I love racing. It’s the validation that every hour put into training was worth it, and a reminder that if I worked a little bit harder it would pay off as well. I would say that was defiantly true of this race.
It is always interesting to me, the range of emotions that you see from people at the beginning of the race. Somehow I always find some weak swimmers and begin to talk to them. They are worried about finishing the swim while I am worried about finishing. I laughed inside as one of them asked me swimming technique questions right before the horn was blown. The swim is easy for me. I am still not the most fantastic swimmer in the world but I know that I can go the distance without stopping. I found my rhythm and stuck with it. I enjoyed passing people from the wave before me and pushing a little harder when those who started after me began to pass me.
Then it was time for the bike. I put aero bars onto my bike months ago but have been too afraid to use them. So I challenged myself to use them as far as possible. I made an entire half of the course down in them. The bike course is beautiful it starts with a climb and then gives you a fast downhill to enjoy. I am not the best climber so I would laugh at the fact that people would pass me on the uphill just to have me pass them coming back down. I love the bike ride; I think it is why I do the entire race. It is my treat for getting in a good swim and a reminder that I’m not done yet. At the very end of my bike ride I was passed by a girl named Stephanie who I had met that morning. She had had a bike accident earlier in the race and looked like she was in an incredible amount of pain. I was so impressed that even though her body had been ripped apart she was still going to do everything she could to finish the race.
The run, the part I dread the most was my favorite part of the day. I had grand dreams of trying to run as far as I could before getting into a run/walk but getting off the bike I knew it was too hot and I had used up to much energy on the bike to accomplish this goal. So I began running a couple of minutes and then would walk for one. I was so surprised when I got to the first aid station. Leaving the aid station I heard someone call out my name. It was Stephanie, they had pulled her off the course to the medic tent after the bike but she had insisted that she wanted to finish and so they had let her. She was ecstatic to find me and asked if I minded if we stuck together for the rest of the race. Together we continued on and through the next 12.1 miles we would take turns being discouraged while the other became the encourager. While triathlons are a sport where you are normally out there all on your own, we were blessed by each other’s presence.
On Sunday I did a Half Ironman. I did a Half Ironman. It still seems a little surreal. I mean I still fill the pain of it but I am still having a hard time getting it into my head that I was able to do it all and that I finished and have a finisher’s medal and more importantly a 70.3 sticker on its way to put on my car.
So some final observations:
· I learned the importance of having a great tri club to support you; I felt like an adopted member of the Altitude Multisport Club and will definitely become a member next year.
· I felt so blessed by friends and family. I don’t think I have ever been so supported at a race and I am so thankful for every person who came out and for everyone who kept pressing refresh all day on the Ironman web site.
· If I put in the work I need to, I can trust myself to finish.
· I do triathlons because I want to show the world and myself that I am stronger than I think, I am braver than I thought possible. I have the perseverance to get to the finish line and that I still have a lot to learn.
· I am proud of myself for finishing. Not in a cocky way but that I can look back to Sunday and sigh with content, I did it and I wouldn’t change a moment.
· I can cross a 70.3 off of my bucket list and now a 140.6 is calling out my name. AZ 2012 prepare to be owned!
