It's crazy to think that 10 months of training finally reached it's fruition. In the last couple of weeks, I have been a basket of nerves about Race Day, September 11, 2010. The day before the race, I went almost entirely into myself - I was so nervous. But Race Day has come and gone and I am still here to tell the story . . . so tell the story I shall!
About a month ago, I decided to do an "Olympic Distance Workout". The purpose was to make sure that my body could actually do all three disciplines, back to back. My husband took the kids back to School shopping while I took the morning for myself. The entire workout took me 4 hours and 41 minutes . . . I didn't really care about my time. I was just relieved that I could do it all back to back without dying. Some of my nerves were calmed once I had the knowledge that I could manage it physically.
Fast forward 3 weeks later. I travel to Pacific Grove for a free swim clinic that TRI CALIFORNIA was offering for the triathletes competing at Pacific Grove. I knew I needed to be there so I could learn how to swim in the kelp beds in the ocean! That day also went a long way toward calming some nerves. I survived my first ocean swim and felt pretty good about it. A HUGE thank you goes out to the volunteer coaches who gave their time that day for us "first timers".
And then Race Day was upon me. My husband and 3 of my 4 kids were travelling with me to Pacific grove, CA. My parents were in route too, from Merced, CA. All to watch me race and cheer me on. I wanted to throw up. On the drive there, I asked myself more than once, "what have you gotten yourself into??". Why the increased stress? Despite my Olympic Workout and ocean practice swim? I had discovered that I had only 4 hours and 45 minutes to complete the entire course . . . and my workout time was 4 hours and 41 minutes. I did not have much wiggle room. No room for a flat tire on the bike . . . no room for flipping over onto my back to rest on the swim . . . no margin for error.
We arrived on Friday with plenty of time to attend the Athlete Expo and pick up my race packet. My bib number was 849. We wandered around the Expo and I was able to buy a new pair of bike gloves (I had lost my own). And then I discovered a booth operated by a local chiropractor, offering free massage to the athletes. I want to take this moment to say THANK YOU to Gonzalez Chiropractic in Monterey, CA. My left calf had been in pain for 3 days prior to the race. I was afraid of experiencing a cramp during the swim (this had happened to me during training). The lovely chiropractor worked out all the "little bits of concrete" (his words) from my calf. He then taped up my leg for the next day. God bless him . . . I know it made a difference. Then my parents arrived and we headed to BUBBA GUMPS for a wonderful dinner. It was so nice to have my parents there - my biggest fans, no matter what I do!
I did manage to get a good night's sleep - thanks to the Marriott. I do strongly suggest reserving a good quality hotel room for the night before a race. A good night's sleep is vital! So, well rested - we headed out to the race. I left my family at the Transition Area for the athletes and entered into the "holding pen" for athletes until my wave's start. I had to wait almost 2 hours! I was grouped with other women my age, many of them members of Team in Training and I have to give another HUGE thank you to all those TNT members. So encouraging and friendly . . . I had instant friends. Another thank you to TRI California, for beginning their event with a prayer - it really put my mind in the right place. As I waited, the fog lifted and the earlier waves broke up a lot of the kelp . . . so there was a silver lining to waiting. As I waited, I also spotted a seal swimming near the swim course and I said a silent prayer (God, your creatures are beautiful, but please keep them away from me this morning). Then it was time to put the wetsuit on and make my way down to the beach.
Our wave had about 10 minutes to get into the ocean and acclimate our nervous system to the 59 degree water. I stayed in the water until the very last minute (my body needs every moment to get used to that water). Then we were back on the beach and waiting at the start line. My family was watching from the sea wall above me and I was thinking "well, Sarah, it's now or never". The horn blows and we all run from the beach and into the water. I got shoved and kicked a lot . . . it's not malicious, it just happens! Then we all begin to spread out a little. About 400 yards into the first 1/2 mile lap of the swim, I was thinking "I can't believe I have to do this again!!". As I swam out to the furthest point of the course - out into the open water, unprotected from the cove, I was thinking "remember God, keep your creatures away, please!!". As I made the last turn on that first lap, I wasn't thrilled about doing it again, but the kelp hadn't been bad and no seals had bothered me. By lap #2, I was definately swimming slower. I got tangled up in the kelp a little more that second time around. And the amazing superwomen from the 40+ wave began to catch up to me and swim past me . . . but I used it as an opportunity to try to pace with them and hopefully improve my own time. And then as I made the last turn on the last lap, with about 200 yards left to swim, my left hand cramped up (a side effect of my rudimentary ribs which interfere with the nerves travelling to my left arm). I basically had a claw for a left hand. And here is where I say THANK YOU to my swim coach, Holly, who made me practice swimming one handed in workouts. That last 200 yards was completed with my left hand closed in a fist. And as I was swimming like a crab, I was thinking "Sarah, you're going to do this! The hardest part is almost behind you".
