Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 Not sure about and trail but if that's one of those rails to trails then you can just go by yourselves. We usually go South, not North for our journeys. Sue Re: Tory's Triathlon Report > > > > > > > > > > > > Tory, I don't think ANY type of participation in an > > athletic event > > > > can EVER be " pathetic " . Why pathetic? Because Lance Armstrong > > > > you're > > > > not? I came > > > > in last of my age group, in a master's swimming meet a few years > > > > ago. But even coming in last is NOT pathetic. Because it's not > > > > really last in the country, it's just last among those > > who competed > > > > and FAR AHEAD of the millions who did not compete. > > > > > > > > The results of my meet are still up on the net: look in women, > > > > 50-54: Sue Widemark > > > > > > > > http://www.usms.org/longdist/ldnats99/1hrresultswomen.shtml > > > > > > > > Anyone who can do any type of athletic event should be > > totally proud > > > > of themselves. There IS NO NEGATIVE about this. JMO. > > > > > > > > Sue > > > > > > > > PS: I can swim and I can bike but I surely cannot run > > unless it's on > > > > the elliptical cross trainer - hanging around with my > > male companion > > > > too much... you know Arthur Itis? *LOL* > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > From: Tory Klementsen > > > > > Well...it was 2/3 great and 1/3 sucky, horrible, > > pathetic. But I > > > > > choose > > > > to > > > > > concentrate on the great. > > > > > > > > > > The weekend started out as a comedy of errors. First we > > > > had to work on > > > > > Saturday. Whoever thought a great day to make up a strike > > > > day would be a > > > > > Saturday in July needs to be boiled in butter. So we > > left about > > > > > 4 p.m. I > > > > had > > > > > made reservations at a campsite near Wenatchee, which is near > > > > > Chelan. > > > > Okay, > > > > > I *thought* I had made reservations in a campsite near > > > > > Wenatchee. Well > > > > it > > > > > turned out to be about an hour NORTH of Wenatchee, > > which is 45 > > > > > minutes > > > > South > > > > > of Chelan, which does not make the campsite closer > > > > because there is > > > > > only > > > > one > > > > > way into Chelan and that's to go through Wenatchee > > and come back > > > > > around. > > > > So > > > > > we're looking at the dierctions and realizing " Okay, this > > > > isn't going to > > > > > work. " No hotels, of course, it's a resort area. We > > decided to > > > > > go ahead > > > > and > > > > > go out to the site and register, pick up my number, > > and check it > > > > > out. I > > > > was > > > > > hoping that I'd have time to do a short run, short bike, > > > > and swim. In > > > > > retrospect I should have just done the swim, bad move. > > > > > > > > > > We headed back towards Wenatchee and fortunately found a > > > > > campsite along > > > > the > > > > > Entiat River, that was gorgeous. Roy set up the tent. I > > > > did a short > > > > > ride > > > > and > > > > > then a short run just to get some exercise in, make sure > > > > the bike was > > > > > being-haved (aka behaving), and unwind. Slept pretty > > well last > > > > > night. > > > > > > > > > > Got up early this morning and headed to Chelan. We found a > > > > > restaurant > > > > that > > > > > was open early and served oatmeal so I downed about > > half a bowl > > > > > of > > > > oatmeal, > > > > > some mint tea, and part of a buttermilk biscuit. Had > > to feed the > > > > > bats in > > > > my > > > > > stomach! I'm sure our waitress thought we were insane > > as we ate > > > > > in > > > > literally > > > > > 10 minutes. I was just really anxious. > > > > > > > > > > Got to the Lakeside Park in Chelan and racked my bike in > > > > the transition > > > > > area. I set out my gear in two piles; one for the bike, > > > > one for the > > > > > run. > > > > I > > > > > included one special item in my run pile, a medal I had > > > > for Roy. I > > > > > went > > > > and > > > > > got body-marked, number 515. Again, I had plenty of time > > > > to get in > > > > > the > > > > water > > > > > and I should have, but I didn't. I had swam 3x the > > tri length on > > > > Thursday > > > > > and had done two open water swims with my wetsuit > > this week, so > > > > > I was > > > > pretty > > > > > confident. > > > > > > > > > > I wasn't planning on swimming in the wetsuit but someone > > > > told me the > > > > water > > > > > was cold, so I figured I'd better do it. Bad move. I > > pulled on > > > > > my > > > > wetsuit, > > > > > got into the starting area, and waited towards the back. > > > > I am not a > > > > > confident swimmer, although I am much better than I > > used to be. > > > > > I knew > > > > that > > > > > the start would be crazy and I'd be best to stay at > > the back. So > > > > > I > > > > entered > > > > > the water with the rest of the back of the packers, dove > > > > in, swam about > > > > > three strokse, and went into full out panic attack > > mode! It was > > > > horrible! I > > > > > couldn't breathe. I felt like my wetsuit was strangling me. I > > > > > was scared > > > > to > > > > > put my face in the water (what a weenie). I decided to > > > > roll over on > > > > > my > > > > back > > > > > and try to relax, but it just never happened. I ended up > > > > doing the side > > > > > stroke and back stroke the entire time, with a few > > stabs at the > > > > > crawl. > > > > The > > > > > backstroke kept taking me so far off course, I > > probably ended up > > > > > doing > > > > at > > > > > least twice as much as I needed to. I had to have > > help from the > > > > > kayaker > > > > and > > > > > was so embarassed. I kept telling him, " I know how to > > do this. I > > > > > just > > > > can't. > > > > > I don't know why. I really can swim. I'm so sorry. " > > It was all I > > > > > could > > > > do > > > > > not to cry, but I knew that it wouldn't help anything at > > > > all, and it > > > > also > > > > > would fog up my goggles. I finally decided to just > > back stroke > > > > > it and > > > > the > > > > > kayaker was telling me which way to go. He'd say " Go > > left " and I > > > > > would > > > > go > > > > > right. He'd say " Go right " and I would go left. I have > > > > never been so > > > > > disoriented in my life! > > > > > > > > > > I was the very last one out of the water. The very > > last one. I > > > > > stumbled > > > > out > > > > > like a drunken sailor and nearly fell over. Lots of > > people were > > > > > cheering > > > > and > > > > > at first I thought, " Yeah, pity cheer. " and then I > > realized that > > > > > they > > > > were > > > > > cheering me to help me through this, not make me feel > > > > bad. I tried > > > > > so > > > > hard > > > > > not to cry. Roy ran up to me and helped me out of the > > water and > > > > > helped > > > > peel > > > > > off the wetsuit. I made it over to the transition area > > > > and Roy kept > > > > saying > > > > > " It's okay! You'll make it up on the bike and run. You > > > > like the next > > > > part. > > > > > You're good at it. Don't worry! " > > > > > > > > > > I changed into my bike shorts, threw on my shoes, and > > > > helmet, walked the > > > > > bike out of the T1 and hopped on my bike. First leg was a > > > > > hill...yeah, > > > > cool. > > > > > But I said, " Tory, you're good on hills. Just do it. It > > > > is what it > > > > > is. " > > > > (I > > > > > say that to myself a lot during races when I see > > > > something that's a > > > > > challenge...it is what it is...i.e. you can't change it, > > > > you're not > > > > > quitting, so suck it up and go.) I came around the first > > > > corner and > > > > passed > > > > > two bikers. Yay! I wasn't going to be complete last! I > > > > passed two more > > > > > people. The first mile I spent talking myself off the > > > > ledge that the > > > > swim > > > > > had sent me to. I realized a few very important things: > > > > > > > > > > A) I don't have to be good at everything (not that I'm > > > > overly " good " > > > > > at > > > > the > > > > > bike or run, but I'm good for me) and if swimming > > isn't my bag, > > > > > that's > > > > okay. > > > > > > > > > > I am so blessed to be spending my Sunday morning with > > > > a gorgeous > > > > > lake > > > > to > > > > > my right, a winery to my left, and the sun on my shoulders. > > > > > > > > > > C) A panic attack during a swim is nothing compared > > to what some > > > > > people > > > > are > > > > > dealing with. I have a dear friend with breast > > cancer. She can't > > > > > quit > > > > that, > > > > > can she? I thought about my mom, another friend who recently > > > > > lost her > > > > mother > > > > > and is going through bankruptcy, all the people in my > > > > life who were > > > > dealing > > > > > with WAY more than what I was dealing with this morning. > > > > > > > > > > By mile two I was good. I was feeling great, going at a > > > > relatively > > > > > good > > > > clip > > > > > for a girl who just about lost all lung function on the swim, > > > > > and was > > > > riding > > > > > a cheap Schwinn. Passed a few more people. Got off at the > > > > turnaround and > > > > > drank some water, hopped back on. Passed a teenager > > > > wearing a Lance > > > > > Armstrong bracelet and cheered her on. Passed a > > darling little > > > > > 12 (or > > > > so) > > > > > year old girl who was just going going going and cheered > > > > her on. Passed > > > > > someone I'd met in the transition area and asked her how > > > > it was going, > > > > > cheered her on. I decided even if I wasn't the best, I > > > > was going to be > > > > > encouraging to others. > > > > > > > > > > Finished the bike in about 50 minutes, not positive the > > > > exact time. Not > > > > > stellar, but for me not too bad at all. My $200 Schwinn > > > > Mt. Bike isn't > > > > > exactly going to win the Tour! Roy was watching me come in > > > > > taking > > > > pictures. > > > > > He wasn't allowed in the transition area this time, so I > > > > went in alone. > > > > > Racked my bike, switched out my biking shorts for running > > > > > shorts, > > > > grabbed my > > > > > gift for Roy, and took off. He was snapping photos > > and gave me a > > > > > high > > > > five > > > > > on my way out into the run. > > > > > > > > > > My legs felt like lead, but I knew that would pass. My > > > > breathing was > > > > REALLY > > > > > ragged because I'd really had breathing problems on my > > > > swim. I had > > > > > ended > > > > up > > > > > with some congestions, but heck...it is what it is, > > > > right, so I just > > > > > kep > > > > t > > > > > going. I passed up a number of people on the run, calling > > > > out " Woo > > > > > hoo! " > > > > to > > > > > the runners coming back in. Lots of them cheered us > > > > slowbees on. As we > > > > > passed one house, the owner had a sprinkler going for us > > > > to run through. > > > > > Another house a man was standing out front with a hose saying > > > > > " Do you > > > > want > > > > > water " and if you said yes, he'd hose you down. As it was > > > > in the low > > > > 80s, > > > > > that was awesome. LOTS of people were cheering us from their > > > > > front > > > > yards, > > > > > from cars on the road, as they were out for their own morning > > > > runs/bikes. I > > > > > ran out, checked my watch at the 1 mile mark...I had run > > > > the first > > > > > mile > > > > in 8 > > > > > minutes, which is AMAZING for me at that point. I had > > expected a > > > > > good > > > > run > > > > > would be a 10 min mile, and I could expect more like an > > > > 11 average > > > > > over > > > > the > > > > > entire race. I sure FELT a lot slower than I was > > running! Turned > > > > > around > > > > and > > > > > headed back for the last 1.5 miles. I passed a few of the > > > > people I'd > > > > passed > > > > > on the bike and cheered them on. Gave high fives to > > two kids I > > > > > passed > > > > (and, > > > > > I am not kidding, I nearly turned around and ran with > > the little > > > > > girl > > > > who > > > > > looked SO tired but was just still going...but then I > > > > thought she might > > > > > think I was strange and I didn't want to freak her out). > > > > She got a HUGE > > > > > smile when I said " High five " and she slapped my hand > > hard and I > > > > > knew > > > > she'd > > > > > make it. A kid doing a triathlon! How cool is that? > > > > > > > > > > At the finish I ran through the chute and was amazed to > > > > see a time > > > > > of > > > > 1:42. > > > > > I'm sure that's slow, but I felt like it was good for me! > > > > A lady put > > > > > a > > > > medal > > > > > around my neck (and yes, I am still wearing it) and > > removed my > > > > > timing > > > > chip. > > > > > Roy was snapping pictures, then came over and gave me a > > > > huge hug and > > > > told me > > > > > he was proud of me. I started crying because I did > > it...I was a > > > > triathlete! > > > > > I handed Roy his medal and he looked confused. I told him > > > > to open it and > > > > > look at the back. It says, " To the best husband, training > > > > partner, and > > > > > coach. Thank you and I love you. " > > > > > > > > > > So that was it! The rest was just stretching out, > > putting stuff > > > > > away, > > > > eating > > > > > lunch in Wenatchee, and trying to figure out if I can > > actually > > > > > do > > > > Danskin. > > > > > I'm so nervous about the swim. I am supposed to do > > the Danskin > > > > > in just > > > > over > > > > > a month and I'm honestly asking myself if I should. If I > > > > could find > > > > someone > > > > > to do the swim and just do the bike/run I'd be thrilled. > > > > But I'm not > > > > going > > > > > ot make the decision yet. I'm going to swim every day > > > > this week. Roy is > > > > > going to get a raft or something and go out with me. If I > > > > can't do it, I > > > > > can't do it. But I won't give up until I've given it > > the college > > > > > try. > > > > > > > > > > So that's that! I'm VERY tired tonight, but I'm proud of a few > > > > > things: > > > > > > > > > > 1. I did not quit on the swim. I wanted to. I could have > > > > walked (it was > > > > > allowed in this race) in the water. I could have had the > > > > kayak take > > > > > me > > > > back > > > > > in, but I kept going. No, it wasn't a good swim, but it > > > > was a good and > > > > > humbling experience. > > > > > > > > > > 2. I was able to regain my good humor really quickly. > > I think my > > > > experiences > > > > > over the last three years have made me, overall, a much > > > > more positive > > > > > person. > > > > > > > > > > 3. I did not stop in the bike or in the run, except when > > > > I had to put my > > > > > chain back on the bike and get water. > > > > > > > > > > 4. I did it! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 Not sure about and trail but if that's one of those rails to trails then you can just go by yourselves. We usually go South, not North for our journeys. Sue Re: Tory's Triathlon Report > > > > > > > > > > > > Tory, I don't think ANY type of participation in an > > athletic event > > > > can EVER be " pathetic " . Why pathetic? Because Lance Armstrong > > > > you're > > > > not? I came > > > > in last of my age group, in a master's swimming meet a few years > > > > ago. But even coming in last is NOT pathetic. Because it's not > > > > really last in the country, it's just last among those > > who competed > > > > and FAR AHEAD of the millions who did not compete. > > > > > > > > The results of my meet are still up on the net: look in women, > > > > 50-54: Sue Widemark > > > > > > > > http://www.usms.org/longdist/ldnats99/1hrresultswomen.shtml > > > > > > > > Anyone who can do any type of athletic event should be > > totally proud > > > > of themselves. There IS NO NEGATIVE about this. JMO. > > > > > > > > Sue > > > > > > > > PS: I can swim and I can bike but I surely cannot run > > unless it's on > > > > the elliptical cross trainer - hanging around with my > > male companion > > > > too much... you know Arthur Itis? *LOL* > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > From: Tory Klementsen > > > > > Well...it was 2/3 great and 1/3 sucky, horrible, > > pathetic. But I > > > > > choose > > > > to > > > > > concentrate on the great. > > > > > > > > > > The weekend started out as a comedy of errors. First we > > > > had to work on > > > > > Saturday. Whoever thought a great day to make up a strike > > > > day would be a > > > > > Saturday in July needs to be boiled in butter. So we > > left about > > > > > 4 p.m. I > > > > had > > > > > made reservations at a campsite near Wenatchee, which is near > > > > > Chelan. > > > > Okay, > > > > > I *thought* I had made reservations in a campsite near > > > > > Wenatchee. Well > > > > it > > > > > turned out to be about an hour NORTH of Wenatchee, > > which is 45 > > > > > minutes > > > > South > > > > > of Chelan, which does not make the campsite closer > > > > because there is > > > > > only > > > > one > > > > > way into Chelan and that's to go through Wenatchee > > and come back > > > > > around. > > > > So > > > > > we're looking at the dierctions and realizing " Okay, this > > > > isn't going to > > > > > work. " No hotels, of course, it's a resort area. We > > decided to > > > > > go ahead > > > > and > > > > > go out to the site and register, pick up my number, > > and check it > > > > > out. I > > > > was > > > > > hoping that I'd have time to do a short run, short bike, > > > > and swim. In > > > > > retrospect I should have just done the swim, bad move. > > > > > > > > > > We headed back towards Wenatchee and fortunately found a > > > > > campsite along > > > > the > > > > > Entiat River, that was gorgeous. Roy set up the tent. I > > > > did a short > > > > > ride > > > > and > > > > > then a short run just to get some exercise in, make sure > > > > the bike was > > > > > being-haved (aka behaving), and unwind. Slept pretty > > well last > > > > > night. > > > > > > > > > > Got up early this morning and headed to Chelan. We found a > > > > > restaurant > > > > that > > > > > was open early and served oatmeal so I downed about > > half a bowl > > > > > of > > > > oatmeal, > > > > > some mint tea, and part of a buttermilk biscuit. Had > > to feed the > > > > > bats in > > > > my > > > > > stomach! I'm sure our waitress thought we were insane > > as we ate > > > > > in > > > > literally > > > > > 10 minutes. I was just really anxious. > > > > > > > > > > Got to the Lakeside Park in Chelan and racked my bike in > > > > the transition > > > > > area. I set out my gear in two piles; one for the bike, > > > > one for the > > > > > run. > > > > I > > > > > included one special item in my run pile, a medal I had > > > > for Roy. I > > > > > went > > > > and > > > > > got body-marked, number 515. Again, I had plenty of time > > > > to get in > > > > > the > > > > water > > > > > and I should have, but I didn't. I had swam 3x the > > tri length on > > > > Thursday > > > > > and had done two open water swims with my wetsuit > > this week, so > > > > > I was > > > > pretty > > > > > confident. > > > > > > > > > > I wasn't planning on swimming in the wetsuit but someone > > > > told me the > > > > water > > > > > was cold, so I figured I'd better do it. Bad move. I > > pulled on > > > > > my > > > > wetsuit, > > > > > got into the starting area, and waited towards the back. > > > > I am not a > > > > > confident swimmer, although I am much better than I > > used to be. > > > > > I knew > > > > that > > > > > the start would be crazy and I'd be best to stay at > > the back. So > > > > > I > > > > entered > > > > > the water with the rest of the back of the packers, dove > > > > in, swam about > > > > > three strokse, and went into full out panic attack > > mode! It was > > > > horrible! I > > > > > couldn't breathe. I felt like my wetsuit was strangling me. I > > > > > was scared > > > > to > > > > > put my face in the water (what a weenie). I decided to > > > > roll over on > > > > > my > > > > back > > > > > and try to relax, but it just never happened. I ended up > > > > doing the side > > > > > stroke and back stroke the entire time, with a few > > stabs at the > > > > > crawl. > > > > The > > > > > backstroke kept taking me so far off course, I > > probably ended up > > > > > doing > > > > at > > > > > least twice as much as I needed to. I had to have > > help from the > > > > > kayaker > > > > and > > > > > was so embarassed. I kept telling him, " I know how to > > do this. I > > > > > just > > > > can't. > > > > > I don't know why. I really can swim. I'm so sorry. " > > It was all I > > > > > could > > > > do > > > > > not to cry, but I knew that it wouldn't help anything at > > > > all, and it > > > > also > > > > > would fog up my goggles. I finally decided to just > > back stroke > > > > > it and > > > > the > > > > > kayaker was telling me which way to go. He'd say " Go > > left " and I > > > > > would > > > > go > > > > > right. He'd say " Go right " and I would go left. I have > > > > never been so > > > > > disoriented in my life! > > > > > > > > > > I was the very last one out of the water. The very > > last one. I > > > > > stumbled > > > > out > > > > > like a drunken sailor and nearly fell over. Lots of > > people were > > > > > cheering > > > > and > > > > > at first I thought, " Yeah, pity cheer. " and then I > > realized that > > > > > they > > > > were > > > > > cheering me to help me through this, not make me feel > > > > bad. I tried > > > > > so > > > > hard > > > > > not to cry. Roy ran up to me and helped me out of the > > water and > > > > > helped > > > > peel > > > > > off the wetsuit. I made it over to the transition area > > > > and Roy kept > > > > saying > > > > > " It's okay! You'll make it up on the bike and run. You > > > > like the next > > > > part. > > > > > You're good at it. Don't worry! " > > > > > > > > > > I changed into my bike shorts, threw on my shoes, and > > > > helmet, walked the > > > > > bike out of the T1 and hopped on my bike. First leg was a > > > > > hill...yeah, > > > > cool. > > > > > But I said, " Tory, you're good on hills. Just do it. It > > > > is what it > > > > > is. " > > > > (I > > > > > say that to myself a lot during races when I see > > > > something that's a > > > > > challenge...it is what it is...i.e. you can't change it, > > > > you're not > > > > > quitting, so suck it up and go.) I came around the first > > > > corner and > > > > passed > > > > > two bikers. Yay! I wasn't going to be complete last! I > > > > passed two more > > > > > people. The first mile I spent talking myself off the > > > > ledge that the > > > > swim > > > > > had sent me to. I realized a few very important things: > > > > > > > > > > A) I