Door County Triathlon July 17th, 2010

Today I did the Door County Triathlon. What an experience!! One of the toughest things I have ever done in my life.

My morning started at 4 and I woke up sick...yep...sick!! My whole body ached...felt like I was run over by a truck....I had the runs and felt like I was going to yack. I did my best to get ready to go, loaded my bike and gear and we were off. I had some Gatorade to try and settle my stomach..it wasn't helping. We finally got to the site and unloaded everything and headed to registration to pick up my stuff. Feeling just terrible I made several trips to the porta potties..we became best friends..not a good thing.

I got my body markings, picked up my chip and headed to transition to set up my area. I was looking for my area and had to head back the other way..I was on the short racks in what some of us were fondly calling the "geriatric" section...all of the over 40 people. LOL The lady across from me started racking her bike and we chatted for a while and she told me she did the Half Iron Man last year..I was in awe..absolute awe!! She told me how doable it is and you just need to follow the training for it. Hmmmmm....maybe some day. We talked some more and exchanged names and wished each other luck. I headed off to the beach and Michael checked in to hand out medals and I met the person he was working for and then I headed to the bathroom again.....and again...and again. I forced myself to down a banana and a Power Bar..I need to have something in my belly.

I stood on the side and was looking out at the water and I started to get so scared out of my mind. It was rough...way rougher than anything I have ever swam in. I actually started to cry a little I was so scared. Michael walked over and gave me a hug and told me not to worry about it. Yeah right...I am heading into nastiness at its finest. They started the early waves and I had a bit to wait as I was in wave 18..the 2nd to last of the 20 waves. Talk about adding to the nerves. I just wanted to get in that water and go and be done with it.

So wave 18 was called to line up and we waited for 17 to go and then we headed out to the start gate to wait some more. Then the horn sounded and there was no turning back. I waded out a bit and then just dove in. I had such a hard time with the waves. You couldn't predict them at all..you would thing you would be in a clear and crash over the top of you. All I kept my eyes on was the big yellow buoy when I would turn and head to shore. They had tons of life guards out there..floating in the water with rescue floats and on kayaks. They were yelling to come to the buoy then you can turn..to float on your back..to yell if you need help. People yelled for help and they were there in a second. I saw people hanging on to kayaks for dear life..hanging onto floats too..it was scary. I kept going...I did my best to swim but with the waves it was a complete struggle. I had a lifeguard ask me if I needed help a one point...I was fine just sucked in some water. They kept yelling that once we got to the last buoy we would be able to touch bottom again. I went as hard as I could to that last buoy and put my feet down. I walked in a bit and turned around and got all emotional. I was so proud that I fought my way through that swim..I did it.

I headed up the ramp..pulling off my wet suit and they had wet suit strippers but I was able to get out of mine OK. I was breathing so heavily it scared the crap out of me. I walked through transition to my bike...I had a hard time getting my socks and shoes on...pulled my bike down...got my helmet and sunglasses on and headed to the mount area...very slowly. I was coughing hard, breathing hard and feeling like crap. I grabbed a bottle of Gatorade and hopped on my bike. It was windy on the bike. It took me about three miles to stop coughing so hard I wanted to puke and to catch my breath. My body was so tired..I could feel my legs..they felt like lead. I just kept pushing the pedals around and around. I would pass people..they would pass me. I started getting cramps in my calves. I had to stand on the bike and stretch them out several times. It sucked. I tried really hard to get a GU down and some Gatorade. I could not drink...it would not o down. I got to the half way point and grabbed a fresh bottle of Gatorade to see if a chilled bottle would make a difference. I was able to get a couple of swallows down and that was it..no more. I knew this wasn't good and not helping me but my body would not take it. I just kept counting the miles down to transition...looking ahead. Kept getting cramps in my calves..kept stretching them.

