i never give up

Firstly, thank you all for the encouragement and confidence in my last post. I guess I've somewhat finally learned from my past mistakes, trying hard not to repeat them... Know what I mean?

Sunday turned out to be a fairly good day for boosting my confidence. Up early to meet the group for a ride... long sleeves needed as it was fairly chilly. After riding mostly flat routes in the last few weeks leading up to my triathlon, the hills took no time to remind me what they were all about. Yet, I felt strong. I was leading the group, and one guy had caught up, and asked me if I had given up, wanting him to go in front... I told him that I don't give up on anything. He didn't reply.

Once at about the half way mark, I stopped for water, and waited for the rest of

the group to catch up. As we started rolling forward a bit, I felt a sharp stab on my finger, looked down and swatted away the wasp... the bugger bit me. That was a first, I've never been bit before! Saw a welt starting, so we went down to the lake where one of the guys got a small pile of mud and put it on my finger, apparently supposed to draw out the poison or whatever. After about 3 or 4 minutes, I apologized for the interruption, and we were off. That wasp musta really pissed me off, because I really picked up my speed on the ride home, riding completely solo, with everyone a good distance behind, powering up the hills. I got back to the store, and the one that asked if I was ready to give up rolled in a few minutes later saying he just couldn't keep up. It was my last ride as a 31 year old... I was determined to make it a good one :)

Last evening I had the house to myself, with nothing going on, really felt like swimming. Typically I swim on monday nights, but I have a really unusual work week this week, and thought I couldn't give myself a rest day for my birthday. I also didn't want to regret the opportunity to go in case Monday night's swim wouldn't work out. I finished 3000 meters in the pool, including 3 sets of 700 meters each, making me feel more comfortable about the sprint triathlon, yes, I registered.

Thankfully I went for my swim last night. Today turned out to be a very long and stressful day, with the rest of the week looking like it'll be the same. This should be a taper week leading up to my second Try-a-Tri on Sunday... but I'm hoping to get in a few easy runs, rides and swims anyway. I'm gonna have 32 on my calf for my next tri!

Check out the shirt Jay got me for my bday... after my last post, it may have just been perfectly timed...

I am behind in your posts, and may not catch up until the weekend given how this week looks... please forgive me!

I think I can, I think I... can I?

I've often posted about my uncompetitive nature, but this post has nothing to do races, or competing with anyone else. This is more of a never-ending battle; me vs. myself.

I've done a lot of things since I started running in 2007 that I never thought I would or could, however, they were all marred with self-doubt. Anyone who has followed my journey this far though also knows that it hasn't always been an easy road. With two bouts of stress fractures, and an earlier hip flexor injury, I'm familiar with being forced to start all over again.

Am I realistic? Overly cautious? Always thinking of the worst case scenario?

Jay gets frustrated with me with almost each conversation we have about running, triathlon or cycling that we have; saying he could never coach me because I'm not competitive enough, and sell myself short consistently.

**updated/added after Shirley's comment after realizing that this may be misleading... Jay is not a coach, nor would I want him to coach me for the reasons she mentioned. I'm forever bugging him to come for a swim or a run with me, and he doesn't. He often jokes that he'd coach me so that he can just tell me what to do and not do it himself. lol**

When we were at the triathlon last weekend, one of our team members asked if I had missed my race as the Sprint Triathletes had already left and I was still standing around in transition. They were surprised to learn that I was doing the Try-a-Tri since I had been doing the Sprint Tri distances during our swims and rides. Met with one of the Sprint Triathletes at the pool on Wednesday night, and she asked me if I had registered yet for the Sprint triathlon on Sept 19th that I had told her about and had been contemplating. I told her no, and started in my typical justification, listing off the reasons why I think I can't. She shook her head, and said to stick with her for the next set. I did, and after 17 laps, she stopped at the end of the lane, and said "There. You just swam 850m. Consistently. Now tell me why you can't do the 600m in the triathlon again?"

I'm also considering doing the cycling Tour de Greenbelt, distances are 25k, 50k or 100k. Being a tour and not a race, I'd love to do the 100k and knock something off my to-do/goal list. I've already emailed them asking if I can drop down in distance between registration and the day of the event if I need to.