don't have to be good at everything (not that I'm > > > > overly " good " > > > > > at > > > > the > > > > > bike or run, but I'm good for me) and if swimming > > isn't my bag, > > > > > that's > > > > okay. > > > > > > > > > > I am so blessed to be spending my Sunday morning with > > > > a gorgeous > > > > > lake > > > > to > > > > > my right, a winery to my left, and the sun on my shoulders. > > > > > > > > > > C) A panic attack during a swim is nothing compared > > to what some > > > > > people > > > > are > > > > > dealing with. I have a dear friend with breast > > cancer. She can't > > > > > quit > > > > that, > > > > > can she? I thought about my mom, another friend who recently > > > > > lost her > > > > mother > > > > > and is going through bankruptcy, all the people in my > > > > life who were > > > > dealing > > > > > with WAY more than what I was dealing with this morning. > > > > > > > > > > By mile two I was good. I was feeling great, going at a > > > > relatively > > > > > good > > > > clip > > > > > for a girl who just about lost all lung function on the swim, > > > > > and was > > > > riding > > > > > a cheap Schwinn. Passed a few more people. Got off at the > > > > turnaround and > > > > > drank some water, hopped back on. Passed a teenager > > > > wearing a Lance > > > > > Armstrong bracelet and cheered her on. Passed a > > darling little > > > > > 12 (or > > > > so) > > > > > year old girl who was just going going going and cheered > > > > her on. Passed > > > > > someone I'd met in the transition area and asked her how > > > > it was going, > > > > > cheered her on. I decided even if I wasn't the best, I > > > > was going to be > > > > > encouraging to others. > > > > > > > > > > Finished the bike in about 50 minutes, not positive the > > > > exact time. Not > > > > > stellar, but for me not too bad at all. My $200 Schwinn > > > > Mt. Bike isn't > > > > > exactly going to win the Tour! Roy was watching me come in > > > > > taking > > > > pictures. > > > > > He wasn't allowed in the transition area this time, so I > > > > went in alone. > > > > > Racked my bike, switched out my biking shorts for running > > > > > shorts, > > > > grabbed my > > > > > gift for Roy, and took off. He was snapping photos > > and gave me a > > > > > high > > > > five > > > > > on my way out into the run. > > > > > > > > > > My legs felt like lead, but I knew that would pass. My > > > > breathing was > > > > REALLY > > > > > ragged because I'd really had breathing problems on my > > > > swim. I had > > > > > ended > > > > up > > > > > with some congestions, but heck...it is what it is, > > > > right, so I just > > > > > kep > > > > t > > > > > going. I passed up a number of people on the run, calling > > > > out " Woo > > > > > hoo! " > > > > to > > > > > the runners coming back in. Lots of them cheered us > > > > slowbees on. As we > > > > > passed one house, the owner had a sprinkler going for us > > > > to run through. > > > > > Another house a man was standing out front with a hose saying > > > > > " Do you > > > > want > > > > > water " and if you said yes, he'd hose you down. As it was > > > > in the low > > > > 80s, > > > > > that was awesome. LOTS of people were cheering us from their > > > > > front > > > > yards, > > > > > from cars on the road, as they were out for their own morning > > > > runs/bikes. I > > > > > ran out, checked my watch at the 1 mile mark...I had run > > > > the first > > > > > mile > > > > in 8 > > > > > minutes, which is AMAZING for me at that point. I had > > expected a > > > > > good > > > > run > > > > > would be a 10 min mile, and I could expect more like an > > > > 11 average > > > > > over > > > > the > > > > > entire race. I sure FELT a lot slower than I was > > running! Turned > > > > > around > > > > and > > > > > headed back for the last 1.5 miles. I passed a few of the > > > > people I'd > > > > passed > > > > > on the bike and cheered them on. Gave high fives to > > two kids I > > > > > passed > > > > (and, > > > > > I am not kidding, I nearly turned around and ran with > > the little > > > > > girl > > > > who > > > > > looked SO tired but was just still going...but then I > > > > thought she might > > > > > think I was strange and I didn't want to freak her out). > > > > She got a HUGE > > > > > smile when I said " High five " and she slapped my hand > > hard and I > > > > > knew > > > > she'd > > > > > make it. A kid doing a triathlon! How cool is that? > > > > > > > > > > At the finish I ran through the chute and was amazed to > > > > see a time > > > > > of > > > > 1:42. > > > > > I'm sure that's slow, but I felt like it was good for me! > > > > A lady put > > > > > a > > > > medal > > > > > around my neck (and yes, I am still wearing it) and > > removed my > > > > > timing > > > > chip. > > > > > Roy was snapping pictures, then came over and gave me a > > > > huge hug and > > > > told me > > > > > he was proud of me. I started crying because I did > > it...I was a > > > > triathlete! > > > > > I handed Roy his medal and he looked confused. I told him > > > > to open it and > > > > > look at the back. It says, " To the best husband, training > > > > partner, and > > > > > coach. Thank you and I love you. " > > > > > > > > > > So that was it! The rest was just stretching out, > > putting stuff > > > > > away, > > > > eating > > > > > lunch in Wenatchee, and trying to figure out if I can > > actually > > > > > do > > > > Danskin. > > > > > I'm so nervous about the swim. I am supposed to do > > the Danskin > > > > > in just > > > > over > > > > > a month and I'm honestly asking myself if I should. If I > > > > could find > > > > someone > > > > > to do the swim and just do the bike/run I'd be thrilled. > > > > But I'm not > > > > going > > > > > ot make the decision yet. I'm going to swim every day > > > > this week. Roy is > > > > > going to get a raft or something and go out with me. If I > > > > can't do it, I > > > > > can't do it. But I won't give up until I've given it > > the college > > > > > try. > > > > > > > > > > So that's that! I'm VERY tired tonight, but I'm proud of a few > > > > > things: > > > > > > > > > > 1. I did not quit on the swim. I wanted to. I could have > > > > walked (it was > > > > > allowed in this race) in the water. I could have had the > > > > kayak take > > > > > me > > > > back > > > > > in, but I kept going. No, it wasn't a good swim, but it > > > > was a good and > > > > > humbling experience. > > > > > > > > > > 2. I was able to regain my good humor really quickly. > > I think my > > > > experiences > > > > > over the last three years have made me, overall, a much > > > > more positive > > > > > person. > > > > > > > > > > 3. I did not stop in the bike or in the run, except when > > > > I had to put my > > > > > chain back on the bike and get water. > > > > > > > > > > 4. I did it! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 Not sure about and trail but if that's one of those rails to trails then you can just go by yourselves. We usually go South, not North for our journeys. Sue Re: Tory's Triathlon Report > > > > > > > > > > > > Tory, I don't think ANY type of participation in an > > athletic event > > > > can EVER be " pathetic " . Why pathetic? Because Lance Armstrong > > > > you're > > > > not? I came > > > > in last of my age group, in a master's swimming meet a few years > > > > ago. But even coming in last is NOT pathetic. Because it's not > > > > really last in the country, it's just last among those > > who competed > > > > and FAR AHEAD of the millions who did not compete. > > > > > > > > The results of my meet are still up on the net: look in women, > > > > 50-54: Sue Widemark > > > > > > > > http://www.usms.org/longdist/ldnats99/1hrresultswomen.shtml > > > > > > > > Anyone who can do any type of athletic event should be > > totally proud > > > > of themselves. There IS NO NEGATIVE about this. JMO. > > > > > > > > Sue > > > > > > > > PS: I can swim and I can bike but I surely cannot run > > unless it's on > > > > the elliptical cross trainer - hanging around with my > > male companion > > > > too much... you know Arthur Itis? *LOL* > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > From: Tory Klementsen > > > > > Well...it was 2/3 great and 1/3 sucky, horrible, > > pathetic. But I > > > > > choose > > > > to > > > > > concentrate on the great. > > > > > > > > > > The weekend started out as a comedy of errors. First we > > > > had to work on > > > > > Saturday. Whoever thought a great day to make up a strike > > > > day would be a > > > > > Saturday in July needs to be boiled in butter. So we > > left about > > > > > 4 p.m. I > > > > had > > > > > made reservations at a campsite near Wenatchee, which is near > > > > > Chelan. > > > > Okay, > > > > > I *thought* I had made reservations in a campsite near > > > > > Wenatchee. Well > > > > it > > > > > turned out to be about an hour NORTH of Wenatchee, > > which is 45 > > > > > minutes > > > > South > > > > > of Chelan, which does not make the campsite closer > > > > because there is > > > > > only > > > > one > > > > > way into Chelan and that's to go through Wenatchee > > and come back > > > > > around. > > > > So > > > > > we're looking at the dierctions and realizing " Okay, this > > > > isn't going to > > > > > work. " No hotels, of course, it's a resort area. We > > decided to > > > > > go ahead > > > > and > > > > > go out to the site and register, pick up my number, > > and check it > > > > > out. I > > > > was > > > > > hoping that I'd have time to do a short run, short bike, > > > > and swim. In > > > > > retrospect I should have just done the swim, bad move. > > > > > > > > > > We headed back towards Wenatchee and fortunately found a > > > > > campsite along > > > > the > > > > > Entiat River, that was gorgeous. Roy set up the tent. I > > > > did a short > > > > > ride > > > > and > > > > > then a short run just to get some exercise in, make sure > > > > the bike was > > > > > being-haved (aka behaving), and unwind. Slept pretty > > well last > > > > > night. > > > > > > > > > > Got up early this morning and headed to Chelan. We found a > > > > > restaurant > > > > that > > > > > was open early and served oatmeal so I downed about > > half a bowl > > > > > of > > > > oatmeal, > > > > > some mint tea, and part of a buttermilk biscuit. Had > > to feed the > > > > > bats in > > > > my > > > > > stomach! I'm sure our waitress thought we were insane > > as we ate > > > > > in > > > > literally > > > > > 10 minutes. I was just really anxious. > > > > > > > > > > Got to the Lakeside Park in Chelan and racked my bike in > > > > the transition > > > > > area. I set out my gear in two piles; one for the bike, > > > > one for the > > > > > run. > > > > I > > > > > included one special item in my run pile, a medal I had > > > > for Roy. I > > > > > went > > > > and > > > > > got body-marked, number 515. Again, I had plenty of time > > > > to get in > > > > > the > > > > water > > > > > and I should have, but I didn't. I had swam 3x the > > tri length on > > > > Thursday > > > > > and had done two open water swims with my wetsuit > > this week, so > > > > > I was > > > > pretty > > > > > confident. > > > > > > > > > > I wasn't planning on swimming in the wetsuit but someone > > > > told me the > > > > water > > > > > was cold, so I figured I'd better do it. Bad move. I > > pulled on > > > > > my > > > > wetsuit, > > > > > got into the starting area, and waited towards the back. > > > > I am not a > > > > > confident swimmer, although I am much better than I > > used to be. > > > > > I knew > > > > that > > > > > the start would be crazy and I'd be best to stay at > > the back. So > > > > > I > > > > entered > > > > > the water with the rest of the back of the packers, dove > > > > in, swam about > > > > > three strokse, and went into full out panic attack > > mode! It was > > > > horrible! I > > > > > couldn't breathe. I felt like my wetsuit was strangling me. I > > > > > was scared > > > > to > > > > > put my face in the water (what a weenie). I decided to > > > > roll over on > > > > > my > > > > back > > > > > and try to relax, but it just never happened. I ended up > > > > doing the side > > > > > stroke and back stroke the entire time, with a few > > stabs at the > > > > > crawl. > > > > The > > > > > backstroke kept taking me so far off course, I > > probably ended up > > > > > doing > > > > at > > > > > least twice as much as I needed to. I had to have > > help from the > > > > > kayaker > > > > and > > > > > was so embarassed. I kept telling him, " I know how to > > do this. I > > > > > just > > > > can't. > > > > > I don't know why. I really can swim. I'm so sorry. " > > It was all I > > > > > could > > > > do > > > > > not to cry, but I knew that it wouldn't help anything at > > > > all, and it > > > > also > > > > > would fog up my goggles. I finally decided to just > > back stroke > > > > > it and > > > > the > > > > > kayaker was telling me which way to go. He'd say " Go > > left " and I > > > > > would > > > > go > > > > > right. He'd say " Go right " and I would go left. I have > > > > never been so > > > > > disoriented in my life! > > > > > > > > > > I was the very last one out of the water. The very > > last one. I > > > > > stumbled > > > > out > > > > > like a drunken sailor and nearly fell over. Lots of > > people were > > > > > cheering > > > > and > > > > > at first I thought, " Yeah, pity cheer. " and then I > > realized that > > > > > they > > > > were > > > > > cheering me to help me through this, not make me feel > > > > bad. I tried > > > > > so > > > > hard > > > > > not to cry. Roy ran up to me and helped me out of the > > water and > > > > > helped > > > > peel > > > > > off the wetsuit. I made it over to the transition area > > > > and Roy kept > > > > saying > > > > > " It's okay! You'll make it up on the bike and run. You > > > > like the next > > > > part. > > > > > You're good at it. Don't worry! " > > > > > > > > > > I changed into my bike shorts, threw on my shoes, and > > > > helmet, walked the > > > > > bike out of the T1 and hopped on my bike. First leg was a > > > > > hill...yeah, > > > > cool. > > > > > But I said, " Tory, you're good on hills. Just do it. It > > > > is what it > > > > > is. " > > > > (I > > > > > say that to myself a lot during races when I see > > > > something that's a > > > > > challenge...it is what it is...i.e. you can't change it, > > > > you're not > > > > > quitting, so suck it up and go.) I came around the first > > > > corner and > > > > passed > > > > > two bikers. Yay! I wasn't going to be complete last! I > > > > passed two more > > > > > people. The first mile I spent talking myself off the > > > > ledge that the > > > > swim > > > > > had sent me to. I realized a few very important things: > > > > > > > > > > A) I don't have to be good at everything (not that I'm > > > > overly " good " > > > > > at > > > > the > > > > > bike or run, but I'm good for me) and if swimming > > isn't my bag, > > > > > that's > > > > okay. > > > > > > > > > > I am so blessed to be spending my Sunday morning with > > > > a gorgeous > > > > > lake > > > > to > > > > > my right, a winery to my left, and the sun