PMS and Danskin Despair

[KnottedYet]

So I've only been to my church Danskin team meetings once.

I've been hanging out with Team Survivor (which I found out about because of going to the church meet, so I guess in a Unitarian cosmic kind of way it's all good) but not regularly because health care workers have such weird schedules and I miss a lot of stuff.

I'm doing some training with one of my dearest and oldest friends, but only when our schedules match.

I keep forgetting stuff (like swim dates with other Team Survivor folks) and it's not even spring, which is the usual season for forgetting things and being dizzy and losing left-side co-ordination and running into walls, so what gives? (yes, I know, benign seasonal MS, gonna see an MS specialist in 1 1/2 weeks, yadda yadda)

I have PMS.

The Danskin isn't a "real" triathlon because there are "swim angels" and embarassing to others "girlie" cheeleading for all the first timers and cancer survivors.

It still takes me more than 1/2 hour to swim 1/2 mile in open water, and I get water up my nose, and any stroke other than a left-sided side stroke is utterly exhausting. And I make motorboat noises when I breathe. And snot seems to magically appear at my nose after every big wave. And my nose ring gets twisted. And lake algae ends up glued to my boobs. And I do have to stop and rest at least 3 times.

I still don't show up on the Danskin registry list. We first-time cancer-survivor-get-in-free babes are supposed to show up on the list 2 weeks before the race. I want to see my name there NOW, dammit. Not the day after tomorrow. NOW. Dang, if I don't show up on that list I will have a major fit. I registered (twice, thru Danskin and Team Survivor) back at the very beginning of March.

I wrote a "why I tri" essay for Danskin back in March, and I never got my free goodie for doing that. And it was a darn good essay. I knew that BA in English would be good for something. So I want my free Danskin socks. Or whatever. I want a free goodie!

I know I can swim 1/2 mile, ride 12 miles, and walk 3 miles. I'm just not sure I can do all three in a row.

How do y'all cope with the despair?

[Lise]

Don't dispair, KN. My friend's almost here to go running with me, but I'll write more later. I swim oh, about the same as you! You sound pretty normal to me. :p
...................................
OK, I'm back. I truly understand what you mean about health care workers having strange schedules. Between work and other commitments, there are *no* training groups that I can join! I do have a friend, Jamie, who runs with me on Saturday mornings. That helps a lot. Biking I love to do on my own anyway. Swimming, well, I hate swim training. It would help tremendously if I had someone with whom to do it. If you can get in any swim training with other people, do it. Swim .9 miles? I get water up my nose. I can't breathe. My shoulders are killing me. Etc.
And yet...somehow...everytime I get through the darned swim part, and then I get to ride my bike. You will, too. Maybe "Get To The Bike" would be a good swim mantra for you and me! ;p

As for doing all three in a row--it is hard, no doubt. The energy of the group always carries me along. My problem is going out too hard when I start the bike and the run. I try to remember to respect my own pace, and stick with that. You can absolutely do this!

I think PMS is kind of like working all night--I'm not thinking too clearly then. Try to ride it out. It will pass.

Can you double check your registration, for your own peace of mind?

Maybe go for a nice ride today, enjoy yourself. Sometimes training feels like so much work, and then I'm never doing well enough. I get to remember that I really do love doing this...

Take care, L.

[Brina]

not a real tri, my ***. my first (and thus far only) tri was danskin and I most definitely did a real tri. I swam, I biked, I ran, I finished. All the other stuff does not change that fact.

As for the swim angels - they may have a goofy name, and they may use pool noodles, but last I checked, all tris had lifeguards out there. You don't have to use them, but even if you do, so what. Like Dory says, just keep swimming.

The cheers are hokey, I could have done without it - I have never been the girliest of girls, but lots of people take inspiration from that kind of stuff, and at the end of the day, if it works for you, then use it As for the survivors group, they are the best part of the danskin. How can anybody look at a group of women who stared down death and then came back and got in shape and are running a tri and not be inspired?

I am a slow, fat triathlete (to steal a title). The swimming is not my demon, but the running is. In one of the pics of me during the run both of my feet are on the ground. But hey, I finished the race. You will too.

[Lise]

Yeah! Like Brina said!

[Brina]

I try to remember to respect my own pace, and stick with that.

this is my mantra when I run. "run your race, run you pace" The only thing i get out of trying to chase someone else is out of breath and shin splints.

