My Big Day

Written by Administrator Monday, 11 May 2009 11:47

I am so proud! It was my first triathlon and first ½ Ironman. (70.3 miles for the novices.)

Let me first say, Spotsylvania has some really pungent black angus manure; Unitards in light colors need to be banned (you ride behind a guy with a red unitard on and tell me your impression!); It is priceless to be able to say, “On your left” to 8-10 Hispanic men on horseback (one for the memory book!); The policemen deserve to feel proud after being thanked for their service on the race course; I’ve also determined I’m not quite ready for the Tour deFrance, because the water hand off made me wobbly; and lastly, I’m not really sure what I think (or why) my left calf was tattooed with my age on it. I did however notice everybody’s and it made for good “reading material” when the mileage was getting long.

As any good milestone (pun intended) brings, I reflected on several things during the race and the subsequent hours, which I’m particularly thankful and wanted to share.

Weather – It turned out beautiful. A little hot and humid (80s and all in the sun) on the run, but overall much better than predicted. (They were calling for rain with thunder and lightening.
Lake Anna State Park – What a beautiful park! And surrounding area. I think we must have crossed the lake about 5 times on the cycling course. I’m hoping to go back soon to enjoy all their facilities.
Swimming – I hadn’t had much experience swimming before I started my training, so still “under development”. I did freak mentally as I started the swim, because the water was choppy from the weather and was thankful it was a two loops. (The 100 yard run on the sand gave me a few minutes to catch my breath, see where I was, and do it all again.)
Cycling – My confidence grew tremendously! Two loops outside the park. The first time ¾ was very hilly with the wind in our faces. I don’t know what hit me, my endurance mentality or training, but I got in the zone and felt great.
Mum and Dad – For listening to me patiently as I trained, organize and get my head in the game. What would I ever do with out you both?
Corinna – As always, you are one of my biggest fans and dearest friends. I am truly blessed. You couldn’t have a better spirit both to me and the other contestants. So many people could take a lesson from you: you really “get it” and feel the pride with and for the participants.
Andrea and Joy (fellow SEAL Teamers) – Two strong ladies, that if it wasn’t for the triathlon training, I probably wouldn’t have gotten to spend so much time with. You are both great ladies – many, many thanks.
My Many Friends and Family – To everyone that was supportive and encouraging – many thanks! It is heartwarming to know there are so many people who care and are supportive of me. I am truly humbled for all your well wishes.
Organizers, fellow contestants, volunteers –
- The lady transition organizer: She felt the need to show this “newbie” how to lay my socks out. Poor lady, she couldn’t quite “get” that I really wasn’t concerned about scrunching up my socks that might save me two tens of a second in my transition time.
- John: My fellow transition buddy. You go man! (He’s a several time full and ½ Ironman triathlete). Except for my genuineness, he thought I was sandbagging because I looked so prepared and knew too much about Body Glide for this to be my first. Nice to see you on the run, thanks for the encouragement.
- Neils: You are a joy! We just happened to be near one another on the run and I was day dreaming about what I wanted for dinner. I decided he needed to hear it all. Humorously, he thought it sounded like a great topic and picked up the pace. We ran in together and hugged one another with our metals on. I’m glad my motivating spirit gave you the courage to run it in!
- Awards volunteer: She couldn’t have been more surprised and tickled. She was putting the metal around my neck and I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her like a long lost relative. (Although, now that I think about it, maybe the surprise was that I had just hugged her with my sweaty clothes on!)
- Volunteers: Especially to a young volunteer (16 yrs old) who thought I was reaching for her instead of the trash can and was ready, willing and eager to give me a hug on the running course. You go girl!
- Cheering crowds: Only one negative here…you could at least stand up as we go by! Instead they lounge in great comfy camping chairs! There is just something wrong with this...
- Fellow RTC Member: Thanks for cheering me on.

Thanks so much I just had to share my experience. I have a personal philosophy about preparing for a major event like this. I believe when one is so focused other people, events, stuff seem to come “out of the woodwork”, especially as the day draws closer. I think it’s the energy – some are positive but many are deliberately trying to thwart or sidetrack us. True to form…the eve of my Big Day, I came home about 9ish and notice a couple of things had been stolen right off my front porch! So after contacting a friend, chatting with neighbors, I called the police to report it, then an officer calls me back to get my report, etc. It meant with an alarm set to ring at 3 AM, I was ready to close my eyes just before midnight.

On the way home from the triathlon, I concluded…they can steel things, but not the heart that put it there.

It was a fabulous day!

Ruth

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