Last RR for a couple weeks, I swear!

[salsabike]

Wow, Colby, those are really good times! You know, you really SHOULD consider working with a coach--you're really doing well and I bet that would kick you up yet further.

I heard that Saturday was a trial but Sunday went better in terms of race organization.

I absolutely love reading your race reports.

[Tri Girl]

Great job, Colby!!!! As always, you did phenomenal out there.
I wish there were a Danskin race near me- they seem like such a positive, uplifting experience.
I love to read your reports, and am glad you had another good race. Congrats!!!

[colby]

Thanks, everyone. Good to know I'm not just rambling for myself to read later

They are lucky they had the momentum and knowledge from years past - the organization could have been so much worse had they not mostly done "lather last year's plan, rinse, repeat." The woman who basically replaced Sally was a little firecracker and a SUPER nice woman (she came over and filled bike tires for people in my rack area. Awesome). I heard the motivational seminar thingy at REI wasn't as good as Sally's, but that's hard shoes to fill. I also don't get having the packet pick up in Bellevue (but they did that last year too).

I think this time the Danskin reminded me to enjoy the experience. So many women were there finishing their first triathlon, overcoming major obstacles, racing with the names of family and friends that had cancer on their backs, whatever. It's just... amazing. I have to say, seeing OTHER women cross the finish line makes me infinitely more emotional than crossing it myself. Thinking back to the first time I crossed that line and the other "firsts" I've had and to know that's what someone else is feeling... awesome. I've done other women-only races that are similar, just not on the same scale of fun. I hope to never be so competitive that I forget that.

[txred9876]

Your doing wonderful!!! I kind of linked the trek because it was so much smaller then the danskin.

I tried to get way out to the side and to the back a bit in the swim and I still had one woman who kept trying to swim over me but all she did was grab me! Um.... I finally shook her off. I let swimmers like you go WAY ahead...LOL

Tina

[Connie]

I almost decided not to do it this year due to not having time to train because of unforeseen circumstances within my family. But, four weeks out I decided to give it a try and do whatever training I can fit in. I only swam a total of 3 times. One in a pool and two in Lake Washington and none of them were what I would call "training" swims. I rode my bike a few times and did between 10-12 miles and that is it! I'll be 61 in September and this was my 3rd Danskin. I was most apprehensive about the swim because I'm not a strong swimmer at all. I ended up doing the side stroke about 95% of the way. To my surprise I had to use a noodle about half way between the start and the first buoy for a little ways then again right around the first buoy I stopped and just rested. That was the last time I needed it. But what helped me the most to get through the swimming was the swimming angel. She stayed with me the entire way!! She truely was my "swimming angel" and because of her I really enjoyed the swim. It ended up taking me 35 minutes which is my slowest but not by much. I wasn't as tired coming out of the water as I expected. The first time I did it my time was 2:21 and this time it was 2:33! I really don't care about the numbers because to me they're just numbers. What's more important to me is that I finished when I wasn't so sure I'd be able to!

The message I'd like to convey for all those ladies out there that think you can't do it because of not enough training I am here to tell you, yes you can! Don't even doubt yourself. I just proved that we are all a lot stronger than we think we are!!!!!! I enjoyed it so much that I signed up for next year and plan to do the Valley Girl Tri at Liberty Lake too!

[colby]

Hey Connie, good to see you had an awesome time!! It's definitely one of those races where anything it takes is just fine - side stroking, pool noodles, walking your bike uphill, dancing on the run, whatever... it's all good!

[Connie]

Thanks Colby! I wholeheartedly agree!