Esprit de She

91 miles of swimming for 11 minutes of racing.  It seems rather easy. It wasn't. 

Back with my Tridiot teammates to kick some ass at Esprit de She triathlon.  Last year was our first try at this.  We were clueless.  This year we were back to be better.   This time I trained.  

I've been swimming since January.  As in I actually had a coach.  Someone who for some unknown reason wanted to help me.  He provided me workouts, answered all my dumb questions, put up with my whining, was a smartass, and most importantly encouraged me when I felt overwhelmed.  With workouts. With life.  He was the first to tell me to ditch a workout and go on a date instead.  I felt as if I was quitting.  He made me feel that it was necessary to be happy and live my life and not be a slave to workouts that may have been weighing me down.  He was right. 

I had some pretty high yardage months.  I was feeling really good.  Pretty strong.  It felt good to feel so great in the water.   Back at my swimming roots. Then as we moved closer to the tri date I started picking up running again.  Coach was VERY insistent that I stay off the feet for a few months to REALLY heal after my multiple broken situations.  It felt great to be back on the run.  It felt great to be out of the pool a bit more.  Be on the running paths a bit more.   I was starting to feel a bit burned out with the pool.  Tired of feeling like I was dragging myself to the pool each time.  It was nice to be outside.  Running. 

I was feeling ready for this race.  Well, up until a few days before when I saw a cool weather forecast predicted and learned that the water temp would be on the cool side.  Then learning on the race Facebook page that most people were planning on wearing wet suits?  Ugh.  I felt immediately defeated.  I didn't have a wet suit. I wasn't about to go out and buy one either.  For those who don't know not only does a wet suit provide warmth, it helps with buoyancy.  Therefore, less energy is needed to stay afloat.  Thus making it easier to swim. 

I freaked a bit and asked Coach what I should do.  His reply was for me to stfu and just swim faster than everyone else.  It was a short race.  I had no experience swimming in a wet suit.  If I had one it would probably be a hindrance to me.  Arrrrrighty then. 

Race morning Sara (bike) and I got there around 5:30 am.   She dropped me off and went to get her energy drink at a nearby store.  I set up our transition and then sat by myself.  Sara eventually arrived, then took off again to change.  Lisa (run) arrived but had to still pick up her packet and the race bib she needed to run.  She did so and texted me that she was on her way back to transition.  However, at this point I needed to be in the water for warm ups. So, I hit the water on my own.  

It was cold.  No doubt about it.  But, I just dove in and got that shock over with asap.  I felt good once I started moving.  I swam about 400 yards (half the swim course) and got out.  As I exited the water I almost fell.  I felt dizzy and off balance.  Wtf.  I have no idea why.  I don't know if it was the cold or something else.  But, it freaked me out a bit. 

When I exited the water Lisa was waiting for me.  We walked back up to transition so Lisa could put on her bib and I could drop off my clothes and towel.  Within a minute we were being kicked out of transition as it was closing for race start.  So, Lisa and I hustled back over the the start so I could get in my wave (#3) which would start 8 minutes after the Elites took off to start the race. 

Just as I was about to get in my wave my sister, my niece (Ironkid) and my nephew ran over to hug me and wish me good luck. It was nice to see them. Ironkid gave me some huge words of encouragement and lots of hugs and kisses.  It was fun to have the tables turned.  

I got up front in my wave and waited for race start.  Everyone around me was in wet suits.  Ugh.  That kind of freaked me out.  Oh, well.  It was what it was.  

The Elites took off.  Wave #2 was the cancer survivors.  There was a woman in her 30's in this wave who was standing right in front me me.  As she moved up to start I saw that she was shaking and crying.  I asked if she was ok.  She said, "I don't think I can do this."  I told her that she had been through things MUCH harder than this.  That she most definitely could do this.  I gave her a hug and wished her luck.   She put all my silly nerves in perspective.  It was just a race.  Just a race.  What is there to be scared of? 