Why do I do this to myself all the time? I've done a HM, a 30k race, 36k of a marathon, a Try-a-Tri, and inspired my son to do a kids' tri, what is it going to take for me to have an ounce of confidence in myself? I think I need an attitude adjustment.

reliving the moment

Ever look at your race pictures and try to remember what was going on in your head? Why your facial expressions are what they are when that moment is captured?

I cannot believe I'm going to post these... must have had one too many adult BEvERages at the wrap-up party for the tri clinic...

I look like I'm just seen a ghost, like I'm in shock... yet, maybe I was! The thought that I was doing a triathlon is enough to shock most people, myself included! I know I was definitely trying to catch my breath, and had been struggling on the run up to transition from the water to get the zipper of my wetsuit started, saw the photographer just before crossing the mat, stop messing with the wetsuit as I didn't want to look like a total dork. Fail.

I had just left transition and crossed the mount line at this point... hadn't yet settled with my breathing... While you can't necessarily see it on my face, I'm pretty sure I was smiling on the inside thankful that I survived the swim, but a bit nervous about being on the bike in a race.

Just about to hop off the bike, had to have been right before the dismount line, already unclipped and full on the break, smile shows my relief -- two-thirds of the race

completed.... so far so good. I'm doing this!

By the time the run comes around, after wearing a swim cap and fighting to get it off without ripping out all my hair, then a helmet, my hair is ridiculous! Mental note, wear a hat for the run...

This picture was just after rounding the last bend, just after throwing the water bottle I forgot to leave in transition to another one of my group, other group members cheering me on! There's something to be said about having friends yelling out your name as you cross the finish.

Finished! I'm a triathlete now! :D

Damn, my legs are white...

(FYI, my finish time was actually 3 minutes less, 53:46 since I was in the 2nd wave...)

things from afar

The running community, virtual and real have always been an amazing support. I've have the good fortune of meeting a few bloggers in real life, and am hopeful that I'll meet a few others during my San Fran trip in Oct! I've also made lifelong friends through my running and triathlon clinics.

Imagine my surprise when I got an envelope in the mail from Tall Mom on Friday, perfectly timed to wish me luck for my first tri on Sunday! Thanks Mel!

A few weeks ago, I also got a care package from Damian, my friend/runner/blogger from Australia that came for a visit in July. Once he learned of all the things I've been deprived of, he ensured I had a reason to continue my training!

Thankfully I've found a local grocer that carry the Tim Tam cookies! :D Yum! Thanks again!

Now I'm just waiting on an early birthday present I bought myself to arrive in the mail... pics to come. Speaking of pics, I'm still waiting for the race photographers to post this weekend's race pics! Hopefully soon!

Tonight is our tri clinic's wrap up party... kinda bittersweet, but many of us have already discussed continuing to train together through to next year's clinic... like I said, more than just training partners, but friends.

in training

thanks for all the awesome comments on my race report! You have a way of making a girl feel pretty damn special, I got the warm and fuzzies reading each one of them! I think I'm still on a high from my first tri... so much so, that I've already registered for another!

Had two in mind before my tri, but wanted to wait until post race to register:

Option A

• Sprint -- 600m swim/20k bike/4k run
• Sept 20
• no one else going

Option B

• Super Sprint -- 375m swim/10k bike/2.5k run -- same distance I've already done
• Sept 6 -- 4th anniversary of quitting smoking
• Women's only event - awesome atmosphere
• volunteered at this race last year in my air cast on my champagne birthday, (my 31st on the 31st of August), instead of participating after developing stress fractures.
• 4 or 5 other ladies from my group will be racing as well -- it was so great to have familiar faces pre/post race, around the transition areas and along the course
• long weekend

I'm registered for Option B! And it's only 12 sleeps away :)

Now, guess who else is training for a triathlon?? If you guessed Jay, errrr, wrong answer. But if you guessed Terron, my son... you'd be correct! He was given a pamphlet when he came with me to the marathon expo in May, and had kept it in his room. He mentioned it a few times, and when he saw me doing all my training, asked me if I would register him for one, which I did. So, on Sept 26th, the day after his 11th birthday, he'll be participating in Tri Kids Milton! He's so excited, and I can't wait to be cheering him on in a triathlon! Tell me who the proud mom is!! Fixed up the gears on his bike, bought him proper running shoes... (WTF?! when did he become big enough for men's shoes!!), and he often comes with me to lane swimming on mondays and knocks out a few laps after rec swimming for a while!

