Danskin Triathlon 2007

Sorry to take so long before reporting this awesome race experience but I came home to a tremendously scary lightning storm and was out of electricity for the last day, it sucked. I hate living in the middle of nowhere, nobody cares about us out here. BUT anyway, who cares about that, that was yesterday!!

On to the Danskin Tri experience, it started early Sat. am meeting up with my tri chickas to load the bikes and make the hour trek to Webster, Ma. When we arrived it was raining and thundering. Fortunately the expo was indoors, we got our numbers, shirts and free gym bags and then went hunting for other free stuff. Isn't that what everyone does at expos, I dont' care if I have 18 pens littering the bottom of my pocketbook, if there is another free pen at an expo I want it!! We got free hats, water bottles, sports beans, peanutbutter and "i am loved" pins in many different languages. We also bought running socks for only $5 a pair and new Tifosi sunglasses with three lenses.

Then we went to a course review which was very informative. We needed that info since it was our first tri. Then we went to a first timers seminar and it was more inspirational than informative. It was very "girl power" which I can only take for about ten minutes before I think I taste throw up in my mouth!! There was one part of the girl power pow wow, when Sally, the speaker, said "Now we are going to approach this tri like women and if you see a woman needing help, you are going to help her, right?" I was looking around with guilt in my eyes wondering if anyone else was thinking, "what the f#$k, I came to compete, let the medical people help the wounded." Of course I didn't say this aloud, no I just kept high fiving all the women and yelling "you go, girlfriend" each time the puke getting closer to my throat.

After the formal preparation, we drove the bike route and I was very glad we did. It was very helpful on the ride to know what was coming. After that we checked into the hotel and went out to dinner. Got to bed around ten and did not sleep all night, that is how I always am and I am used to it. I just lay in bed trying to think happy thoughts to pass the time and wake up at the crack of dawn.

Then it was finally RACE DAY. We arrived at the race at 6am and went right to the portopotties. Then we set up our bikes and transition area. At around 7:15 the first wave of women entered the water, we still had another hour before we got our chance. We decided to take a little swim and I am really glad we did because my goggles were letting water in on one side, so I ran up to my bag and got my spare.

Finally it was the purple caps' turn to head to the start of the race andI was totally scared and psyched at the same time. My three friends and I held hands so we could start together and we did. The swim was not physically challenging for me, but it was difficult for me to figure out my groove with all those bodies next to me. I was kicked and swatted often and never found a good spot the whole 1/2 mile, but it was over before I knew it and I looked at my watch and it read 16 minutes and I was satisfied with that since this was my first experience swimming competitively. Next time I will finish the swim faster.

Then out of the water, found my sandels and run the tenth of a mile to my bike. I squirted my feet off, threw on some socks and my sneakers and a tank top. I chose not to lock into my bike since I am not experienced with those shoes yet and wore the tank top because I am too shy to show off all that skin!!

The bike route was rolling hills with one big hill at mile four. I was never passed once on my bike. I also rehydrated well on my bike too. I forgot to eat my GU, but luckily I never crashed. The bike portion seemed to be over very quickly. I arrived at the transition area and this volunteer was yelling at me to dismount and I tried to really, but I couldn't get my right leg over my seat and down I went in front of hundreds of spectators. Recovered quickly and got outta there as fast as I could, more embarrassed than hurt.

I reset my bike and threw off my helmet and threw on my Red Sox hat and was out to run in one minute. During the run I was completely in the zone. If anything hurt I did not feel it, but people kept looking at my leg. It was bleeding pretty good, but I thought it was kinda cool. I drank water four times on the course and at the same time would pour some water on my cut to keep from totally grossing out the spectators. I don't remember anyone passing me on the run either, but I was totally concentrating and did not really notice anybody even existing. That is a cool feeling, I was totally focused on the task at hand and nothing else mattered. I really need moments like that right now, because for most of my waking moments (and sleeping for that matter) I am stressing about my life and how screwed up I have made everything.

I stepped over the line and looked at my watch 1:28, whoa I was shooting for 1:40 so I was very happy. I hugged all my fellow triathletes and then revelled in our accomplishment. We went out for burger and beers, a tradition and headed home.

What a day! I can't wait for tri number two!!

Here are my stats:
1/2 mile swim 16:40
transition 1: 4:48
12 mile bike 43:29
transition 2: 1:01
2.8 run 22:42

Total time 1:28:41
overall rank 318 of 2129
class rank 11 of 440

Photos to follow!