Finally back to transition...dismount my bike and head to my spot..very slowly...I was feeling so bad at this point. I racked my bike, took my helmet off, changed my shoes and headed out. It would have been nice if the people that were done wouldn't have hung out in transition. In everybody's way that was still competing. Pissed me off and I sad so. Don't mess with me when I feel sick. Needless to say...they moved!! I grabbed a glass of water on my way out and a GU packet and off I went...walking...slowly. I was so upset. I could not run..every single time I tried I felt like throwing up. It sucked. I was mad at myself. I just kept pushing. I finally got to a point I could run for a minute..better than nothing but no more than that...my body was not happy. The run was so hot...no shade at all and the wind was dying...yeah...I really wanted a breeze..badly. I was feeling overheated and just plain exhausted and just wanted to be done. I reached the water station and grabbed some water and a couple cold towels and kept pushing myself. I was relieved to hit the half way point and turn around..I knew I only had just over another 1 1/2 miles to the finish line. I grabbed another cold towel or two at the water station and kept pushing myself. I saw the 3 mile marker and new I was almost done..almost to Michael. I hit the finishers chute and didn't care if I puked a that point I ran as hard as my body let me that last 10th of a mile. The picture Michael took shows me airborne. I crossed the finish line and collapsed in his arms. I was sobbing and hanging on for dear life. I felt like I was going to fall down. He was trying to put the medal around my neck...I finally looked up and he gave me a huge kiss. I was so excited to be done. I told him that was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life.

I found out just how tough I really am today. I had to dig down really deep to finish that race. I was so upset with myself at the end. I sat on a rock and cried my eyes out. I told Michael I was so disappointed in my finish...questioning why I had to get sick...why couldn't I have felt like I felt the previous weekend when I had a great swim, bike and run. I was really upset. He just gave me a hug, let me cry and then told me to hold me head high...I finished and there were some that didn't. Some had to be pulled from the water.

I am proud of myself..I really am..for finishing when all I wanted to do was lay down and die by my dish. I cannot remember the last time I felt so terrible. I ate so good all week and took really good care of myself and it really sucks I had to get sick. But it is done and over and I am so beyond proud of that medal. I worked my ass off for it..didn't get the finish I wanted..but I finished and that is the important part.

After I was done I looked out at the water and it was calm..I started to laugh. Sure it gets calm now after everyone is done!! I sat for a while and then decided to try and eat something. They had pulled pork sandwiches and corn on the cob. I got a sandwich and an ear of corn and sat down with Michael to try and eat. I could only get a 1/4 of the sandwich down but the corn went down fine. That tasted good so Michael ate the rest of my sandwich and I headed to transition to gather my stuff up.

On the drive home we stopped at the Frosty Tip for ice cream. Yeah...I licked the crunch off of it and was done. Couldn't eat it..oh well..I saved a ton of calories.

So I didn't break any records and I ran my slowest 5k ever but I am so proud to have done it...can't wait to o it again next year!!

No laughing at my times now!!!

swim 13:06.8
trans 1 02:19
bike 01:06:38.3
trans 2 01:54
run 46:08.4

My next event to tackle!!

The Door County Triathlon will be my next event!! I am so excited about this one and can't wait to give it a go. It will be my first open water swim and that makes me a little nervous so I need to get some practice in before then. The event is July 17th at 8am in Egg Harbour!!

1/4 mile swim

16 mile bike

5k run

A completely doable distance for me..same as my last triathlon. The only thing different will be the open water swim. My last tri was in a man made lake this will be in the Bay and it can get quite rough. Good thing I bought a wet suit to help with flotation!!

So my training has begun and I sucked it up and bought a swim suit and will hit the pool to practice my swimming. I already have the running and biking down just need to work on those Bricks!!

11

Meeting Kristin Steede

I was so excited when I found out that Kristin and her Mom Cathy were going to be at the Expo for the Bellin Run!! I was so hoping to get the chance to meet her and share with her what an inspiration she was to me!! With Michael in the hospital I wasn't sure that was going to happen for me but I kept telling myself I would meet her some day.

So I walked around the expo with the girls and saw the sign on the booth she was going to be at and I walked over and asked when she would be there and wasn't sure if I would be able to hang around and wait. So we walked around some more and while walking around I made my mind up and signed up for my 2nd half marathon. As I was filling out the paperwork, I saw her!!! She was in the booth with her Mom!! I hurried filling out my paperwork and practically ran over there to meet her.

I walked up and said hi and she smiled that beautiful smile and we chatted, I told her what an inspiration she was for me and how I was so thrilled she was from the area and I had the chance to meet her. I went on to tell her how I had lost 100 pounds and did my first half marathon and my first triathlon and she was so excited for me too!! I asked if I could give her a hug and get my picture taken with her. So around the table she came and I gave her a hug and told her how beautiful she looked pregnant. We had our picture taken and she went on to tell me how much she loves hearing the success stories of people just like me and how they inspire and motivate her too.