September is shaping up to be a busy month, possible milestones, some pretty important anniversaries, and some interesting events, including a metric century ride, and being a guest speaker (which is so unlike me)! More on that in upcoming posts...

Triathlete! I like the sound of that!

I cannot express to you all how excited I am to finally have another race report to write up, one where I actually cross the finish line instead of getting a ride to it via race paramedics. What a crazy few months it's been!

My alarm rang at 5am, even though I had been watching the clock most of the night. If I did get any sleep, they were filled with dreams of being involved in a bike crash, getting tangled in seaweed, or getting DQ'd for drafting. I had packed up everything last night, brought most of my gear out to the car after going over and over the checklist to ensure I wouldn't forget anything, so all that was left for me to do this morning was get dressed, fluids out of the fridge, and bike to the car. Let's go!

Got to the race site plenty early as I wanted to see off some of the Sprint triathletes from my group, which I'm thankful I did. Having a one-piece tri-suit on with a sweatshirt overtop required more time during the frequent porta-pottie visits. I also discovered what happens when you forget to slide the plastic piece to the lock position, someone opened the door as I was just about to unzip the tri-suit. He got totally embarrassed and apologized profusely,

but I assured him it was totally my fault, and that I'd learned my lesson. lol

Once the Sprinters off, I was able to get my registration process started, get my bib, swim cap, t-shirt and body marked -- I think that's when it started to feel real!

**31 until next monday! phew, snuck the triathlon in before adding another year to my age :D

Next step was setting up my transition, which at this point was still pretty much empty, so I was able to get a spot closer to the bike/run exits. As more of our group started arriving, the excitement continued to grow...

Wetsuits on, we headed to the water to warm up a bit, and once again, glad I did. The water was more choppy than where we've doing our OWS, clearer and more weedy; knowing what to expect allowed my nerves settled down. Before I knew it, we were called out of the water, 2 minutes before the first wave was to start, I was in the second, with 3 minutes between the two.

Swim

I'm not a very claustrophobic person, but swimming with that many people was definitely an experience. I lined myself up towards the back of the pack for the run into the water, not knowing what to expect from both myself or the field. I reached the first buoy at the same time as a lot of others... and we seemed to be stuck there for a few seconds. Finally navigating around it, heading to the second one, and WHAT! Green caps! I had caught up to a few remaining of the previous wave, huh! I went a little wider of the second buoy, and now had a bit of a push back to shore with the wind and waves. Finally I was able to stand, so I ran out of the water. What I thought to be the most difficult part of the race was done!

375m swim 10:06 min 2:42/100m 71/321 overall!!!

Bike

Transition times seem to be included in the bike and run portions, and not broken out. I know I have room for improvement on the transition, especially from swim to bike, but I really wanted to make sure I did everything right, including not touching my bike before my helmet was on, but wanted to put on my team jersey on first. Having rode the bike course last weekend, I knew exactly what to expect, and once again, was really thankful. I stayed in a low gear as I knew that once I got to the bike mount line, it would be a short distance until we turned a corner, and climbed our first hill. This is the first time I've ridden with so many other cyclists, and in any sort of race; I was cautious. I found myself passing quite a few riders, and what's that ahead, a guy on a unicycle! Yes, I'm serious! Once I reached the turn around point, I was a little more at ease and turned it up a notch, but still rode a lot slower than I did during our clinic rides. Nice long downhill just before the bike dismount, phew, ride was completed without incident!

