I’m a creature of habit. I have routines, races I do every year and a long list of “traditions” for almost every month of the year. Consistency eases my anxiety and helps control my OCD. I also love doing the same races year after year to see my improvement or lack thereof. Some results have been surprising and, the hometown sprint triathlon I recently raced was no different.
Let’s walk the line from past to present and back again as I reflect on this one triathlon that started it all.
For the purposes of this post, “then” means the first time I raced here (and my first triathlon ever) in 2009. The “now” is just last week when I returned, after a few years away, in 2016.
PRE-RACE
Then: Scared shitless pretty much sums it up. I had delivered twin boys three months prior, had never practiced open water swimming and had a mountain bike with road bike tires to ride in the cycling portion of the race. I had to stop running after my first trimester and had re-started about 2 1/2 weeks after delivery. I was clearly suffering from insanity but no one was brave enough to bring this to my attention.
Now: I’m at the point where a sprint triathlon is a relief and I treat it like the name implies – – a sprint. I absolutely could not wait to get into the water since swimming 1/4 mile is less than a warm-up for me these days. I just bought a new triathlon bike that makes me feel like I can fly and the run is usually the best part for me. Bring it.
My 2009 crew! I look ready…inside I’m crying.
SWIM
Then: My swim was comparable to that of a labrador retriever. Not even kidding. I seriously thought I might drown and just tried to keep my head up (literally) and breast stroke my way through. I had no clue how to even freestyle swim and my heart rate was off the charts as soon as the race director yelled “Go!”
Time: 7:12 (I think the swim was shorter than a 1/4 mile in this inaugural year)
Now: I did a quick warm-up as they weather was already warm and I wanted to get a little groove going. When we lined up, I stood right at the front of the pack and was filled with nervous excitement for what was about to happen!
Water levels on the lake are at an all time low so we basically “ran” for a short distance before we could even swim. It was bananas. Even at the furthest part of the swim from the shore, the water was probably on up to my chest. And trying to get out? Have you ever run in knee-deep muck? You never want to. Trust me.
Time: 6:11
My good friend Bridget giving me some courage back in 2009.
BIKE
Then: As I mentioned, I had a mountain bike with road bike tires on it. A friend had suggested it would be better than the mountain bike tires and she was correct. I did get out and bike the hilly route and, even made it up “Minor Hill” which has an 18% grade!
Time: 48:18
Now: I love that this was my first race with my new tri bike! It’s so appropriate, isn’t it? I never dreamed I would have such a fancy bike and be flying around the course like I felt I was on Sunday. This year, I had a challenger on the bike too! A woman came past me about 8 miles into the course and we played cat and mouse for a bit.
In triathlon your age is written on the back of your calf, so you know who your age group competitors are while you’re out on the course. I swear her age said 69 and I almost died! Turns out she was 49 and gave me a run for it on the bike. A few miles later, I was able to drop her for good and came into transition with about a minute on her, to start the run.
Time: 35:50
Which way to the bike course?
RUN
Then: Obviously running was the best part of the race and, once I had my running shoes on, I finally felt like I was back in my element. Although my run time was slow for me these days, I’m still amazed I pulled it off after only being back to running for about two months and basically zero sleep. The mind is a very powerful thing.
Time: 26:47
Now: After all these years, I still love the run, but this particular run was pretty painful. It’s hilly, it was hot and the course ended up being long. Not cool, not cool at all. Everyone who had done this race in the past was complaining about it afterward. My Garmin read 3.21 miles and trust me, I ran all the tangents!
Time: 22:49
First woman and 8th overall, coming into the finish in 2016!
OVERALL
Worse:
I’m seven years older and so are my kids
I put more pressure on myself
My friend Julie, who initially told me about the race and that I had to do it, passed away a year and half ago. I cannot train for and race this event without thinking about her everyday.
Attendance for the race is at an all time low with only about 90 participants this year.
Directional signs left a lot to be desired this year and I felt badly for those who did not know the course. I saw more than one cyclist who went the wrong way and it was no fault of their own.
This was taken (on my lawn) after the 2011 triathlon, when the boys were two! I don’t think I had time for pictures in 2009 or 2010! Miles is on my lap and Vaughn is in the grass. This is also known as transition number 3 – right back to being mom!
Better:
I have a lot more confidence
I loved having the crowd cheer for me
I know the course inside and out as I swim, bike and run parts of it almost daily
I know more participants at the race and the pre-race is relaxing and fun
I know how to properly set up my transitions
I’m having an absolute blast!
RESULTS
Overall time 2009: 1:25:34 and third in my age group (30-34)
Overall time 2016: 1:06:12 – 1st woman overall, 1st in my 40-49 age group, and 8th overall finisher!
We have all grown!
After all these years, I’m just so happy to still be out there and doing what I love. I know it sounds super cornball but it’s true. I make fun of my little cow town but I truly love it and the fact that I can swim, bike and run challenging courses right outside my door. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing a triathlon to get after it! Look at the paltry training and equipment I had for my first race and look at me now. You will never know, until you TRI.
