It is still all about Oceanside... a few more stories...



I'm glad the memories of pain fade so quickly... or maybe it is just the way I like to remember the course of events.  Either way, I've been thinking about a few additional funny memories from race day that I would like to share... if you haven't already, read the previous post, "Oceanside 70.3 - Here we go... RACE REPORT!!!" for the context of these stories.

#5... My chat during the swim...  This is a story, two years in the making!  In 2013, I met an athlete during the Desert International who had crashed (bad) at the start of the bike (first time with aerobars)... here is that race story (must read to understand the rest of this story)... http://becomingmyhusbandsgirlfriend.blogspot.com/2013/03/desert-international-triathlon-race.html.  I didn't see Chris at the 2014 race, but I ran into him at the 2015 race just a few weeks ago.  I was soooo excited to see Chris, since his goal, two years ago, was to get healthy and finish a 70.3 when he turned 60.  "I'm signed up to do Oceanside" he said, "but I'm injured and am going to have to pull out." Flash forward to the swim at Oceanside... I was swimming along and noticed someone swimming on their back... IT WAS CHRIS!  I stopped and excitedly started chatting with him (yes, during the race)... to check and see how he was feeling and to cheer him on.  I saw Chris again when he caught up with me toward the end of the bike... and later, when he FINISHED HIS FIRST 70.3!!!  I can't tell you how INSPIRED I've been by his journey... to meet him at the start of his journey and to be there when he accomplished his goal!  Can't wait to see what is next... :-)

#4... Military support...  I've told you the crowds were awesome, our Tri It Together team was awesome, but there was another group that was on the course that was totally AWESOME!  The bike course was mostly on Camp Pendleton property... and our service members were in force,  in uniform, and making sure the road conditions were safe for all of the riders.  I thanked them as I rode by and got choked up when, after I thanked one service member, because he saluted me.  THAT was a great memory!

#3... My bike has clothes...  oh, the things you think about when you are in the middle of a triathlon.
In T2, I racked my bike and started getting ready for the run.  A volunteer came over to me and gave me several "kind" words of support (yes, she was yelling...COME ON... HURRY UP... YOU'RE ALMOST DONE... YOU ONLY HAVE A HALF MARATHON TO RUN!) As I started thinking once again, "What the heck am I doing...?" she put a "finisher" seat cover on my bike.  I stood up a little straighter and took off on my run thinking, "I must be an serious racer now!  Even my bike has clothes!"  I giggled to myself about that for the first mile or so of the run!!!

#2... "Oh NO you di'int..." After I was carried to the top of the hill and my 2nd muscle slammed into a cramp, I asked one of the volunteers if they would get my husband, Jeff, who was at a tent just down the street.  You heard that part before.  What I didn't know until later was the kind volunteer found our tent and said an athlete had collapsed down the street and he needed "Jeff." My Mom was standing there and said, "I'm her Mom..."  He said, "I'm sorry, she asked for Jeff."  OHHHH!!!  You can't tell a Mom her daughter had collapsed on the course and that she had to stay put.  I know the volunteer was doing his job, and he was fantastic.  As I laughed out loud when I heard this story, all I kept thinking was, "Oh no you di'int!!!" 

#1... Candy from strangers...  While the volunteer was getting Jeff, a woman came up to me with a little baggie and (2) pills.  She saw what was going on, and noticed I was wearing shorts from "HERevolution," an awesome female only tri shop. http://hertrishop.com/.  She quickly introduced herself, said she was also part of HERevolution (they have racing and ambassador teams, which I am not a part of, I just love their clothes!) and she handed me the pills and said, "Take these."  Again, the silly things you think about during a race. I've spent decades telling my kids "not to take candy from strangers" and here I am downing these pills, on the side of the road, from a stranger. :-)  Of course they were salt pills and she was very kind to help me!

Two weeks later, and I've barely taken off my Oceanside t-shirts, and am still thinking daily about that tremendous day.  Last weekend, I was chatting with my Uncle Scott about the race.  He asked, "The story of the race and your pain was amazing, but tell me, did you have any fun or find any pleasure in the race?" He made me think.  A race like this hurts. Everyone. The elite athletes hurt just as much as everyone else... they just finish up with their pain faster than the rest of us.  I had fun training with our tri group, sharing my adventures with friends, hitting my training goals, and I have found so much pleasure thinking back on that day, hearing stories from other athletes of their race day, and remembering all of the other funny/silly/quirky details of that day.  Yes, the race hurt, but doing a 70.3 is about so much more than that one day.  :-)

Is it March 2016 yet...? :-)

Oceanside 70.3 - Here we go... Race Report!!!