[KnottedYet]

Thank you!

I was all pumped for the Danskin, and then someone shot me down a few months ago about how it wasn't a "real" triathlon. Especially because of the swim angels. (who I will probably use, so sue me)

I think that's been bothering me the most. Isn't it weird how one person says something negative, and THAT'S what sticks in your mind? Not all the positive stuff, just that one negative comment.

Actually, that one comment made me feel foolish for being so excited about trying to do a triathlon.

I can cope with the lake algae glued to my boobs and the dead fish floating by my face. It's the nay-sayers that get to me...

[Lise]

I was all pumped for the Danskin, and then someone shot me down a few months ago about how it wasn't a "real" triathlon.
ARE YOU EVEN KIDDING ME?!? :mad: And how many "NOT REAL" triathlons have they done? Listen, go 15.5 miles under your own steam three different ways, using different muscles, oh, and part of it is through water--go travel those 15.5 miles and tell me it's not a "real" race. Screw that.

Grrrrrr...this pisses me off. Shake it off, man. You will do the distance. You will have the Algae of Pride plastered to your chest. You will cross the finish line. All the other stuff doesn't matter. The cheerleaders? It's a way for people who aren't doing the tri to be a part of the excitement and incredible power of a tri. That's what I love more than anything.

I'll bet that naysayer won't be there, stumbling out of the water, wiping off, climbing on her bike, then riding like a fiend, then stumbling out of transition and moving on legs that don't even feel like her own. And she won't have the joy of finishing with hundreds of other women who thought they maybe couldn't do this, in fact, maybe wouldn't live to do it...oh, man, I want to cry just thinking about that finish line.

You get out there and do it, KN. We're proud of you. And we know what a real triathlon is. It's the one we all do. :D

[Bicyclette]

Knotted -

Screw the naysayers.... I'm in awe that you and everyone else I've seen post here do this. I'm inspired by you all so much that my goal is to try for a tri next summer.

As far as I see it - a tri is a tri - you train for it - you work your a** off to finish it and no matter how large or small, difficult or easy it's a true accomplishment and you have every right to be excited... and proud. Don't let them get you down - it's YOUR tri and it's every bit as real as anybody elses. Just do it :D

[colby]

Hey Knotted,

Many women often face the "impostor" problem, or the feeling that people will find you out for not being "real" -- in this case a "real" triathlete. I fight this feeling a lot myself, in everything from my job to my training. When someone questions me, like in this case telling you "well it's not a REAL triathlon," sometimes I just can't shake it.

But you know what, I do it anyway, and you should, too. This is for YOU not for anyone else. YOU are the one that has been training, even if it's not all the training you should have done. YOU are the one that signed up in the first place, and committed yourself to something awesome. YOU are the one that has to swim, so do it the way that works for you.

If you decide this is something YOU want, then YOU can make a new commitment for yourself to get swimming lessons (it sounds funny, but it could help), or spend more time training next year, or whatever it is that YOU want to do.

You can do it, and you will. Relax, and think through it a little bit logically, instead of letting your PMS do the talking ;) Contact Danskin if you are worried, there's still 2 weeks to sort things out. While you're at it, let them know about your awesome essay, maybe there's a good explanation (it didn't get to who should have read it, or something).

Don't let your second thoughts get to you. You already know you can go the distance, no matter how you do it or what it requires. When you get that medal, you will know it's real, and if those other people want to argue with you, send them here :D

[Running Mommy]

Well I don't care what ANYONE say's!! If you swim any distance, then hop on your bike for ANY distance, and then run for ANY distance it's a TRIATHLON!!!

ARRGHH!!! I get the same thing from people who think that the Ironman is the only "real" triathlon!!!
And for the record, these are usually the people who call it a Triath- A-lon....
Ummm... There is no A in the middle! That's my meter for whether they know poop about what they are talking about! :cool:
Or they refer to a sprint as a "Mini".... ARGH!!!! :mad:
Personally I love to do sprints. Yeah I've done an Ironman, and will do another next year, but you can't go long all the time! I like being able to stay in race shape and jump into a sprint when I fancy it. I also like seeing all the beginers out there and encouraging them on. I was a newbie not all that long ago myself.
Now as for Danskin, well those races aren't my cup of tea. But if they get women moving, give them confidence, and possibly turn them on to the awesome world of tri- then GREAT!!!
It doesn't matter who put's on the race, if you go the distance in all three sports, well then you are a TRIATHLETE!!!
And NO ONE can take that away from you!!
Go get em, and don't forget to give us a race report when your back!!
Denise :)

[KnottedYet]

colby is doing Danskin, too!

