shawnada
08-04-2007, 08:49 PM
Well my race is finally over and I am pleased to say it wasn't as scary as I thought. I will keep it short and sweet. I arrived at the race an hour and 20 minutes early (always early to everything) and DH helped with keeping kids under control as we were on vacation in another state for race and vacation. I have never raced before in endurance event, as I am ex-bodybuilder and this is a new world for me. I set my bike up in transition area and laid out all my stuff. I walked around and found out where my race started and the in and outs of the transition areas. DH made a point to say not to worry because there would always be somebody in front of me and to follow and then pass them.:confused: Went to the prerace meeting and stood in line for the start. Off we went and let me tell you these ladies went. After the first mile I told myself to back off and find my pace or I'd never make it. These ladies could run. Made it through the first run(3.1mi) in 26:53 an 8:38 min. mile and I placed last in age group at this pace and 32nd overall out of 52. BIKE: I have found I am a strong biker probably do to all the years of leg training for BBing. I had a blast on the bike portion. All the women that passed me in the run I passed on the bike. Weather in Portland was wet and gloomy. I did my 12 mile bike in 38:29, 19 MPH and placed 10th. RUN: Well what can I say other than I suck at running. last run was bad. My pace was 9:57 and again in my age group I was last. HOWEVER: OVERALL: I took third in my age group 3/7 (received a trophy and medal) and out of 52 women I placed 15th. By the way, my age is 42. :D My total time was 1:40:29. On one last note, my husband made a comment to me after the race that I was one of two ladies that actually looked fit. I was humbled throughout this race because women at the start of the run looked at me and said, well I'll be behind you. Based only on the way I looked. (ex-bodybuilder). I got my behind handed to me by women who were older and heavier, by as much as 30 plus lbs.. These women rocked! I was in awe of the women I saw and met at this race that in all honesty did not look like they could do let alone finish a race. It just goes to prove that fitness comes in all shaped and sizes. I am so inspired by all who take on this endeavor because it was hard and inspiring altogether.