Well...2nd time is the charm for me. I signed up to do the triathalon last year and got a little intimidated when I realized exactly how long it had been since I rode a bike. College, possibly high school, who knows - at least 7 years...more likely 10. So last year I decided nah - too much going on and opted to train again for '07. Date came around and I wasn't sure - my Achilles heel last year was motivation - no pals to train with as people either do not have a bike or are afraid to swim in the lake. Or at least so I thought...chatted with Tarah of (http://www.urbanfashionnetwork.com) and our pal Regina and we decided to do it together. We started out great walking and swimming...slowly summer overtook us and we realized about 3-4 weeks prior to the race that we needed to get our butts in gear. So - after a humorous visit to QA pool for the Hydrofit Class (no one told us the SPU women's lacrosse team is a regular to that class) - we got back into the swing of things. Sort - of - we did do a dry run about two weeks prior and that seemed to go pretty well. Not quite as far of a swim as we thought it would be but it was far enough for that day.
Fast forward to race day - Tarah and Regina pop up to chez Buchanan at 6am and we all meander down to the race site. Its raining - not a little rain either - pouring!!! We assemble our "transition area" - looking for plastic bags or anything to keep our stuff dry. Regina shimmies into her wetsuit and we all giggle about how ridiculous we look in our fluorescent colored swim caps and goggles. I'm not super nervous - just really excited to see what happens. We wander down to the "swim start" looking for our loved ones - where the heck are Curt and Jeff? Note to self...pick a meeting spot for the guys in the future so we can see them before we go in. There are women everywhere - all looking equally as ridiculous in their swim cap, wetsuit, tri outfit etc - every shape, size, age, etc...all there and ready to roll.
The lake looks cold - Regina, Tarah and I look at each other - what the heck have we gotten ourselves into? Are we ready? The waves of women push off into the lake - it is a sea of brightly colored swim caps swimming hard at first and then bunching up at buoy 2 which seems soooooo far away. Regina jets into the water...hot pink wave 20 is up next. Tarah and I give each other a last high five and recite the mantra given to us by Sally Edwards..."I am a brilliant triathelete." We step into the lake and start the count down...5...4...3...2...1...go!! It is a sea of splashing and frantic efforts to get enough space to get a stroke in. Buoy 1 flies by and we are onto buoy 2....legs tired...thinking to myself am I the only remaining pink cap? Where did Tarah go? I finally get to the end...and jog my rubbery legs into the transition area.
I pull my bike down and attempt to dry off a little. Kind of pointless, but made me a little warmer. I enter the bike start and there is Curt! He gives me the nod of "you go girl" and I head off on my bike.
Man Day Street pops up on you - I leisurely peddled down Lake Washington Blvd and came to my first significant hill - its a cluster with people walking and trying to ride so I hop off my bike and walk up the hill. Others follow suit behind me rather than crashing on the slick road. We climb back on our bikes and race down the 190 express lanes - rain blowing on us - laughing and cheering to be onto phase 2. Midway across the span I get really tired...what was it that Sally said? Drink water? Oh yeah! Duh! My legs are burning...1st gear feels like 3rd...but I made it up the east high rise and head into the tunnel. Women are squealing with excitement as they coast to the midway point. So nice to see folks being so supportive instead of being catty - everyone wants everyone to finish so it is cool to see how everyone checks on each other to make sure everything is going ok and to say - good job! I'm finally back at Day Street - minor crash when an out of control biker crashes into me - luckily I stayed up and she was a-ok.
I roll into the finish line for the bike portion and feel like a million bucks - almost done! There is Curtie again - waving and giving me a hug/kiss! Onto the last leg...what an obstacle course...earlier waves finished and were meandering around the transition area...look out...I'm coming through! I jog/run/walk the first two miles snacking on sport beans (blue and green variety are tasty - red are gross) and then run into the woman that taught me how to ride hills last year. We chat for awhile and then I break off to jog up the hill - there is Curt! He jogs with me for the last 1/2 mile or so until I hit the finish chute...running in there toute seule I look up and there is dad and susan! A volunteer puts a medal around my neck and I meander off to find my dad, Susan, Curtie and partners in crime! We made it!!! Can't wait until next year.
