Skeezix's race report

[Veronica]

Don't bail on your upcoming tri. Give it a go and avoid flailing feet.

V.

[tjf9]

Congratulations on your finish! I think you should get out there and try again. I'm sure you learned a lot this time that you can apply next time.

The more you do it, the easier it gets...

[Urlea]

Sorry to hear this race didn't go really smooth for you. *hugs*

Go out there and attack in your upcoming tri. Now you've got more XP to go off of, use it and I'm sure things will go more smoothly.

The pics look great, btw. You may not have been feeling so hot, but you look good!

[teawoman]

Aww, don't be upset. I do exactly the same thing, though. . Not every tri has to be the ultimate chance to race...you're supposed to be having fun out there! Some are to race, some are to learn.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on your tri! I'm sorry that you got kicked in the stomach (ouch!) and that it set the tone for a rough race. Sometimes I just have a terrible swim and can't get it together for the remainder (and I'm a good swimmer). Usually if by the time I reach the turnaround on the bike I'm not having a fast/good race, I just turn off my watch and HR monitor and tell myself to have fun. I try to remember that I'm lucky to even be doing it at all, and that any day I'm out there is a good day. But... I know the disappointment you feel and I'm sorry it was not the best experience.

And you know what? You get SERIOUS bonus points in my book for riding a mtn bike. Not only do you have to work harder than most with the increased friction of the knobbies, but your bike is probably far heavier than mine. You are a super-stud in my opinion. Makes me look like a sissy-pants girl.

And oh yeah- I love the pics. You look GREAT in all of them!!!!

Do your tri this weekend, and go out there with the attitude of just doing it for fun (and if someone kicks you in the stomach, pull their feet down and swim over them- just kidding- but the thought hopefully made you smile).

[HillSlugger]

Think of this race as a learning experience for the next one. I'm sure you'll nail it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Skeezix]

Thanks guys, your words/advice really mean a lot. Really, I mean it.

This weekend I'm going to go out and have some fun and not over think this race. I'm feeling a bit better about everything today, Sunday and Monday were rough- I felt like crying a lot. Then again- last year after I came down from my post-race high I felt like crying then too. Maybe racing just makes me weepy? Ha.

I scheduled a massage for Thursday afternoon so my muscles can get all loosened up and ready since I'm a little stiff today.

[colby]

I know that "the woman who starts the race is not the same woman that finishes the race" is a little cliche, but I think of that EVERY race I do. Every single one is an experience, and you usually learn MORE from the days with bumps in the road than you do from those perfect days.

You did great. Maybe not as well as you could have, but, you did it. Lace up those shoes (strap on those goggles, buckle that helmet) and keep moving!

[Wahine]

Skeezix - I've been racing in this sport for 13 years. I have lots of races that don't go as planned, where I'm disappointed in my results, maybe I flat, my stomach goes south, I get the living daylights beat out of me on the swim.... but you have to go out and do the next one. You're going to have bad days. But you'll have good days too and it's all worth it for the good days. Don't bail on your race this weekend. Try to relax and have fun. Try to remember why it is you do this in the first place and embrace that. If you have another bad day.... chalk it up to a learning experience. It will all come together eventually.

BTW - I get very down after big races. Even if I do well. It's the knowing that what you've been working towards for months, maybe years is over and you have to let it go. It's the post Christmas thing. Then there's the period of confusion until you find another way to refocus your intention or energy. DH says it's like clockwork. He always knows I'm going to be down after a race and the bigger the race, the bigger the downturn and the longer it lasts.

(((((Hugs)))))))