Ok, ok. Here is my humble race report.
We headed for Victoria on Saturday morning, with great tunes in the stereo, coffees in hand and butterflies in my stomach. The week leading up the race was tense for me. "Have I done enough to prepare?" "Am I crazy?" "What did I forget to pack?" "The expectations are becoming overwhelming!" Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who is wise and says all the right things to calm me down.
After a morning visiting with friends we met up with my folks at the hotel and then it was time to head to the race venue to pick up my race package. I just love the energy surrounding an event. Especially triathlons. (Sorry runners, but teh energy is just so different, positive karma surrounds) More words of encouragement float my way from fellow competitors and event supporters. The best was Mr. Nowak coming over to ask..."are ya nervous, are ya nervous, are ya nervous, are ya nervous, are ya nervous?" If I wasn't before, I am now.
Back to the hotel for a good pasta dinner a la Chef Skuja and an early night. Up at 4:30 am after a good night's sleep. Strangely I don't feel nervous. I take my time and have breakfast (bagel with honey and green tea). Double check that I have packed everything, get ready and head out the door. It's windy but thankfully it isn't raining. Another step in the right direction. I'm still feeling calm at this point. I think that is making Coach nervous. But I am zen. I can't control much at this point so I choose to go with the flow.
That is until we are driving along the lake and I look at the swim course set up and all that I could say was " Oh my f&*^*ing F*%K!! That's far " Ok, compose. I can do this. I will do this. I have to do this. A sea of friendly faces meets us at the transition site and I find a spot for my gear and set up. Oddly, I am calm once again. Zen. This is going to be a great day. I have worked hard to get here. I am going to enjoy every moment of this day. Bring it on!
Body marked, and zipped up in my wetsuit I head over to the water with Cathy and Darren. Deep breath. Where is everyone? Oh my god! Is that the start of the first wave?? Where are they??? Damn, I missed Deb's start. Holy crap, we start over at the other beach!!! We hurry over to the proper start area, see Stoner and Sandy, and Lene. Quick "see ya out there" all around and I head out on the swim with no warm up and no chance to make sure that my goggles are nice and tight. Oh well. Breathe, settle into it. Calm down. Can I do this? I can't do this. I have to do this. I can't give up now. Find your rythm. Ok, relax. Ok, I can do this. Stroke, glide, sight, glide, zen. I am doing this. I am really doing this. I am actually enjoying this! I run out of the water with a huge smile on my face. i have faced my fear and conquered! Woohooo!! The rest of the day is going to ROCK! All I can hear Darren yelling as I run by is and laughter of those spectators lining the path. At this point I'm not sure what he means by it all, but I don't care. It could mean that I was super slow or faster than we had talked about. It doesn't matter. I'm happy!
A leisurely transition to the bike and I'm on my way! Two 40K loops of steep climbs, fast twisting downhills, technical riding. The chase is on and the fasties are flying by! Yeehaw! Having fun and getting it done. Two parts down and one to go.
Another leisurely transition from bike to run and I'm heading into the trails. Cheers from Coach and my folks give me the energy I need to get going. Water. Mmmmmm. Water has never tasted so good! I run from water station to water station with walks in between. I can't believe how good I feel. I don't care that I am walking through each aid station. I have earned that right. Anyway, the goal was to finish. Almost 5 clicks into the run and I meet up with Barb. She runs with me for a while and then we hook up with Darren! Woohoo, I am having a blast! Janet runs by and she is looking strong. Find a nice pace. Settle into it. Holy crap...I'm at 9k and I think that I spot Eleanor and Denis!! It IS them!!! I am energized once again. OOO, must run past the finish area to start my second lap. That is so cruel Here I go again! Still feeling good. Why do I feel this good? Who cares. look at me!!!! I'm doing it!!! Another jog with Barb and then with Darren. I'm in my own little world and then I look up. It can't be. Do my eyes deceive me?? Oh my god it's my friend Andrew!!! He's running in his dress shoes ahead of me taking pictures and aking feel like a SUPERSTAR! This day just couldn't get any better. How could I get so lucky to have so many great people out there cheering for all of us? I have 3K to go and I am on my own again. I wonder how Cathy, Stoner, Deb, Bert, Lene and her gang are doing. One kilometer to go. I'm so tired. I see Lene. The emotions set in. I am so tired. She runs along with me. This is what I need to keep going. I can hear the crowd at the finish line. Oh my god. I am going to finish. I am going to freakin' finish this bad boy with a smile on my face!!! I see Deb!! I'm almost there. Just around the corner now. Keep going. Darren will be there. Keep going. I'm there! Holy mother of all that is good. I crossed the mo' fo' line!!!!!!! It's done!!!!! I'm done!!!!! What was my time? Are you sure? I did what??? I KICKED AZZZZZZ!!!! I'm done.
Thanks to Coach, Cathy and Stoner for the encouragement and motivation and inspiration!!!
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