She went on to tell me she was training to do the High Cliff Tri when she became pregnant and knew she wouldn't be able to do it. How she is now on bed rest and that it is going to drive her crazy to not be able to be as active as she wants. We went on to talk about how different our lives are now and how we live for the next challenges to keep us going.

As we were talking her Mom, Cathy came over and we chatted a bit and she was running the Bellin too!!! I told them both how great it was to finally meet them and walked away a very excited lady!! She is the sweetest girl!!

The Bellin Run...done

Life certainly has been interesting around here. Last Thursday my Husband, Michael was admitted to the hospital. He is an epileptic and was having more than normal seizure activity and it was scaring the both of us. So his neurologist said they should admit him and try a new medication. UGH!!

It was so hard to see him all hooked up to the EEG equipment, wires everywhere and his head all bandaged up. Such a scary site for me. They started him on an IV of his new drug Kepra and away we went to see if it would work. I ran home to pick up some things for him and to get Maddy so she could see Daddy was OK. We went and had dinner with him and he was joking with the nurses. SO typical of him to keep his spirits up.

Maddy and I headed home and I tried to sleep but it wasn't easy without him next to me. I called him the next morning and found out he had chest pains the night before and now he was being monitored for that. I believed deep down it was caused by anxiety but you never know. So Maddy, my Niece Gabby and I headed back up to see him. He loved seeing the girls and they got to watch him get an echo cardiogram..they were enthralled watching the whole thing. The Dr came in later and told is his heart is fine and it must be anxiety. Whew!! What a relief.

So, we were supposed to run the Belling on Saturday together and he was not going to be getting out of the hospital so I had to decide if I still wanted to run it. Well...I decided I would run it for the both of us. I headed to the expo Friday afternoon to pick up our bibs, tshirts and other things. I was so excited I got to meet Kristin Steede from the Biggest Loser. I told her my whole story and she went on to tell me how much she loves it when people share their stories with her, how it keeps her motivated and inspired herself. She is so sweet and an absolutely beautiful 8 months pregnant gal!!

While I was at the expo I walked past the Fox Cities Marathon booth and they were offering $10 off of the entry fee if you signed up that day. I thought about it long and hard and then Maddy and Gabby told me I had to do it so I went back and signed up for my second half marathon!!! I am going to do that craziness again!! It is September 19th and the thing that worries me the most is training in the heat and humidity of Summer. I will be getting up with the sunshine to get out while it is cool!! So the training has begun for another half marathon for me!!

So I headed back to the hospital and brought Michael his t shirt and he kept telling the nurses he was going to sneak out and run with mw. Little devil I married. I kissed him goodnight and he wished me luck for the morning and off I went home to get ready for the next day!!

I decided I would wear his bib on my back and the kids and I made up a priceless slogan for it.

Paid $17 entry fee

End up in the hospital

Wife is running for me

Priceless!!

Perfect!! I pinned it to the back of my shirt and put his timing chip on my shoe, got the rest of my stuff ready and headed to bed.

I was up early to get some stretching in and the phone rang. It was Michael and I could tell he was down but he wished me luck and told me he loved me and off I went to my Mom's house to park the car and get to the run.

This run is in the top 5 for 10ks in the nation..over 18,000 people signed up..a new record for them. I got to the park and found my wave area and waited. I ended up finding Dana, a friend I made through FaceBook when she asked to follow my half marathon training. I was happy to have her to talk to, she took my mind off of the fact that my husband was in the hospital and I was by myself at a race for the first time ever.

So I waited for my turn to go and I could feel it was not going to be a good run for me. I was emotionally and physically exhausted, my legs felt like lead. But, I was there and I was going to finish for my husband!! The came and got our wave and I was off to the starting area. I had tears in my eyes thinking about Michael not being there to do this and I was off and running. I kept to my intervals and was struggling a bit but just kept on going. Before I knew it I was half way and I had just done a 5k in under 40 minutes for the first time in my life. I was amazed that I was doing so well..for me.

Between mile 4 and 5 proved to be difficult and I really had to push myself onward plus deal with the kiddos that would dart from one side to the other to get to the next sprinkler or water station. I almost took a few out but I am just happy to see them out there running and having fun. So I it mile 5 and know I am almost done and I become emotional thinking about Michael and how this will be the very first time he won't be at he finish line for me. I will be alone..well..me and 18,000 other people!! I just keep going and I am tiring..I can feel my legs getting heavier, I can feel my breathing getting harder but I just keep going.

