Despite being in bed around 9PM on Saturday night, 4AM came early. Around 5:15AM, we made our way to the shuttle buses that would take us to our final destination. Race start time 7:30AM. The plan was to arrive early, settle in and mentally prepare for the day ahead. Within minutes it seemed, we were back where Buzz and I had parted ways and he had been left in transition getting to know his rivals. As expected, the transition area was already a very busy area. "Do you have a pump?" "Where is ...?" "Is this the right side?" "Where is my....?" In addition, the race announcer was barking off announcements..."The water temperature is 71 degrees...pro athletes will not wear wetsuits...pick up your timing chip at the swim start...be sure to..." I found my way over to Buzz who was now surrounded by 9 others along with their partners vying for space and breathing room to set up their gear. After deciding to change sides of the bike for my transition mat, everything found its place relatively quickly (although I did go back and check 4 times). Amazing how much gear goes into such a small 3' x 3' area and that's what you will survive on for the day no matter how long it takes you.
After observing 100's of athletes anxiously waiting for the shuttle bus to go to the swim start, we decided that we'd walk the 1.2 miles. We made our way to the swim start, picked up timing chips and the waiting began. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Quickly, I was on the ramp leading down into the water. Even more quickly, it was my swim wave ready to jump into the water. Wetsuit on - check; swim cap on - check; goggles over swimcap check. I waited my turn, jumped into the water and once I caught my breath from the frigid water temp, I reached up to put my goggles on...THEY WERE GONE! Frantically, I looked around wondering what I was going to do...how would I swim...could I swim without them? Luckily, they were white and floating beneath the murky surface, I found them before I hit full panic mode. Within a minute or so of this, the horn sounded and the swim began.
I quickly found my groove on the swim. Suprisingly enough because typically I don't ever find a groove in the swim at all. Once we dispersed, I had no problem making forward progress. Well, the seaweed and I made forward progress. Disgusting...the water was absolutely disgusting and I saw large masses of weeds right below me. Seaweed on my arm, in my mouth, on my forehead. It never ended. It was on the left, on the right, under, over, it was everywhere! I had to block this out...I swam faster and stronger than I've ever swam. I didn't stop to talk this time and I stayed focused. Stroke after stroke until it was over...I hit the ramp at 31:39. My best swim ever! And that quickly, 1.2 miles of the 70.3 miles was behind me.
About 200 yards of jogging later, I made my way back to Buzz. It was time for battle. I transitioned fairly well (T1=4:03) and hit the blue line for bike mount. Off I went. I kept hearing familiar advice for the bike "Pace Tonya"..."the first 30 minutes don't push it"...I did exactly what I'd heard. Smoothly and with relative ease, the first 18 miles were behind me. For the first time in an event, I had to pee. I debated for about 20 minutes before making the decision to dismount and potty. I quickly jumped off the bike, ran over the hill, squatted and jumped back on the bike. This took less than a minute to accomplish. Buzz and I had a phenomenal bike portion of the event. Although I thought we averaged 19.0MPH, my computer, when all was said and done, registered 18.2MPH. I am still very happy with that given the headwinds that we all endured on the return trip from New Ellenton. At one point, the wind caught my wheelsets and for a brief second, I saw myself on the pavement. Luckily, I popped out of my aero bars, grabbed the handlebars and stayed the course. Bike time 3:03:58. I was very pleased with this time also. (T2 =3:27).
Two events down and one to go. I kept telling myself "Flat as a pancake". That was the way the run had been described. And it was but so was my motivation to run. By mile 6, I was, as I often am on the run, O-V-E-R it. Lucky for me, I found Rick...my knight in shining armor. He and I ran the bulk of the run portion together. Running and talking...he continued to motivate me. He was a Godsend as I wanted nothing more than to finish strong. And, finish strong we did. The two loop course was a mental test, just like Arizona will be, as we looped the same course twice for mileage. Seeing a sign that says "Mile 9" when you've just started isn't inspiring but rather daunting as the reality of what lies ahead sinks in. Nevertheless, I did it! Run time 2:41:58. Overall time for the day was 6:24:39.
Now, it's a day or two of recovery and the training continues. Believe me, during the run, visions of Arizona danced in my head. I had no desire to go there. However, now that it's done, I think I am ready for the next step...the big one. The best thing I can say about what I learned from today is what Rick taught me. I'm not sure he realized how valuable the lesson was for me in the end and will be in the future. I honestly had not stopped to think about it in the way in which he put it. Rick said to me several times that "EVERYBODY OUT HERE IS HURTING" and the truth in that was overwhelming to me because he was right. I saw men with IM tattoos walking, people cramping up, some staggering, etc. When I needed it to most, it registered for me. It wasn't as much about the body at that point because in truth, regardless of your talent or speed, it had become for all intensive purposes a level playing field. We were ALL hurting. The difference was now entirely mental. "Pain is temporary; pride is forever!" Thanks, Rick Rikard!