10k bike 26:14min 22.9 kph 90/321 overall (including transition)

Run

This transition could have been faster if I didn't need to switch shoes from bike to run, but knowing it was a bit of a hilly course, I still chose to use my clipless pedals even if it was a try-a-tri distance. I do love the iBungee laces though, as I'm quite sure my fine motor skills at this point wouldn't have been to good for tying my laces. I was pleased that I remembered to take off my helmet, grabbed a bottle of water to take a drink, but forgot to put it down... i hate running with things in my hands, but what a waste to throw out an almost full bottle of water, which I may later need, so I just held onto it, until I finally saw someone from our group and threw it to him :) My legs didn't hurt, but my lungs did. I just couldn't get my breath, so even though it was only a 2.5k run, I stopped to walk for a few short seconds here and there just to try to get my breathing under control. I know I could have pushed a lot more on the run, but truth be told, I'm still scared. I have a history of needing injury recovery time after races... I took it really really easy (I haven't been training 'fast', so not gonna risk injury by testing it out today). Funny how running (and injuries) have eventually led me to this day, and is now my worst discipline.

2.5k run 17:27 min 6:59/km 220/321 overall (including transition)

A few of our Sprinters/spectators and Du-athletes were there cheering me on as I rounded the corner to the finish line, which of course provoked a smile for the race photographers. Out of all the races I've done, this is the first time I actually remembered to raise my arms crossing the line! I was done, I am now a triathlete!

Overall stats

53:46

115/321

10/60 AG!!!! Ya baby!! :D

I have such a newfound respect for multi-sport athletes, and triathlon! I LOVE IT!!! The bug bit hard.

i'm gonna tri!

When I started this journey, I could barely run from telephone pole to telephone pole, swimming from one end of the pool to the other winded me worse than running, and sitting on the saddle of my bike for more than 15 minutes made my bum numb... not to mention what it does to the other girlie parts. Let's see what I can do Sunday! :)

a compliment!

Remember Mr. P?

Tonight was our last run and group swim, we'll meet for an easy 19k spin on Saturday morning, then Sunday is race day. I was sitting on a concrete step between two benches waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, and Mr. P sat next to me. As he begins to lace his shoes with his newly purchased bungee laces for the triathlon the following conversation takes place...

Mr. P: So, ya ready for Sunday?

Me: As ready as I'll ever be.

Mr. P: well, at least you've already done a triathlon, you know what to expect, this is my first."

Me: Ummm. This is my first too.

Mr. P: Oh Sh!t. I thought you were a veteran, here to show us all what to do.

Me: Aww, thanks!?? I'll take that as a compliment, but where have you been the last 10 weeks?!

I can't wait for Sunday...

hate it or embrace it?

It's Tuesday, you know what that means! Group ride, and yep, thunderstorm and rain in this afternoon's forecast. Surprise, surprise. LOL

***********************

This post is a big of a brain dump, maybe a bit of a vent, and not an easy one to write -- will be hard to hit the publish button if I do. Here goes.

Yes, yes, I know it's just a number, and has little significance in the grand scheme of things. Health and happiness are more important, they are; I get it.

Being new to the world of triathlon, I certainly didn't expect this number to have an impact. Until this past weekend, I hadn't really given it much thought, but one of the other girls mentioned it, so it's been on my mind since.

150. This is the weight at which a woman is considered an "Athena" (generally 200lbs for a male to be considered a "Clydesdale"), which is to compete in heavier-weight divisions rather than just the typical age-groups by gender.

Yes, I am. By how much? I'm not telling. My genetics didn't give me my dad's tall slim build which my brother got, instead, I'm following the trend of most women in my family, shorter and pudgy (which has served as motivation to break the mold). I was a gymnast and figure skater as a child, I have thick muscular legs (which I appreciate a lot more now that I'm cycling), I've had a baby, I had a period of a few years where I couldn't be active for fear of my safety (I tried a low impact exercise dvd once when I had epilepsy, I fell backwards on a glass coffee table because I was having a seizure... it wasn't pretty), I've quit smoking, and yes, I have boobs (and curves). I suspect I also have enough fat stores to keep me sufficiently fueled for a while.... Of course I want to shed a few pounds, that's what got me running in the first place, but generally, I'm comfortable in my own skin. I am who I am. I think I'm a pretty average size, but can't help but feel a bit otherwise since I would be classed differently based on weight.

