What does not kill us, only makes us stronger…

Well I did not die, and I do feel stronger so I have that going for me.

This so far has been the hardest thing I have ever done, Spring Sprint Triathlon.  It is one thing to go for a bike ride, or a run, but to throw in a swim in the open water thats just crazy talk.

Once I got my Flat Teri put together and let me tell you that is a accomplishment when you have so many components to gather together.

 

Now to try and get to sleep early last night so I would be prepared for the next morning started out fine, but then I was waking up every hour thinking about how I was going to do this crazy race.   At about 4:30 I could hear that it was just pouring rain and I thought, okay they will probable not do the swim.  But then I got up around 5:00 and it had stopped and the sky did not look so ominous, that has to be a good sign right?  It only takes me a few minutes to get dressed and gather the few things that I did not pack in the car the night before.  Now one stop before heading down there and that is at the Starbucks for a nice warm coffee, a must before any race.

I figure that I have plenty of time to get down there and find a spot close to the race.  I mean there did not seem to be a lot of people at the Saturday Expo and with the weather I figured some may not go, I know the old me would have definitely stayed in bed.  As I go to get off the exit to the race the traffic is already backed up to the freeway, I realize this is not good as the transition area closes at 6:30.  I quickly choose to park away from the race and just ride my bike down.  Well so did a ton of other people, it was like a parade.  I finally get down there only to see that the line to get into the transition area is out of control.  On top of that it is pouring rain, I am now drenched from head to my nice running shoes that I will have to be running in, in a bit.

I am able to finally get into transition only to find out I have about 10 mins to setup and get out of there, panic sets in and I forget everything I have been studying the last few days.  I then realize that I now have to put on my wetsuit, additional panic here to say hi ya Teri!  One thing I found out was because I chose the Mini Sprint we were located at the back of the racks and the majority of those around me were under the age of 15.  One particular young lady was absolutely amazing, she had her area set up in a split second and was giving me hints.  She was so cute telling me better ways of squeezing into my wetsuit, she kept telling me squat and wiggle squat and wiggle, to be honest it did help.

I got out of the transition area and was so surprised to see friends that had come down to support me. Colin Jackson, Shawn P Gallagher, and Traci and Eric Estabrook.  I was so happy to see them as I really was starting to get scared about getting in the water.  I also had not found anyone to zip me up so between Colin who will be doing his first triathlon in November (Ironman Arizona) and Eric Estabrook who had just finished Ironman 70.3 Oceanside they were able to get me in it and now the fun begins.

 

I will say now that the swim was the hardest thing I have done, the water actually was not that cold at first but swimming in a wetsuit is not easy.  As I was about halfway though the swim I started feeling claustrophobic in the suit, finding it hard to breath.  I had about a moment of panic and wanting to quit but then remember someone who said doggy paddle, do the backstroke what ever keeps moving you forward.  Then I could see Colin on the side and it I knew I would get through the swim.

I was finally done with swim and the funny part was it felt like I had been swimming an hour and it was only 7:43 minutes.

My transition was slow as everything was wet and hard to get on.  I finally got out of transition and was happy to be sitting on my bike.  That lasted until I got on the island and hit my first head wind.  Holy Moly it was crazy windy.  I felt good on the bike though, as I could really push and was making some of the time that I lost swimming.  I passed a good number of racers and finished my 6 mile bike in 33:49.

As I head out to my run my knees don’t feel as jelly like as they did when I did my duathlon last year but I can tell I am going to have to do intervals to be able to finish this.

 

My run is a 1.5 miles, on normal days that would be nothing, today I might as well be running a 10K.  It is hard and every time I start running I get a pain in my side. It was not until about 3/4 quarters of a mile that I felt as though I could really run, and then I did.  As I came out of the running path and was on Sea World Dr I realized I was about to become a Triathlete.  Me, a gal that a little over a year ago was almost 200 pounds, that would walk the 5k’s and did not think that I had anymore than that in me.  This is a gal that watched others do amazing things never realizing that she had it in her.   And spoiler alert … Happy Ending … She finishes the race surrounded by some amazing friends!!

A cherry on top of this race sundae was my nephew Chris Costales was there at the finish line to see me finish.  I did not know that until after as I was so determined to finish strong and was focused on the finish line.  Next thing I know he is standing beside me and I thought I would cry.  This guy has seen and heard me make every excuse on the book as to why I cannot do something.  He has seen me at my heaviest and I mean my heaviest and he has seen me make sustained changes.  When he came up to me he was genuinely happy for me, I am so glad that he is on out family he inspires me every day.  Oh and by the way this guy took second for his age group and has qualified for Nationals.  I would like to grow up to be just like him someday.

So to all you out there that think I could never do that…Oh maybe someday I will try that.. Or any other excuse/limitation that you have given yourself.  Stop and realize that I am 54 almost 55 years old, was obese for the majority of my life and I had never and I mean never thought this was in the realm of possibilities of me ever doing… but look at me now, a Triathlete.  I challenge you all to face your fear, challenge yourself to do one thing on the next 30 days that scares the shit out of you.  I promise you wont regret it.

Because if she can … I guarantee you can!

And as always I will see you all at the finish line.

PS… I know I know .. you are all saying Teri… where is the last installation of Ragnar.  It is coming I promise before the end of this weekend!!