16th Annual Independance Day Duathlon - Duathlon

I started off the run w/ a light jog, but quickly stopped and walked the rest of the way. My legs from the knee down were very tight and I had to stop once to stretch them out. I very quickly fell behind everyone else, and realized it would be a lonely race. Before I even arrived at mile 1 the leaders were on the way back. As the rest of the pack passed me by, several cheered me on, which made me feel good. My legs were still very stiff, but felt better during mile 2. I soon had my first of several thoughts of quitting. My legs were hurting, I was dead last, what was the point anyway? But I always fought this off w/ appreciating the nice view, and my mantra of the day, "you can do this." I repeated this over and over again. I thought of my fellow BTer, Dana, who finished her first IM this year. If she can do that, then I can do this.

I would train for the event.

Transition was easy and smooth. I don't use bike shoes yet, so I just changed my cap to my bike helmet, drank some water, and hopped on out of T1. I am last... and people cheered me on as I arrived into and out of T1. I was actually doing this crazy thing!

The bike ride was hard for me. I was a bit pumped from the transition and started off faster than normal for me. But I didn't train for this event, and I was uncomfortable on the bike. My upper body became fatigued. It seemed like the course went on and on and on... but not because it was boring. It was a very scenic ride. I was just too uncomfortable and tiring. I came pretty close to giving up twice, and was seriously considering stopping once I finished the first lap of the bike ride. I thought of my fellow BTers again, this time "oliveview" and "MimiR98" and "cadreamer" and "misanthropic" all popped into my head at different times. If these women can do this, then so can I. I thought about how badly did I want this. And that it took getting through the discomfort to come out the other side victorious! All the while my elbows are hurting, my back is fatigued, my hips and thighs are tired... I stopped to drink some water and stretch my legs. Some fellow competitors passing me by cheered me on and specifically said, "don't give up now, you've come this far." I guess it was just what I needed to hear because I finished the first lap and started on the 2nd lap. This last lap was pretty hard. I slowed my pace a lot. It was sheer determination that got me threw this ride. Mind over matter. Miraculously I had made it. I did not give up.

Train properly. Get re-fitted to my bike.

As I approached the transition, I saw everyone was already finished w/ the race, and here I was starting the run. I was soooooo last! But I went on w/ the business of finishing this thing. Getting off the bike, my legs felt like spaghetti. As I started out of transition, I got a lot of cheers and this felt sooooo good.

Once I got started, I could see my legs were going to be hurting. Oh my god what was I doing!!!! Then two women who had just finished the race a while ago, came up behind me and announced they were going to finish the race w/ me. I could hardly believe my eyes! This pair of tri-buddies were like angels sent from heaven! They were Patty (who wore pig-tales and who sang the national anthem at the start of the race, and who pointed out every butterfly she saw), and Laurie (who looked much younger than her 50-something years, and had been doing this for 20 years). They chatted the whole way through, taking my mind off my legs and the discomfort, and the tiredness. Patty sang the "triathlete song" which was so unbelievably cute and funny, and just what I needed to hear. I didn't know we had a song! For goodness' sake we have our own song! Anyway, it wasn't until after I had half a mile left that I said outloud, "I'm really going to finish this thing" and Patty and Laurie said yes you are. This quirky pair was my reward for not giving up. I jogged the last few yards to the finish line, and got a round of cheers and applause. Two overall winners made a point of approaching me to congratulate me! I felt pretty good.

Train properly.

Didn't really warm down. I should've stretched, but I'm only now thinking about it.


My weight, and lack of training.


I am this much closer to truly, being a triathlete. On to the next event... which will be next month.