I'm probably quite a bit different in my way of thinking about competition than most of you. I'm happy to be out there, don't have any delusions of winning anything. Everything since surgery for me is bonus, which is probably why I tend not to be nervous before races. Excited, yes, nervous, no. I'm there to enjoy the moment, without the pressures of higher expectations. Having said that, I don't look at my reflection in the mirror thinking I can't train or race the same as someone below 150 pounds.

**All of this doesn't affect this weekend's race at all (I don't think....), because they don't appear to have the classification, but the next one I'm considering does.**

Should I decide to register for that event, do I acknowledge and label myself as a 'heavy-weight' and perhaps be in a smaller group who will likely still kick my a$$, or continue trying to pretend I'm one of the fit chicks? Am I wrong in my thinking? Is 150 pounds now what society considers overweight? geez.

A few interesting and exciting things have things possibly opened up for me, stay tuned!

where to begin...

I feel like so much has happened since the last time I posted! To save you all an hour or more of your precious lives, I'm going to bullet-point this post.

• Friday night we went to a CFL game. I wore my running shoes that have less than 40k. Blisters from walking around?! FAIL
• Saturday morning was our final clinic at the store with a Canadian Masters Cross-Country champion guest speaker, who gave us great tips for race day... Do's and Don'ts. Hope I manage to keep those straight lol
• Run. FAIL. Feet hurt, couldn't breath with the heat and humidity. Decided that I'm just not loving the shoes, must shoe shop post-run. Picked up these shoes, and some ibungee speed laces. Hope these will be "the" shoe, will be hitting the treadmill today to test them out. Looks like I now have shoes to donate to Fair Weather Runner's Shoe Drive for Africa :)
• Got the cycling jerseys that most of the group ordered at the beginning of the clinic, which one of the clinic instructors designed. SWEET! Can't wait to wear it race day!
• Triathlon training & fun neighbors (and maybe a drink or two or...) don't mix well. Went to sleep at 1:40am, alarm set for 5:50am. FAIL.
• Beach restrooms the day after a fair, or event. DISGUSTING. People are gross. FAIL.
• Open water swim, tough first two 400m lengths along the rope. Felt like I chest was constricted, breathing was difficult. Weird. Deep water swim around the buoys, with the black pool bottom, better.
• Post swim talk from the clinic instructors. This is it! 10 weeks of training was now complete, 1 week away from my first triathlon! Gulp!
• 3 of us brought our bikes to drive up to the race site to preview the Sprint Tri course, and make the best of the drive up. One girl hadn't yet decided on doing the race, since she's signed up for another next month already. She was so thankful we rode the course with her, and she's now registered :)
• 33k hilly ride done, dropped off our bikes, dipped into the Lake Couchiching, where we will be doing our swim next Sunday during the race.
• NEXT SUNDAY!?!
• My dad called me while I was driving home last night in 'cottage country' traffic. He'd gone out for a short run and couldn't wait to tell me!
• Since I was gone most of the weekend, I'm dreadfully behind on your posts. I will do playing catch up, but may just be lurking instead of commenting this week. I really need to do better getting to bed earlier, especially this week, and have a busy work week ahead.
• So while I still have a week before my actual triathlon and becoming a triathlete, it dawned on me that I may already be thinking like one. I had a few days off last week, so I made an appointment with my hairdresser, but worked it around my swimming schedule. Didn't want my fresh color/highlights dunked in chlorine right away ;) Ahhh, the things we do...

Have a great week!!

i've been unfaithful

There was a time when i thought i had it all. Laughs. Support. Happiness. Encouragement. Company. Challenge. Friendship. Goals. Even though all of these things remained unchanged, i started to have different feelings. I have nobody to blame; it was all me, nobody was at fault, really. Maybe just a change of heart? I had new desires. My wants were... just, so much more. It was all happening so fast!

I know honesty is the best policy, but the thought of coming clean gave me a lump in my throat, made me break a sweat, and feel like a nervous child. I wasn't even the one to eventually speak the words, someone else had to break the news for me.

