Aug 20, 2007 12:54 PM
A very wet Seattle Danskin RR
This was my third triathlon, all of them being the Danskin. My first two years did not go well for me mentally. I stayed with this event to see if I could really beat the negative monkey on my back and to really know if this is something that I want to continue to do. I now can answer that question- Yes, it is.
Short report:
2007 2006
Swim (605m) 16:13 1/2 mile- 21:23
T1 4:29 5:10
Bike (12miles) 42:00 43:13
T2 2:33 3:11
Run 36:05 40:20
Final 1:41:22 1:53:19
Class Rank- 206/481 367/537
I went to bed early on Saturday night and woke up about 1am to solid rain. Not our normal Seattle drizzle at all. As I laid there listening to the rain, I started going through my transitions- what was I going to need to change given the weather. I chose wisely to add a garbage bag, several plastic grocery bags and my bike rain coat. I must have fallen asleep at some point as I dreamt that Sally Edwards cancelled the race and I was angry and did it anyway.
I woke up at 4:30, took a shower, had coffee and half an egg sandwich. By 5:30, DH, DS, and DD were in the car and headed into Seattle to hop on a shuttle to the race site. I sipped water all the way there, even though my stomach was in knots.
After what seemed like an eternity, we made it to the race site. I got to my bike and realized that not one, but 4 people had shifted my bike from it's nice end spot to the middle of the rack. Boy was I angry. I made it to the transition early on Saturday to rack my bike in a prime location and then several people come in later and move it? WTH??? It's not like I'm not going to know who moved it?
I decided not to continue down that negative minded path and set up my transition area. I then had 3 shot bloks, finished my water and headed down to the water. On my way I thought about all of you and the supportive and inpsiring things that I have heard over the past 6 months. I am paraphrasing this but I recall someone saying this- Trust in your training. You can go out there and push yourself for this hour and a half, and your not going to die, you are going to finish.
The swim:
I chose not to swim in a wet suit this year- this was I think my big mistake. The water temp was in the high 60's and although I felt strong and had NO mental problems or anxiety this year, I was extremely cold and my body felt like dead weight. I emerged from the water and sprinted just to get the feeling back in my legs.
The bike:
I chose to not wear my jacket, I was only going to get overheated and I had no plans on wearing socks. So when I got to my bike, I put on my shoes and helmet and sprinted to the bike start.
There was a lot of concern about bike safety this year given the standing water and slick conditions- and rightfully so after seeing all of the accidents. I safely got on my bike and got into my aero position almost immediately. I chose the right gear and everything. Dang Tammy- your doing alright!!!
My first bike hurdle was a steep S curved ascent about 3 miles into the route which I have had to get off and walk the last two times. This year, nothing held me back. I geared down, got out of my saddle and strongly pedaled to the top and out onto the interstate. Wooo hooo! I made it up the second ascent feeling strong, had a gel, kept on drinking, got to the turn around and started pushing even harder. I passed a lot of people, and was passed on my ascents- I see a new focus for me here. Then I made it back to the S curve. Unfortunately they had us dismount and walk our bikes down this path. I could hear the clock ticking away as I was trying to hurry but not fall in my bike shoes. I got to the bottom and got on my bike and cranked up the next hill and headed home.
Got to the tranisition area, sprinted to my rack and then tried to put on my running shoes. It was so wet from the bike and I had nothing dry my feet off, so I took the time to sit down, put on my shoes and hoped for the best given the weather conditions.
The run:
I have never felt strong on the run and it was shaping up to be that type of run again. Then I remembered that I just need to give my body a chance to remember that it can run and trust that it will be fine. So I kept thinking strong positive thoughts and voila, my legs released and I started running. I even made it straight up the very large hilll near the end of the race and was able to really push the last .25 mile into the chute.
I finished and I knew in that moment when the volunteer put the finisher's medal over my head that I had beat every negative emotion and thought and that I am really a triathlete.
Tammy
Short report:
2007 2006
Swim (605m) 16:13 1/2 mile- 21:23
T1 4:29 5:10
Bike (12miles) 42:00 43:13
T2 2:33 3:11
Run 36:05 40:20
Final 1:41:22 1:53:19
Class Rank- 206/481 367/537
I went to bed early on Saturday night and woke up about 1am to solid rain. Not our normal Seattle drizzle at all. As I laid there listening to the rain, I started going through my transitions- what was I going to need to change given the weather. I chose wisely to add a garbage bag, several plastic grocery bags and my bike rain coat. I must have fallen asleep at some point as I dreamt that Sally Edwards cancelled the race and I was angry and did it anyway.
I woke up at 4:30, took a shower, had coffee and half an egg sandwich. By 5:30, DH, DS, and DD were in the car and headed into Seattle to hop on a shuttle to the race site. I sipped water all the way there, even though my stomach was in knots.
After what seemed like an eternity, we made it to the race site. I got to my bike and realized that not one, but 4 people had shifted my bike from it's nice end spot to the middle of the rack. Boy was I angry. I made it to the transition early on Saturday to rack my bike in a prime location and then several people come in later and move it? WTH??? It's not like I'm not going to know who moved it?
I decided not to continue down that negative minded path and set up my transition area. I then had 3 shot bloks, finished my water and headed down to the water. On my way I thought about all of you and the supportive and inpsiring things that I have heard over the past 6 months. I am paraphrasing this but I recall someone saying this- Trust in your training. You can go out there and push yourself for this hour and a half, and your not going to die, you are going to finish.
The swim:
I chose not to swim in a wet suit this year- this was I think my big mistake. The water temp was in the high 60's and although I felt strong and had NO mental problems or anxiety this year, I was extremely cold and my body felt like dead weight. I emerged from the water and sprinted just to get the feeling back in my legs.
The bike:
I chose to not wear my jacket, I was only going to get overheated and I had no plans on wearing socks. So when I got to my bike, I put on my shoes and helmet and sprinted to the bike start.
There was a lot of concern about bike safety this year given the standing water and slick conditions- and rightfully so after seeing all of the accidents. I safely got on my bike and got into my aero position almost immediately. I chose the right gear and everything. Dang Tammy- your doing alright!!!
My first bike hurdle was a steep S curved ascent about 3 miles into the route which I have had to get off and walk the last two times. This year, nothing held me back. I geared down, got out of my saddle and strongly pedaled to the top and out onto the interstate. Wooo hooo! I made it up the second ascent feeling strong, had a gel, kept on drinking, got to the turn around and started pushing even harder. I passed a lot of people, and was passed on my ascents- I see a new focus for me here. Then I made it back to the S curve. Unfortunately they had us dismount and walk our bikes down this path. I could hear the clock ticking away as I was trying to hurry but not fall in my bike shoes. I got to the bottom and got on my bike and cranked up the next hill and headed home.
Got to the tranisition area, sprinted to my rack and then tried to put on my running shoes. It was so wet from the bike and I had nothing dry my feet off, so I took the time to sit down, put on my shoes and hoped for the best given the weather conditions.
The run:
I have never felt strong on the run and it was shaping up to be that type of run again. Then I remembered that I just need to give my body a chance to remember that it can run and trust that it will be fine. So I kept thinking strong positive thoughts and voila, my legs released and I started running. I even made it straight up the very large hilll near the end of the race and was able to really push the last .25 mile into the chute.
I finished and I knew in that moment when the volunteer put the finisher's medal over my head that I had beat every negative emotion and thought and that I am really a triathlete.
Tammy
