First OWS Tri- Diamond in the Rough

Diamond in the Rough Triathlon Sprint Triathlon~Reflections

If you have been reading my blog or know me personally then you know I love music. Music is medicine for me. It soothes me, comforts me and energizes me. It is my favorite wonder drug. With that said, my reflection of my triathlon shall have many musical references.

Get Up by Mary Mary

Layin' low, rest and pause
Sleeping long, slow motion
Gonna do, shoulda, coulda
Woulda done, excuses
What are you afraid of?
Don't you know what you're made of?
One of God's greatest creations
Take this invitation now
Get up, 'cause you can't stop
Get up, got a lot to do
24 hours, almost gone
Get up, don't sit back
Get up, if you wanna get there
Clocks don't stop and time won't wait

I put this song on as I traveled to Perryville State Park where Diamond In The Rough Triathlon was held today. This is a song I have listen to for the past 2 yrs whenever I had doubts about swimming.  I sang along. It made me feel better instantly. I remember listening to the words during a 2250m swim workout last week on my underwater iPod and thought, "If not now, when are you going give yourself permission to accept success NOT failure, but success. You can do this. So, get up and do it. When I got to the swim, I felt great..... Until..

Swim

Debbie Doubt and her buddy, Annie Anxiety showed up when I saw the buoy far in the distance. I thought to myself, "Oh my, this looks far."  Then I thought of a song from the Lion King, "He lives in you."

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Night and the spirit of life calling
Oh, oh, iyo, mamela
And the voice with the fear of a child answers
Iyo iyo, mamela
Wait, there's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
Oh, oh, iyo
Have faith

I found peace. I walked the plank, got in the water and swam for 16 minutes and the swim was over.

This was huge for me since it was my first open water triathlon. I was relieved.

I said, now get going.

Bike

Ride like the wind- Christopher Cross

It is the night, my body's weak
I'm on the run, no time for sleep
I've got to ride, ride like the wind
To be free again

I was one of the last swimmers to depart the water. I knew that.  So, I decided I would
Give my very best on the bike and run.

I exited transition in the back of the pack. As I approached the bike course, I cycled a little cautiously. The race director stated that the course was quite difficult and to cycle with caution.  He was correct. The course had lots of turns and many climbs. I concentrated on each curve and picked up my cadence. Slowly, I saw participants who exited the water minutes ahead of me. As we went up hill, I rode by them one at a time. Each time I did I gained a little more confidence. As I approached the turn around, I was able to swiftly pass folks on a long hill and decided to go as fast as I could with all the hills. I managed to clock 25 mph. My planned finish was 25 minutes. I finished in 34 minutes. I was ok with that because the climbs were challenging. I was pleased. Besides, I new my favorite part of Tri was coming up- the run.

Run
No Limits by Martha Miinuzzi

You've been pressing pushing just to get through
You've been praying believing for something new
Your time is now for breakthrough

You've been hoping believing for a rebound
You've been waiting until your season comes around
Your time is now for breakthrough

It's my time to dream
The impossible I can do anything
There's no limits at all


Some people dread the run. I love it. It makes me happy. After years of marathon and half-marathons, I just accept that I am a runner at heart.

Run completed in 19 min at 7:55 min/ pace.  I ran with my heart. I sang the words to the song over and over.  I kept telling myself there are no limits. You are doing this right here, right now.
I smiled as I passed participants. I approached the finish knowing that I did my very best and I can walk away proud of my effort.

I can finally say, I can swim. I can bike. I can run. Today for the for time I felt like I can say, Stacy, you are a triathlete with a little smile.

How apropros that I chose the participate Diamond In the Rough as my first OWS Tri. I still have a lot to learn.

BTW-- I came in 4th in my age group 45-49 yrs F. Shocked and pleased.

The journey continues.