Afterthoughts: I graduated high school in 1991 number 11 out of 292 and the MVP softball player on my varsity team. In 1997, I graduated from graduate school with a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with honors. In 2002, I earned the Most Outstanding Employee award at my job. But nothing, and I mean nothing compares to having that medal draped around my neck like it did yesterday. Pride REALLY is FOREVER :) And today, I am proud of my accomplishment!
After observing 100's of athletes anxiously waiting for the shuttle bus to go to the swim start, we decided that we'd walk the 1.2 miles. We made our way to the swim start, picked up timing chips and the waiting began. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. Quickly, I was on the ramp leading down into the water. Even more quickly, it was my swim wave ready to jump into the water. Wetsuit on - check; swim cap on - check; goggles over swimcap check. I waited my turn, jumped into the water and once I caught my breath from the frigid water temp, I reached up to put my goggles on...THEY WERE GONE! Frantically, I looked around wondering what I was going to do...how would I swim...could I swim without them? Luckily, they were white and floating beneath the murky surface, I found them before I hit full panic mode. Within a minute or so of this, the horn sounded and the swim began.
I quickly found my groove on the swim. Suprisingly enough because typically I don't ever find a groove in the swim at all. Once we dispersed, I had no problem making forward progress. Well, the seaweed and I made forward progress. Disgusting...the water was absolutely disgusting and I saw large masses of weeds right below me. Seaweed on my arm, in my mouth, on my forehead. It never ended. It was on the left, on the right, under, over, it was everywhere! I had to block this out...I swam faster and stronger than I've ever swam. I didn't stop to talk this time and I stayed focused. Stroke after stroke until it was over...I hit the ramp at 31:39. My best swim ever! And that quickly, 1.2 miles of the 70.3 miles was behind me.
About 200 yards of jogging later, I made my way back to Buzz. It was time for battle. I transitioned fairly well (T1=4:03) and hit the blue line for bike mount. Off I went. I kept hearing familiar advice for the bike "Pace Tonya"..."the first 30 minutes don't push it"...I did exactly what I'd heard. Smoothly and with relative ease, the first 18 miles were behind me. For the first time in an event, I had to pee. I debated for about 20 minutes before making the decision to dismount and potty. I quickly jumped off the bike, ran over the hill, squatted and jumped back on the bike. This took less than a minute to accomplish. Buzz and I had a phenomenal bike portion of the event. Although I thought we averaged 19.0MPH, my computer, when all was said and done, registered 18.2MPH. I am still very happy with that given the headwinds that we all endured on the return trip from New Ellenton. At one point, the wind caught my wheelsets and for a brief second, I saw myself on the pavement. Luckily, I popped out of my aero bars, grabbed the handlebars and stayed the course. Bike time 3:03:58. I was very pleased with this time also. (T2 =3:27).
Two events down and one to go. I kept telling myself "Flat as a pancake". That was the way the run had been described. And it was but so was my motivation to run. By mile 6, I was, as I often am on the run, O-V-E-R it. Lucky for me, I found Rick...my knight in shining armor. He and I ran the bulk of the run portion together. Running and talking...he continued to motivate me. He was a Godsend as I wanted nothing more than to finish strong. And, finish strong we did. The two loop course was a mental test, just like Arizona will be, as we looped the same course twice for mileage. Seeing a sign that says "Mile 9" when you've just started isn't inspiring but rather daunting as the reality of what lies ahead sinks in. Nevertheless, I did it! Run time 2:41:58. Overall time for the day was 6:24:39.
Now, it's a day or two of recovery and the training continues. Believe me, during the run, visions of Arizona danced in my head. I had no desire to go there. However, now that it's done, I think I am ready for the next step...the big one. The best thing I can say about what I learned from today is what Rick taught me. I'm not sure he realized how valuable the lesson was for me in the end and will be in the future. I honestly had not stopped to think about it in the way in which he put it. Rick said to me several times that "EVERYBODY OUT HERE IS HURTING" and the truth in that was overwhelming to me because he was right. I saw men with IM tattoos walking, people cramping up, some staggering, etc. When I needed it to most, it registered for me. It wasn't as much about the body at that point because in truth, regardless of your talent or speed, it had become for all intensive purposes a level playing field. We were ALL hurting. The difference was now entirely mental. "Pain is temporary; pride is forever!" Thanks, Rick Rikard!
Afterthoughts: I graduated high school in 1991 number 11 out of 292 and the MVP softball player on my varsity team. In 1997, I graduated from graduate school with a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with honors. In 2002, I earned the Most Outstanding Employee award at my job. But nothing, and I mean nothing compares to having that medal draped around my neck like it did yesterday. Pride REALLY is FOREVER :) And today, I am proud of my accomplishment!
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