“I’m not competitive or anything…”
…but I beat 11 people in the sprint tri at Black Diamond this weekend! I am rather used to last place and was very pleasantly surprised to see that I beat 10 women and 1 guy who were all in my 40 yr old age category or in their 30’s, none of them were 12 or under J
I set out to have fun and enjoy my last triathlon of my first season in the sport and I am so happy to say “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED”! This was my first ½ mile swim during a race and although my time was a bit longer than I expected, I am not surprised because it is such a different dynamic than my ¼ swims. This was also my biggest start and I will never underestimate that again! No matter how ready I thought I was for the pounding and pushing and kicking, it still surprised me! These people are relentless! Patty S, did you go in my wave at 9:03? If so, you are welcome for my providing you such a soft landing as you jumped on me and into the water. I broke the cardinal rule and positioned myself right in front of the first buoy in the very first row and boy I won’t be doing that again J
I really felt for Ang and her extra swimming because I almost did the same thing. I rounded the second buoy and saw the swim exit right in front of me and started swimming for it and was so happy that it was a straight away. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw another buoy on my left side; “crap” I need to be on the other side of that buoy, so I started swimming sideways until I reached it, luckily I hadn’t passed it so I didn’t double back but definitely wasted time going sideways. There is a lot to be said about how the course looks from shore as opposed to in the water! From shore it was so obvious, but in the water I was pretty disoriented during this swim.
I came out of the water pretty close to mid-pack though and headed for my transition zone. I was able to have my best time during T1 and jumped on my bike feeling good but really tired. Luckily I had been practicing this bike ride for a few weeks so I knew it well and knew where to prepare and where to go fast. The bike was pretty uneventful until the end where I caught up with two boys (around 16 years old) and I was trying to keep up with them and got going faster than I ever have there. That is where I saw Tina and started yelling to her “Don’t let me catch you T”; I am not sure but I think I saw her hunker down and start pedaling a little faster!
My husband and family were waiting right before the park turn in and yelling for me which is ALWAYS awesome! I took that opportunity for a quick break at the porta potty (yes I know another no-no) but I didn’t care – I wanted to enjoy my run!
Another transition and Tina was just heading out at the same time, so we got to run together…”yea” another reason for it to be fun! We sang Madonna songs to stay motivated and just had one close call when she came down on a rock and rolled her ankle…luckily she could keep going we just slowed it down a little and tried to get an unknown onlooker to carry her piggy-back – but he wasn’t going for it.
After our finish and lot’s of kudos from our family, we changed into some dry clothes and cheered on the Olympic distance athletes who were so inspiring! But you have heard most of their great stories already!
What a fabulous day to spend with the best triathlon team on the planet! Not only did RTB cheer on their own, but I am proud to say they were the very loud cheering section for the last people coming across the finish line. Even while the event was being broken down around them, RTB was there to cheer across several people we did not know – who otherwise would have had a very quiet finish. How is that for TEAM SPIRIT!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Kelly Richard's Escape from the Gorge
Escape from the Gorge
A few seasons ago when I started doing triathlons I was inspired by a few key events. I was in awe of the strength, courage and speed others seemed to posses. One of those events was the Escape from Alcatraz. The more I read the more I was intrigued. Swimming in tough conditions, riding steep hills of San Francisco, dragging tired beaten legs up 400 sand stairs. Reading that the only way to get into this was through qualify or lottery made me nervous. To qualify I would have to work hard, race hard and especially run hard. Something I don’t do well. After two years of racing and a successful season this year I thought I would be ready to try Oregon’s Escape from the Gorge qualifier.
I headed to Oregon on my own. No kids, no husband, no friends or family. For myself, a foreign experience. A mother of four I haven’t done more than a couple hours alone in years. My husband and I lived in Portland area for years, so I wasn’t nervous about where I was going. I felt like the race was somewhat in my back yard. I left Sat. early afternoon. I wanted to get my packet on Saturday. Once I arrived in Cascade Locks I decided to find a place to stay for the night. There isn’t much in that town. I just knew I didn’t want to drive 20 miles back to Troutdale. So I choose a place about a block from Marine Park. Easy walking distance. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about parking, etc. Needless to say it has been years since I stayed somewhere so nasty. You could take a shower and use the toilet at the same time if you wanted. The bathroom was a carved out hole. Tiled large enough for a toilet and faucet. The only lamp in the room was missing a light bulb and lampshade. I had to ask a few times for an alarm clock. I was told these things were missing because they are stolen. I set out to pick up my packet and a light bulb. I could not sit in the dark. I decided my bike was safer in the auto than in the hotel. So I took it with me and got some dinner, my packet, light bulb, drove the course, and returned to my hole in the wall. Upon taking my bike out of the car I noticed I had a flat. Panic. First I had to fix the lamp so I could fix my tire. I wasn’t about to do this outside with the greasy bikers on one side and the large non- English screaming couple on the other side of me. I for some unknown reason had taken my two extra tubes out of my travel bag. I know only had one. I did have good sense to bring a spare tire. So I changed my tube and tire. The tire had a pretty good gash that went through, I didn’t want to risk riding it and getting a flat. I patched my other tube and put it in my bike bag just incase I couldn’t buy a new tube in the morning. Gathered all my gear and placed it in front of the door. Figure a good obstacle should anyone decide to try and enter. I slept with TV and light on. It helped distract the noise from the rest of the place. Amazingly I slept well.
I wasn’t groggy when I woke up. As I looked outside I was shocked that it was still pitch black. I waited and waited and decided I best go to get a good spot in the transition.
I had heard on the drive there it was expected to be a windy day. I knew I was at the Gorge. I thought I knew what wind was. I had seen the river the day before. It was breezy and fairly calm. What could change? A lot!
We lined up for the pre-race brief before boarding the Stern Wheeler. A boat I always wanted to ride while we lived in Oregon. Just never did. Now I was going to ride it and jump off it into the river. A river with huge rolling white capped waves. Splashing the rocks, spraying over the boat. The race director tried to calm our nerves with jokes about how the sighting buoys were gone. The wind and waves took them down river. The kayakers refused to come out and support us. He was waiting for someone to help with a wave runner and a boat. Finally 30 min. late we stop for the tri-it group to jump and swim to shore. I could hear others comment on how they weren’t swimming, they were being shot down stream by the waves. I finally peeked over to see them literally being shot off the boat as if going down a water slide. After watching one person being rescued by the wave runner that looked like a toy being bounced around and a boat rocking side to side I could no longer watch. I just wondered what my family would think if they were there. Would I have gotten on that boat? After 7 people rescued we were on our way. We were to be dropped somewhere up river, told stay away from little white buoys they were fishing nets. As we started out the race director got nervous and said he could not take us out 1.5 miles. He had almost no support. So we went out about ½ mile or so and this is where we were to make a small jump into the river and swim to shore.