Just part of the 50+ Tri It Together family members we had in Oceanside - 23
racers and a ton of cheerleaders!  This was in the Athlete's Village Friday
afternoon... packet pickup, shopping, Course Talk... almost go time.

Saturday was the hardest (both physically and mentally), most exciting, painful, silly, "what the hell was I thinking," supportive and wonderful days ever.  I've been thinking about the story that I wanted to tell and one of my training partners helped me define it.  Wednesday was my first workout since the race and I started telling the story.  "I didn't finish the race,"   "What!? You've been doing triathlons for years and we've been watching you train... what happened?" Exactly what I've been asking myself for the past few days, but a perfect way to start the story...

Another view of Athlete's Village - what a BEAUTIFUL
place for a race!

Friday afternoon - Jeff and I headed down to the race to do packet pick-up, Athlete's Meeting, catch up with friends, check out Athlete's Village and drop my bike off at transition.  The week leading up to the race, I had a cold and decided to really taper.  I did what I thought I should do... started taking in electrolites, packing my bags, and I was a nervous wreck!  Am I ready?... nutrition?... training?... 8 1/2 hour time limit... where are Mom and Dad going to park?... racking my bike the day before?...8 1/2 hour time limit... the bike hills?... where are we going to park?... AUGH!  I continued to freak out... until I got to the transition area.  This was familiar... it was BIG... a big inflatable entry, lots of racks, "Ironman" on everything... but once in transition, I knew what to do.  I checked out the in's and out's... how to site my transition spot... looked at the swim course... and all of a sudden I was calm... and ready... 









Representing Tri It Together... and my new
Ironman Swag... shopping is part of the process! ;-)



Caught up with "Queen Amanda" at transition set up.  Signs were made for
each of us... shhhhhhh... we weren't supposed to see them yet...

 I LOVE this photo... walking down the center of transitions like,
"Yeah... this is my hood..." :-)

Saturday morning... up at 3AM... on the road by 4AM... in transition by 5AM.  Set up was good... normal... body marked... tires pumped up (I had never racked my bike the day before so this was a new step)... chatting with athletes (I LOVE this part... meeting new people... hearing their stories!), final bathroom stop, photos with Jeff, final nutrition, back to check my stuff one more time and grab swim gear, photo with Matt and prayer with Lala, and off to do a brief run and my own pre-race prayers.

 

Race morning and on our way to the swim start.  We
started a "Tri Club" at our YMCA several years ago.  Although
the program didn't make it, those of us that started tris at that time
have become wonderful friends!  Matt is one of those friends,
one of my biggest inspirations, and the one I call, "Superman!"

The wave starts were in a different format that I was used to, but I was glad to line up with several of my tri friends.  While in the chute, we took photos, watched the pros go by and celebrated what we were about to accomplish.  And then, there were the sea lions...

The swim start... about 100 meters from a boat ramp in Oceanside harbor.  The day before the race, the sea lions were  sunning and enjoying their normal spots... on the boat ramps.  Just before my group, the pink caps, were to start, this
group swam up and started playing right in front of us.  We all started laughing and cheering and the sea lions seemed
to play even more.  I am VERY glad that I didn't see this photo before I got into the water... where I could see just
how big their teeth are... I have now done races with dolphins (Mission Bay Tri) and jellyfish (Spring Sprint Tri)
and now the sea lions.  Just hope that sharks aren't next on my "wildlife swim partner" list!!!

I told you we had a bunch of Tri It Together family cheerleaders on course. There is something very special about doing this race for the first time, being in a wave start with several tri friends, and then having the swim out/in team being our team! That is Rick in the hat taking photos... Lee giving me a huge hug... I think we had about 10 friends on this line... you guys made me feel

like a superstar! BEST... WAY... EVER... to start a race!!!

 

 The swim was very crowded and choppy, with sun in your eyes on the turn, but I felt good and this is the best part of my race.  Funny thing... about 20 minutes into the swim, both of my calves cramped up.  Weird!  I NEVER cramp during a swim.  I spent a good third of the swim without kicking, legs straight out and feet flexed, but felt like I had a strong swim. Swim Split - 41:38 - 30/188 in my division; 258/675 of the women!  Oh YEAH!



