3rd race

Originally posted by Rollergirl

Hi BT

D-5 until my 3rd race ever. 3rd year I do the same sprint. First time, I was suffering from anemia, last year I had calves and back problems.
This year, despite starting training later (much later) and not training so much (which might explain the lack of injury mind you), I feel ready. Ran 10k and rode 36k at the weekend, so the 5k run and 20k ride will feel easy in comparison, even if I do then one after the other. Not worried about the swim. I have swam in the lake with my dog, that's good training.

Had a Dream last night that I completed the sprint in 5 hours because I kept getting lost on the bike and run. If I don't get lost, I should do it in under 1:30 on Sunday.

quite excited

Originally posted by mike761



It never gets easier, you just get faster!

Originally posted by happyscientist

Good luck. It sounds like you should do well, and I am sure that it will take less than 5 hours.

Originally posted by tjones2k9

Congrats on the race! Getting to the starting line healthy is #1, even if it means being a little undertrained. Nice job on beating your goal, that's motivating!

Originally posted by rjcalhoun

Wow, sounds like a great race!

When I did my first Olympic last year I made my goal 3:30 and I did it in 3:29! Congrats on making your goal time.

Also completing the 5K in under 30 minutes is NOT painfully slow after swimming and biking. Consider a 3 mile run under 30 minutes passes the US Marine Corp physical fitness test!

Cheers!

Originally posted by Rollergirl main goal: to have FUN. :Failed Secondary goal, go under 1:30 again: Failed 3rd goal, have a few people crossing the finish line after me: 5 did but it had nothing to do with me

Originally posted by LundyLund

Sorry to hear it! I've found that my worst races give me the most motivation, and lead to better results down the road. Don't hang your head, and keep after it!

Originally posted by Rollergirl



Actually this is very true. I felt like the fat girl huffing and puffing at the back and I never want to feel like that again.

Originally posted by Rollergirl main goal: to have FUN. :Failed Secondary goal, go under 1:30 again: Failed 3rd goal, have a few people crossing the finish line after me: 5 did but it had nothing to do with me

Originally posted by MikeD1

Hey, you still did something most people could not do as they'd be too exhausted from lifting themselves off the couch. Be proud of what you've done and be motivated to do more. It's a continuous process and you're moving forward!

Originally posted by Goggles Pizzano

I found after the first race I ever did things changed a bit.  My goal for the first race was have fun and finish.  After that it started becoming about time and place.  In hindsight most races were fun even if they didn't seem it at the time.  some might not have seemed fun at the time because I am pretty critical of myself.  Even if I came in first OA I'd still find things I did wrong most likely. Hasn't happened yet !    Anyway fast forward a number of years and I did a HIM last year with an injured leg.  Went into it with zero expectations and no goals other then fun.  It dawned on me in the middle of the race how much fun this stuff is.  I was able to take a little extra time and chat with people.  The second half of the run was extremely painful but I had a ball because I didn't care where I finished. 

So give it a day or two.  Might seem fun after all.  Either way, congrats on gutting it out. 

Originally posted by HaydenHunter

Rollergirl,

Don't be bummed about being in the back of the pack. I was 60 when I did a HIM this year. On the self-seeded swim I was probably number 2950 out of 3000 to enter the water. That assured that I was BOP all day. I did reasonably well on the bike but frankly ran only about 40% of the run. Finished in 8:21:55 out of the 8:30 max time allotted for an official finish. So I shared the bike and run with other people who were slow...because of their weight, age, pace, maybe lack of preparation...who knows? All I know is that for all the years that I have volunteered at IM events and now that I am doing triathlon, I've find found most inspiration from my "peeps" at the back of the pack.

When I begin to get tired of the seemingly endless stream of people cheering me because of the obvious physical appearance of my age, I try to remember the sincerity with which that encouragement is delivered.

I am probably the most impressed with those BOP'ers that are leaving a life of obesity and poor health, resolving to change their lives via the road to fitness. And yes, I can't resist throwing out a "we've got this" or "looking good" if I pass them. Some day you and I will both be fitter and faster and I hope we never forget what it took us to get there.