I got in line and decided not to think about it. I just kind of shut down mentally. I thought how long it would take me and just get through it. The swim turned out to be easier than I expected. When I was lifted I coasted. Swam, a bit in the down, screamed at the crap that was burning my skin, coasted on wave, sighted, eventually saw I was headed in right direction and kept on going. Thankful to be out of the water, I know had to run .2 miles on rocky asphalt to transition. I knew the bike course was going to be hilly. I thought I was prepared for hills. I learned the Black Diamond really is a rolling hill area. Cascade was a climb up, down, up, down, and back to transition area. Next, the dreaded 8 mile run. Thankfully I have added extra running to my training plan. I very much needed it for the up down up down. Best part of run was 60 steps at the turn around. A little mental break. I had been very nervous to see I was the 8th female at that point. I saw a handful of women right behind me. Running is where I always seem to get passed. I had four miles to go. I hadn’t come all this way to get passed here. I just told myself to relax and let feet take over. I pushed as hard as I could until the finish.
I went to the result table to see where I was overall. Thought 8th female, what was my chance? It looked promising. I quickly went back to the hole in the wall to take a shower and check out. Back at the race site I watched the kids tri. They are so inspirational.
At the awards ceremony they talked about how the slots would be given out. They mentioned if you were going to Worlds in Vancouver next year it was at the same time. Through talking with others and watching others fly by I knew there were serious people there. I learned there were professional racers there too. They were not able to have the slots for Alcatraz. I don’t know how they get their slots.
Finally it came my turn. I was called up to get my award and claim my slot. The lady mentioned I looked very strong coming into the finish line and wanted to know where I got my energy. All I could think was could you please ask me my question. Do you want your slot. YES! Second place finish in age group was all I needed.
A few seasons ago when I started doing triathlons I was inspired by a few key events. I was in awe of the strength, courage and speed others seemed to posses. One of those events was the Escape from Alcatraz. The more I read the more I was intrigued. Swimming in tough conditions, riding steep hills of San Francisco, dragging tired beaten legs up 400 sand stairs. Reading that the only way to get into this was through qualify or lottery made me nervous. To qualify I would have to work hard, race hard and especially run hard. Something I don’t do well. After two years of racing and a successful season this year I thought I would be ready to try Oregon’s Escape from the Gorge qualifier.
I headed to Oregon on my own. No kids, no husband, no friends or family. For myself, a foreign experience. A mother of four I haven’t done more than a couple hours alone in years. My husband and I lived in Portland area for years, so I wasn’t nervous about where I was going. I felt like the race was somewhat in my back yard. I left Sat. early afternoon. I wanted to get my packet on Saturday. Once I arrived in Cascade Locks I decided to find a place to stay for the night. There isn’t much in that town. I just knew I didn’t want to drive 20 miles back to Troutdale. So I choose a place about a block from Marine Park. Easy walking distance. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about parking, etc. Needless to say it has been years since I stayed somewhere so nasty. You could take a shower and use the toilet at the same time if you wanted. The bathroom was a carved out hole. Tiled large enough for a toilet and faucet. The only lamp in the room was missing a light bulb and lampshade. I had to ask a few times for an alarm clock. I was told these things were missing because they are stolen. I set out to pick up my packet and a light bulb. I could not sit in the dark. I decided my bike was safer in the auto than in the hotel. So I took it with me and got some dinner, my packet, light bulb, drove the course, and returned to my hole in the wall. Upon taking my bike out of the car I noticed I had a flat. Panic. First I had to fix the lamp so I could fix my tire. I wasn’t about to do this outside with the greasy bikers on one side and the large non- English screaming couple on the other side of me. I for some unknown reason had taken my two extra tubes out of my travel bag. I know only had one. I did have good sense to bring a spare tire. So I changed my tube and tire. The tire had a pretty good gash that went through, I didn’t want to risk riding it and getting a flat. I patched my other tube and put it in my bike bag just incase I couldn’t buy a new tube in the morning. Gathered all my gear and placed it in front of the door. Figure a good obstacle should anyone decide to try and enter. I slept with TV and light on. It helped distract the noise from the rest of the place. Amazingly I slept well.
I wasn’t groggy when I woke up. As I looked outside I was shocked that it was still pitch black. I waited and waited and decided I best go to get a good spot in the transition.
I had heard on the drive there it was expected to be a windy day. I knew I was at the Gorge. I thought I knew what wind was. I had seen the river the day before. It was breezy and fairly calm. What could change? A lot!
We lined up for the pre-race brief before boarding the Stern Wheeler. A boat I always wanted to ride while we lived in Oregon. Just never did. Now I was going to ride it and jump off it into the river. A river with huge rolling white capped waves. Splashing the rocks, spraying over the boat. The race director tried to calm our nerves with jokes about how the sighting buoys were gone. The wind and waves took them down river. The kayakers refused to come out and support us. He was waiting for someone to help with a wave runner and a boat. Finally 30 min. late we stop for the tri-it group to jump and swim to shore. I could hear others comment on how they weren’t swimming, they were being shot down stream by the waves. I finally peeked over to see them literally being shot off the boat as if going down a water slide. After watching one person being rescued by the wave runner that looked like a toy being bounced around and a boat rocking side to side I could no longer watch. I just wondered what my family would think if they were there. Would I have gotten on that boat? After 7 people rescued we were on our way. We were to be dropped somewhere up river, told stay away from little white buoys they were fishing nets. As we started out the race director got nervous and said he could not take us out 1.5 miles. He had almost no support. So we went out about ½ mile or so and this is where we were to make a small jump into the river and swim to shore.
I got in line and decided not to think about it. I just kind of shut down mentally. I thought how long it would take me and just get through it. The swim turned out to be easier than I expected. When I was lifted I coasted. Swam, a bit in the down, screamed at the crap that was burning my skin, coasted on wave, sighted, eventually saw I was headed in right direction and kept on going. Thankful to be out of the water, I know had to run .2 miles on rocky asphalt to transition. I knew the bike course was going to be hilly. I thought I was prepared for hills. I learned the Black Diamond really is a rolling hill area. Cascade was a climb up, down, up, down, and back to transition area. Next, the dreaded 8 mile run. Thankfully I have added extra running to my training plan. I very much needed it for the up down up down. Best part of run was 60 steps at the turn around. A little mental break. I had been very nervous to see I was the 8th female at that point. I saw a handful of women right behind me. Running is where I always seem to get passed. I had four miles to go. I hadn’t come all this way to get passed here. I just told myself to relax and let feet take over. I pushed as hard as I could until the finish.
I went to the result table to see where I was overall. Thought 8th female, what was my chance? It looked promising. I quickly went back to the hole in the wall to take a shower and check out. Back at the race site I watched the kids tri. They are so inspirational.
At the awards ceremony they talked about how the slots would be given out. They mentioned if you were going to Worlds in Vancouver next year it was at the same time. Through talking with others and watching others fly by I knew there were serious people there. I learned there were professional racers there too. They were not able to have the slots for Alcatraz. I don’t know how they get their slots.
Finally it came my turn. I was called up to get my award and claim my slot. The lady mentioned I looked very strong coming into the finish line and wanted to know where I got my energy. All I could think was could you please ask me my question. Do you want your slot. YES! Second place finish in age group was all I needed.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Why I Tri? A Danskin Journey by Robin Cahill-Myers
The Journey:
This, my 3rd year of participation in Danskin was to be my stellar year. After all last year I cut my first year’s time by 19 minutes and finished just under 2 hours. My plan was to train with RTB for an entire winter and spring and finish four or more triathlons in 2008.