Yay TE!

(I'm feeling better now. PMS is over and I had a good 39 mile ride with some other Team Survivor babes.)

[Lise]

Yeah, RM, and Kona is the only real Ironman, right?!

I bristle when people call a sprint a "mini", too. YOU try it and see if it feels "mini" to you! :p

What I always remember is that no matter the distance, you travel it under your own power. I don't know what the "swim angels" are, but I doubt they pick you up out of the water and carry you to land.

When I did my first tri, I was ignorant as a stick about the whole thing. I should've done a sprint, but I didn't know about sprints. I did an Oly with a friend, and we were last by a long shot. Driving home, I thought, I just travelled 33 miles under my own power! And that's something to be proud of.

[Tri Girl]

I second what everyone has said, KN! A Danskin is just as real as an IM. That one person was trying to get to you and they did- for the moment. When she does a tri she can say what she wants (but she won't, so she'll just have to shut up).
Just ignore the negative and focus on all the positive you are doing, have done, and will do in the future! You're a triathlete (not a triath-a-lete). Be proud of the Danskin- not only are you doing an amazing athletic event, but YOU ARE A SURVIVOR! You are MY hero!!!!
Congrats- and DO tell ALL when it's over!

[KnottedYet]

You guys are all so nice. I'm getting teary-eyed...

YOU GUYS ARE SO COOL!!!!!!!

[KSH]

Ah... PMS... it's wonderful... eh?

You start feeling like crap... and then you start getting down on yourself for every little thing. You nit-pick yourself apart and think about all the stuff people have said to you that made you feel bad.

The Danskin is a triathlon... and it's a really cool one at that! If some rude idiot told you that... well, they are probably a pretty miserable person in their day to day life. I bet it was a guy... eh? :rolleyes:

Look, do what you can... as far as training goes... and don't beat yourself up for what you do and do not do. Just do what makes you feel good and makes you happy.

Focus on your accomplishments... and... EAT SOME PIZZA and CHOCOLATE! That always made me feel good when I was PMS'ing :D.

AND... if ANYONE else tells you that the Danskin is NOT a real TRI... you tell 'em what RunningMommy said in her post... you are swimming/riding/running...and it's a triathlon... no mater what the freaking distance is! :mad: (I really hate rude people!)

Take care... and I'm happy to see/hear that you seem to be feeling a little better.... you are feeling better... right? :)

[crazycanuck]

HEy KY

:)

I have to say that anyone who tries a tri & finishes is a funky person in my book. (i have no idea about the danskin tri but it's a tri...!!!)

Who cares if you don't swim well etc...Hey I was the last person out of the water at my first tri here in Perth...but i finished!

Don't give up kiddo.. Who knows you may just do an Ironman one day with RM!!! Remember everyone has to start somewhere..!

:)

Hugs from Perth

c

[Flatlander]

I think I'd like to try one of those Danskin tris--they look like fun--a real celebration of life, swim angels and all! I'm not sure why anyone would say they weren't a "real" try unless they were just being snarky. Sometimes people just have a need to tear others down--that's more about them than it is about you...

At my office, whenever someone asks me what I am training for and I answer a triathlon, the next question is "how long is it?" When I tell them it's a sprint, they immediately shrug,like it's no big deal. Then they start telling me how atheltic they are, and that they would exercise if it weren't for (fill in the blank here).

I just nod and smile.

I guess the point is, that it's like the saying: You can sit on the porch and bark, or you can get out there and run with the big dogs. You're running with the big dogs--anyone who denigrates what you do is just sitting on the porch barking at you.:)

You get out there and have a good time.