[Tweet “Triathlon #racing in 2009 and last week. Still crazy after all of these years! #train4life”]
Have you ever raced the same course years apart? What was it like?
Have you ever thought about doing triathlon?
I love this! You are on fire! I have a race that is my all time favorite here. I did it year after year since 2008 I think? But I haven’t done it the past 3 years because of injuries. It’s in November…I may have to do it for old times sake this year! And a tri? I’ve thought about it but the swimming part holds me back. It scares the shit out of me!
You should totally do that race AND a triathlon. Being scared shitless is part of the “fun!” 🙂
It’s so interesting to read more about tris. I never realized your age was written on your calve. I have a couple of favorite races back in VA that I want to do again.
Not sure if that is a new thing but they do it in every race I have ever done.
I would love to see you tear up a triathlon!
So fun to do the side by side comparison. You’ve come a long way, baby!
How did you make your heading for this post? It’s really cool, with the “polaroids”!
Thanks Wendy!
I used Canva. It’s super easy and mostly free.
This is so cool!! I’d love to do my first sprint tri again, I think it was 2004 or 2005. Funny thing is how I didn’t even look at my times nor know how I did compared to everyone else! I literally had faced my biggest fear at the time which was cycling again after major back surgery in 1999. Yup it took me that long to get there so I was amazed at just being there I didn’t care about anything else.
That was such a great feeling, I would love to be that free and carefree again:)
The best part of that race was that I felt like a superhero for just finishing, and believed I was awesome! And the beer at the end blew my mind lol
Happy happy Friday Ali!!!
I remember you mentioning the back surgery and that is just nuts how you were able to race again at all!
I wish I was that carefree about racing but, I know someday I will be again 🙂
Thanks Danielle.
well, you know I love this post, because I love both looking back and looking forward…. so sorry about the loss of your friend….. let’s see where you stand next year (no pressure)
LOL! No pressure.
Thanks so much Paria!
This is so awesome! It makes me want to learn to swim so I can do a tri! All the cool, strong women are doing them, I need to catch up!
Many congratulations for lighting this Tri on FiRE!! Congratulations on the overall women finish !
You can do it!!!
Thanks Ana 🙂
Love that you were able to do a side-by-side comparison! I like doing the same races over again (or same CrossFit workouts) for that very reason – to see how much I’ve grown and improved. I’ve never done a Tri. I’m honestly afraid. I’m kinda claustrophobic and I’d much prefer a pool to open water (non-human things LIVE out there) and the thought of swimming with all those people at one time makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry. That being said, I’m rehabbing a knee injury and thinking about buying a suit and goggles and getting back into the pool for some laps after, I don’t know, a couple of DECADES out of the pool. That scares me too. haha
If nothing else, you should do some pool workouts just for the recovery and fitness they will add to your overall training. And, swimming in open water is scary as hell. I’ve come a long way with it but I can completely respect your fear. But, as I’m sure you know, the only way to conquer it is to keep going back for more!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Well, you were awesome then and are even more awesome now!! 🙂
My husband is doing his first sprint triathlon this weekend, and I’m looking forward to checking it out!
Ah! How did it go??
I love this – you’ve improved so much from an already awesome race to just incredible! Your graphic is fantastic also. In my years of racing I haven’t lived in the same city long enough to repeat a race, but I’m hoping to repeat the half I did back in March again. Have a wonderful weekend!
That is a GREAT reason to not have a repeat performance!!
Do you keep your ears outside of your swim cap? I think I always put mine inside my swim cap. Can everyone spot me as a tri newbie??
I was hoping to go back to rerun my first marathon this year (although injury has me out…) just to see how different it would be ten years later – both for the race and for me. I had no idea what I was doing!
Um nope, your ears should most definitely be tucked IN! Ears out was my newbie thing for sure!!
10 years is a huge difference and I’m sure it would be different in ways you may not even be thinking about 🙂 I hope you get all the injuries cleared up so you’re back in the game soon!
This was a really cool trip down memory lane! Look at how much faster and stronger you have gotten 🙂 I am SO sure that your friend cheers for you from above every single time you run that race. I love the throwback pics of the kids 🙂 Also, so proud of you. You are amazing!!! <3
She absolutely does – in so many ways!! Thanks so much Nellie 🙂
You. Are. My. Hero. Seriously, this is amazing, I am so fricking happy for you and I LOVE that you just keep getting better, stronger, faster, badasser with every year.
Thank you so much Carly! I was totally thinking of you when I was out there running in the heat wave. You are MY hero for running that marathon in those conditions. #StrongWomen #Blessed
Wow, what an awesome transformation!! I was reading the part about your swim (which is what hold me back) and I think I’m about in line with the golden retriever as well, although he would probably swim way better than I would!