I round the corner onto Webster and the finish line is in my sights!! I kick in the after burners and head for the finish line. Done!! I did it..I did another 10k. I started to cry..I missed my husband...I wanted to hug him and I couldn't. I headed down the road farther and got some water, saw Christian and got a hug and congratulated him and his team and then called Michael and told him I was done and that I missed him. He congratulated me and I could tell he was down.

I headed to the park and ate a banana and a granola bar, got my race results, finally went to the bathroom and then headed back to my Mom's house to get my car and head back to the hospital. I visited with Michael for a bit and then I needed to head home to get ready for Maddy's birthday party the next day. I had so much to do it was crazy. I had to do the cake and all of that fun stuff and get dinner ready and haul up tables and chairs. I was exhausted. I was losing hope that he would be coming home to celebrate with us too.

I headed back up and I could tell he was down and worried he was going to miss her party. I told him his health was more important and Maddy would understand. So I headed my very tired body home and tried to hit the hay. No sleeping again!! The phone rang in the morning and it was him!! He was coming home!!! I ran and picked him up just a couple of hours before the party!! It was so good to have my husband home and we had such a wonderful birthday party!!

Plus..it turns out I had a pretty good run..for me!! I knocked off over 5 minutes from my time last year!! I finished in 1:20!!! Last year it took me over 1:25!! I am amazed I did so well considering how crappy I felt!! Sp proud of myself. Plus I beat my hubby for the first and the last time in my life!! :-)

Wow!!! Just wow!!! My first triathlon experience was amazing!! It poured last night and I was worried it would carry into today and that didn't thrill me since I have never ridden my bike in the rain. Thankfully the rain stopped and we only had some mild sprinkles before we started.

I started my day at just after 4am with some breakfast, rolling and stretching, did a last gear check, woke my husband up, loaded the bike on the car and packed everything up. Out the door we went until I remembered I had forgotten to fill my water bottles for my bike. Woops!! Back in the house I went, filled one with water and one with Gatorade and out the door we went. I couldn't believe how calm I was..I really wasn't nervous at all. This surprised me considering the lack of training I had for a triathlon. I had zero swimming prep, got on my bike several times since the half and only ran a handful of times since the half 3 weeks ago. I should have been nervous and I just wasn't.

Michael and I unloaded my bike and gear and I was off to set my bike up in transition. I had no idea what I was doing and started by hanging my bike by the seat but the front tire barely touched the ground and my back tire went way into the opposite side of the racks transition area. So, I turned it around and hung it by the handle bars. Worked like a charm. Set my helmet and sunglasses on the aero bars and set up my bike and run gear on a towel next to my bike. Felt good to have that done. I grabbed my bib and Michael and I headed off so I could get my body markings and my timing chip. I wasn't rushed at all by being there so early and I think that really helped to keep me calm.

I headed back to transition and walked through the area to get in my head where I was going to go for each transition. I was set with what I was going to do. I headed for one last potty and then back to my bike. I talked with people around me and one Dad was doing a triathlon with his son and it was his son's first one while Dad has done 3 Iron Mans!!! I was in awe watching him. I cannot imagine doing that even once and he has done 3!! So impressive. He was really helpful too!! The area was really filling up and getting crowded. I talked to people around me and met other newbies and people that have done many tris.

So they corralled us out of the transition area and into the lake area and we were getting ready to go. A fellow triathlete sang the National Anthem and then it was time to start. I had a wait of over 25 minutes before I got into the water, I was in wave 14...a long way back!! So it was finally our turn and off we went..running in the shallow water for a while and then time to swim. It was chaos in the water, people splashing all over, going in the wrong direction..it was crazy. I saw one lady that had to get help from the lifeguard to get to the ladder. She was choking and coughing and hanging on for her life. Scared the crap out of me. Once I got around the dock I knew I was half way. I did a lot of side stroking..I need to get goggles before the next tri.

Out of the water I went and I was running to transition to get my bike..it was absolute chaos in the transition area. Craziness!! I get to my bike, get my socks and shoes on, throw a shirt on, helmet and sunglasses and off I go. Run to the mounting area, get on my bike and go. It was a great ride and as I passed more riders who started ahead of me I started to feel more confident. I didn't want to push to hard as I knew I still had to run a 5k but my adrenaline sure was pumping and telling me to go. I seemed like such a quick ride, before I knew it I was heading back into transition to get ready to run.