“You will never run again but swimming is good exercise” were the words from my Orthopedic physician’s mouth early in December. I would never have guessed that a slight pain in my left groin would have such enormous impact on my life. As a family nurse practitioner I should have known I was at risk for Osteo necrosis also known as Avascular necrosis, (dead bone from lack of circulation), in my hips. It had never occurred to me the medication I had taken to reduce brain swelling after removal of a brain tumor in the Fall of 2004 and to help me breathe during my asthma attacks and my 4 month stint of pneumonia over the winter of 2005 would suddenly put me into a wheelchair.
Four days from diagnosis to surgery on my left hip to reduce pressure in the bone and promote new bone growth which would strengthen the femoral head and prevent collapse left me wondering how I was to do Danskin. I would be non-weight bearing as on the left for 3 months with minimal weight bearing on the right until surgery on it in March. Oh, well, I would figure this out later. When registration opened, I signed up.
Let me tell you, wheelchair life stinks. It is such a pleasure to walk and I will never take it for granted again. Every visit to my doctor I asked “when can I swim”. He finally and reluctantly told me the first week of March I could swim if I didn’t put weight on my left leg and if I did not kick. Off to the Renton pool I went in a wheelchair armed with a pull-buoy. I was determined to swim 3 days a week until my next surgery in three weeks.
In the hospital awaiting surgery on my right hip, I mentioned to my doctor I was doing Danskin in August. He turned around, glared and said nothing until I told him at Danskin I could use a walker if I need to, (a little lie?), then he said OK.
Another 2 1/2 months in the wheelchair and I would be walking he said, “this hip isn’t as bad”. Experienced now, I started swimming without asking. When I felt it was safe I took off in my wheelchair for the pool, no kicking. The end of May, he said I could start walking. No physical therapy or anything? Not as easy as I thought. My feet swelled the size of grapefruit and I had knee pain. As a nurse practitioner we often figure out how to get what we want, so I went to a Rheumatologist friend of mine and he ordered physical therapy. I went to a long time PT colleague and friend who helped me get to my goal of finishing Danskin in a safe manner. My thighs had reduced in size by 3 inches and my glutes were non-existent. Muscle atrophy is quick and vicious. I had 13 weeks to train. Physical therapy and Gayle Barnhart’s 12 week plan should do it I thought.
I first got on my bike for a short 7 mile spin the 2nd week of June. I started walking during my half hour lunches at work and actually managed to walk .94 miles by mid June. This was very exciting. I swam yard after yard in the pool twice weekly but the lake had to wait.
I couldn’t train with RTB I told myself. “they are way too advanced in their training than I and I wouldn’t be able to keep up”. I now had to go back to working my three 12 hour shifts a week which interfered also. I couldn’t train with Team Survivor, (the cancer survivor team I also belong to) for the same excuses / reasons I had for RTB. I continued my training in the pool and on my bike, alone and cautiously since too much “pounding” can cause femoral head collapse I was reminded. I figured all I needed to do was be able to complete the swim and bike and I could walk the rest one way or another.
The Event:
As the date for Danskin got nearer I started to get a little panicked. I had managed to get into Lake Meridian twice and each time I had difficulties swimming the distance. I had one more week. I swam in the lake two more times and finally knew I would be fine and in fact may do well.
Saturday morning, “Team Survivor” breakfast, now a 3 year tradition for me is an inspiring and supportive part of the weekend. The Expo’s new location wasn’t convenient or efficient in any way. It got so crowded I exited after purchasing a few souvenirs and off we went to drop off my bike. Security here had changed to but we managed to find our way. Experience helps here too. We looked at the course. Why did they bring the first buoy in so close? I know the course was shortened but wouldn’t it make more sense to shorten the back stretch? It would be crowded around that first turn I thought.
Sunday morning I was real nervous. I was in wave 6. They had changed the waves the cancer survivors would use. Only the “first timers” would be in the 2nd wave this year and the rest of us would be in waves 5 and 6. Had I gone in my age group I would have gone sooner. Oh, well. I arrive, set up transition and immediately took my bike to the mechanic. I needed a “chain keeper” placed since my ride the previous Sunday had “messed” with my chain a bit.
I barely made it to my swim wave in time. Things were moving very fast this year. I edged my way into the side of the group and as we walked into the water I pushed forward a little but was a little unsure of myself. This was a big mistake. As I swam there were arms and legs everywhere. People doing breast stroke and other types of flailing I didn’t recognize but the people were thick as ants on honey. Determined, I kept my head down except for a sight or two and plowed through the chaos. I actually decided to swim around one annoying person. After the first buoy I knew from previous experience it would thin out but sighting would be my enemy. I had planned on sighting on the surf boarders since my vision won’t allow me to see the 2nd buoy. It worked. I actually swam straight but I was a little tired. All the work crashing through all those bodies had taken a toll. As I rounded the 2nd buoy I knew I had to make a very sharp turn but hadn’t turned quite enough. I spotted some fins which told me I was right by a surf boarder; looking up I noticed most everyone else was off to the right. I couldn’t see the exit until I was half way in to shore but I made an adjustment to the right and swam in. No sprint to shore this time but happy I was just to be there.
Walk was my mantra. I was told over and over again, “do not run” by my physical therapist; an occasional skip would be allowed but no running. As I walked to the transition area I realized just how far it is and how long it takes.
I hadn’t practiced transitioning yet but done it before so not problem, right? Rain, plastic bag covers with puddles on top of your gear, chip falling off and a long walk with my bike to the road left me with an 8 minute transition. Must be a record. I heard my son-in-law Brad and my son Paul yelling as I rode out of the area. I couldn’t see them and they weren’t very loud but no matter, I was focused. This was my time to push. I knew I could stand and drive up the Day street ramp. I had practiced it and had done it in the past. Foiled as a person walking along the side of the ramp decided to step out in front of me and mount her bike. Emergency stop and walk to the top mumbling the whole way. Off I went again, down on my bars as fast as I could. “On your left” was my mantra this time. Into the tunnel I was reminded of the Danskin cheer as we all whooped and yelled “you go girl”. The turn around was not problem at all even with the wet roads. I pushed to the end of the bridge, no need to save my legs to run because I can’t. All I have to do is crawl across that line. Disappointment hit as were was told to get off our bikes and walk down the ramp. Someone had crashed and we were told it was too slick to ride. At the bottom got back on and pushed to dismount. Another long walk to my gear. At T2 I heard my family yelling and cheering as I more quickly this time got ready to walk. I saw Patty as I started out and felt encouraged by her support also. I tried to skip but at 55 my skipping days are long gone I think. I would power walk this thing. Hadn’t practiced it because hip pain was my frequent reminder not to “over do it”. It wasn’t hard at all. I stayed focused and had so much fun thanking the volunteers and cheering on all the RTB members passing me one way or another. It was great to be part of such a huge group who even though they didn’t know who I was cheered me on also. We were a presence out there. Many people commented to me about the team since I was walking and they could slow and chat a bit. I never slowed though. Heavy rain just made me laugh with the others next to me. We had it easy, it was the spectators who would be suffering. Erica my daughter came down the road and a quick high five felt good. No hip pain until the hill but now it was all downhill from here. My partner waited for me just like the years before at the bottom of the hill and chugged up it beside me on the sidewalk. At the top I told her to get down to the finish fast if she wants to see it because I would be there soon. I rounded the corner into the “chute” took my Team Survivor shirt our of my race belt and held it over my head as I jogged gently over the grass and across the finish line. I did it. Almost immediately I heard a voice and Erica said, “hi mom”. We found Brad and their boys and then I was told to take out my ear plugs. I had forgotten this little item during T-1 and that is why I couldn’t hear my cheer squad. I found Paul and Vickie and decided quickly I needed some more clothes. I was really wet and now cold. I walked all the way back to transition and changed clothes in a biffy. I joined the others again to get some food and then decided it was time to go before I turned completely to stone.
