swimming area, I again could hear my kids, husband and strangers cheering and it gave me life. (see video my daughter took below) I continued the next 7 miles enjoying the scenery, cheering on fellow athletes and planning my run.
Run – 39:35
As I rode into the dismount area I could hear my name being announced as I finished the bike portion. I racked my bike, put on my running shoes, grabbed a goo, and took off. My legs were burning but I knew that there were only 3.1 miles left and my kids were counting on me. I was counting on me. As I rounded the corner from the transition area I could see both Mathieu and Vivienne yelling. I got a pair of high fives as I headed out on my run. My strategy was the run/walk approach as I made it through my 3 miles, thanking volunteers, grabbing water and cheering on runners. As I made the final corner onto Nash Mill Road I could see everyone lining the road still cheering for the runners in the back like me. I felt good, I felt like I could keep running, nothing could stop me. The announcement of my arrival at the finish made me feel proud and accomplished. As I crossed the finish line I could see my beautiful daughter beaming with pride as she took my picture. I did it, it sucked, but it was worth it.
My Take Aways
- Train, train, then train some more.
- Run – hills, sprints, miles just run
- Bike – stationary, indoor, hills, sprints, Tabata all of them, just get the miles in.
- Swim just swim even in cold water.
- Don’t Quit
- What I got out of this was more than a swim, a bike ride and a run. I am human. I am not invincible. I can do hard things. I am not a kid anymore. I am 46 years old and I might need to work a little harder to achieve my goals but they will be worth it.
- Don’t be so hard on yourself
- My kids told me what a great job I did they were so impressed and proud of me. My hang ups are my hang ups. I had got into my own head during that swim and I had to stop the chatter. Tell yourself encouraging words instead of hateful ones. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish.
- My race mantras
- I am enough
- I am. I can. I will. I do – thanks CDE
- Pick your head up, don’t let crown will slip
- Be Kind, Be Encouraging
- Be nice to others. Offer a hand if they fall, or have a stuck zipper.
- Cheer on your peers.
- Provide encouraging words.
- Be proud of other people that may do better than you. Ezra, number 172, Christa, Molly, Mary Beth, Nan and everyone else who I may know, and who I just met. I am proud of you.
- Thank the volunteers, they made this possible. A smile and a thank you goes a long way.
Be proud of yourself it’s ok, you did the damn thing!!
See you next year Greenfield Triathlon, next year I’ll be ready.
Womanufacture & Hustle 