Pleasant Prairie Pix

[Lise]

Inspired by all the tri reports, I went to see if my official pix from PPT were up yet. They are! Only two, but I really like one of them. Here's the link:

http://brightroom.com/view_user_even...6&PWD=&BIB=693

It's two pix from the bike. The one of me walking my bike is heading out of T1 onto the course. I was the LAST rider onto the course, but not the last rider to finish. At the moment this picture was taken, I was fighting to overcome the hopelessness I felt out on the swim. I had screwed up the swim course, added ten minutes to my time, and thought (though not seriously) about quitting. I was going out onto the bike course to make up some time and get back in the race. The woman behind me? It looks like she has a bike helmet on, so maybe she was doing the sprint? Or part of a relay team, and done with the ride. As I crossed out of transition, a volunteer said into a walkie-talkie, "The last rider is on the International course." ARGH!

The other picture is the only one I have of me (ever) actually riding my bike. I'll bet that was also heading out onto the bike course--I remember seeing a guy taking pictures. I can vaguely see "stuff" and people in the background. If that's the case, it's a picture of when I was saying to myself, "Now you go! Now you GO!" I'm going to pay for a copy of that one! I look like a real athlete.

[maillotpois]

Excellent! I do like a lot the one of you on the bike - the fact that it's slightly offset makes it look arty and like you are really in motion (go so fast you're out of the frame!).

Thanks for sharing those.

[Lise]

That's it! Thanks, MP. An inadvertently cool picture.

What's really cool is that I was nearly in tears in T1, but as soon as I got on the bike, I rode as hard as I could. Those pictures are taken within minutes of each other. It's another thing I like about triathlon. You get to keep trying again, in a different way.

[Running Mommy]

You are an ATHLETE!!!! SHEESH!!! Don't make me get on a plane and fly to Chicago and smack you!!!!
Your legs look SOO muscular! And yeah, you have that determined look on your face!!!
After this weekend I sure know how it feels to have a rotten swim!
Overall you had a good race, and you had better be proud!! (see statement above about the need for a road trip smackdown )....

Oh- and I LOVE the bike!! There is something about that Bianchi green I just love!

[spokewench]

You ARE AN ATHLETE - and don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise.

There is no way I would do a tri - I would drown! I'm incredibly impressed!

[Lise]

You are an ATHLETE!!!! SHEESH!!! Don't make me get on a plane and fly to Chicago and smack you!!!!
Your legs look SOO muscular! And yeah, you have that determined look on your face!!!
After this weekend I sure know how it feels to have a rotten swim!
Overall you had a good race, and you had better be proud!! (see statement above about the need for a road trip smackdown )....

Oh- and I LOVE the bike!! There is something about that Bianchi green I just love!

OK! Knowing you, you'd roadtrip it on your bike, too! Well, ya know... takes some of us a little longer to believe than others. I was such a fat kid picked last for every team for so long.

I'm going to get a copy of the pic of me in action for my mom. She took up cycling when she was nearly 60, and it's been a delight for her to watch me take it up in my 40s. She's 71 now, and doesn't really ride any more, but is still pretty involved with her local bike club. I know they'll all get a kick out of that picture. Especially her friends, Rebecca and Dave, who gave me that Schwinn in 2003, when I was training for my first tri. I needed a tetanus shot after banging my shin on the rusty pedal of that bike. I fixed that bike up and rode on it all summer. Later gave it to a friend who actually rode it in a tri (I borrowed a road bike to ride in my first tri).

I would love to just hang out with Team Estrogen. Can you imagine how much we'd laugh?

[SadieKate]

Those are great pics, Lisa! Such a look of fierce determination.

I'm going to tell you what my husband has to tell me at least twice a week. "Get over the body image problem!" You look strong and fit and desparately in need of an aero top. Not telling you anything I don't tell myself. Hubby bought me an Assos bibsuit for the time trials because loose clothing costs time. Hey, an excuse to go shopping! Show off that fit body!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Great pics Lise! You look so focused, one with your bike.

--- Denise

[Lise]

Those are great pics, Lisa! Such a look of fierce determination.

I'm going to tell you what my husband has to tell me at least twice a week. "Get over the body image problem!" You look strong and fit and desparately in need of an aero top. Not telling you anything I don't tell myself. Hubby bought me an Assos bibsuit for the time trials because loose clothing costs time. Hey, an excuse to go shopping! Show off that fit body!

aaaaaaargh, SK! I know, I know! I tucked that shirt into the back of my bike shorts when I was riding. It's just...on the run...I've got this tummy... you know. It was actually not hot enough that I could've done it in my tri suit--I do have one, very aerodynamic--and pulled a tank top over for the run. Thanks for encouraging me. I have become pretty proud of my arms. My boobs, well, you can hardly even notice them, that's how restrained they are (that's saying something!). It's just the belly. As I came 'round the next to last turn on the run, there were six firefighters sitting up on the hill, watching the race. Since I was the only one in view at the moment, watching me. And applauding, very nice. BUT. What did I think about? That I was running into the wind, which lifted up my shirt some, and showed my belly!

You'd think, of all people, me, a feminist from way back, a women's health care provider, etc. But the body image thing is a thing. Thanks for your encouragement (and your husband's) to get over it.

So, what do you wear under the bib shorts?

I notice that they added two pictures, neither of which has anything to do with me! My swim cap was bright green--those aren't my wave at all. I guess they just threw in some generic swim pix.

[Brina]

I love that first picture. The angle of it and the look of determination on your face. I would definitely pay for a copy of that.

[DrBee]

I love the first pic! Very cool! You look great!

[bikerz]

Great photos Lise! I like the first one too - I agree with MP on the framing - it's not the standard ride event photo.

[KSH]

Looking good Lise!

Great job on finishing... even when it was tough!

[Tater]

First pic is cool, but I am kinda partial to the second one...nice leg muscles! Way to tough it out!

[colby]

Inspired by all the tri reports, I went to see if my official pix from PPT were up yet. They are! Only two, but I really like one of them. Here's the link:

That first picture was really cool! Very determined! Way to go again, Lise.