I think I had done just a little more than I should have but not damage. I completed Danskin a third time. No records but a phenomenal achievement. Two hours and two minutes, a bike pace only .5 mph slower than last year and a 46minute walk. My head is held high.
“There is always next year” is my mantra now. I don’t see my Orthopedist until October but I will announce proudly that I completed Danskin.
Is there another race for this year? I’m not sure. I’m being told to take it easy since it will take up to a year for the drill holes to completely fill and the dead bone to be replaced if it does at all. I am aching to get out there and do it again.
Why do I tri?
Because I am alive and I can. No excuses. Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis in my spine with collapsed discs, rotator cuff tears, chronic tendonitis in many joints, brain cancer, asthma with bronchiectais and now osteo-necrosis are all little speed bumps in my journey. Giving me motivation and determination but most of all gratitude for who I am and all the people in my life who share this journey with me. Life is good.
This, my 3rd year of participation in Danskin was to be my stellar year. After all last year I cut my first year’s time by 19 minutes and finished just under 2 hours. My plan was to train with RTB for an entire winter and spring and finish four or more triathlons in 2008.
“You will never run again but swimming is good exercise” were the words from my Orthopedic physician’s mouth early in December. I would never have guessed that a slight pain in my left groin would have such enormous impact on my life. As a family nurse practitioner I should have known I was at risk for Osteo necrosis also known as Avascular necrosis, (dead bone from lack of circulation), in my hips. It had never occurred to me the medication I had taken to reduce brain swelling after removal of a brain tumor in the Fall of 2004 and to help me breathe during my asthma attacks and my 4 month stint of pneumonia over the winter of 2005 would suddenly put me into a wheelchair.
Four days from diagnosis to surgery on my left hip to reduce pressure in the bone and promote new bone growth which would strengthen the femoral head and prevent collapse left me wondering how I was to do Danskin. I would be non-weight bearing as on the left for 3 months with minimal weight bearing on the right until surgery on it in March. Oh, well, I would figure this out later. When registration opened, I signed up.
Let me tell you, wheelchair life stinks. It is such a pleasure to walk and I will never take it for granted again. Every visit to my doctor I asked “when can I swim”. He finally and reluctantly told me the first week of March I could swim if I didn’t put weight on my left leg and if I did not kick. Off to the Renton pool I went in a wheelchair armed with a pull-buoy. I was determined to swim 3 days a week until my next surgery in three weeks.
In the hospital awaiting surgery on my right hip, I mentioned to my doctor I was doing Danskin in August. He turned around, glared and said nothing until I told him at Danskin I could use a walker if I need to, (a little lie?), then he said OK.
Another 2 1/2 months in the wheelchair and I would be walking he said, “this hip isn’t as bad”. Experienced now, I started swimming without asking. When I felt it was safe I took off in my wheelchair for the pool, no kicking. The end of May, he said I could start walking. No physical therapy or anything? Not as easy as I thought. My feet swelled the size of grapefruit and I had knee pain. As a nurse practitioner we often figure out how to get what we want, so I went to a Rheumatologist friend of mine and he ordered physical therapy. I went to a long time PT colleague and friend who helped me get to my goal of finishing Danskin in a safe manner. My thighs had reduced in size by 3 inches and my glutes were non-existent. Muscle atrophy is quick and vicious. I had 13 weeks to train. Physical therapy and Gayle Barnhart’s 12 week plan should do it I thought.
I first got on my bike for a short 7 mile spin the 2nd week of June. I started walking during my half hour lunches at work and actually managed to walk .94 miles by mid June. This was very exciting. I swam yard after yard in the pool twice weekly but the lake had to wait.
I couldn’t train with RTB I told myself. “they are way too advanced in their training than I and I wouldn’t be able to keep up”. I now had to go back to working my three 12 hour shifts a week which interfered also. I couldn’t train with Team Survivor, (the cancer survivor team I also belong to) for the same excuses / reasons I had for RTB. I continued my training in the pool and on my bike, alone and cautiously since too much “pounding” can cause femoral head collapse I was reminded. I figured all I needed to do was be able to complete the swim and bike and I could walk the rest one way or another.
The Event:
As the date for Danskin got nearer I started to get a little panicked. I had managed to get into Lake Meridian twice and each time I had difficulties swimming the distance. I had one more week. I swam in the lake two more times and finally knew I would be fine and in fact may do well.
Saturday morning, “Team Survivor” breakfast, now a 3 year tradition for me is an inspiring and supportive part of the weekend. The Expo’s new location wasn’t convenient or efficient in any way. It got so crowded I exited after purchasing a few souvenirs and off we went to drop off my bike. Security here had changed to but we managed to find our way. Experience helps here too. We looked at the course. Why did they bring the first buoy in so close? I know the course was shortened but wouldn’t it make more sense to shorten the back stretch? It would be crowded around that first turn I thought.
Sunday morning I was real nervous. I was in wave 6. They had changed the waves the cancer survivors would use. Only the “first timers” would be in the 2nd wave this year and the rest of us would be in waves 5 and 6. Had I gone in my age group I would have gone sooner. Oh, well. I arrive, set up transition and immediately took my bike to the mechanic. I needed a “chain keeper” placed since my ride the previous Sunday had “messed” with my chain a bit.
I barely made it to my swim wave in time. Things were moving very fast this year. I edged my way into the side of the group and as we walked into the water I pushed forward a little but was a little unsure of myself. This was a big mistake. As I swam there were arms and legs everywhere. People doing breast stroke and other types of flailing I didn’t recognize but the people were thick as ants on honey. Determined, I kept my head down except for a sight or two and plowed through the chaos. I actually decided to swim around one annoying person. After the first buoy I knew from previous experience it would thin out but sighting would be my enemy. I had planned on sighting on the surf boarders since my vision won’t allow me to see the 2nd buoy. It worked. I actually swam straight but I was a little tired. All the work crashing through all those bodies had taken a toll. As I rounded the 2nd buoy I knew I had to make a very sharp turn but hadn’t turned quite enough. I spotted some fins which told me I was right by a surf boarder; looking up I noticed most everyone else was off to the right. I couldn’t see the exit until I was half way in to shore but I made an adjustment to the right and swam in. No sprint to shore this time but happy I was just to be there.
Walk was my mantra. I was told over and over again, “do not run” by my physical therapist; an occasional skip would be allowed but no running. As I walked to the transition area I realized just how far it is and how long it takes.