Our relay wave moved into the water.... countdown to our start.  I somehow caught my family in the crowd and shared a wave and a smile.  That made me relax.  All of a sudden I was diving in going out full force.  As fast I could. 

Coach had sent me a pretty inspirational email two nights before the race.  He basically told me to go all out and leave nothing on the table.  He knew I wanted to win the relay portion of the swim.  He told me that if I wanted to win I had to give everything I had.  Leave nothing behind.  So, I did as he said. 

However, I lost steam early.  I think the cold knocked the breath out of me at first.  I faded.  I almost felt like giving up.  But, then I remembered that Coach told me that it was only 10 minutes of giving everything I had. 10 friggin minutes.  I could suck it up for that, right?  I turned around the first buoy and was able to see two pink relay caps in front of me about 10 yards ahead.  Damn it.  I wasn't in first.  I was third.  I felt a bit defeated by this at first.  Disappointed.  But, then I told myself to not give up just because it was likely I wouldn't win.  I could still be better than last year.  I could still kick ass. 

Once I told myself this I relaxed a bit and got a strong steady pace going.  It was still hard. I was still struggling.  But, I kept moving.  

For those who don't know, open water swimming is hard.  Really hard.  You cannot see in front of you.  You cannot see where you are going.  You easily can swim zig zag all over the place.  You swim into people.  People swim into you.  You get kicked.  You get clawed. It's a free for all.   This year I had an easier time swimming through people.  Not sure if I had a better strategy by swimming around them or what.  But, I felt like I made it through the maze of swimmers in front of me better this time.

All of a sudden I was on the last switchback.  Dug in and gave it all I had left.  Soon I could see the bottom of the water.  I was able to stand up.  And run.  Out of the water.  Into the sand.  Up the hill.  Through the entire parking lot.  To our transition spot.   It was pretty exciting to see all the race teams there.  Waiting for their swimmers.  I was the third one in.  Just behind the leaders.  All the teams were cheering me in.  It was pretty cool. I quickly passed off our chip to Sara and she was off on the bike.  

I was SO relieved to be done.  I was exhausted.  But, I was happy.  I had no clue what my time was.  but, I did know I was third.  And, I was ok with that.  My family was waiting just out of transition for me to put on clothes and then I joined them to catch up to cheer Sara on the bike.  Ironkid ran up to me and gave me a HUGE hug.  Told me she was proud of me.  Told me I did great.  She was all excited to give me the play by play of my race.  It made me smile. 

We caught up to see Sara come by on loop one and we all screamed at her as she rode by.

 Then back to transition to find Lisa who was awaiting Sara on the bike.  Lisa was nervous waiting there by herself.  She had been sizing up the competition of the other relay runners.  I told her to just run her own race.  Go kick ass.  Sara came in looking very strong.  SO strong.

Last year Sara was deep into chemo treatments and her body was weak.  Even though she did great last year she really pushed her body.  This time she looked strong.  And happy. As soon as she came in I ripped the timing chip off her ankle and put it onto Lisa's ankle.  Slapped her ass and told her to RUN! 

Sara and I then headed to the finish to wait for Lisa.  We watched other teams finish.  Then we saw Lisa's pony tail in the distance.  Sara and I flanked each side of the finish chute, grabbed hands with Lisa.  Once again, the Tridiots crossed the finish hand in hand. 

I'm so proud of my team.  Everyone did so awesome.  We each Monday morning quarterbacked our legs.  Silly girls.  Everyone did fantastic.  We were one minute faster than last year.  We finished 8/52 relay teams. Fantastic. 

No, I didn't win the swim like I wanted to.  I finished third once again.  However, I swam 30 seconds faster than last year (.5 mile, 11:13, 22:26 pace).  With a bit more result stalking I also learned that of the 1281 that swam (Elite, relay, and individual) I finished 37th.  Not too bad if I say so myself.  Only two of those people ahead of me were older than me.  Most were MUCH younger than me.  That made me feel good.  

