I
wake up with my body feeling ready to go. Little Anna Rose was our alarm
clock and got us up at exactly 6am. As Troy gets breakfast ready, I give
Anna her breakfast. I feel relaxed and excited to see what my body can do
today. It's 9 weeks after breaking my toe. I've been running only 1 1/2
weeks now so I know the run will be hard. My goal is to run consistent
sub-9min pace but I am open to that going out the window. I've asked the
Lord to take away my fear. This is my first triathlon in over a year and
I feel a little timid about the bike: a possible crowded course and steep
downhills. I feel His comfort and support(= Nicely, The only
disappointment of the morning, is that the outlets in our new van
cannot handle the power of my coffee maker...no coffee for me! I am so
glad I have my new running shoes. Jami Andrews went to my house to get
them and had Tana and Dale Jackson bring them to the race. It seems like
I always forget something. Thanks Jami, Tana & Dale!
As I bike down Lynch Hill towards the
transition area, I really start to miss my original Wildflower buddies,
Leonie and Kristin. I realize that I have to wear our trademark Sponge
Bob Hat alone...I wear it more in honor of them. I pass by the transition
area and bike up to the bathroom in the lower campgrounds as a warm up.
As I head back to the transition, I hear the announcers really getting
into it! I get my spot ready. Wow, it's crowded in here. The bikes are
practically stacked on one another! All of my neighbors are nice and make
room for me(= I run into Tana and Dale. Their smiles are such a comfort
and make me feel at home. Tana has been swimming so strong in the pool.
I'm excited to see what she'll do today! With a great bike and run to
match, she'll be unreachable! I now hear Terri Davis saying a prayer.
What a blessing to have race directors with a strong faith and focus! I
recall the Wildflower Prayer Service from Thursday night. Terri mentioned
that he wanted to be bold in his faith...his prayer definitely reflects
that boldness!
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I
find Troy and Anna. This is my last chance to feed Anna before the race.
I continue to warm up a bit and
then put on my wetsuit. I say goodbye and head down to the lake. I run
into Tana and we hug and wish each other the best(= We see her parents up
above us and they take our picture. I then spot Troy and Anna Rose on his
shoulders. Troy sees me but Anna
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doesn't
notice me in the crowd. I call up to Anna and she sees me and waves all
of her limbs at me. My heart melts and I start to cry. My friend Tina
witnesses this moment and tells me
its very touching for her too. As the wave before me races off, I jump in
and warm up. The water feels awesome! The lake is the highest it's been
since the race started 24 years
ago. I'm excited to go!
I
say a prayer and get into position. The horn goes off and I jump in.
Woo-who, this is fun! I feel
strong and latch on to two girls. They pull me through some waves before
us. I see the finish line and push
to the end. One of the girls I’ve been following is pulling away so I
push
even
harder and close the gap. I approach the finish and swim as far as I can
go. I get out, pull off my wetsuit and race up the now-not-so-long ramp.
As I head for my bike, I hear ex-pro Chad Hawker cheer me
on. He's doing pro-relations and is there to assist the pros in their
needs...cool! I grab my bike and run
out of the transition!
The
first 1 1/2 miles of road is very rough and I take it cautiously. I keep
my eye on my heart rate monitor as
we go up beach hill. I just started using it recently and hope that this
race will help me fine tune it a bit. Troy has given me three key areas
to push and heart rates to maintain: 1) the long downhill at mile 11
(140bpm) 2) the flat 7 mile stretch starting at mile 29 (150bpm), and 3)
the slight uphill at mile 48 to 50 (160 bpm). I make some gains in the
first two sections and I'm feeling good.
At around mile 39, Tana catches up to me
(started 5 minutes behind). She passes by with a smile and words of
encouragement. It’s so good to see her even if it’s for only a few
moments. It seems like there are fewer familiar faces this year out on
the course so she lifts my spirits. Her swim was a major PR…at least 4
minutes!!! She’s on fire and there is no stopping her!
I
make it up the 3 mile climb without much of a hitch. It is warm out here
and I’m drinking a lot. On the long descent, at 40mph, I feel a sting! I
lift my bike shorts and see a welt forming. That was a high speed
collision! Ouch!! I keep looking at it because it feels like multiple
stings.
I’m on the 3rd key
section and feeling strong but I am unable to pass the few girls in my age
group that I have been going back and forth with… these girls are tough!
As I come into the park, I see
Troy and Anna…yeah! I get to
the transition area
and
head out on the run. I decide to start my watch after the first few miles
so I can get comfortable first. It's set to beep every 8 minutes and 50
seconds. This seemed attainable before the race but I now see that this
is unrealistic…my run fitness is just not there. Rochelle Zolna passes me
and gives me a pat on the back. She looks great!
I
see Troy and Anna in the middle of nowhere on the steepest part of the
climb (mile 5). I shout out with all of my energy “hi baby girl” and
squeeze Anna’s foot as I go by. They have been encouraging so many while
waiting for me. Troy says “Tana passed by 11 minutes ago”. Wow!
I see Troy and Anna just before mile 8.
This is hurting! I walked shortly earlier and feel a little discouraged.
I see a few more girls in my age group go by. I try to just
keep
running and stay positive. I remind myself that God made it possible for
me to do this run. A few weeks ago the run was in question. I feel
better and the miles go by. I get to the last mile…free speed! I run
down the finish shoot shouting “Thank You Jesus!” I am looking at my
watch and hope to break 5:45. I cross the line at
5:43...yeah!
Note: Tana did do awesome!
She won her age group (35 to 39) and was the fifth fastest amateur of the
day. You go girl!
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