on my shoulders. > > > > > > > > > > C) A panic attack during a swim is nothing compared > > to what some > > > > > people > > > > are > > > > > dealing with. I have a dear friend with breast > > cancer. She can't > > > > > quit > > > > that, > > > > > can she? I thought about my mom, another friend who recently > > > > > lost her > > > > mother > > > > > and is going through bankruptcy, all the people in my > > > > life who were > > > > dealing > > > > > with WAY more than what I was dealing with this morning. > > > > > > > > > > By mile two I was good. I was feeling great, going at a > > > > relatively > > > > > good > > > > clip > > > > > for a girl who just about lost all lung function on the swim, > > > > > and was > > > > riding > > > > > a cheap Schwinn. Passed a few more people. Got off at the > > > > turnaround and > > > > > drank some water, hopped back on. Passed a teenager > > > > wearing a Lance > > > > > Armstrong bracelet and cheered her on. Passed a > > darling little > > > > > 12 (or > > > > so) > > > > > year old girl who was just going going going and cheered > > > > her on. Passed > > > > > someone I'd met in the transition area and asked her how > > > > it was going, > > > > > cheered her on. I decided even if I wasn't the best, I > > > > was going to be > > > > > encouraging to others. > > > > > > > > > > Finished the bike in about 50 minutes, not positive the > > > > exact time. Not > > > > > stellar, but for me not too bad at all. My $200 Schwinn > > > > Mt. Bike isn't > > > > > exactly going to win the Tour! Roy was watching me come in > > > > > taking > > > > pictures. > > > > > He wasn't allowed in the transition area this time, so I > > > > went in alone. > > > > > Racked my bike, switched out my biking shorts for running > > > > > shorts, > > > > grabbed my > > > > > gift for Roy, and took off. He was snapping photos > > and gave me a > > > > > high > > > > five > > > > > on my way out into the run. > > > > > > > > > > My legs felt like lead, but I knew that would pass. My > > > > breathing was > > > > REALLY > > > > > ragged because I'd really had breathing problems on my > > > > swim. I had > > > > > ended > > > > up > > > > > with some congestions, but heck...it is what it is, > > > > right, so I just > > > > > kep > > > > t > > > > > going. I passed up a number of people on the run, calling > > > > out " Woo > > > > > hoo! " > > > > to > > > > > the runners coming back in. Lots of them cheered us > > > > slowbees on. As we > > > > > passed one house, the owner had a sprinkler going for us > > > > to run through. > > > > > Another house a man was standing out front with a hose saying > > > > > " Do you > > > > want > > > > > water " and if you said yes, he'd hose you down. As it was > > > > in the low > > > > 80s, > > > > > that was awesome. LOTS of people were cheering us from their > > > > > front > > > > yards, > > > > > from cars on the road, as they were out for their own morning > > > > runs/bikes. I > > > > > ran out, checked my watch at the 1 mile mark...I had run > > > > the first > > > > > mile > > > > in 8 > > > > > minutes, which is AMAZING for me at that point. I had > > expected a > > > > > good > > > > run > > > > > would be a 10 min mile, and I could expect more like an > > > > 11 average > > > > > over > > > > the > > > > > entire race. I sure FELT a lot slower than I was > > running! Turned > > > > > around > > > > and > > > > > headed back for the last 1.5 miles. I passed a few of the > > > > people I'd > > > > passed > > > > > on the bike and cheered them on. Gave high fives to > > two kids I > > > > > passed > > > > (and, > > > > > I am not kidding, I nearly turned around and ran with > > the little > > > > > girl > > > > who > > > > > looked SO tired but was just still going...but then I > > > > thought she might > > > > > think I was strange and I didn't want to freak her out). > > > > She got a HUGE > > > > > smile when I said " High five " and she slapped my hand > > hard and I > > > > > knew > > > > she'd > > > > > make it. A kid doing a triathlon! How cool is that? > > > > > > > > > > At the finish I ran through the chute and was amazed to > > > > see a time > > > > > of > > > > 1:42. > > > > > I'm sure that's slow, but I felt like it was good for me! > > > > A lady put > > > > > a > > > > medal > > > > > around my neck (and yes, I am still wearing it) and > > removed my > > > > > timing > > > > chip. > > > > > Roy was snapping pictures, then came over and gave me a > > > > huge hug and > > > > told me > > > > > he was proud of me. I started crying because I did > > it...I was a > > > > triathlete! > > > > > I handed Roy his medal and he looked confused. I told him > > > > to open it and > > > > > look at the back. It says, " To the best husband, training > > > > partner, and > > > > > coach. Thank you and I love you. " > > > > > > > > > > So that was it! The rest was just stretching out, > > putting stuff > > > > > away, > > > > eating > > > > > lunch in Wenatchee, and trying to figure out if I can > > actually > > > > > do > > > > Danskin. > > > > > I'm so nervous about the swim. I am supposed to do > > the Danskin > > > > > in just > > > > over > > > > > a month and I'm honestly asking myself if I should. If I > > > > could find > > > > someone > > > > > to do the swim and just do the bike/run I'd be thrilled. > > > > But I'm not > > > > going > > > > > ot make the decision yet. I'm going to swim every day > > > > this week. Roy is > > > > > going to get a raft or something and go out with me. If I > > > > can't do it, I > > > > > can't do it. But I won't give up until I've given it > > the college > > > > > try. > > > > > > > > > > So that's that! I'm VERY tired tonight, but I'm proud of a few > > > > > things: > > > > > > > > > > 1. I did not quit on the swim. I wanted to. I could have > > > > walked (it was > > > > > allowed in this race) in the water. I could have had the > > > > kayak take > > > > > me > > > > back > > > > > in, but I kept going. No, it wasn't a good swim, but it > > > > was a good and > > > > > humbling experience. > > > > > > > > > > 2. I was able to regain my good humor really quickly. > > I think my > > > > experiences > > > > > over the last three years have made me, overall, a much > > > > more positive > > > > > person. > > > > > > > > > > 3. I did not stop in the bike or in the run, except when > > > > I had to put my > > > > > chain back on the bike and get water. > > > > > > > > > > 4. I did it! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 Mackinac Island in Michigan is suppose to be nice. There are no cars allowed on the island, only bikes, horses and walkers. I don't think there is any sort of organized biking, you just go out on your own and explore. There are hotels, B & B's all over the place, great food and fun on the island. You park your car on the mainland and take a ferry over. If you do a search for Mackinac Island you will find some great sites and the chamber of commerce has an awesome book they will send you. Moe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 I haven't heard of that? I'll look it up on the net. I think you can do the L & C on your own or with groups. Either way would be a blast. I know there is also this group that rides the Oregon Trail every year. You can ride, walk, ride horses, etc. That sounds like a lot of fun. > Biking > > > Have you checked out Trek Tri Island? We did it 3 years ago, > and it was the most awesome experience. It was a bit more > than 25-30 a day, I think the longest day was 55. It was 130 > miles in 3 days or something like that. Our course got > altered a bit because it was the weekend after 9/11 so we > weren't able to go into Canada as planned. It was our first > weekend away without the kids. It was one of those things > that I emailed Tom the link, and he said " sounds interesting. > I'll support you in anyway I can " . So, I signed both of us > up! He uses that expression very carefully now! The > and trail ride sounds fun- is it an organized ride or > one you do on your own? > > G. > > > Re: Tory's Triathlon Report > > > > > > > > > > > > Tory, I don't think ANY type of participation in an > > athletic event > > > > can EVER be " pathetic " . Why pathetic? Because Lance > Armstrong > > > > you're > > > > not? I came > > > > in last of my age group, in a master's swimming meet > a few years > > > > ago. But even coming in last is NOT pathetic. > Because it's not > > > > really last in the country, it's just last among those > > who competed > > > > and FAR AHEAD of the millions who did not compete. > > > > > > > > The results of my meet are still up on the net: look > in women, > > > > 50-54: Sue Widemark > > > > > > > > http://www.usms.org/longdist/ldnats99/1hrresultswomen.shtml > > > > > > > > Anyone who can do any type of athletic event should be > > totally proud > > > > of themselves. There IS NO NEGATIVE about this. JMO. > > > > > > > > Sue > > > > > > > > PS: I can swim and I can bike but I surely cannot run > > unless it's on > > > > the elliptical cross trainer - hanging around with my > > male companion > > > > too much... you know Arthur Itis? *LOL* > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > From: Tory Klementsen > > > > > Well...it was 2/3 great and 1/3 sucky, horrible, > > pathetic. But I > > > > > choose > > > > to > > > > > concentrate on the great. > > > > > > > > > > The weekend started out as a comedy of errors. First we > > > > had to work on > > > > > Saturday. Whoever thought a great day to make up a strike > > > > day would be a > > > > > Saturday in July needs to be boiled in butter. So we > > left about > > > > > 4 p.m. I > > > > had > > > > > made reservations at a campsite near Wenatchee, > which is near > > > > > Chelan. > > > > Okay, > > > > > I *thought* I had made reservations in a campsite near > > > > > Wenatchee. Well > > > > it > > > > > turned out to be about an hour NORTH of Wenatchee, > > which is 45 > > > > > minutes > > > > South > > > > > of Chelan, which does not make the campsite closer > > > > because there is > > > > > only > > > > one > > > > > way into Chelan and that's to go through Wenatchee > > and come back > > > > > around. > > > > So > > > > > we're looking at the dierctions and realizing " Okay, this > > > > isn't going to > > > > > work. " No hotels, of course, it's a resort area. We > > decided to > > > > > go ahead > > > > and > > > > > go out to the site and register, pick up my number, > > and check it > > > > > out. I > > > > was > > > > > hoping that I'd have time to do a short run, short bike, > > > > and swim. In > > > > > retrospect I should have just done the swim, bad move. > > > > > > > > > > We headed back towards Wenatchee and fortunately found a > > > > > campsite along > > > > the > > > > > Entiat River, that was gorgeous. Roy set up the tent. I > > > > did a short > > > > > ride > > > > and > > > > > then a short run just to get some exercise in, make sure > > > > the bike was > > > > > being-haved (aka behaving), and unwind. Slept pretty > > well last > > > > > night. > > > > > > > > > > Got up early this morning and headed to Chelan. > We found a > > > > > restaurant > > > > that > > > > > was open early and served oatmeal so I downed about > > half a bowl > > > > > of > > > > oatmeal, > > > > > some mint tea, and part of a buttermilk biscuit. Had > > to feed the > > > > > bats in > > > > my > > > > > stomach! I'm sure our waitress thought we were insane > > as we ate > > > > > in > > > > literally > > > > > 10 minutes. I was just really anxious. > > > > > > > > > > Got to the Lakeside Park in Chelan and racked my bike in > > > > the transition > > > > > area. I set out my gear in two piles; one for the bike, > > > > one for the > > > > > run. > > > > I > > > > > included one special item in my run pile, a medal I had > > > > for Roy. I > > > > > went > > > > and > > > > > got body-marked, number 515. Again, I had plenty of time > > > > to get in > > > > > the > > > > water > > > > > and I should have, but I didn't. I had swam 3x the > > tri length on > > > > Thursday > > > > > and had done two open water swims with my wetsuit > > this week, so > > > > > I was > > > > pretty > > > > > confident. > > > > > > > > > > I wasn't planning on swimming in the wetsuit but someone > > > > told me the > > > > water > > > > > was cold, so I figured I'd better do it. Bad move. I > > pulled on > > > > > my > > > > wetsuit, > > > > > got into the starting area, and waited towards the back. > > > > I am not a > > > > > confident swimmer, although I am much better than I > > used to be. > > > > > I knew > > > > that > > > > > the start would be crazy and I'd be best to stay at > > the back. So > > > > > I > > > > entered > > > > > the water with the rest of the back of the packers, dove > > > > in, swam about > > > > > three strokse, and went into full out panic attack > > mode! It was > > > > horrible! I > > > > > couldn't breathe. I felt like my wetsuit was > strangling me. I > > > > > was scared > > > > to > > > > > put my face in the water (what a weenie). I decided to > > > > roll over on > > > > > my > > > > back > > > > > and try to relax, but it just never happened. I ended up > > > > doing the side > > > > > stroke and back stroke the entire time, with a few > > stabs at the > > > > > crawl. > > > > The > > > > > backstroke kept taking me so far off course, I > > probably ended up > > > > > doing > > > > at > > > > > least twice as much as I needed to. I had to have > > help from the > > > > > kayaker > > > > and > > > > > was so embarassed. I kept telling him, " I know how to > > do this. I > > > > > just > > > > can't. > > > > > I don't know why. I really can swim. I'm so sorry. " > > It was all I > > > > > could > > > > do > > > > > not to cry, but I knew that it wouldn't help anything at > > > > all, and it > > > > also > > > > > would fog up my goggles. I finally decided to just > > back stroke > > > > > it and > > > > the > > > > > kayaker was telling me which way to go. He'd say " Go > > left " and I > > > > > would > > > > go > > > > > right. He'd say " Go right " and I would go left. I have > > > > never been so > > > > > disoriented in my life! > > > > > > > > > > I was the very last one out of the water. The very > > last one. I > > > > > stumbled > > > > out > > > > > like a drunken sailor and nearly fell over. Lots of > > people were > > > > > cheering > > > > and > > > > > at first I thought, " Yeah, pity cheer. " and then I > > realized that > > > > > they > > > > were > > > > > cheering me to help me through this, not make me feel > > > > bad. I tried > > > > > so > > > > hard > > > > > not to cry. Roy ran up to me and helped me out of the > > water and > > > > > helped > > > > peel > > > > > off the wetsuit. I made it over to the transition area > > > > and Roy kept > > > > saying > > > > > " It's okay! You'll make it up on the bike and run. You > > > > like the next > > > > part. > > > > > You're good at it. Don't worry! " > > > > > > > > > > I changed into my bike shorts, threw on my shoes, and > > > > helmet, walked the > > > > > bike out of the T1 and hopped on my bike. First leg was a > > > > > hill...yeah, > > > > cool. > > > > > But I