After the race, I told Jeff that I could hear the sea lions barking during the whole
swim and I asked him how close they were to the swimmers.  He smiled and said,
"Those of us on the docks could see the sea lions... swimming right next to you...
swimming under you and coming up on the other side... they were having a great
time playing with you!"  Again... very happy I did not see the photo of their teeth
before I dove in!

Swimmers starting on the far right... swimmers coming in on the left... I love this photo!

I was just getting out of the water and didn't realize that my suit was already open
and ready to go!  I was too busy hugging friends and moving onto the bike.  Thanks,
Kaide, for the cheering and suit stripping! ;-)

So, swim went well - CHECK!  Transition... although I finished faster than I expected, I was very surprised that both of my calves were in a total cramp as I tried to run into transition.  Again... NEVER happened before.  While it was happening, I figured it was nerves, but kept it in the back of my mind.


Our cheerleaders were AWESOME... even made it to Triathlete.com!

Next up... the bike.  56 miles.  Although I had practiced the first 20 or so miles of this course, the mental part kicked in about mile 10.  I was already calculating my speed and the needed time to get to the 5 hour 30 minute cut off to start the run.  Darn... those negative voices can be SO LOUD!  I did alright... decided that I could make the cut offs, but wanted to be smart.  I decided I would stop at each aid station, grab a quick drink and nutrition (bananas... those would help with the weird cramps) and breathe.  Now, there are parts of this course that an athlete can not see or practice until race day because it is on Camp Pendleton property.  I passed the second aid station and was doing well... until I came up on a crest and saw the first climb in front of me.  I said out loud, "What in the hell is THAT!?" A few riders around me said, "That is the 'Mother F-----..." like that is a hill I was going to smile at and say, "thank you, can I have another!?"  I would say 75% of the people around me walked their bike up that hill... I made it up at 2 miles per hour.  Yeah, my time sucked, but I cheered on every single person that biked up that hill!  Little did I know there would be (3) more significant climbs on that course.  (2) more I walked part of and (1) that I rode all the way up.

The last (10) or so miles of the bike is pretty flat, but there was a strong headwind.  It was tough, but the worst part was an incredibly painful cramp in my side.  I have had this cramp before... the (4) times it has happened in my life, I can tell you exactly when and where it happened because the pain is significant enough you don't forget it.  And during this one bike ride, it happened (4) times... each time I had to slam on my breaks and jump off the bike so I could stretch it out. I probably wasted about 40 minutes with these cramps... (foreshadowing... why didn't I see I was having a major cramp issue!?)

I don't know how, but I made it back to transition with 10 minutes to go before the bike cut off.  I spent over (4) hours thinking I couldn't make it, but I DID!  Ok... now onto the half marathon run... Bike Split - 4:31 - 109/118 in my division - 615/675 for the gals - OUCH!!!


I'm not sure what in the heck we were doing, but we were sure having fun!

I took my time in transition and by the time I started the run, it was about 5 1/2 hours into my race.  I took it easy to get my legs moving after the bike and the first mile wasn't too bad.  I saw the first of several Tri It Together Cheer Stations (Hi Lorenzo!)  Next was the pier and ramp (what an aweful thing to put into an Ironman... don't they know our legs were shot?)  Right at the top of the ramp was the home base Tri It Together tent with Rob and Kevin cheering us on, my parents, Jeff, Anna and Chris and a whole team of cheerleaders.  Boy, did I need those smiles and hugs right then!!! 

 

Only (3) hours to go!

 Down the street and the ramp down, and at the bottom was another of our cheer stations.  Lee ran up next to me and asked how I was doing.  I was hurting, but I had no idea how much worse it was about to get.  Another mile down and all of a sudden, my body stopped.  I walked a bit and tried to run, but my legs wouldn't hold me up.  Back to walking.  Another few test run steps and my legs went out.  I started thinking about exactly what was happening.  What the heck!?  I trained, I put in the miles, I thought I had taken in plenty of liquids and nutrition all day, I had my best race run EVER (sub 10 minute miles) just three weeks ago, how could my body stop now?  I spent the next mile walking, one excruciating step after another, all while my body was yelling, "Stop, stupid, you're race is over!"  I had about 10 miles to go and about 2 hours to get it done before the 8 1/2 hour cut off.  I lifted my head, stood up straight, and started power walking.  I knew I wasn't going to make the cut off at this pace, but darn it, I WAS NOT going to leave that course until an official pulled me off!

