FAU 15th Annual Wellness Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I was the last wave: When Fools Rush In. The wave before me was Relay/Special Catagories. There was a first timer, Alice. 74 years old. Oh goody! A goal! Very simple strategy. Last one in, last one out. Stood with Bill just yammering. He drew a thunderbolt on my swim cap. At my wave I had to turn away because I was starting to cry (big baby). Stood at the back. Horn went off and I waded in and just kept going. Started to panic but slapped myself. Once I got past the buoy, I calmed down. Tried to crawl, but ended up paddling. Spent most of it on my back. I swear I heard a cell phone ringing underwater. Ocean Rescue was great. Two Guards were herding us tag alongs, calling out encouragement. One told us we could hang on his board if we needed. I did not, for which I'm very proud. I got myself through the whole thing. The Guards were sweet and applauded us out of the water. I called up to some people standing on top of the tunnel "I beat the 74 year old!"

Learn to swim, but at least I'm not afraid of the water anymore. Definitly need more OWS.

Bill met me coming out of the water and I took my time walking to T1. There was water so I had some. I was shaking from getting over the swim. My transition area was really well organized. I took my time cleaning up and dressing. Because I was last out of the water a lot of racers were gone, or FINISHING their bike or RUN. Too many outsiders already in transition and tempers were flaring. Had a discussion on etiquette with the guy racked behind me. He wished me well on the bike. I wished him well at Breakfast.

Had trouble clipping in. Dante moved the clips when he put the sc-aero bars on and I've been doing mostly trainer work. Need to get my sorry butt out and ride on the street more.

I'm a dork. I forgot I bought a bike with GEARS! Lord knows where I left it after the shake down ride Saturday, but I didn't start moving things until the 'bridge.' I don't think I was efficient here.

I fixed my own steak last night and I really need to differentiate nutrition for long bikes (which I'd made) versus Sprints. I don't know if the 'swim' was so emotional for me, or what, but maybe I didn't have enough time to 'eat' on just a 10 mile bike. Maybe concentrate it? I also need to move my cage up. The polar bottles are too tight in the rear mounts. I'd have killed my self trying to access anything from there.

I did some thinking on these ten miles. **TMI ALERT!!!!** But, this is for me for next year. But, if you're still reading, I'm an only child. I'm used to doing things on my own. Sports were not a big part of my childhood. I ran some track in JHS, and then rowed, Stroke/8, in college. My Mom alwasy hassled me about 'joining a team.' I joined crew because I couldn't play basketball, tennis, field hockey or sail. But crew didn't count as a team, I guess, because we never looked at each other (tell that to the coxswain "STOP LOOKING AT ME!" where else was I supposed to look?) The meets she'd come to, she'd come late and then whine. Sorry it's boring! I'm pretty occupied! She loved to mess with my head. The medals really sent her over the edge.

I'm thinking, as I'm riding my bike, yeah, this sport is all about me, out there, doing what I can do. But, dammit. I have a team. I was thinking about all the Hammerheads, and BT'rs who in the last six months have run, biked, shopped, talked, cranked on, Inspired and encouraged me and other wise have been so generous in helping me get to the bottom rung of this sport. I have a team. So take that pppppbbbbbtttttt! Probably not the correct 'self talk' during a race, but this was an immature race. I promise to get better!

One of the last things Bill said before I got in the water was when (WHEN! gotta love this guy!) I made it out of the water, the only thing that could keep me from finishing was a flat. 2 miles from the end of the bike loop, I started to pray.

Need to work on getting on the bike better, practice riding wet, and using the bike technology. Need to work on nutrition. I think I was bonking. Or I'm just a lazy dilitant triathlete who's just hanging on 'til I'm in the 70 and over. Then 'Alice' would be my only competition and I'd have 25 years experience over her.

Bike America, where I got Sunny, had a tent set up. Saw Jeremy, Sunny's first biketech - he likes Sunny tricked out but I think was like - hey! we didn't do that ... . Anyway, I did a good job with the tires but they topped Sunny off and said they can fix the odometer. The bike entererance was right near the tent and as Sunny and I came it, all the Bike America guys were lined up clapping for us! (blush!)

Because I was last out of the water, by they time I got here a lot of racers were gone, finished with their bike or RUN. I didn't care. Today was about finishing the whole race. Too many outsiders already in transition and tempers were flaring. Had a discussion on etiquette with the guy racked behind me. He wished me well on the run. I wished him well at Breakfast.

Nothing. I'm home free. Just 3.1 glorious miles between me and a life change.

I exit the run and Bill is there, pointing to a pretty brown haired girl in a Red Sox hat "BT FRIEND! BT FRIEND!" No hable swahili.

I pulled my hamstring Wednesday/Thursday, so I knew I wasn't going to make time here. I hoofed last year but again. I just wanted to complete all three segments of this race. I walked more than I wanted, but I was out of breath. I was ten pounds lighter this time last year, and it just plain has to go. I get some slack for not running for 5 months, but that lament has to be over SOON! I did not push myself because I want to get back to St A level training this week. Injury will not help that.

Jostling along, I see a girl ahead of me, 'Gee, that suit looks like the one Amy (from Church) wore last year.' I passed her and said 'Looking strong!' I'm 3/4 mile out, and all the exiting athletes are generous with their praise 'Hey LOOKING GOOD!' Hey, you're looking married. Why are all the cute, nice guys married? Guess I answered my own question.

Came to the finish and Bill and Brown Haired Girl were there clapping and cheering. THANK YOU MOMX3! It's was nice to meet you! (And, she was the recipient of the general comment "I beat the 74 year old" as I left the beach. That was her on top of the tunnel!)

Nothing. I didn't want to push. I was just happy to be a triathlete.

Stumbled around with Bill and Amy (MomX3)'s help clearing out of transition. Got some food. This is a problem. I couldn't eat. Some psychological ... until the braces come off, I don't 'bite' in front of other people. PB surround clear braces ... shudder. But I just wasn't hungry. After the bike bonk. I need to put some stuff aside for St A's. The Endurox was still nice and cold and orangy. I really like that stuff.


My own head.


I will do this race for as long as I live in Florida. It will be a good touchstone to where I am and how far I've come, whatever I'm doing.

It was Amy from Church that I'd past. She's a good swimmer, and last year, when I DNF, I ran with her from the beach to the bike. My time was 6 minutes slower this year, but it was my own swim time. I'm sorry I couldn't push myself, but overall I'm pretty proud of me.