This year I decided to train for a half ironman. I have a girlfriend who does ironman's and really got me inspired to do one myself. I decided in January and signed up for the Lake Stevens 70.3 welcoming this challenge head on.
My next step was training. I trained for this event for 6 months always wondering if I was doing enough. I discovered that it was really difficult working a full time job and training for something like this. I thought a lot about my rowing days and having only to focus on training, rowing twice a day 7 days a week. I'm still floored by some Olympians that had jobs and were able to train I got a swim coach to help me learn how to be efficient in the water. I taught myself how to swim, but it looked like the doggy paddle than an actual swimming stroke. My girlfriend (the one who does ironmans) taught me. She was super and it was fun as well. I got to meet a lot of different people in the pool as well. In some cases, those people were my savior and helped me get through my workout!
As the months passed and the event grew near, I was getting very anxious and decided to focus a lot of my training on the bike. My husband and I drove to the bike course to see what it was like one weekend. I was overwhelmed as I discovered it was extremely hilly! I was glad I did that so i knew what I was in for.
A few days before race day, my parents flew in to help support me in this physical challenge I was about to undergo. I was so thankful for them being here too. The night before the race, I barely slept. Seattle/Lake Stevens was in the middle of a heat wave, so dealing with the heat and nerves it was more like a nap than a restful sleep.
Race day was great! I loved looking at all the participants before we headed out to the swim. All ages, shape, sizes and they too had spent hours upon hours of focus and training to have all come to this one day where we execute our goal! Still makes me emotional...
The gun went off and at the beginning of the swim I was freaking out, couldn't breathe. I focused on myself and no know else to get my groove. Once I was settled, it felt so good, just like the hours spent in the pool.
Transitioning to the bike went well, and I would change a few things for the next time. Once I was on and hit the first hill my chain came off. BUMMER! I hit the ground, because I was too late to unclip my shoes from the peddle, grrr. Once i got back on I was off again. I became extremely frustrated because i was having the hardest time keeping my speed. The fear set in and I thought I was hitting the wall early. I discovered, once I got home, that my fall from the bike, the brake was rubbing my front peddle the ENTIRE 56 MILES! WOW, what a shocker and I was a little relieved that it was a mechanical problem versus me. I now know I can crush that bike course next year, especially since I was driving with the brake on. I worked extra hard just to finish the bike portion of the race and was humbled when everyone passed me.
The last transition was the run. At this point I was very concerned about finishing. Not knowing about my brake in the bike, I was second guessing myself. It played with my head. I was running along and this women, Colleen, asked if she could run with me and of course I said yes. She was my strength through the run. She was very encouraging and I will never forget it. (we are now facebook friends :)) The run was SUPER DUPER HOT and I could not get enough ice in my hands, mouth and sports bra.
I finished the race, not where I hoped, but on a hot day and with bike issues that i had, i FINISHED! I was so glad to see my family and Stan at the finish that I got emotional again! I love those guys :)
So now, I feel a little lost and that's why I'm writing this. I wanted to remember my big day last Sunday and I have a very strong feeling that there will be a rematch!! To be continued Lake Stevens :)