I hadn’t practiced transitioning yet but done it before so not problem, right? Rain, plastic bag covers with puddles on top of your gear, chip falling off and a long walk with my bike to the road left me with an 8 minute transition. Must be a record. I heard my son-in-law Brad and my son Paul yelling as I rode out of the area. I couldn’t see them and they weren’t very loud but no matter, I was focused. This was my time to push. I knew I could stand and drive up the Day street ramp. I had practiced it and had done it in the past. Foiled as a person walking along the side of the ramp decided to step out in front of me and mount her bike. Emergency stop and walk to the top mumbling the whole way. Off I went again, down on my bars as fast as I could. “On your left” was my mantra this time. Into the tunnel I was reminded of the Danskin cheer as we all whooped and yelled “you go girl”. The turn around was not problem at all even with the wet roads. I pushed to the end of the bridge, no need to save my legs to run because I can’t. All I have to do is crawl across that line. Disappointment hit as were was told to get off our bikes and walk down the ramp. Someone had crashed and we were told it was too slick to ride. At the bottom got back on and pushed to dismount. Another long walk to my gear. At T2 I heard my family yelling and cheering as I more quickly this time got ready to walk. I saw Patty as I started out and felt encouraged by her support also. I tried to skip but at 55 my skipping days are long gone I think. I would power walk this thing. Hadn’t practiced it because hip pain was my frequent reminder not to “over do it”. It wasn’t hard at all. I stayed focused and had so much fun thanking the volunteers and cheering on all the RTB members passing me one way or another. It was great to be part of such a huge group who even though they didn’t know who I was cheered me on also. We were a presence out there. Many people commented to me about the team since I was walking and they could slow and chat a bit. I never slowed though. Heavy rain just made me laugh with the others next to me. We had it easy, it was the spectators who would be suffering. Erica my daughter came down the road and a quick high five felt good. No hip pain until the hill but now it was all downhill from here. My partner waited for me just like the years before at the bottom of the hill and chugged up it beside me on the sidewalk. At the top I told her to get down to the finish fast if she wants to see it because I would be there soon. I rounded the corner into the “chute” took my Team Survivor shirt our of my race belt and held it over my head as I jogged gently over the grass and across the finish line. I did it. Almost immediately I heard a voice and Erica said, “hi mom”. We found Brad and their boys and then I was told to take out my ear plugs. I had forgotten this little item during T-1 and that is why I couldn’t hear my cheer squad. I found Paul and Vickie and decided quickly I needed some more clothes. I was really wet and now cold. I walked all the way back to transition and changed clothes in a biffy. I joined the others again to get some food and then decided it was time to go before I turned completely to stone.
I think I had done just a little more than I should have but not damage. I completed Danskin a third time. No records but a phenomenal achievement. Two hours and two minutes, a bike pace only .5 mph slower than last year and a 46minute walk. My head is held high.
“There is always next year” is my mantra now. I don’t see my Orthopedist until October but I will announce proudly that I completed Danskin.
Is there another race for this year? I’m not sure. I’m being told to take it easy since it will take up to a year for the drill holes to completely fill and the dead bone to be replaced if it does at all. I am aching to get out there and do it again.
Why do I tri?
Because I am alive and I can. No excuses. Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis in my spine with collapsed discs, rotator cuff tears, chronic tendonitis in many joints, brain cancer, asthma with bronchiectais and now osteo-necrosis are all little speed bumps in my journey. Giving me motivation and determination but most of all gratitude for who I am and all the people in my life who share this journey with me. Life is good.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Kathy Morrisson's Black Hill Race Report
Kathy Morrisson's race report for Black Hills Olympic on Saturday, September 8, 2007
3/4 mile swim
30 mile bike
5 mile run
I started my first triathlon season this year with Sprints and felt like I wanted to finish off the season with an Olympic. Marie Hansen was kind enough to suggest the Black Hills as a great event. I checked it out, convinced Karen Nolting that we should both do it and signed up. (Well, to set the record straight Karen signed up first after I suggested it and I figured I better sign up too or she would never run with me again). Matt and I talked the night before what my goals were for the race. I decided it was to swim hard, ride hard and hold on during the run.
I prepared all my stuff on Thursday, double checked on Friday and triple checked Saturday morning. Matt's alarm went off at 5:30 AM and so I got up a half hour earlier then I planned but it gave me extra time. I had my favorite pre-race meal of oatmeal with brown sugar, raisins and milk plus some orange juice. Matt checked my tires, gave me a good luck kiss and left to get a run in before our sleeping children woke up.
I picked up Karen at 6:45 AM and we were off to the race. We followed a Volvo with a tri bike on top and met them at the race. We had no problems finding Millersylvania State Park but did park a little early and walked about a half mile to pick up our packet. We met team member Sean Wittmer and talked with Doris Klein. After checking out the porta potties, we went back to the car and moved it up near the transition area.
Karen and I set up our stuff in transition and talked with Marie Hansen and her sister Jane. The swim is about a 1/4 mile from the transition area with a run on grass, gravel and over a wood bridge. We spent a lot of time trying to decide if we should have shoes to put on after we swam. Karen and I finally decided that we did want them. After a pre-race meeting at 9 AM, all the athletes walked to the swim. We were able to warm up in the water (I think that was the first time it seemed actually possible at a race).
Then it was time for my wave. I was in the second wave. We got into the water and sunk about a foot down into some yucky muck. It seemed like a really long 5 minutes trying not to think about what I was standing in. Finally we got the signal to go, I started on the outside toward the front of the group but soon found myself toward the inside. The start went well with very minimal pushing and shoving. I ended up behind what seemed like the front group and just kept swimming and thinking about finishing my stroke.
I came out of the water, ran to the tree where I had left my shoes, was able to say a quick hi to Marie's husband and started the long run to transition. When I got to transition, I had trouble getting one ankle of my wetsuit off and then my insole of my bike shoe folded up and I had to take that off and fix it, then one of my straps on the other shoe came all the way out. In the meantime I saw Marie and Luis Diaz moving out of transition.
Finally all together, I started biking. The course is one 30 mile loop on asphalt and chip seal roads. It has lots of rolling hills but very little car traffic. And so I just pedaled and tried to keep my speed up. I caught a few females and males and was passed by a few males. I do not have a bike computer so I had no idea where I was in the race, nor did I wear a watch. I saw the 10 mile mark and at the pre-race meeting they talked about an Auction House at around mile 22. Otherwise I just kept riding.
I finally saw a sign that indicated that we were headed towards the state park. I was glad as I was getting tired of biking. When I entered the park, I was told that I was the first female. That was a scary thing to know. So I started the run knowing that there were females out there trying to catch me.
The run is on these really great trails in the park. It would have been nice to know them before hand but each mile was marked. I felt a little tight and not super fast but just kept pushing. There were times I felt great and times I felt like I was barely moving. At one point there is a short out and back, on that part I got to see my competition and they looked really strong. I saw Marie and knew she was working to catch me. So I just kept trying to push and waiting for her to come up behind me.