 

I walked like that for another hour.  The crowds were amazing, homeowners giving us showers with their hoses, other homeowners having little parties in their yards, blasting music and cheering on every athlete.  Most of the racers at this point were hurting, but most would at least flash a quick smile or "thumbs up" as we passed.  At about mile 6, there was another ramp to go up.  Half way up, my right inner thigh slammed me with a massive cramp.  I bent over, started to massage, but the darn thing would not relax!  I looked around and there was nothing to hold onto and my other leg was shaking and about to give out, which would have been tragic because I would have tumbled down to the bottom of the ramp.  One of the race volunteers ran to me and offered to help.  My brain shut down and I couldn't think of anything but getting that muscle to let go.  Another volunteer ran down to us and the two of them got on either side of me and picked me up.  NOW my brain started working and all I could think, besides the fact I was sure my leg was going to fall off it was squeezed so hard, was that I had raced for over 7 hours and I smelled BAD... and I'm a big girl... I went between thanking these poor guys and apologizing for the smell and weight... thanking them... apologizing... and then I started giggling.  Even with the craziness that was happening, I could see how funny this whole scene was! :-)  My helpers set me down at the top of the hill and as soon as they did, my right quad locked up.  Lord have mercy!  A few police officers came to see what they could do as well as race officials.  I asked one of my helpers if they could get my husband (I was only about a block away from Jeff at that point) and he ran off.

 

It had been about 10 minutes since the first cramp started and both the inner thigh and quad had yet to let go.  Jeff ran up about the same time that a race official told me that he strongly suggested that I go go to medical.  However, he told me that if he took me off the course, my race was done.  That was it... I couldn't stand, much less walk and I called it.  I was in medical for about an hour, and while I was there... the first two cramps STILL GOING... my left calf and shin cramped as well as my diaphram.  What the heck...!?  It took about an hour for fluids, salt and massage to get everything to finally let go, to stand up, and limp around the room.  Jeff wasn't allowed in the medical area, but sat in the doorway and watched over me the whole time.  As I limped out to him, he looked at me with a grin and said, "You're doing this again next year, aren't you!?" :-)

Last week, I moved my triathlon medals to the left and my running/marathon medals
to the right, leaving the center for this week's medal.  I have already put up a sign
that says, "RESERVED - Oceanside 70.3 - 2016"

For the past week, I've been thinking a lot and reflecting.  Am I bummed that I didn't finish - YES!  Do I need to do some research on salt/electrolites/race nutrition - YES!  Was I ready, both physically and mentally, for this race - YES!  After all is said and done, what one word would describe this experience - PRIDE!  One thing that I have learned from (5) years of triathlons is that every single race is different.  Training, nutrition, confidence, preparation... all important, but race morning you show up, and your day will be set up by how you feel - THAT DAY - if you are ready - THAT DAY - what kind of mechanicals or injuries or mental blocks that you have - THAT DAY.  I am THRILLED with what I accomplished with the cards I was dealt - ON SATURDAY, and will be back to get that medal in 2016... because I will have MY DAY!!!

Race Week - Down to 2 DAYS!

Jeff bought me this medal hanger for Christmas.
This week we moved the triathlon medals (left)
from the marathons/half mar. (right)
The spot in between is for Saturday's medal. ;-)

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!  Two days to go and the Athlete's Village opened today down in Oceanside.  Friends have been posting photos this afternoon of their race numbers, swim caps, wristbands (all requested, of course, since I can't get down there until tomorrow.)  Emails and Facebook posts have been flying with last minute questions, advice from those that have been there before, and pretty much freak outs from we first time 70.3'ers.  I have to admit that all of the pomp and circumstance surrounding this race has been so much fun... the months of training, increasing miles and stamina, getting closer and planning logistics, the unbelievable support and fun from my tri club (Hi, Tri It Together Family!!!!)... I have totally been sucked into the fun, have tried to stay cool, calm and collected, but HOLY COW!  I'M DOING A HALF IRONMAN IN ABOUT 36 HOURS!  Time to pack my tri bag and get my bike (have Jeff get my bike) ready because I am going to rack the day before the race for the first time... getting the house ready because Mom and Dad are coming overnight... figure out parking/race morning timeframe... gathering details for the family to get to the site and to the tent to cheer everyone on... still wondering if I'm ready... scratch that, I know I'm ready... what about hydration (it will be hot)... carbo loading without meat on a Friday during Lent... race morning food - racing with the big boys - and when/where can I use the restroom during the race...? 