Post race my team, Ironkid and I hit the SWAG area.  We had such a blast grabbing all the free shit.  Free manicures?  

Uh, YES PLEASE!  Omg... best post race SWAG ever.  Getting hand massages and our nails done.  All we needed was booze.  We danced a bit to the DJ.  We got silly.  We got free plants.  Food. We smiled.  We talked to other inspirational women who did the entire triathlon.  We had fun.  We will do it again. 

The sign Ironkid made for me post race.  My heart melted. 

I'm happy with my effort.  But, I will be better next year.  

I have to give a huge shout out to my Coach.  I cannot even begin to thank you for helping me prepare for this race.  I have no idea why you did it.  But, I thank you.  Very much.  Damn, it just got awfully dusty in here....

A few weeks off serious training.  Then I somehow have to figure out a marathon training program.  Hope I don't break.  Once again.   Pfffft... yeah, we all know how this will end. 

But, first, I chill. 

Exhale. 

Suck it cancer. 

SheRox Triathlon - Learning to Fly

4:30 am wake-up call.  It was unnecessary.  I was up. Ready to go.  Let's do this.

Day before race with Sara

Sara was already up for awhile.  I got myself together and we were out the door just after 5 a.m. and at the race start before 5:30.  First relay at transition.  Got a nice end spot for our stuff.  Started to take it all in.  We were going to do a triathlon.  As a relay.  Together.

Lisa arrived shortly afterwards.  She was teary eyed.  Tears streaming down her face.  I asked her why.  She said because she was just thinking about how amazing all these women were that were doing this triathlon.  I felt it too.  We both cried.  Tears of happiness.  Of being inspired.  Of being proud.  Of all those making the effort.

The Beach

While Sara changed, Lisa marked my body with a few "suck it cancer"s.  And, I headed off to warm up in the water for a bit.  The Beach is an old quarry in town that has been a great "pool" for many years here.  It's a great place for an open water swim.  I needed, however, to be refreshed on how the visibility was here.  I was quickly reminded that it was about zero.  Alrighty then.   When I came out of my quick warm up Lisa was nowhere to be found.  Ummm..... Lisa? Lisa?  Uh, Lisa?  I walked around the deck area for 10 minutes before I gave up.  I was starting to panic.  Transition was closing in ten minutes.  I had to get up there and get anything I needed (which turned out to be nothing).  So, I ran back.  Made Sara call Lisa.  She was sitting 10 feet in front of the area I had left her.  She never saw me get out.  Yeah..... not our only miscommunication of the day for us virgins.  Oh, well, No big whoop.  I only had a slight freak out.  Ha.

So, then goodbyes to Sara and Lisa headed with me for the swim start.  Oh. My. God.  I was going to be racing in less then ten minutes.  Just at the start I finally found my sister and ten year old niece.  This was nice.  The first time my family has come to my races (as an adult).  My friends, however, all bailed on me once again.  I was happy to see my niece.  She's a rockstar swimmer and did the Chicago Kids Triathlon last year and made me so proud. She was a breath of fresh air and made me relax.

I was so grateful we were starting in Wave #3.  First of all, because of the heat.  Secondly, because we didn't have to wait around for almost two hours to start racing.  I got in my corral with 2 minute before start. I looked around at my corral.  Picked out a few that I could easily identify as swimmers.  The girl next to me, one I had identified as a swimmer, asked me, "How far is this swim?"  I said, "You ask this now?  It's a half mile".  She said she used to swim the mile.  Oh no.  This did not bode well for me.  A sprinter.

The Elite wave went off.  The cancer survivor wave went off.  We were next.  I jockeyed for a front position.  I got it.  In the water we walked.  3, 2, 1........ BEEEEEEEEP!  We were off!  It was a roller derby free for all for that front position.  The Miler Girl and me were battling it out.  She won the battle.  Got along the lane line first.  But, half way down that first lap I overtook her.  See ya.  However, as I did so, I also kicked someone behind me.  Someone was behind me. Not for long.  Shortly she was on the other side of me.  Then in front of me.   I let her go.  No way I could continue this fast pace for an entire half mile.  I needed to go steady and strong.  But, not all out so soon.