I finally hit mile 4 of 5 and was so thankful. Karen and I had noticed a really cool barn that had a cones going through it while checking out the swim. We were so excited that we were going to run through the barn. So at mile 4, I was expecting to run through the barn and then to the finish. Well, we never got to the barn (it was for the kids tri) so when me and a guy I was running with came out of the woods, I asked him if this was the finish and he said he hoped so. Then I saw those end mats and was so happy to be "home". I think I even said that out loud... thank goodness we are home.
Then a few people came up to me and asked me if I was the first female. The picture guy took my picture and wanted to know my time. I do not wear a watch and really did not know if I was first so I just answered that was what I was told. I saw Marie and Luis finish soon after me. Then waited for Karen (she started in a different wave). I did finally see the results and found out I was the first female with a time of 2:29.29. I also ended up being the fastest female biker that day.
In reflection, the event was well organized, it was a beautiful, warm day and I had great teammates and triathletes to race with. I reached my goal of swimming hard, biking hard and trust me I was just trying to hold on during the run. I am amazed by my season and realize that without the support of all those people that have trained with me, listened to me, emailed me, coached me, watched my children, inspired me, no matter my success it would not have been as great. Thanks.
3/4 mile swim
30 mile bike
5 mile run
I started my first triathlon season this year with Sprints and felt like I wanted to finish off the season with an Olympic. Marie Hansen was kind enough to suggest the Black Hills as a great event. I checked it out, convinced Karen Nolting that we should both do it and signed up. (Well, to set the record straight Karen signed up first after I suggested it and I figured I better sign up too or she would never run with me again). Matt and I talked the night before what my goals were for the race. I decided it was to swim hard, ride hard and hold on during the run.
I prepared all my stuff on Thursday, double checked on Friday and triple checked Saturday morning. Matt's alarm went off at 5:30 AM and so I got up a half hour earlier then I planned but it gave me extra time. I had my favorite pre-race meal of oatmeal with brown sugar, raisins and milk plus some orange juice. Matt checked my tires, gave me a good luck kiss and left to get a run in before our sleeping children woke up.
I picked up Karen at 6:45 AM and we were off to the race. We followed a Volvo with a tri bike on top and met them at the race. We had no problems finding Millersylvania State Park but did park a little early and walked about a half mile to pick up our packet. We met team member Sean Wittmer and talked with Doris Klein. After checking out the porta potties, we went back to the car and moved it up near the transition area.
Karen and I set up our stuff in transition and talked with Marie Hansen and her sister Jane. The swim is about a 1/4 mile from the transition area with a run on grass, gravel and over a wood bridge. We spent a lot of time trying to decide if we should have shoes to put on after we swam. Karen and I finally decided that we did want them. After a pre-race meeting at 9 AM, all the athletes walked to the swim. We were able to warm up in the water (I think that was the first time it seemed actually possible at a race).
Then it was time for my wave. I was in the second wave. We got into the water and sunk about a foot down into some yucky muck. It seemed like a really long 5 minutes trying not to think about what I was standing in. Finally we got the signal to go, I started on the outside toward the front of the group but soon found myself toward the inside. The start went well with very minimal pushing and shoving. I ended up behind what seemed like the front group and just kept swimming and thinking about finishing my stroke.
I came out of the water, ran to the tree where I had left my shoes, was able to say a quick hi to Marie's husband and started the long run to transition. When I got to transition, I had trouble getting one ankle of my wetsuit off and then my insole of my bike shoe folded up and I had to take that off and fix it, then one of my straps on the other shoe came all the way out. In the meantime I saw Marie and Luis Diaz moving out of transition.
Finally all together, I started biking. The course is one 30 mile loop on asphalt and chip seal roads. It has lots of rolling hills but very little car traffic. And so I just pedaled and tried to keep my speed up. I caught a few females and males and was passed by a few males. I do not have a bike computer so I had no idea where I was in the race, nor did I wear a watch. I saw the 10 mile mark and at the pre-race meeting they talked about an Auction House at around mile 22. Otherwise I just kept riding.
I finally saw a sign that indicated that we were headed towards the state park. I was glad as I was getting tired of biking. When I entered the park, I was told that I was the first female. That was a scary thing to know. So I started the run knowing that there were females out there trying to catch me.
The run is on these really great trails in the park. It would have been nice to know them before hand but each mile was marked. I felt a little tight and not super fast but just kept pushing. There were times I felt great and times I felt like I was barely moving. At one point there is a short out and back, on that part I got to see my competition and they looked really strong. I saw Marie and knew she was working to catch me. So I just kept trying to push and waiting for her to come up behind me.
I finally hit mile 4 of 5 and was so thankful. Karen and I had noticed a really cool barn that had a cones going through it while checking out the swim. We were so excited that we were going to run through the barn. So at mile 4, I was expecting to run through the barn and then to the finish. Well, we never got to the barn (it was for the kids tri) so when me and a guy I was running with came out of the woods, I asked him if this was the finish and he said he hoped so. Then I saw those end mats and was so happy to be "home". I think I even said that out loud... thank goodness we are home.
Then a few people came up to me and asked me if I was the first female. The picture guy took my picture and wanted to know my time. I do not wear a watch and really did not know if I was first so I just answered that was what I was told. I saw Marie and Luis finish soon after me. Then waited for Karen (she started in a different wave). I did finally see the results and found out I was the first female with a time of 2:29.29. I also ended up being the fastest female biker that day.
In reflection, the event was well organized, it was a beautiful, warm day and I had great teammates and triathletes to race with. I reached my goal of swimming hard, biking hard and trust me I was just trying to hold on during the run. I am amazed by my season and realize that without the support of all those people that have trained with me, listened to me, emailed me, coached me, watched my children, inspired me, no matter my success it would not have been as great. Thanks.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Rebecca Bailey's Danskin Blog
This was my second Danskin, and 11th triathlon. My good friend Jayne Williams, author of Slow Fat Triathlete (what you haven't heard me rave about Jayne and this great book? Where have you been??) was up from the SF Bay area to stay with me for the weekend and join us for Danskin again this year. A weekend with Jayne is a pure treat, she's fun, she's inspirational, and just a great person to hang with. She and I have LOTS in common, a great time. It's a real high to hang with someone all weekend when women are constantly coming up to her, hugging her and exclaiming,"OMG, You're JAYNE!! Your book changed my life, you're the reason I do triathlons!!!".....now you know I didn't write that book, I had nothing to do with it, I didn't know Jayne until last year, but it is a real high to hang out and absorb that kind of energy all weekend! She has a great fan base in the Puget Sound, and her book is now the 7th best selling triathlon book on Amazon. Cool.
Jayne has I think probably 7 (?) seasons of triathlons under her (borrowed, she forgot hers) triathlon race belt, this is only my 3rd, a relative rookie. Neither of us had ever been more wet at the end of a race than we were getting out of the water. Neither of us had ever even done a triathlon in the rain. The weather for Danskin was miserable, but sure made it a memorable race.
We arrived early and easily found a parking spot a few blocks away, sloshed into transition to add air to the tires, hit the bathroom 3-4 times, and found friends. Especially fun to hang out with Laura Monahan, friend of Jaynes, new friend of mine, and wonderful person. We had joined Laura and other fans of Jayne both this year and last for a nice carbo loading dinner Saturday after the Expo.