[Lise]

I guess the point is, that it's like the saying: You can sit on the porch and bark, or you can get out there and run with the big dogs. You're running with the big dogs--anyone who denigrates what you do is just sitting on the porch barking at you.:)
Well put! I'm going to remember that one, especially when I'm making my way across the lake in the tri--I'm out here paddling with the big dogs! :p

[Flatlander]

Well put! I'm going to remember that one, especially when I'm making my way across the lake in the tri--I'm out here paddling with the big dogs! :p

Yes, I like this quote. I've seen it as a signature line on a forum somewhere, but I can't remember which one. If I ever see it again, I'll come back and give the person credit for it (though I don't know if it was "his" or someone he was quoting...)

Anyway, I like it, too!

I wanna run with the big dogs!

[Flatlander]

Okay, here is the correct quote:

"You can run with the big dogs or sit on the porch and bark."

Wallace Arnold in Success and Failure.

Actually, it reminds me of my schnauzers, who want to do both!

[KnottedYet]

Went to REI to buy yet another case of Clif Shot Bloks (cran-razz). They are the best thing going for my metabolism and gut, so I'm sticking with what works. The checkout chickie said I must be "hard core" cuz i was buying the stuff by the case. She asked what my sport was, and I said biking. (that is my true love)

Hey, I got called "hard core"!!!!!

(much better than being called "sir") I floated high on that one for the rest of the day.

Really, I'm feeling much better now. You guys are great! Thank you for holding my hand and giving me a kick start in butt through this little crisis of faith.

I WILL do the triathlon in 2 weeks, and i WILL finish it!!

[Running Mommy]

dang skippy you will!!!!!
Now put on that training face and go get em!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[colby]

dang skippy you will!!!!!
Now put on that training face and go get em!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Soon the training face :mad: will become the finishing face :D :D :D

:p

[KnottedYet]

I still don't show up on the registration list. Whiiiiiiiine...

I left a message at the Danskin hotline, asking if I should be panicking yet.

Can you tell I'm just a LITTLE uptight about this whole tri thing?????? :D

[Lise]

Oh, man, I get it. Glad to hear you're making the calls. It will be fine--it will be fine--it will be fine....and keep us posted! L.

[KSH]

I still don't show up on the registration list. Whiiiiiiiine...

I left a message at the Danskin hotline, asking if I should be panicking yet.

Can you tell I'm just a LITTLE uptight about this whole tri thing?????? :D

Well... uuummmm... most people who do triathlons... are Type A personalities.

I know I am, and I think it's in my blood to be detailed, organized, and sometimes a little uptight.

But hey, our personalities drive us to complete goals! :D

[tri4Him]

Ladies...I am in my third season of tri's of a variety of distances and venues, and Danskin is by far and above the best class act out there. It has the greatest diversity of athletes and epitimizes what a women's event should be...supportive and positive. It is truely an amazing adventure...so PLEASE dont give up the chance to participate in one. I had the unique priviledge this July of completing the cycling portion of the race along side one of the pros who had completed her race and returned to encourage others, never mentioning that she was a pro. Lauren Jensen is her name and she is just an amazing individual! The atmosphere of Danskin however is unique and do not count on other events being the same. I find the self-centered, unsupportive atmosphere of most tri's very disheartening. When you complete a race with 300 people and two coming or going have a positive word to say, there is a problem with the focus of the sport....SO please do Danskin and relish in all its splendor. You'll be back again...I promise!!!

YOU GO GIRLS!!!!

[luv'nAustin]

Hey KnottedYet, I wish I could figure out how to find old threads...if I could I would provide a link to the post I wrote earlier this year describing how great I felt after doing my Danskin Tri in June.

I have done them for the last two years and have had the time of my life! I am also a terrible swimmer and it also takes me around a half hour to complete the swim, but I do it, and come out alive! The first year I had only been swimming for a couple of months and had a swim angel swim right beside me the entire way. Without her support I would never have attempted an open water swim. This year I did better in the water and didn't need to rest on a noodle, but it was nice knowing the angels were nearby.

You keep your chin up and don't let anyone belittle what you are doing! There are many people out there who would love to do what you are going to do and they (as well as all of us here on this board) admire you and your spirit and determination. You go girl!

