The good, the bad and the ugly Tri#2

[eclectic]

Well yesterday was the day. Tri #2

It was pretty much the good, the bad and the ugly.

The tri was for the state amateur/fun/family games. It wasn't as "professionally" well organized as the first one I did - there was no computer chip timing so I have no idea what my individual times or transition times were except for the bike portion.

My main goal for this one was to NOT walk any part of the run.
That was the good part! I ran the whole 3 miles, slowly, but I ran it.

The ugly was the open water swim.
The course was laid out in a right angle triangle. It wasn't well marked and was difficult to spot. I got over that and got a good line going at a nice easy pace, I was caught between 2 people but after about 100 yards they dropped back and I was on my own.

I made it to and around buoy #1 w/ no problem.

1/2 way to buoy #2 I ran into trouble - a full blown asthma attack. I made it over to buoy # 2 but now my breathing was getting bad enough I couldn't stay in rhythm to do any type of full body stroke. I rolled over to my back and kicked trying to relax and get my breath. I tried going to my front and doing breast or even side stroke but couldn't do it.
For about 1 second I started to move into panic mode. The shore still seemed a long ways away and I couldn't touch bottom or grab on to anything. There was a rescue boat about 25 yards to my left and I thought I can flag them down if necessary. It was EXTREMELY tempting.

I am VERY glad I am comfortable swimming in open water because I knew I could just roll over and float on my back w/ no use of energy and I would be OK. That is what I chose to do. I kicked my legs but couldn't even muster the energy to use my arms (thinking GREAT! now my legs are going to be tired for the bike and run

I finally made it to shore - 2nd to last out of the water
(during my first tri I was in the top third) Swimming is my strong area and where I can gain a little time. Now I thought "it is downhill all the way from here, why bother finishing " - my breathing wasn't getting any better but thankfully no worse.

As I was peeling my wetsuit off my good friend came to my side, I was ready to quit. Then I thought "I have driven 5 hours to do this at $3.20 gallon gas, my dear friend took the day off work to come and watch - I am NOT going to give up, if I come in last so be it, I am going to finish!"

I had a good transition, the bike was the bad but not ugly, my breathing was still poor and that always translates to weakness in my legs but I was able to get going. Over all I was 1 mile per hour slower than my last race, this course was hillier and the pavement was pretty cracked up so there was a lot of pounding ( I am VERY glad I opted to wear my gloves for this one) but I know if I my breathing had been better I could have matched or bested my old time. Oh well, C'est la vie

On to the run. this was the Good I took this slow and easy. My main goal was to not walk. My training over the last 4 weeks has paid off I was never tempted to walk. I was passed by everyone but 1 who was behind me. My breathing settled down into a rhythm that I could live w/ but I wasn't going to push it.
I made it in second to last but I FINISHED ! ! ! AND I had a smile on my face.

Total time was 1hour 48 min. A full 10 minutes slower than my last one. the transition area was further from the swim finish and the bike and run start so that was part of it too. One thing I learned - I can lay on my back and kick faster than I thought I could

To top it off I did recieve the bronze medal in the 50 and over female category - so what if there were only 3 entered Had I quit I would not have received anything

I think I have solved why I got the attack, it was 100 percent my own fault and am a sure I can avoid it in the future.
Main cause is I have been stupid and pushing the envelope. I have been feeling so good I thought "I don't need to renew one of my prescriptions because it isn't doing anything anyway" I quit taking it about a week ago.
Also I am allergic to wheat and have been doing some "cheating" the past couple of weeks. I wasn't noticing any repercussions so continued to do little cheats. The attack I had was exactly the allergic reaction type I get and rescue inhalers don't help.
My right lung and bronchi still hurt today.
It was a tough lesson to learn but I am sure I have learned it

My last tri is the end of August.
It is a pool swim and regular bike but is a trail run We have a good trail here the mtn bikers use which apparently is similar to the trail for the tri.
I am actually looking forward to running on it for practice !

[KSH]

Well, if you ask me... the "ugly" part was where you really showed what you are made of... that is where you shined in the race!

You didn't quit... you didn't let it get the best of you... instead you went with your plan for relaxing in the water... and got back to it.

Even when you came 2nd to last out of the water... you kept going. Be very proud!

Your bike sounds good... what is 1 mph less? Nothing.

And you RAN the entire way! GREAT!

Congratulations!

[Wahine]

Wow. That was a really good race report and an excellent example of how using your head and going to plan B can save a whole race. Thanks for sharing that story. Very impressive. You've got some gumpshin girl!!

[Tri Girl]

Awesome, eclectic!!! I'm so proud of you, girl, for finishing that race!!! You could've taken the easy way out, but you pushed through and dug deep to do an incredible last leg (woo hoo for running the whole way).
When we push past the point of wanting to stop- we find what we're truly made of. You're made of guts and true grit. Forget about times, averages, placing- this race was about your determination to get past some pretty tough obstacles! You're iron tough- missy!! Way to go!

[colby]

Sounds like this tri was not just your physical test, but your mental test as well. Congratulations, YOU PASSED! With flying colors. We can't control all of our circumstances, but you beat your goal of not walking the run, and you didn't quit. You did great.

[HappyAnika]

Wow, way to go for sticking with it! I agree with the others, it just shows how mentally tough you are to come back after the swim. Congrats on running the whole run! It will all come together for you.