Hummm... does that sound a bit scatter brained...? 

(deep breath)...

Nope.  I'm ready!  Tomorrow... check in!

Race Week - 3 days and Flashback...

Jim (turned 70 years young last week and can out squat me anyday) and Chad,
our trainer - just finishing our workout and ready for a Race Day countdown photo

(3) days to go and nerves and excitement are really starting to take over.  I woke up this morning and felt like I was among the living again (thank God!)  I cancelled my workouts for the past (2) days as  I figured the extra few hours of sleep in the morning were more important to my system that an easy taper workout. I can feel the congestion in my chest, but I think I made a good choice taking the extra Z's.  This morning I hit my regular Wednesday training with Chad and Jim - Chad mixes it up every workout with weights, TRX, core, Bosu, super sets... pretty much... pain and sweat.  Exactly what we need! 

I've been thinking ahead toward Saturday, but I've also been spending a lot of time reflecting on my triathlon journey.  I think it is time to share a photo I've never posted.  A photo of my first triathlon.  It is obvious to see on the outside, what this sport has done for me.  But it has done so much for the inside, too.  The confidence, the pride, the determination, the pain (yes, there has been a lot of that!), the excitement, the bragging rights, the way Jeff smiles and cheers when watching me race and telling others the story of my races... :-)  I love this sport.  I'm so excited.  Tick, tock... tick, tock...


Almost exactly 5 years ago... what a difference
the years, and this sport, have made!

Race Week - 4 days to go...

Simple and sweet today... I've been working my tush off for months.  It is now "taper time" and I get
sick... what the heck!?  I had my flu shot... I've been healthy... funny thing is that several of my tri friends that are doing Oceanside... and also tappering... are also sick.  Curious to know if the taper has anything to do with a lower immune system, but it doesn't matter now.  Today is the first day I'm feeling better since Friday and there are still several days to go to get this stuff out of my chest. 

Oceanside...

... I'm coming for you!

5 days to go... and you can "be" there, too!

(5) days to go until Race Day and today I had a little help from my friends.  Everyone at work knows all about this event... they have been putting up with me dragging my sore and tired tush into the office each day.  Lots of chatter about how long the bike and run were last weekend, challenges with the weather, new bike seat, and what was sore and making me groan today?  Our office team is awesome and, as you can see in the photo, it is really too bad that we don't get along... :-)

One great thing about the Ironman races is that their online coverage and athlete trackers are AMAZING!  Last year, I had several friends that were racing in Oceanside and I decided to turn on the online coverage to check and see how they were doing.  Little did I know how ADDICTIVE watching the race would be!  They have live coverage of the leaders... live coverage of different parts of the race (where you could actually watch me do/cross certain parts of the course)... and an athlete tracker where you can watch my progress in real time!  I would LOVE IT if you would follow along... here's how...

Go to www.ironman.com

On Saturday, March 28^th, there will be a link to the coverage on the Ironman site.

Tracey Locher – Age Group 45-49 – Bib Number #1550

Wave start – Wave #14 at 7:20AM – light pink caps

There are cut off times for this race that you must beat in order to continue onto the next part of the race.

	My Goal Times - My start time 7:20AM	Cut off times – Times to beat to continue racing
Swim – 1.2 miles	8:00AM	8:30AM
Transition 1	8:10AM
Bike – 56 miles, 2,720 feet climbing	12:25PM	12:50PM
Transition 2	12:35PM
Run – 13.1 miles	3:20PM	3:50PM

So, 8 hours it is!  Prayers for health, no injuries and no mechanicals so that I, and all of the athletes, can do the race we have trained so hard to do. You better believe that this gal is going to give you a reason to cheer!!!

Welcome to RACE WEEK - 6 days to go...

I just ran out of Nunn (the electrolite I put in my water), so off to my
local bike shop, "Bike Bling" today for my final pre-race purchase.