said, " Tory, you're good on hills. Just do it. It > > > > is what it > > > > > is. " > > > > (I > > > > > say that to myself a lot during races when I see > > > > something that's a > > > > > challenge...it is what it is...i.e. you can't change it, > > > > you're not > > > > > quitting, so suck it up and go.) I came around the first > > > > corner and > > > > passed > > > > > two bikers. Yay! I wasn't going to be complete last! I > > > > passed two more > > > > > people. The first mile I spent talking myself off the > > > > ledge that the > > > > swim > > > > > had sent me to. I realized a few very important things: > > > > > > > > > > A) I don't have to be good at everything (not that I'm > > > > overly " good " > > > > > at > > > > the > > > > > bike or run, but I'm good for me) and if swimming > > isn't my bag, > > > > > that's > > > > okay. > > > > > > > > > > I am so blessed to be spending my Sunday morning with > > > > a gorgeous > > > > > lake > > > > to > > > > > my right, a winery to my left, and the sun on my > shoulders. > > > > > > > > > > C) A panic attack during a swim is nothing compared > > to what some > > > > > people > > > > are > > > > > dealing with. I have a dear friend with breast > > cancer. She can't > > > > > quit > > > > that, > > > > > can she? I thought about my mom, another friend > who recently > > > > > lost her > > > > mother > > > > > and is going through bankruptcy, all the people in my > > > > life who were > > > > dealing > > > > > with WAY more than what I was dealing with this morning. > > > > > > > > > > By mile two I was good. I was feeling great, going at a > > > > relatively > > > > > good > > > > clip > > > > > for a girl who just about lost all lung function > on the swim, > > > > > and was > > > > riding > > > > > a cheap Schwinn. Passed a few more people. Got off at the > > > > turnaround and > > > > > drank some water, hopped back on. Passed a teenager > > > > wearing a Lance > > > > > Armstrong bracelet and cheered her on. Passed a > > darling little > > > > > 12 (or > > > > so) > > > > > year old girl who was just going going going and cheered > > > > her on. Passed > > > > > someone I'd met in the transition area and asked her how > > > > it was going, > > > > > cheered her on. I decided even if I wasn't the best, I > > > > was going to be > > > > > encouraging to others. > > > > > > > > > > Finished the bike in about 50 minutes, not positive the > > > > exact time. Not > > > > > stellar, but for me not too bad at all. My $200 Schwinn > > > > Mt. Bike isn't > > > > > exactly going to win the Tour! Roy was watching > me come in > > > > > taking > > > > pictures. > > > > > He wasn't allowed in the transition area this time, so I > > > > went in alone. > > > > > Racked my bike, switched out my biking shorts for running > > > > > shorts, > > > > grabbed my > > > > > gift for Roy, and took off. He was snapping photos > > and gave me a > > > > > high > > > > five > > > > > on my way out into the run. > > > > > > > > > > My legs felt like lead, but I knew that would pass. My > > > > breathing was > > > > REALLY > > > > > ragged because I'd really had breathing problems on my > > > > swim. I had > > > > > ended > > > > up > > > > > with some congestions, but heck...it is what it is, > > > > right, so I just > > > > > kep > > > > t > > > > > going. I passed up a number of people on the run, calling > > > > out " Woo > > > > > hoo! " > > > > to > > > > > the runners coming back in. Lots of them cheered us > > > > slowbees on. As we > > > > > passed one house, the owner had a sprinkler going for us > > > > to run through. > > > > > Another house a man was standing out front with a > hose saying > > > > > " Do you > > > > want > > > > > water " and if you said yes, he'd hose you down. As it was > > > > in the low > > > > 80s, > > > > > that was awesome. LOTS of people were cheering us > from their > > > > > front > > > > yards, > > > > > from cars on the road, as they were out for their > own morning > > > > runs/bikes. I > > > > > ran out, checked my watch at the 1 mile mark...I had run > > > > the first > > > > > mile > > > > in 8 > > > > > minutes, which is AMAZING for me at that point. I had > > expected a > > > > > good > > > > run > > > > > would be a 10 min mile, and I could expect more like an > > > > 11 average > > > > > over > > > > the > > > > > entire race. I sure FELT a lot slower than I was > > running! Turned > > > > > around > > > > and > > > > > headed back for the last 1.5 miles. I passed a few of the > > > > people I'd > > > > passed > > > > > on the bike and cheered them on. Gave high fives to > > two kids I > > > > > passed > > > > (and, > > > > > I am not kidding, I nearly turned around and ran with > > the little > > > > > girl > > > > who > > > > > looked SO tired but was just still going...but then I > > > > thought she might > > > > > think I was strange and I didn't want to freak her out). > > > > She got a HUGE > > > > > smile when I said " High five " and she slapped my hand > > hard and I > > > > > knew > > > > she'd > > > > > make it. A kid doing a triathlon! How cool is that? > > > > > > > > > > At the finish I ran through the chute and was amazed to > > > > see a time > > > > > of > > > > 1:42. > > > > > I'm sure that's slow, but I felt like it was good for me! > > > > A lady put > > > > > a > > > > medal > > > > > around my neck (and yes, I am still wearing it) and > > removed my > > > > > timing > > > > chip. > > > > > Roy was snapping pictures, then came over and gave me a > > > > huge hug and > > > > told me > > > > > he was proud of me. I started crying because I did > > it...I was a > > > > triathlete! > > > > > I handed Roy his medal and he looked confused. I told him > > > > to open it and > > > > > look at the back. It says, " To the best husband, training > > > > partner, and > > > > > coach. Thank you and I love you. " > > > > > > > > > > So that was it! The rest was just stretching out, > > putting stuff > > > > > away, > > > > eating > > > > > lunch in Wenatchee, and trying to figure out if I can > > actually > > > > > do > > > > Danskin. > > > > > I'm so nervous about the swim. I am supposed to do > > the Danskin > > > > > in just > > > > over > > > > > a month and I'm honestly asking myself if I should. If I > > > > could find > > > > someone > > > > > to do the swim and just do the bike/run I'd be thrilled. > > > > But I'm not > > > > going > > > > > ot make the decision yet. I'm going to swim every day > > > > this week. Roy is > > > > > going to get a raft or something and go out with me. If I > > > > can't do it, I > > > > > can't do it. But I won't give up until I've given it > > the college > > > > > try. > > > > > > > > > > So that's that! I'm VERY tired tonight, but I'm > proud of a few > > > > > things: > > > > > > > > > > 1. I did not quit on the swim. I wanted to. I could have > > > > walked (it was > > > > > allowed in this race) in the water. I could have had the > > > > kayak take > > > > > me > > > > back > > > > > in, but I kept going. No, it wasn't a good swim, but it > > > > was a good and > > > > > humbling experience. > > > > > > > > > > 2. I was able to regain my good humor really quickly. > > I think my > > > > experiences > > > > > over the last three years have made me, overall, a much > > > > more positive > > > > > person. > > > > > > > > > > 3. I did not stop in the bike or in the run, except when > > > > I had to put my > > > > > chain back on the bike and get water. > > > > > > > > > > 4. I did it! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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