[Running Mommy]

I'm sorry, but I have to take issue with what tri4him said about "other" races. I have done a TON of "other" races in many different locales, and only ONCE did I encounter a rude person- and it was a GIRL!! I've always gotten TONS of support, and god knows I'm a BOP'er!! Even at Ironman, where I would almost expect to get "attitude" it was the total opposite!! In fact I think people at that race were MORE supportive than at any other race I've ever done!! Even the pro women were giving me words of encouragement!! So please ladies, don't shy away from other races just because you assume that they must be for the "experienced" or "fast" or "super fit" or "elite" or whatever you want to call them.
Personally when I look into a race I look at the course to see if it's something I can handle, and I also look to see if there are cut off times. There are certain marathons I can't run because I'm a slow runner, but there are plenty of others out there that welcome us slowbies. So do your homework and go out there and have fun!! And for goodness sakes... DONT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE THINKING!! Race YOUR race and have fun!!! THATS what it's all about!!
Denise

[Lise]

My experience is the same as Running Mommy's. I've always felt great camaraderie and support at the tris I've done. Once, at a "super sprint", a guy blazed by me and my friend on the run, and muttered, "Joggers!" Sad to say, that stuck with me. Isn't it sad how one negative comment lodges itself in your heart like shrapnel? Took me awhile to stop saying "jogger!" (contemptuously) to myself when I'd run. I imagine that doing the MARATHON last year probably got that out of my system!

Other than that, the fast people are so eager to get out there and race that they don't bother with me. Pre- and post-race, people have always been nice when I've asked questions, admired their bikes, etc.

I think it's so cool that RM got encouragement from the pros at IMAZ. Last night I watched a webcast of a SF newscaster (woman) talking with Peter Reid (sigh...he's so cute). She had done IM Canada, and was so excited to be talking with PR. He was so nice, and is appearantly pretty shy. He was very sweet to her. My experience is that triathlon is a very friendly sport.

[KSH]

Once, at a "super sprint", a guy blazed by me and my friend on the run, and muttered, "Joggers!" Sad to say, that stuck with me. Isn't it sad how one negative comment lodges itself in your heart like shrapnel? Took me awhile to stop saying "jogger!" (contemptuously) to myself when I'd run. I imagine that doing the MARATHON last year probably got that out of my system!


HOW RUDE!!!!!!

What did he care anyways... he was passing you.... what goes through a person's head to think that it's COOL to say something like that as they are running past someone?

Those overly competitive types can be SO RUDE sometimes.

[KnottedYet]

Just got a call from Danskin... I am registered, there's just such a backlog that the survivor group hasn't been entered into the Timberline website yet.

Hoooray, that means I'm in!

Oh, no, that means I really have to do this!

[Lise]

Hoooray, that means I'm in!

Oh, no, that means I really have to do this!HA!!! I know exactly how you feel! Glad to hear you've got that question resolved, though. :D L.

[tri4Him]

Apparently, I hit a nerve in saying some tri's dont have the same feel as a Danskin....By no means am I implying the rest are all unfriendly, just that Danskin is something special. It is a wonderful first time experience to enter the tri-world and build confidence. But let's be honest...some tri's out there are pretty dog eat dog! When Mark Allen in Triathlon Magazine encourages athletes to thank "one volunteer" while racing to make "your" race better, I think there is a definite problem with the focus. We should be out there thanking THEM ALL! Touching the lives of others is much more the reward than winning the race, and makes the "victory" all the more sweet. Have FUN ladies!

[Lise]

Hi, t4h--I wouldn't want any woman to be discouraged to try *any* triathlon she sets her sights on. My experience is that the volunteers and race organizers are generally very friendly and supportive. Some of the other competitors may not be--OK. I stay at the back of the pack anyway! Back there we're pretty encouraging of each other. I always enjoy thanking volunteers along the way. They pour out the encouragement.

I was considering volunteering at IM Wisconsin next month, just to be a part of all the excitement. Then I realized it might take more than one 3 hr drive to Madison, and nixxed that idea. If I don't do Accenture next year, I may volunteer for the kids' tri the day before. So great to be a part of all the energy without the anxiety of competing.

[KnottedYet]

Today (Packet Pickup Day) was such an incredible blast! Even if I don't do Danskin next year, I think I'll try to volunteer.

Betcha I could volunteer for Packet Pickup day, and still race on race day.

The volunteers ROCK! And they were all so nice to me and my friend, as we each had no clue what we were doing as we negotiated all the lines and paperwork and racking the bikes.

HUGE APPLAUSE for ALL volunteers EVERYWHERE!!