I received a "Welcome to Race Week" email from Ironman yesterday.  That was it.  I thought the instant rush of nerves was going to blow me right out of my chair!  I often say that the sport of triathlon has (4) parts... swim, bike, run, mental.  Now the mental is not "you've got to be mental to want to do a race like this"... the mental is the emotional toughness you have to practice, and have ready to call on, for race day.  The confidence that you have properly trained and you can do it.  The inner coach that will tell your legs to keep going after they gave up 10 miles ago.  Repeating your favorite mantra louder and louder when the voice in your head tells you to give up so the pain will stop, your lungs will stop burning, and the spot you have rubbed raw under your arm will stop bleeding.  Mental toughness is a must to get out of bed at 4:45AM (6) days a week to train... to make your body do things that it has never done before... and again the next day... and again the next day... and again the next day.  The mental part of this sport is what the elite athletes give credit to for their success... the difference between those that get it done, and those that stop when they can't push through the pain.

Today is t-minus (6) days until my first half Ironman.  I'm doing my best to turn those feelings of fear and nerves to feelings of excitement and pride... and I'm not going to let this last week... taper week... RACE WEEK... be the hardest part of my training journey.  The work has been done.  It is time to pack my transition bag, do one last check of my bike (who am I kidding... have Jeff do one last check of my bike), and get ready for the party that is coming on Saturday!

Desert International - 4th try... :-)

Saturday... I had sand in places I didn't know I had due to the sand storms
and high winds, but that wasn't going to stop us from supporting
our Tri It Together athletes!

THIS race has been my achillies heel.  1st year and it was my first international distance tri.  When I arrived race morning, I was not ready to see the level of athlete, equipment, matching tri kits (this race is a tri club competition)... I was emotionally spent before I raced in the heat and did not properly hydrate... almost pulled out for medical help, but finished.  2nd year I met and helped an athlete who had crashed on the bike and decided the race wasn't going to beat him.  He kept going and needed some support to finish the race.  3rd year, I had a hamstring injury all off season and couldn't run so I did the Aquabike.  And then this year...

The Garrett sisters, Susan and me... during one of the calm moments
of the weekend.

For the 2nd year we decided to camp at the onsite campground... and for the 2nd year, we dealt with AMAZINGLY CRAZY weather.  70 mile per hour winds, rain, dust storms... thank goodness we had a trailer!  We didn't go outside unless we had to... or were racing/supporting racing.  Our Tri It Together Club tent blew away and broke, the windstorms during the Saturday sprint were so bad that you couldn't see 1 foot in front of you and the swim... oh the poor athletes doing the swim... the bouys blew away, couldn't find the course, finally they just announced to come in to the finish line. 

That was Saturday.  The wind blew so hard both nights that it kept us up, wondering if everything was OK outside.  Sunday morning - race day.  Woke up to a light breeze and figured the weather would be OK for the race... and it was... until transition set up... when it started to rain... and it was cold.  I think that is enough of a set up to let the photos tell the rest of the story...


I have never been cold when "warming up" in the water, but with the rain, it was COLD! 
No better way to get it started than to be out in front... I'm on the front line with
my right arm taking the stroke and one of the first out of the water!  Good start!

Not the best photo, but shows the craziness of transition... and with Susan!

While I was still feeling good on the bike... even in the rain...
 

I used to like to run... but it is now the part of the race I struggle with and
hate.  The bike is usually pretty good for me, but it was sooooo cold
that my back cramped up at mile 15 and I spent the next 9 miles telling
myself "the faster you get off this bike, the faster you get to start running..."
HUH!?  I don't think I have ever been so happy to start running... :-)

OH... MY... GOSH!  my bike was aweful with the pain in my back and I finished the bike 15 minutes slower than
expected.  Then I started running... felt slow... kept pushing... and then I started noticing my splits.  I was running faster
than my training time... at 3 miles, I was averaging about 10 minues/mile (I'm training at 11 minutes per mile).  I felt
good and the 4th mile was at an 8 minute mile... WHAT!!!?  Then I noticed that if I kept it up, for the first time, I
would finish this race under 3 hours.  About 3 minutes from the finish, Jeff ran up next to me.  I told him I was about
to go sub-3 and the other athletes around me started cheering.  These are the photos as I crossed the line... in the rain...
UNDER 3 HOURS...PR of 18 MINUTES!!!!!! WOO HOOOOOO!

 

Our cold, wet, but happy-we-were-done Tri It Together athletes.  It was a
tough race, but it proved to me the Ironman training is working.  Time to trust the training...
One week to go...
 

