Columbia Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Wow. I've never been so happy with a swim. I went up front, and was trying to find people to swim off of, but alas, no one was really around me. I always saw a ton of pink caps, so I had no idea I did so well. I was actually peo'ed at this one girl that I kept swimming into. Felt like a little school of fish. She was annoying!

do this more often!

This was slow! I took my time, fixed my hair, of course. eh, one of these days I"ll learn the "leave the shoes on the bike" trick, but I know I"ll mess that up somehow.

^^hee hee, bad hills.

I got 3 parts of this race...The first part was awesome. I had a grin on my face the whole time. Fastest I have gone down a lot of the hills. I made a point of pushing as much as I could downhill, and just spinning easy up the hills. I was having a blast, as much as I could.

Then, came the most horrific site I have ever seen...I was coming down a long hill and saw a guy sprawled out on his back, perpendicular to the road. His arms were over his head. The police officer just rode up from the intersection and had taken off his helmet (????) and was calling the ambulance. I came within 6 inches of him and I'll never forget that face. His eyes were open and appeared fixed, not breathing, or faintly, and blood streamed from the top of his head down all over his face, something out of a horror movie. I honestly wanted to stop. I had to do something! But what could I do? then I couldn't get the image out of my head. It was traumatic. This kind of thing just shouldn't happen. You should not be going that fast or have that many people or be that competitive. This is for fun...and it just was so awful to me. I wanted to not race anymore, and I just slowed down in a daze for the next 10 minutes. I don't even remember them, I just kept thinking of that face...

Fortunately, around Linthicum Road, I snapped back, and started to push again. I lost some time, but that was ok. I decided it was ok to continue (for awhile I felt pretty guilty for "racing"). I survived the rest, and pulled off my fastest split on this course.

Nothing. I had kind of an emotional meltdown, and that's what makes me who I am. I am sympathetic to a tee. That's why I'm a teacher...

Aside from that, I have to learn how to pedal. Seriously. And build up strength without destroying my IT bands.

Pretty good, although I do think I may need to get new shoes soon. The velcro seems to not be working as well as it could be. Anyone know if you can get them replaced?

Yeah, well, it is what it is. (I love that quote). I actually had fun. chatted with a girl about the 24 Hours of Booty, a ride in Charlotte that I've wanted to do thats coming to Columbia this year (awesome schwag). Also chatted with others, saw my friend Kristen, tried to cheat and skip the hill but alas she was there. She kept yelling at me "why aren't you running?" the entire switchback. To which when I got to the top, I replied "why aren't you racing?". Ha.

Walked most of the big hills. My hamstring was angry. Somewhere in the neighborhood I saw this poor guy hobbling along, grabbing his hamstring. I caught up to him and said, if I can be so bold, I have a chronic ham issue. If you pinch your butt cheeks, pull up through your torso, and push more off the toes to use your calf, it will ease the pressure off the hamstring. He said, ok, I'll give it a go, then said, hey, it is better! That put a little lift in my step. I still felt guilty about that guy on the bike...just happy to help someone. I saw him at the finish and he came over and thanked me. :)

It also reminded me to do the same. Lo and behold, ham released a little. Highlight was Dolly's Hills, a water stop of men and women and children all dressed like Dolly Parton. Wigs and well, hills. :)

Lowlights? getting passed by 20 or so women in my age group. Oh well.

Get a new left leg. As always.

Massage!


Bad genetics. :)


I'm pretty proud of myself. I don't know where that swim came from, its my fastest ever. I pulled my act together on the bike, and just survived the run. Alas, not my goal time of 3:00, but that's ok. :)