As I entered the transition area, I had to get out of my wetsuit and then run to the port-a-pottie! I don't know why - but I ALWAYS have to pee after I get out of the water. I heard some athletes discussing how they just pee in their wetsuit in the water, but YUCK! First, my wetsuit cost a lot of money. Second, I have several more miles in front of me and I can't smell like pee the entire time. So, after peeing . . . my stupid left hand was still a claw and I had a heck of a time trying to get my shoes on, zipping up my cycling jersey . . . it was comical. But I got on that bike and out of the transition area.
The bike had been another source of worry for me. The course had a lot more hills than I had trained for. In Davis, CA we have ZERO real hills to train on. My next prayer went out (God, please no flat tires. I beg you.). ThenI realized as I began the bike that the wind coming off the ocean (we biked along beautiful Oceanview Blvd the entire way) was almost as bad as the hills. Even going downhill on the"out" portion of the lap was hard. But the "in" portion of the lap was fun . . . fast and beautiful. I ate every 30 minutes on the bike. If you can call the "gels" and powerbars that I consumed real food. But they kept me going. And I went through 2 water bottles filled with gatorade. My family was there . . . cheering me on. My son calling out to me"Come on, Mama - you gotta want it!!". That was great. And as I glanced down at my watch, I was beginning to think . . . "I can finish this race before 4:45 as long as I can get off the bike by the 2 hour mark".
Transition 2 was much easier than my first. Although I STILL had to stop and go pee. I don't know how these other athletes do it! I guess if I could finish the whole course in 2 hours, I wouldn't have to stop and pee either . . . but my bladder just couldn't handle it! This time, my left hand was no longer a claw and all I had to do was rack my bike, take off my helmet and gloves and hit the ground running . . .
Aahhhh, the running. While the swim is the hardest part, the run is my most dreaded part. I just hate to run. And after I had been on the bike for 2 hours, my legs were just rubber. Another prayer (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I can!). My first 2 mile lap was garbage. And I was thinking "Crap! I have to do that TWO more times". As I began my second lap, I was feeling better. This complete stranger was ringing her cow bell for me and yelling "You go, girl!!". All the spectators were so supportive. But none as much as my family. The great part of the run is that I was going much slower than the bike and I could hear more of their cheers. And I could also talk to other runners on the course, and we did alot of encouraging for one another. As I rounded into my last lap, I was on a high. I ran my fastest split, which is hilarious to me considering my body had been in constant motion for over 4 hours and I should have been exhausted. But I was elated. 10 months of training and here I was on the last lap. I was going to finish the course before the cutoff, no problem! Then the finish line came into view and I picked up my speed even more and in that moment I felt like I could do anything. With my arms over my head and laughing the whole way, I crossed the finish line. They draped my medal over my neck and my family was there to hug me, my Mom to cry tears of joy with me. That moment was a treasure.
Official time: 4:23:07. That was my victory. I left 4:41 in the dust!
A few closing reflections . . .
Next time (oh yes, there will be a NEXT TIME), I will remember to put the Body Glide all over my neck. The wetsuit seems to rub everywhere and I have three raw spots on my neck that look like HICKIES!!! Mortified. I will also take into consideration that when you tape up your calf, expect to see funky tan lines on said calf by the end of the day.
But all in all, it was a fabulous experience. There will probably never be anything like the first time, but I'm hoping to add some more terrific memories as I steadily decrease my times. And who knows . . . .maybe a half-Ironman before I'm 40??
My final thank you . . . really more a prayer of thanksgiving: Thank you, God, for giving me this healthy body and blessing me with such an incredible group of family and friends and making the beautiful Pacific Ocean and coastline. All praise, glory and honor be to You. Without You, I couldn't take two steps, let alone finish a Triathlon. Amen.
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