I hope you won't think differently of me.

I joined a half marathon clinic in Nov 2007, and soon after sitting on a bench in the back of the store, I realized that I was a stranger in a group of 'already great friends'. She must have felt sorry for me sitting all alone; one lady turned and introduced her and a friend to me, and immediately included me in their conversation. Over the first few weeks, our clinic talks, then runs would spill over into a coffee shop nearby to continue on the conversation. We finished our half marathon goal race together, and while the clinic was over, continued running as a group, even doing a few more races together. Almost 2 years later, 9 of the girls and I will be in San Francisco, in a house, for a whole week, together! Can't wait!

The injury during my marathon had won, and brought out all these new feelings. I swam. I cycled. I did it, and loved it! And I needed more! I quietly began my search, something to help fill the void and help me satisfy my desires, my needs, and wants. I found the tri clinic, scheduled to start the very next day! How's that for jumping in with two feet! I signed up, but didn't anticipate the guilt. Oh no! What about them? What will I tell them? How will I explain this? I know I need to do what makes me happy, but I've never cheated before! I had butterflies in my stomach.

I arrived the next morning, and once again found myself to be a stranger among a group of people hugging each other after not seeing each other for so long... maybe when last year's triathlon season ended. Old friends. No problem, I've been the fifth wheel before. We're all here for the same thing; a common interest.

Then, a few weeks later, Jay and I went out for coffee with the 'old' group... a warm welcome as always, care and compassion asking how my injury was coming along, and how much longer until I'd rejoin them on a run. That's when the truth came out. Without a moments hesitation, Jay blurted it out, letting them know that I'd been unfaithful. I darted him with an evil eye and was scrambling to explain my side of the story! Could tell they were a little surprised, but they smiled and said they were happy for me. I believed them.

So far, I've been training with my newfound love -- the tri clinic. But I still get the emails from the old group about their routes, distances, etc, so when I saw that they'd be doing an easy 5k run on Wednesday night, I thought it was time to show them some love again. When I mentioned to one of the girls Tuesday night that I would not be there for the Tri group run the following night, but would join them later for the swim, she joked saying that I'd better have a good excuse... I later confessed in the pool that I had been back with the old group. She just nodded her head.

But now there's a chance that the two might meet! Yikes! lol It had been more than a month since I've run with the old group, so as we ran on Wednesday, there was a multitude of questions about the triathlon training, how I'm liking it, the disciplines, how I'm feeling post injury, how I'm enjoying the swimming and biking in addition to running... and yes, how are the people in 'the new group.' They were genuinely interested and excited for me when I mentioned I'd be doing my race next weekend, one even mentioned she'd come to cheer me on! Oh, what a tangled web I weave ;) haha

Seriously though, I've been so blessed to meet some amazing running people turned friends, and am lucky to have two groups of people that I know I will continue to training with. And, what's even more exciting is that some of my 'old running' group are actually considering getting into a pool, or on a bike, and may consider doing the tri clinic next year! :) I've read other blogs about some not so pleasant running group encounters; hope you don't let the negativity of one bad experience deter you if it's something you might be looking for :)

Glad you all had a chuckle about my Tuesday forecast post, I'll let you know if they're right... again. LOL

Click on the pic in the top left corner if you want to enter or here if you want to enter Mel's Nuun giveaway!

you think i'm making this up!!

my recent posts about Tuesdays have been a vent at Mother Nature for consistently dishing out rain for our group rides. Most times we've rode through it, one time it cancelled our ride all together. Check out the long-term forecast as of yesterday...

WTF? What kind of sick joke is this? lol

a book cover

I admit that I have, but never with ill-intention or malice. Have you ever looked at someone and been surprised that they are a runner, or a triathlete, or whatever? Has their outside appearance influenced what you thought they may be able to accomplish?

Since I've started running a few years ago, and recently training for triathlon, I've met some pretty incredible athletes - marathoners, Boston qualifiers, Ironmen, even an Olympic bob-sledder! But if they were standing in line behind you in a grocery store, would you know?

