Last RR for a couple weeks, I swear!

[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!

[sfa]

Great job! I agree that getting a coach may be worth your while--with times like you posted, a coach might be just the thing to make you a real force to be reckoned with!

I read race reports these days like I used to read childbirth stories when I was pregnant. These reports I think do more to get me mentally ready for my first tri than any physical training that I'm doing!

Sarah

[Iris616]

Great job! You've had a busy summer!

[Shiraz]

So impressive! You are amazing! Great job!