Re-rack my bike, get my shoes on, peel off the wet shirt, remove my helmet, grab my interval timer and off I go. I look down and realize I dropped my race belt with my bib and have to go back. Duh!! Grab my belt and I am off again!! My legs felt so strange..almost like they weren't with my body. I kept plugging along putting one foot in front of the other and just concentrating on the run. I got to mile 1.25-2 miles and I was dealing with a dreaded side stitch..it did not want to go away. I had to walk it out. Finally I was able to run again. I got near the park entrance and I knew the finish line was just around the corner and I would be completing my first triathlon in just mere moments. I was so excited!!

I rounded the corner and headed up the hill to the finish line, heard my name, crossed the finish line and I can now call myself a triathlete!! What an amazing accomplishment for me. I am looking for another one to do too!! I think I found a sport I can fall in love with!! It was a challenge but a really fun and exciting challenge!! I DID IT!!

<------That girl...right there on the left used to weigh over 300 pounds and loved to sit in the house, on the couch and and watch other people live their lives on TV. I had TV shows every night of the week that I watched..sometimes I had to tape some and watch them after the one I was currently watching was over. Pretty sad the amount of hours of my life I wasted on the TV watching reality shows and who knows what else.

I have lost 100 pounds and am not going back to being that morbidly obese unhappy woman. I am loving the new me that is trying new things that I never thought I would do in my lifetime. Life is so much better now that it ever has been.

I was the girl in high school that dreaded the mile for the fitness assessment. I cringed when I knew that was coming up. I hated running, wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. Hand me a chocolate bar and a bag of chips instead is what I used to say.

I started to run with the Couch to 5k program just to see if I could do it. 30 seconds seemed impossible for me but I stuck with it and a year ago I did my first 5k. I loved the feeling of crossing that finish line and knowing I had accomplished what I thought was impossible. It wasn't..I did it..I proved I could. I went on to run several other 5ks that summer, a 10 k and then after rehabbing a stress fracture I did a 5 mile Turkey Trot with my son. I was enjoying running..a lot.

So a week before Christmas I was on the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon site and thought why not try a half marathon. I sat at my computer terrified to press the submit button. Who did I think I was to think I could accomplish such a goal. Was I crazy?? Yes..I guess I was..I hit the submit button and was committed to at least to try and do a half marathon!! 13.1 miles!! OMG!! I printed off the training plan and received wonderful support from the gym I belong to and I was off.

I joined the Saturday morning training runs and went for it. I struggled at times and wanted to quit..it was hard and it sucked sometimes but it was fun more than it sucked!! I remember the first time I went into the double digits. I cried when I did it. Here was this 43 year old woman running double digits for the first time in her life. I was so proud of myself. I took a picture of my Garmin and put it on Facebook!! I was so proud.

I continued with my training, struggling and rejoicing..pushing through the rough spots and reveling in the good stuff. I asked for lots of advice and people took me under their wings. I am so fortunate to have had such an amazing support system. So many people helped me through the training. Telling me to take it easy when my shins hurt..to keep my eyes on the big prize.

The day came and that morning as I was stretching I was so emotional..I looked back to all of the miles I had logged, all of the sweat, the times I wanted to quit, the times I was so proud of myself..everything that I poured into this one day. This one event of 13.1 miles and couldn't believe it was here already.

The race was amazing!! Other than the birth of my two wonderful children I cannot think of anything that can top the feeling I had when I crossed the finish line. I was emotionally wrecked when I saw that finish line. I was a sobbing mess. I was so proud of myself.

Those 13.1 miles proved a lot to me. I changed when I crossed that finish line...I understood everything I have accomplished. I understood why losing 100 pounds and running a half marathon was amazing to people. I got it for the first time. I grasped it in my hands when I held that beautiful medal!! I let go of the old me and really embraced the new me for the first time in my life.

So now I am preparing for my very first triathlon this coming Sunday!! I am beyond excited to try something new. I will admit I am not as prepared as I would like to be but my goal is to finish this first one and go from there!!

I needed something to wear and lucked into a trisuit at TJ Maxx for $20 on a clearance rack!! What a deal. I call it my sausage suit as it fits like a glove and shows every single lump I still need to get rid of!! My husband loves it though...Men!!! For $20 this girl isn't going to complain though. If I enjoy this tri as much as I think I am going to I will get some other gear down the road. But this is good for now.

So we will see how my first tri goes!! Never would have thought I would ever in my lifetime be doing a triathlon. :-)