The lanes were HUGE.  So, I ended up doing a lot of zig zagging when I lost sight of the lane lines.  I could only see to the end of my hand in front of me, if that far.  So, if I wasn't right along a lane line I tended to get off course.  I had to do a lot of breast strokes to keep an eye out for slow swimmers ahead or turns in the course.  When I hit the Survivor's wave I had a very hard time getting through.  They were packed pretty tight across the lane.  These women friggin rock and the last thing I needed to do was claw my way through them.  So, I dodged and weaved the best I could until I was free and had plenty of clear water ahead.  I could see two other relay colored caps ahead of me.  But, they were closer than they had been.  I had caught up.  One last lap.  I gave it all I had.  I was beat.  But, I put my head in and pulled.

I thought about the survivors I just passed.  I thought about them not giving up.  I thought about a that weird doode friend of mine that runs silly miles in a pink tutu to raise money to find a cure for cancer.  I didn't care how tired I was.  I could do this.  I could finish strong.

Soon I could see the bottom.  I was close.  I stood up.  Ran out of the water.  Yes!  I was done.  Oh, wait, never mind.  I had to then run to our transition area for our wave.  Up a hill.  Through a parking lot.  The entire transition area.  I could barely breath.  I was exhausted.  I was running in a friggin bathing suit for crying out loud!  Oh, dear Lord.

I got to our transition area.  I was confused.  I couldn't  find Sara.  I was in our lane.  But, she wasn't.  There were other relay teams standing where Sara should be.  Lots of them.  Blocking the area.  But, where was Sara?  I ran up and down the area looking for her.  Finally I ran back to our transition.  Yelled her name.  She stood up.  She was adjusting her bike.  The other ladies were blocking her.  I couldn't see her.  She wasn't expecting me so soon.  Ha.  We got our shit together, she got on our chip, and off she went.

I met up with Lisa.  Wished her luck. Then headed out to try to catch Sara as she rode my for the second loop.  We weren't sure how fast she'd be.  So, my sister, niece and I hauled ass 3/4 mile away to catch a bit of the biking.  We waiting a bit (thankfully, because I was STILL out of breath) and there came Sara!  Wheeeeee!!!!!  She looked fantastic!  Yeah!  Then, all the way back to transition for us.  I jumped back in and talked to Lisa a bit and recapped my swim and a bit of Sara's leg.  Lisa's husband and kids arrived and Lisa was able to get some pre-race hugs from them.

Sara came flying in carrying her bike.  Looking exhausted.  But, strong.  I could tell she gave it her all.  Lisa grabbed the chip and off she went!  Wheeeee!!!!  After Sara caught her breath we joined our cheering crew at the finish to wait for Lisa.  It was so exciting.  We couldn't wait for her to arrive.  Then, around the corner, through the trees, Lisa. Sara and I got on either side of the finish chute. As Lisa came in, we grabbed her hands.  And crossed that finish line.  Together.  Team Tridiots.

It was an amazing moment.  Lisa also gave it all she had.  Everything.  I was SO proud of her.  It was really hot out already.  She did great.  And, then we hugged.  A team hug.  For completing our first relay triathlon. As a team. This was my favorite moment.

We did it.  We did our first triathlon as a relay.  We made some mistakes.  We learned. We are hungry for more.  Out of 58 relays teams we finished 7th.   1:29.55. I'm thrilled with our results.  I think we did great.  And, I think we can easily improve on this next year. Next year we will fly. 

We did it.  For us.  For my dad, who died from cancer ten years ago.  For Lisa's mother, who died from cancer two years ago.  For Sara, who is kicking cancers ass with one more week to go with her chemo.  We did it for us.  We did it for them.

We did it.  Team Tridiots.

Suck it cancer.