Drove in the rain (ugh) last night for our group ride, and once there, was introduced to an unfamiliar face. Roughly 55-60 year old lady, slight build, shy, timid body language. She was introduced as "Donna, recent half-Ironman finisher". My jaw just about dropped, eyebrows raised, eyes almost popped out of my head... but tried not to make it obvious.

Shame on me for being so surprised that she, based on what she looked like within the first few moments of meeting her, could possibly be fit or strong enough to accomplish such a feat.

I find this to be the ultimate in motivation though, meeting someone that you didn't think could, that did. Runners/cyclists/triathletes come in all shapes, sizes, ages. Amazing, really. I wouldn't be surprised if people, especially those I know and have known for years have made the same assumption about me!

Just proves that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover :)

Triathlon spectators report

Sunday was race day for a few in my group -- I chose not to do this one as it wasn't quite at the end of the clinic, and was only a Sprint Tri, no Try-a-Tri distance. Considering my challenges with returning from injury I didn't think it would be wise to participate, but wanted to cheer the others on, and see what I could learn from spectating.

I got there before the road closures and people were already milling about, getting their bikes ready, race kit pickup, body marked, transitions set up. The race was being held where I was the day before doing our open water swim and mock tri. Since I stayed at a friend's place nearby for the night, I still had my bike, my wetsuit, transition stuff, everything I'd need to participate; a part of me was getting caught up in the race atmosphere, and wished it wasn't sold out. In hindsight, I'm glad it was.

The Kids of Steel went off first. There's something so cute about the 4-9 year olds running through the shallow water rather than swim, their little legs spinning the pedals of their bike oblivious of gears, and coming into the finishing chute after their run. So amazing! Then it was time for the first wave of the Sprint tri, which was accompanied by rain - first a drizzle, then a pretty heavy downpour.

I positioned myself by the transition area so that I could get a good idea of how everything happens, and get my fill of 'bike-porn'. Wow, some of the bikes that these triathletes have are incredible!! One guy was leaving the transition area, running with his bike, his blood-stained shirt wrapped around his hand. Never heard what actually happened, but some of the race volunteers were scrambling to figure out how to get a medic's attention, as they weren't right there -- his transition time was getting long.

I'm a mom, have a purse which carries almost everything, and had band-aids! I reached across the fencing and handed the triathlete about 4 band-aids in case he'd need more since it was raining, and wasn't sure how long they would have stayed on. I hung out at this spot until I had seen all 6 triathletes from our group leave on the bike. It was at about this point that I was happy that today wasn't my race day. The roads were wet and slick...

I got back to the picnic table where I had been sitting watching the Kids race, under a tree. Seconds later, I heard screeching, sliding and a crash, right in front of me; now even happier it wasn't my race day. The guy who seemed to slide further had what looked to be a very expensive bike, nice kit, aerodynamic helmet. Someone had picked up his bike and was wheeling it off the course and he took off his helmet and threw it on the ground. Guess his race was done. :(

I went to the car, trying to get a little more shelter as the rain was coming down hard and the lightening was picking up. Figured sitting under the tallest tree there probably wasn't the wisest decision. ;) I was stuck in the parking lot for about another hour due to the road closure, so I had my fingers crossed for all the hard-core triathletes going on with their race despite the conditions... trying to picture myself in their place only 2 weeks away! Let's hope for better weather on Aug 23!!

I feel much better about my upcoming tri having watched one first, so different than a running only event. I'm so glad that this was part of our clinic, even if only myself and two other 'spectators' showed up.

Yesterday I went out for a very humid and disgusting 3k run, then in the evening, I hit the pool with Terron! I love the Monday night schedule at this pool because half of the pool is dedicated lane swim, while the other half with the diving board is rec swim, and he's passed the swim test to be able to play on his own. I did 2650 meters, and managed longer, continuous sets than ever before! I guess practice and time in the pool really do help! :D

Today is Tuesday... I had high hopes of finally get a group ride in tonight with a bit of sunshine rather than a downpour, but the forecast is showing rain... again, and yes, of course sunshine for the rest of the week! I'm starting to take this personally Mother Nature.