Gulf Coast Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

This swim has been the subject of my nightmares for the last few weeks. I was a spectator last year when they pulled a participant out of the water (and he didn't make it). I'm a slow swimmer (which is ok with me), so I absolutely didn't want to freak out at the start. And what happens... a woman in my wave raises her arm and gives up within the first 5 minutes! My heart was beating so frantically that I was having a hard time figuring out what to do. The waves and rollers were crazy, and sighting was nearly impossible. And the young studs started right behind me, so I knew I'd be overtaken soon. So I pulled out my "smile" (no, I didn't really smile but I thought about how I'd feel if I was smiling) and just said to myself that I would do what I had to do to get this done. I mostly did breaststroke to the first buoy because that was the only way I could see and keep from swallowing too much water. When I rounded the first buoy I switched to freestyle, but still had to stop often to find the next buoy. The rollers weren't very friendly! After I rounded the second buoy on the way back to the beach, it was much easier to sight. My condo building was huge, and I knew that's where I needed to head. But the swim seemed endless, plus I felt a jellyfish sting on my right arm. Then of course, every time I came upon seaweed I was convinced that was another jellyfish. Anyway, I finished the swim feeling like jelly, but was so very, very glad it was over!

Hmm... not swim in the gulf???

This race was a celebration for me (five years since my car accident) and I was more interested in doing everything right rather than worrying about "silly" things like transition time. So that's what I did -- went through my preparations in my head and made sure everything was just so before I left.

Well, if I was worried about time I would do it faster. But that wasn't the point...

I actually felt really good on the bike (and smiled, smiled, smiled). I live about 70 miles from the race course, so I've been training in similar wind conditions as we encountered on the last half of the course. I was actually expecting a stronger headwind, and was thankful that I didn't see it. The roads were mostly good, although the stretch between miles 25-35 was pretty rough. In fact, it was so rough that I lost my under seat bag, which is where I had my spare kit. Fortunately there were a couple of nice bikers who told me I lost it, so I stopped and ran back to get it. I'm sure if I hadn't done that, I would have had a flat! After that, one of my mentors, Ken (Manatee Express), came up behind me and gave me a laugh. He told me it was Hammer time (my last name is Hammer). Then he passed me like the wind! In fact, I got passed by a lot of guys, but I didn't get discouraged. I was out to do my best, and that's all that I could ask, right?

Probably should have double checked the velcro on my seat bag. And if could magically have made the headwind go away, that would have been good too.

This was another case of just trying to make sure I had everything taken care of. I can't stand to run with sunglasses (they slide down my nose), so that was #1 priority -- make sure those glasses came off. I also sprayed on some more sunscreen, but I missed the tops of my shoulders and they told me about it later.

Double check the sunscreen.

I got off the bike really feeling good. I had told myself before the run that walking would be ok -- the conditions were brutal (mid-80s, no breeze in the neighborhoods, and humid), and it's just recently gotten this warm so I'm not conditioned for it. But I started out running, and discovered at mile 1 that I was running my 5K pace -- not good! I told myself to slow down, but I just couldn't make that happen. I started to feel lightheaded, and decided it was time to walk. So I started walking and smiling, and I really kept up a good pace for most of the race. In fact, I passed several runners with my walking pace (and they gave me hell for it, good-naturedly of course)! And I had one guy walk with me for awhile who told me that he had to walk with me because I had such a nice smile. That was my plan for the day, smile my way through this race because I was here, doing it, healthy and happy, and able to make this happen! At about a mile and a half before the end, there was a tent with a few people still cheering us on, and playing music. Well guess what started playing when I came up -- U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer -- the song that includes the lyrics "Hammertime". There was this girl dancing and cheering, and started talking about it being hammertime. I told her my last name was Hammer, and both of us got a big laugh! That gave me enough of a boost to make it to the end. When I ran across that finish line I was so happy!!!

Create some cloud cover, make the temps a little more reasonable, take away some of the humidity...

Water and a little sit (and a BIG smile!), then up and on my way again!


Lots of things -- I can't swim worth a darn (and I really HATE swimming in the gulf), not being able to manage my run, obviously the conditions which I had no control over. I think I was trained about the best I could be, with the exception of being acclimated for the run. Perhaps I could have run on my lunch hours to try to get ready.


The organization of this race was amazing, and the volunteers were fabulous! They were out there in the heat, just like us, yet they kept cheering us on and doing everything they could to make it easier on us.

Best part about this race -- it was a celebration for me. Almost 5 years ago I was airlifted to a trauma center with a broken neck and other broken bones, along with other injuries. So this whole thing was amazing to me -- that I could do this at my age, and that I was strong and healthy enough to get through this. Of course I wish I could have done better, but I gave all that I had on that day. And it gave me such joy throughout the day. Even as I sit here reliving it, it brings a smile to my face!!!