OMG~I can still trying to get my mind around today’s
events. What a wonderful
experience and journey it has been. Coffee in hand….
Gratitude
There are so many people to thank; that I could spend all
day writing “Thank you” The physical and virtual support has been amazing by
family and friends as well as complete strangers.
I want to start with special Thank you” to a few
people. Dave Miller, Lisa Steptoe,
Rebecca Williams for sharing all things triathlon with me and being my Iron
guru, bike guru and swim angel respectfully. I learned more from you 3 in the past few months through
example and “talking me of the ledge” than you will ever know. I say “Thank you.”
To my coaches, I say “Thank you.” Yes, it takes a village to make a triathlete and to each one
of you who literally made me get in the pool I say “ Thank you.” Steve Howard at Frederick Sport and
Health is the kindest, most patient coach I could have ever met and through his
patience; I learned. Doug Saar is
an amazing swim instructor and if you ever want a good butt kicking…Go to
Doug!!!!! He will give you the
butt kick and some, but you will learn.
I say “Thank you.”
To others~The 70 yrs old ladies who I have been swimming
with at the pool who gave me hugs on Friday. I don’t know their names, but they constantly remind me that
in December when I started lessons; they would watch me sit on the side of pool
and never get in and now they say…”Look at you..you are faster than me.” I say “Thank you.”
To the virtual supporters~To everyone on Facebook on Sole
Sister Tri, Frederick Triathlon, Frederick Steeplechasers, Mile1 to mile (swim
FB page); Live Now, Tri Now and TriUnify, Robert Clearance especially… I say
“Thank you.”
Recap
If you are looking for splits, times, cadence, finish
pace…Don’t read this section. I am
focusing on the experience and did not wear my watch because I focused on
completion and competition.
Swim~Yes, the swim is the difference between me being just a
marathon runner and triathlete..
Panic is real even in a 4ft pool when you surrounded by others. I have swum 300 m before, but when the
water hit my face, I just was in shock and had to gather myself after the first
25m. I swam WAYYYY to fast at
first then I did backstroke and started to get it together. I could see my other swimmers just “getting
it done” by any means necessary so after 100m, I alternated back and freestyle
and before I knew it I had 200 m done.
Then I heard people literally shouting..”Stacy, go you got it.” I just could not believe I was almost
done. It wasn’t until I flipped
over and saw my dear Dave Miller telling me…”Stacy, you are done.” I just cried and said “ Yippee. He was so kind and gave me the biggest
hug. For me, that is where the
triathlon was over. I did not have
to worry about anything else so I just hit the bike and had fun. Yes….I was the last person out the
pool…But…..The bike cometh..
Bike
Thanks to Rebecca Williams, I learned how mash up the bike. After I found my glasses and got on the
bike, I just smiled and literally mashed the pedals so hard that I was riding
20 mph before I knew it. I caught
up to all those people and passed people who had beat me out of the pool 20 min
before. I definitely need new pedals
and better bike fit, but I rode my heart out and passed people on hills who
were walking the bike. It was hot
and the second part of the course was hard!!!!! Let’s say…Uphill, …. I just kept saying.. ”Keep pushing with mind and heart.”
Run
I got off the bike and got to my sneakers. I could hear people say..”Go
#513!” This is where mind and body
connected and positive self talk is required when physical exertion starts to
overcome one. I thought…”It is hot
now; you are on the run and put your head down and stay loose.” I was getting stiffer and stiffer as
the run began because it was hilly, then I started loosing up and when I looked
up I saw people who were way in front of me who were just making back on the
run. I knew that I was gonna make
it. Volunteers at the last water stop
were awesome with kind words and this gentlemen ..Big Grizzly Guy said…” You go
girl.” He provided a high five. I saw people who were just starting the
run as I turned to finish up who beat me out the pool and one lady said “ You
are amazing!” I smiled and provide kind words as they started their run/walk on
the final 5K
Finish
I could not believe when I saw the finish line. I just kept thinking, “ I must be
dreaming.’ I guess I was..
Dreaming in living color. I got a
burst of energy and just could not believe that I swam the entire way, biked
the entire course and ran NO
walking the entire course….Not fast, not perfectly…It is done.
Reflections
When you think you can’t pull another stroke, pedal or run;
use mind and heart to get you through.
Endurance sports is something, I LOVE. It is not about the fastest person. It
is about the ability to endure discomfort, doubt and difficult circumstances. Most people spend so much time training
their bodies, that they don’t spend nearly enough time training their minds to
endure. Mental rehearsal is probably,
in my opinion, more important than physical preparation. I spent so much time during this event
saying..This is NOT a race, it is only practice in public. Enjoy yourself.” I did. When I was getting tired, I said..”All is well.” Yes, all was well. Was I hot? Yes! Did I have
terrible menstrual cramps? Yes!
But I was determined to make myself get through this ….
Why?
Well, this is has to do with my two dear schoolmates and
neighbors, Barry and Dewey Turner who died June 28, 1980. I will never forget this day as long as
I lived. They attended St.
Athanasius School in Philadelphia with me. They drowned!
See article http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19800728&id=AvUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6aAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5860,4336854
This Tri is dedicated to them. After their death, I became especially fearful of the
water. What did I learn? Let fear be your motivator. Let it drive you to determination not doubt. No matter how old you are; you can use that fear to propel you to learn to do something you thought you
may never do. In my case it was
swimming.
~Relax
~Practice the swim.
More freestyle and learn breaststroke. I relied too much on backstroke
and this was NOT good for sighting.
~More strength training. I did less of this because I was so worried about the swim
~Learn how to feel more comfy in deep water. I will continue swim lessons. I have to conquer this fear. I am not comfortable in deeper water,
but I can and will learn how to tread water and do 300 meter again with better endurance and confidence.
Yes!!!!
~I will do another Triathlon~just in case you were
wondering!!!!
Closing
~Find the beauty in all experiences
~Nike got it right!!!! Experiences are about doing. You don’t
have to be perfect, but the only way to learn is to do stuff.
~Celebrate your victory. No matter if you walked a block or
10,000 steps. Have the courage to
START
~The only difference between one person and another is three
words…”Yes, I can!”
Misc
~Best sports equipment for me was Zoot Tri shorts and Pearl
Izumi Tri top.
~PowerAde worked
~Speedo swim cap
Congratulations to a fellow Philly girl on completing your first triathlon! I completed my first tri this spring, too. It's a great accomplishment and you should be so proud!
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