The swim went relatively well for me, I haven't taken the time out of my busy schedule to train very much this summer, so I hoped to meet or barely beat my time from last year. Hard to compare times when they shortened the race to 604 yards---where'd they get the 604 anyway?? What if we'd only trained for 600 yards? Would we have to stop and drown at the 600 yard mark? My swim rank was 1060 out of the 3499 finishers, and I'm sure there were more swim finishers than that who couldn't complete the whole race because of the weather conditions. I'm ok with 1060 out of 3499. Last year I was 1429 out of 3967, so I'm moving up in the world!
I have no idea why my first transition was so slow, I'm sure it had something to do with the rain and every thing being wet, sloppy and basically miserable, but I'm not sure. How could it really have taken me almost 5 minutes to get in and out of there? No idea, that's the slowest transition I think I've ever done.
I was frankly a little worried about the bike ride. In addition to Danskin last year, I've done three Seafairs, it's the same route, up that little hill to I-90, and every since the very first time when people crashed three bikes in front of me on that hill, I've been nervous about the hill. I'm a fair weather rider, a little worried about riding when it's wet, a little worried about riding with so many inexperienced riders in the rain, and I was worried about the bike ride. I had hoped I would be able to ride hard up the hill on the left. Every race since that first Seafair has been a breeze, I've been able to scamper up the little hill without incident. This year, there were many other riders on that little hill, very frustrating to have them all stop abruptly 1/3 the way up, on both the right and left sides of the narrow lane. I was clipped in and almost bit it, I had to grab onto the woman who stopped right in front of me as I climbed up her back next to her and beg for help while I clung on to her shirt and unclipped my shoes. Had to walk up the rest of the hill, which took annoying amount of time. But I had a great ride after that. I surprised myself by not worrying at all about the wet road, and I went all out. I was very excited to catch up to Patty A (yes the infamous Other Patty--a godess in my eyes who actually finished an ironwoman race at almost my age, with a almost near athena body and with lots of kids and a busy job, she's a godess!), we were kicking it hard, Patty A announced that if she kept that pace, she'd have to walk the whole run. I contemplated this for a second, and figured I had enough to ride hard and run too, so I said goodbye and kicked it harder. I was so excited to catch up to Lisa and Robyn. I'm not usually fast enough on any part of any race to keep up with Lisa and Robyn!! I knew I was doing well, and knew that Lisa was on a new bike, and probably being tentative, but I was excited to play leap frog with Lisa and Robyn anyway. Thanks to both of them by humoring me and playing with me! The three of you really made my ride!
I LOVE that tunnel at Danskin. I love that it's always quiet until I enter it and start whooping it up. "LOOOOKING GOOOOOD!!" is my favorite thing to yell at the top of my lungs in the tunnel, and I love listening to everyone join in and whoop and holler in response, the great echoing of many women's voices cheering to each other, that's cool.
Passed the halfway mark with Lisa, up and back down the hill, still kicking it really fast, about 2/3 the way across the midspan my chain suddenly slipped off, I'm pretty sure I wasn't shifting at the time, luckily I was able to quickly unclip and get off to the side. And luckily I was able to get the chain back on very quickly, pretty sure this didn't cost me more than a minute. Lisa passed me once again, checking to make sure I was ok as she flew by, she's so nice.
At the top of the dreaded little hill, they stopped us all, announced there had just been a bad accident at the bottom of the hill, someone was being taken out by ambulance and we all needed to dismount and walk down the hill. OH, I felt so bad for the poor people in that accident, and was glad they were no longer at the bottom of the hill, they were off getting help. I hate walking in bumpy awkward clip shoes on flat dry asphalt, scarier to walk down the steep little hill in the rain on wet slippery asphalt. My bike time indicates my time was a minute and 37 seconds slower than last year. But I know better. Take off 2-3 minutes for walking up the hill, a minute to put my chain back on, and 3-4 minutes to walk back down the hill, and I know I had a great ride! 919 out of the 3499, compared to last year 1130 out of the 3967, again, getting better.
Ok, so I rank in the top 1/3 in the swim and the bike, both cool. But with my old arthritic right hip, I am a very slow runner, running at barely more than a walk pace. The run was epic. It POURED down rain on us. I was in an early pool, most triathletes were probably on the bike during the downpour. I was thankful to be running, and not cycling then, and felt bad for all those women riding in the pouring down rain. I did my usual slow fat triathlete run, didn't have to walk much, so that was good. I loved cheering for the older survivors as I passed them ( I don't pass many on the run, so truthfully I love to cheer on anyone I pass!)
Overall, I beat my last year's time by 16 seconds! Ok, the swim was shorter this year, but even with that, I hadn't trained as well, the weather was horrendous, those cycling mishaps, I had hoped to meet or beat my last years time, and I succeeded.
It was a good race.
Last year Jayne and I were so pleased that we had stayed until the very end of the race. We both watched with tears rolling down our faces as the very last finisher crossed the finish line with Sally and 8 or so of the race crew, it was a spectacular inspirational moment. We so planned to stay again this year to cheer in that last finisher. We finished the race, we were wet, we were hungry, we were wetter. Sorry last finisher, she was on her own this year without us. We were disappointed to have to leave her and go home, but we were wet to the bone, and couldn't hang out another 2-3 hours, not this year, not in that weather.
Next year we'll be there for her, and hope many of my teammates will stay and cheer her in too.
Jayne has I think probably 7 (?) seasons of triathlons under her (borrowed, she forgot hers) triathlon race belt, this is only my 3rd, a relative rookie. Neither of us had ever been more wet at the end of a race than we were getting out of the water. Neither of us had ever even done a triathlon in the rain. The weather for Danskin was miserable, but sure made it a memorable race.
We arrived early and easily found a parking spot a few blocks away, sloshed into transition to add air to the tires, hit the bathroom 3-4 times, and found friends. Especially fun to hang out with Laura Monahan, friend of Jaynes, new friend of mine, and wonderful person. We had joined Laura and other fans of Jayne both this year and last for a nice carbo loading dinner Saturday after the Expo.
The swim went relatively well for me, I haven't taken the time out of my busy schedule to train very much this summer, so I hoped to meet or barely beat my time from last year. Hard to compare times when they shortened the race to 604 yards---where'd they get the 604 anyway?? What if we'd only trained for 600 yards? Would we have to stop and drown at the 600 yard mark? My swim rank was 1060 out of the 3499 finishers, and I'm sure there were more swim finishers than that who couldn't complete the whole race because of the weather conditions. I'm ok with 1060 out of 3499. Last year I was 1429 out of 3967, so I'm moving up in the world!
I have no idea why my first transition was so slow, I'm sure it had something to do with the rain and every thing being wet, sloppy and basically miserable, but I'm not sure. How could it really have taken me almost 5 minutes to get in and out of there? No idea, that's the slowest transition I think I've ever done.
