.life.unleashed.: August 2010

Finally, the last race of the season! I have to admit regardless of the time it took me to complete the race – I’m proud of myself. As a competitive person by nature I obviously looked at my time and thought I could have done better but that’s not what this is about. This triathlon was about more than just a time, it was about completing something that I never thought was possible. This race took more inner strength than I could have possibly imagined and made me realize that I really can do anything that I put my mind to.

A few years ago I struggled to run in a 10km race. Yesterday I completed a 1500m swim, 41.8km bike, and 10 km run. It’s amazing how resilient our bodies are and how your brain and your attitude can give you a DNF or it can help you finish a race.

I’m writing down my story for my memories so feel free to read. If I loose you half way that’s ok too!

This summer was for training for this triathlon. I had initially signed up for a sprint distance because that was the practical thing to do. I really wanted to enjoy my experience and feel like I was ready to finish something of this magnitude. Two weeks before the race I decided to start swimming…

My Mom came with me to my first visit to the pool. Our goal was to swim the distance of the race I wanted to do (1500km) that way I would be over prepared for the race I was registered to do (750km). I finished the 1.5km at the pool in 47mins, so not any kind of shape for a race. By the end of my swimming training I was able to get my time down to 30 minutes for 62 lengths (25m).

Biking was fun for me until I got clip ins.. I had a few spills trying to unclip from my bike but with the help of a loaner bike trainer I felt like I had practiced enough to wear them during the race.

After the half marathon I felt like I could run a 10km race no problem. I went for a few jogs over lunch hour but nothing serious. Unfortunately a few days before the race the black toe that I got doing the half had started to pull away. Too much info? probably, but this was a moment where my body was winning over my mind (first time ever).

A week before the race, I switched my distance from sprint to Olympic.. what was I thinking? Well to be honest I just wanted to see how far I could really push myself and determine what I can really do!

Race day: Swim

Everyone was all decked out in their wetsuits and looked like they could swim for miles. Me? I was wearing a sports swim suit and a rash guard. Hmm.. one of these things is not like the other haha. I’m already feeling intimidated by all these people. I ended up chatting with a mother of four who was competing (also wasn’t wearing a wetsuit) and she put me at ease a little bit. So, how many triathlons have you done? None… Have you swam in open water? Nope. OK, so you’re just just going to wing it? Yep, that’s my game plan – just have fun!

The race starts and 50m in I’m shocked that the water is so cold. 100m in and I feel like I’m drowning in the water. It was one of the most terrifying experiences I have ever been in. At this point I thought to myself ‘how the heck am I going to finish this race?’ my mind panicked and my body went numb. I stopped and took a bit of a breather to calm myself down. 100m down – 1400 to go! All I could think to myself at this point is ‘Death before DNF’ I didn’t work this hard to not get past the swim portion of the race. 650m later I was able to swim and feel comfortable – I finished the race portion and was onto transition!

With the help of the trusty volunteers I was out safely and off to the next transition.

In the transition area I thought that I was going to black out and hit my head on the bike racks. I had to sit down and reassess the situation – should I continue? You bet I will! I get on my gear and head out of transition one and start my bike adventure.

My bike was clearly not set up to be an hk triathloner so I’m just riding along freezing from the water and enjoying my ride. The hill was the intimidating part on this ride. It was a km long and steep. The first lap I rode up the hill in the hardest gear possible, I had no idea that I had messed up the gear process that bad until I got to the top! Lap 2-5 went a lot smoother and I could honestly say that I ate hills for breakfast that morning.

Transition two comes up and I am terrified of falling in front of that many people! I dismount way too early and do it in the most awkward way possible but I did it without any falls. I see my sister, LD, Darren, Kiersti and my mom cheering me on by the entrance and I am pumped, it was the best feeling having that support there!

In transition number two I get my shoes on as fast as possible and forget to take off my shorts. Turns out it’s hard to take off spandex when shoes are on so I decided to run with them. Not the most comfortable decision I’ve ever made but it saved me some time.

Mind over body. Mind over body. All the motivational talks that Tyler had given me in the past came flooding into my head. I didn’t make it this far to start walking! I get into the groove of things and just keep running. Every hill felt like it was a mountain and with every step I could feel the finish line getting closer. My body had no clue what it was doing or why but it was doing it. Raisins in hand and the motivation of all of my supporters in my head I ran.

I’m almost finished and I felt disappointed that my cousin had left early. I turn the corner and he’s there waiting to run with me! I almost teared up at this point because that’s when your body hates you the most but your mind wants to be finished. He pushed me through the last half kilometre of the race! And this is exactly how I felt at the end of the race…

I have to admit there were a few tears at the end of that race. I finished it, not competitively but I finished it and I was so proud of myself for doing it!

Thanks to everyone who supported me in my triathlon. From Kait who pushed me through a few races at the beginning of the summer, Justin who inspired me to change the distance and go on a few bike rides, Tyler who ran with me a few times this summer and gave me a number of motivational talks, Matt who gave me some biking pointers and lent out his trainer, and my Dad who said ‘there’s no such thing as a DNF’ and believed in me - although you weren’t there in person you helped inspire me along the way.

Thanks to Kiersti, Darren, LD, Lauren and my Mom for coming and supporting me at my race. Seeing you all cheer me on made such an impact on my spirits throughout the race. Thanks for sticking it out in the rain and showing up early enough to watch the race. It means more than you can imagine and I can honestly say I probably couldn’t have completed it with a smile on my face at the end without you guys. There were a ton of other supporters as well who made an impact on me either prior to the race or after and I feel very blessed for having so many wonderful people in my life!

Quote for the experience: We have two options – give up or fight like hell.