Jeff's 1st Race Report (and he ROCKED it!)

No way am I going to hide the results of Jeff's race... he did AWESOME.  But there is a bit of catching up I have to do first.  Going back a few weeks... February 12th - Jeff's beloved Uncle Paul passed.  Uncle Paul was one of a kind... heart of gold... loved to tell stories and would always start with, "Tell me if I've already told you this one."  Many times he had, but we would never stop him.  He had the gift of gab... he loved to stop strangers on the street, chat with waitresses ("Do you have a good looking, single grandmother?"), in fact we joked for a few weeks that we weren't sure if Uncle Paul had made it up to Heaven yet because he was probably still talking to all of the people on the way up! :-)  We traveled to Rochester Hills, Michigan for the services and to say goodbye.



Jeff just crossing the start line... I guess he heard us cheering for him! :-)

A few hours after we returned from Michigan, the phone rang again, and my Aunt Mary passed.  She was a very loving and special soul that I'm sure already had one foot through the Pearly Gates as she took her last breath.  A few days later was her beautiful service and the next morning we left town for the Desert International Tri. I will post my race story next (which includes several firsts as I'm sure I had two special angels helping me to fly through the course!)  But THIS post is to tell Jeff's story.

A few notes before I let the photos tell the story...  I've told you before that Jeff is a cyclist, so the 9 mile bike was going to be a breeze for him.  Although Jeff didn't train for the swim, he was confident he could do the 150 meters in the pool without a problem.  The only part that he was concerned about was the run.  He had never run 3 miles before, and he didn't train for this race due to time issues (work and long training bike rides with me) and because of the neuropathy in his feet.  We both knew he could do it, we just didn't know how long it would take... and more importantly, how much it would hurt him.

This was a reverse triathlon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena... 3.1 mile run... 9.3 mile bike... 150 meter swim. Jeff was sure he could do it under 1 hour 30 minutes. I was sure he could do it under 1:20... photos, take it away...

Early morning started at 3AM... 2 hour drive and we are ready to get
this party started!!!  On a side note, Jeff lost one of his contacts a few days
before the race... and didn't have a current prescription... meaning glasses and no
sun protection on race day! (AUGH!)
Jeff is wearing his newest jersey... from the local bike shop in Uncle Paul's town.

Sorry boys, you have to post your age by December 31st of the race year...

 

No nerves here... Jeff and Dave playing
around at the start line.

At the end of the run... he had never run 3.1 miles
before and did it in 33:13... WITHOUT foot pain!

Although I said the bike would be easy for him,
he was weaving through the tight race lane and pushing hard!

Looking good... elbow up... legs stretched... AWESOME!

A tradition started 5 years ago with parking lot Mimosas
and fresh strawberries... the triathletes!

Jeff finished in 1:15 and in the top 40% overall for his first tri... and without any training on the swim or run!!!  After the race, Jeff kept saying, "I did it!"  "I did it!"  Not in a bragging type of way.  Not in a surprised type of way.  But in a "I'm proud of myself... and I liked it" kinda way.  Even this morning, a week later, he looked at his finisher's medal and said, "I did that!"  He makes me smile because I know exactly how he feels.  When I asked if he would do another triathlon, he said, "I'm not going to get as crazy about triathlons as you are, but I will do more."  Yeah... let's see what distance Jeff is up to in 5 years... ;-)  Congrats, my Sweet Husband.  You are a TRIATHLETE!


FLASHBACK...5 years ago, Dave challenged Jeff to do a triathlon with him. 
Jeff passed, but I thought that would be fun.  I had lost my 1st 20 pounds, had a bike
to borrow and thought "what the heck!?"  Thank you, Dave! :-)

Jeff's Big Day is coming...

Do you see my happy trifecta?  Timing chip...
wedding ring... big smile!  I love you, Jeff!

I need to catch up... the past few weeks have been very hard due to family issues I will share shortly.  In the meantime, tomorrow, my sweet husband will race his first triathlon.  Just so happens that my first tri was the Rose Bowl Tri in 2010... same race that he will be doing tomorrow.  I can hardly wait to be the cheerleader, driver, photog, support system for him that he is always for me!  To be clear, he is one of my athletic inspirations... cycling for over 40 years and he rides with me... at my pace... for my training... because he thinks I'm cute... I'm going with the cute part... :-)

Good Luck, my Sweet Husband!!!