I was frankly a little worried about the bike ride. In addition to Danskin last year, I've done three Seafairs, it's the same route, up that little hill to I-90, and every since the very first time when people crashed three bikes in front of me on that hill, I've been nervous about the hill. I'm a fair weather rider, a little worried about riding when it's wet, a little worried about riding with so many inexperienced riders in the rain, and I was worried about the bike ride. I had hoped I would be able to ride hard up the hill on the left. Every race since that first Seafair has been a breeze, I've been able to scamper up the little hill without incident. This year, there were many other riders on that little hill, very frustrating to have them all stop abruptly 1/3 the way up, on both the right and left sides of the narrow lane. I was clipped in and almost bit it, I had to grab onto the woman who stopped right in front of me as I climbed up her back next to her and beg for help while I clung on to her shirt and unclipped my shoes. Had to walk up the rest of the hill, which took annoying amount of time. But I had a great ride after that. I surprised myself by not worrying at all about the wet road, and I went all out. I was very excited to catch up to Patty A (yes the infamous Other Patty--a godess in my eyes who actually finished an ironwoman race at almost my age, with a almost near athena body and with lots of kids and a busy job, she's a godess!), we were kicking it hard, Patty A announced that if she kept that pace, she'd have to walk the whole run. I contemplated this for a second, and figured I had enough to ride hard and run too, so I said goodbye and kicked it harder. I was so excited to catch up to Lisa and Robyn. I'm not usually fast enough on any part of any race to keep up with Lisa and Robyn!! I knew I was doing well, and knew that Lisa was on a new bike, and probably being tentative, but I was excited to play leap frog with Lisa and Robyn anyway. Thanks to both of them by humoring me and playing with me! The three of you really made my ride!
I LOVE that tunnel at Danskin. I love that it's always quiet until I enter it and start whooping it up. "LOOOOKING GOOOOOD!!" is my favorite thing to yell at the top of my lungs in the tunnel, and I love listening to everyone join in and whoop and holler in response, the great echoing of many women's voices cheering to each other, that's cool.
Passed the halfway mark with Lisa, up and back down the hill, still kicking it really fast, about 2/3 the way across the midspan my chain suddenly slipped off, I'm pretty sure I wasn't shifting at the time, luckily I was able to quickly unclip and get off to the side. And luckily I was able to get the chain back on very quickly, pretty sure this didn't cost me more than a minute. Lisa passed me once again, checking to make sure I was ok as she flew by, she's so nice.
At the top of the dreaded little hill, they stopped us all, announced there had just been a bad accident at the bottom of the hill, someone was being taken out by ambulance and we all needed to dismount and walk down the hill. OH, I felt so bad for the poor people in that accident, and was glad they were no longer at the bottom of the hill, they were off getting help. I hate walking in bumpy awkward clip shoes on flat dry asphalt, scarier to walk down the steep little hill in the rain on wet slippery asphalt. My bike time indicates my time was a minute and 37 seconds slower than last year. But I know better. Take off 2-3 minutes for walking up the hill, a minute to put my chain back on, and 3-4 minutes to walk back down the hill, and I know I had a great ride! 919 out of the 3499, compared to last year 1130 out of the 3967, again, getting better.
Ok, so I rank in the top 1/3 in the swim and the bike, both cool. But with my old arthritic right hip, I am a very slow runner, running at barely more than a walk pace. The run was epic. It POURED down rain on us. I was in an early pool, most triathletes were probably on the bike during the downpour. I was thankful to be running, and not cycling then, and felt bad for all those women riding in the pouring down rain. I did my usual slow fat triathlete run, didn't have to walk much, so that was good. I loved cheering for the older survivors as I passed them ( I don't pass many on the run, so truthfully I love to cheer on anyone I pass!)
Overall, I beat my last year's time by 16 seconds! Ok, the swim was shorter this year, but even with that, I hadn't trained as well, the weather was horrendous, those cycling mishaps, I had hoped to meet or beat my last years time, and I succeeded.
It was a good race.
Last year Jayne and I were so pleased that we had stayed until the very end of the race. We both watched with tears rolling down our faces as the very last finisher crossed the finish line with Sally and 8 or so of the race crew, it was a spectacular inspirational moment. We so planned to stay again this year to cheer in that last finisher. We finished the race, we were wet, we were hungry, we were wetter. Sorry last finisher, she was on her own this year without us. We were disappointed to have to leave her and go home, but we were wet to the bone, and couldn't hang out another 2-3 hours, not this year, not in that weather.
Next year we'll be there for her, and hope many of my teammates will stay and cheer her in too.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Marilyn Gomez has RSVP'd
While it was raining for many of the Danskin racers, the conditions for the RSVP riders couldn't have been any better. Weather for most of the ride was warm with partly to mostly sunny skies all the way to Vancouver, B.C.. I did the RSVP because I thought it would encourage me to do more riding and help with the bike portion of a tri. However, with so many other things going on, I never got around to training for the ride. I only started training for it two weeks before, with my first century only being only 1 week before the ride. Yikes! Needless to say, I was nervous about the ride because although it's shorter than the STP, I heard it was much hillier and harder.
Well, it turns out all the hype about the hills and difficultly of the ride is just hype. The toughest part of the ride was the climb out of Woodinville on the Woodinville-Duvall road. Although, Chukanut is all up hill, it's gradual and the scenery is so beautiful you don't really notice how hard it is because it's so gorgeous.
The route is well marked all throughout the ride (however that didn't stop my friend & I from getting lost and ending up in a seriously awful road construction project detour that cost us about an hour). Unlike prior years, this year the route in Vancouver was well marked throughout.
The "party" was a bit lame. The food was so-so and the Coast Hotel is a bit old. One nice thing about the party location was that it has an outdoor grassy area that was great to lay down on and just hang out.
I don't think I'd do the ride with CBC again only because for the $175 it cost to do the ride the level of support that I'm used to on Tri's wasn' there. There was no traffic cops or signs warning drivers that there would be close to 1,300 riders on the street. And although most drivers were overly courteous, often giving us bikers the right of way when we didn't have it, there were many areas that could have used some police presence.
Nevertheless, the ride was still a lot of fun and I'm now eager to do something more challenging. Maybe do the North Cascades National Park Traverse from Newhalem to Mazama at the end of Sept, anyone interested?!
Well, it turns out all the hype about the hills and difficultly of the ride is just hype. The toughest part of the ride was the climb out of Woodinville on the Woodinville-Duvall road. Although, Chukanut is all up hill, it's gradual and the scenery is so beautiful you don't really notice how hard it is because it's so gorgeous.
The route is well marked all throughout the ride (however that didn't stop my friend & I from getting lost and ending up in a seriously awful road construction project detour that cost us about an hour). Unlike prior years, this year the route in Vancouver was well marked throughout.
The "party" was a bit lame. The food was so-so and the Coast Hotel is a bit old. One nice thing about the party location was that it has an outdoor grassy area that was great to lay down on and just hang out.
I don't think I'd do the ride with CBC again only because for the $175 it cost to do the ride the level of support that I'm used to on Tri's wasn' there. There was no traffic cops or signs warning drivers that there would be close to 1,300 riders on the street. And although most drivers were overly courteous, often giving us bikers the right of way when we didn't have it, there were many areas that could have used some police presence.
Nevertheless, the ride was still a lot of fun and I'm now eager to do something more challenging. Maybe do the North Cascades National Park Traverse from Newhalem to Mazama at the end of Sept, anyone interested?!
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