Any Slow People? (Page 2)

I've dreamed of doing Ironman Wisconsin, but I am very slow.. and petite 5' nothing. I do not have an athletic build but I train pretty hard and am doing my first Olympic distance this fall. My goal is to try an HIM next spring, possibly, and see how my body takes that. 

I do not have much faith that I could ever achieve an IM, but I am sure that many of those who have completed them.. in their early training days, never imagined that they could have...

I've hope.

Are we supposed to place?  I thought after the swim we were there to meet the locals, chat with a few people, spread southern hospitality, graze off the aid stations, study the topography,laugh at ourselves and at the end of day have a blast while collecting stories to tell.

It took me a little while to figure this out.  The best race I ever had I finished dead last with my college daughter.  She went from profesional couch potatoe to triathlete in one summer.  SBR all summer with her.  Best summer ever bar none.  

Pretty darn slow. Here is a race report where I walked the entire 10K in an olympic distance event and still got sick afterward.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=445528

One thing that has struck me as pretty strange lately is that I can't seem to run faster than 11 minute miles regardless of whether or not it is a brick run or just a run. I'm about the same regardless. That seems good for doing a triathlon but what is going on? Maybe it is just the summer heat and I'll speed up when things cool off but if not, I'm going to stick with it as I do find it deeply satisfying regardless of how slow I am.

Yesterday I read to my 4 yr old daughter the story of the Tortoise and the Hare subtitled a Story of Determination. We had a great discussion about what it means to never quit and to be focused on the goals you have set. For me, in my limited number of events, I have two goals: 1) Start 2) Finish. What happens in between is what I put in to it.

Finally, in being 'slow' myself, I find it that much easier and gratifying to attain PBs!

"Slow and steady wins the race." So says the Tortoise.

I'm faster than some in this thread, and slower than some in this thread. I never entertain thoughts of winning or standing on that podium. I'm doing this to have fun, stay fit, feel great, and boast that I'm a triathlete. 

For my first race coming up in a few weeks, I'd be THRILLED if I came in the middle of the pack. I even maybe HOPE to. But after reading enough threads about how OWS practice alone does not in any way translate to OWS on race day in a giant washing machine, I'm....getting nervous. 

I did it in for my AG in a 5k with a 32:20 time. 3/6 was very surprised, the photo of me getting the award is pretty funny with the shocked look on my face.

I never ever thought an IM was a realistic goal and somehow I ended up training for one.

I'll let you know in 4 months how that turned out.

I am a slow 55-year old - especially on the bike (last sprint was 12/14 in AG on bike and 6/14 on run).  I "race to train," and have often missed workouts due to family responsibilities, elder care issues, etc.  Having heart surgery last year to repair a failing mitral valve, I realize how important my health and fitness is - and how fortunate I am to be able to stay active.

My "real sport" (in terms of being competitive) is ocean racing (sailing).  We can usually figure that half of the fleet will not be that competitive - but that is OK.  They are "cruiser racers" and sometimes are doing a race to Bermuda Race as a bucket list item, or a reunion of friends, etc.  They are having a great time and add to the depth of the field - and are a lot of fun to get to know after the race is over.  I kind of think of myself as a "cruiser racer" in tris - not being particularly athletic, I have little chance of getting to the front of the pack.  I do enjoy being there, enjoy different locations (mostly smaller events), and always congratulate the winners.  I am also the same weight I was at age 19!

Define slow?

Genuine question.

Am I gonna win? Hell no. So what does it matter if I'm having fun?

For a non-participant it may sound strange but I'm guessing those who do tri's might be able to relate: I don't do this to go fast, be fast, win medals, or brag. I do this because I enjoy the process, know I'm better (than I used to be) for it, and look forward to getting to participate in events. Was 28 outta 28 in my AG on the weekend and I'm fine with that - I had fun and learned a few things.

LOVE that line. I'm totally stealing that. ;-) 

Tee hee.

I'm definitely not a fast swimmer or biker. I finished the swim of my first triathlon 10th from last overall. There was one person in my AG behind me on the bike leg of my most recent tri. I usually do pretty well on the run, but by that time, everyone's finished already.

I'm still faster than all of my friends who claim they could never do a tri. Well, guess what, two years ago I couldn't either, so I started training -- and now I have a few sprints under my belt with my sights set on longer races.

I love the saying: "What do they call the person who finishes last at a triathlon? A triathlete."

I agree! I worked a cheering station during our local marathon/mini marathon and all of the runners are lettered by speed. Well the A's and B's (the elites) just weren't as much fun. I respect them to the highest degree but they didn't interact with us much for obvious reasons. Once we got to the D's and beyond they were stopping to take pictures with us, dancing to our music and giving high fives. It was so much fun!

I really don't mind being "slow". I just like to know that I'm not alone! I think it's just been a little intimidating to me to see some of these times for a sprint considering I'm just hoping to finish under 2 hours (and THAT will be a stretch). I'm sure many of you remember being new and 100% intimidated by everything. I do love reading the race reports here because there's always so much to learn. I'll be racing in the Athena division in about a month so I'm sure I'll do better than if I were in my AG just because it's a smaller number of participants. I'm excited and most importantly so proud of myself!

Me too.