Coming in last, I mean really last. (Page 2)

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2008-07-11 2:33 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Expert
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Hatboro, PA
Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.
Someone has to come in last. Maybe you should be the nice person easing other people's anxiety about finishing and admit "I'll do it. I'll be the one to take that last spot."

You will do great. I was within the last 10 people at my first tri last summer, but enjoyed every minute of it.

And as someone else said, you get to PR on your first race!

2008-07-11 4:10 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.
ajoneen - 2008-07-10 9:23 AM

I've signed up for my first Triathlon,a mini sprint. (I did the swim leg-1ml open water, on a relay 5 years ago, told myself ONE DAY I would do this all by myself!!) Im a big girl, not in the best of shape yet, but getting better everyday. I am dedicated to my Tri training. Upon checking out the finishing times for the same Tri last year I see that my times are a bit slow(swim is fine, it's the other two). If I did the race today I would finish 30 min after the last place time. Im OK with that because I know I would at least finish. My question to you all is how would that be handled? Is it ok to take that long? Should I just give up my hopes of a Tri this year and not go? (its the only mini in my area left this year) I would find that hard to do as it is a driving force in my "getting healthy" life style, and I've told so many people I have this goal this year that I don't know how I would explain/excuse my quitting. Plus I want to do this. I've got to start somewhere, right? I might surprise myself and really book over the course and not be last at all.

Can I get some honest opinions? Thanks.

Amanda



I did my first tri in June and did the same thing you did. I went to last year's results and figured out I was going to be dead last. Based on my training times, I was expecting a 3 hour finish. You can imagine my shock when I saw that I finished in 2:34:46! And I wasn't last either. You'll be surprised at how much you are able to push yourself on race day and how much the adrenaline will take over
2008-07-11 7:43 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.
At our club triathlon series races, we give a nice prize (gift certificate for a pair of running shoes) to the male and the female participants who finish last.
2008-07-11 10:00 PM
in reply to: #1524139

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Master
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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.

the bear - 2008-07-11 7:43 PM At our club triathlon series races, we give a nice prize (gift certificate for a pair of running shoes) to the male and the female participants who finish last.

 

I should go race with you guys!

2008-07-12 11:43 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.

You have the right attitude.

I was stuck in the fear of coming in last in my first tri and it took a lot of joy out of it. I did end up 3rd from last. Got hardware in Athena in my second tri and was last in my third tri.

Enjoy your journey and have fun is what really counts 

2008-07-13 3:43 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.
One one tri I did, I actually gave a disposable camera to the race director so that at the finish line, when they dismantled the finish line and sent the race photographer home, I would have a memory of the day. It was a great idea!

2008-07-13 9:50 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Long Island, NY
Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.

I really don't have a problem coming in last. I've competed in other stuff. I was just concerned that the race would end and I would be told to pack it in and go home before I had crossed the finish line.  I'm really encouraged by the posts here.  Thank you.  My husband has told me to just keep going.  He will be standing at the finish line- weather it is still in place or not- cheering me on.

I've already cut a couple minutes off my bike. Yay me!! 

 

Again Thank You all. 

2008-07-14 6:58 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.

I did a sprint last year, dead last, but five people behind me did not finish. I was good with that. Did a sprint in June this year, had an awful bike ride, then cramped up on the run.  Had to walk almost the entire run, came in dead last again. Still, I figured I finished both. This weekend I am doing the same sprint (J.F. Hurley) that I finished in last place a year ago. I hope to do a little better, but don't care as long as I can finish.

Kinda off topic, but I have gotten leg cramps at both triathlons I have done. Anyone have an idea on what to do about those. I cramped so badly at the Tri in June I almost fell down.

2008-07-14 10:52 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.
i just finished my first tri on Sunday! i was not last but had they(the sponsers) packed it all up and left, i'd have kept going, finished and still been cheered on by my family and friends. not to mention i walked the entire run. i even tried bribing volunteers to push me up hills. just tri it!!!!!
2008-07-15 7:56 PM
in reply to: #1529431

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Long Island, NY
Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.
deputygene - 2008-07-14 7:58 PM

Kinda off topic, but I have gotten leg cramps at both triathlons I have done. Anyone have an idea on what to do about those. I cramped so badly at the Tri in June I almost fell down.

 

I would post that question on the general board. I would be interested in the answer.

2008-07-16 3:21 AM
in reply to: #1523456

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.
karbates - 2008-07-11 3:01 PM

In the end, it still comes down to this: DFL>DNF>DNS    

Maybe we should all get tattoos????

Was I already marked up when you saw me? I wrote that equation on the back of my hand so that I saw it every step of the way. It drove me, but it also reminded me why I was out there, and how much I'd already put into it and accomplished.  I *highly* recommend writing all over yourself - it was definitely part of the fun!

2008-07-17 7:41 PM
in reply to: #1519894

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Subject: RE: Coming in last, I mean really last.

If you are really worried about your times, ask the Race Director (email usually) if your current times would be ok at his triathlon.  I'd just check to make sure there's not a problem with road closures or time limits etc.

I've finished last.

I've had the motorcycle escort on the bike (cause I was last.)

I've had the aid stations just waiting for ME to come through so they could break it down.

So, yeah, I know what DFL feels like - but you know what?

I did it as well and as fast as I could on that day.  I finished.  And honestly, it's one of my best triathlon memories, that particular race.

I'm a triathlete.

That's all that really matters.  

GO FOR IT! 

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