I'm a TRIATHLETE! Yes - you read that correctly. :)

May 22, 2010

X-Post from the Ontario boards... I did a Triathlon today here in Ottawa (along with 2 other Ottawa OHers!) and here's my synopsis!

I'll let the other ladies post their thoughts but I just had to come and post how amazed I am to say that I am a triathlete!!  I can stand proudly and say I have finished a triathlon.  Sure... it was a Try-a-Tri (100 m swim, 12 k bike, 2 k run/walk) but who cares... doing all 3? 

I believe I finished 107th out of the 185 women participating in the Try-a-Tri category.  Had hoped to be sub-100 (ie 90-100) when I looked at last year's results (based on the times posted, I figured my times would be in that area) but I am not disappointed at all. There were 300 participants this year in the Try-a-Tri (compared to 190 last year) so a full field! 

The swim was good - a nice warm up swim. Hopped out of the pool and headed to the change room. I had made the decision to change out of my swimsuit and totally dry off before doing the balance of the Tri.  Next year, I won't have the panni & boobs (or what's left of them!) to worry about - just was really afraid of getting major irritations under my hanging skin.  Will say that pulling on bike shorts when wet is like peeling grapes or stuffing sausage - a little challenging - even with copious amounts of Gold Bond flying everywhere. LOL

Speed walked to the transition zone - spotted my pink star balloon over my bike, popped on my helmet and jogged on out to Col By Drive before I hopped on. It was quite cool and drizzly - was very glad to have on my arm warmers! The bike was better than I expected - I hadn't yet biked the whole distance (except maybe in the spin class from hell back in April) so was a little leery. Took a bit to get used to the Duathletes (they do run and bike only) whizzing by on their super high end bikes - sounds like a helicopter approaching! - but I went steadily on. Was very happy to pass Terry (er... she was heading back to Carleton as I was still heading to downtown) down near the turn around (we started in the pool about 30 sec apart and I had been wondering how far behind I had fallen by changing clothes).  Think I did the second half of the bike course a little quicker than the outbound direction. As I passed under Bronson and could see Dow's Lake and a small crowd at the end of the bike, I started to push a little harder and telling myself I was almost off the bike - keep going!  Was very happy (and I'll say my girlie bits were particularly happy) to dismount from my bike and head back into the T-Zone, re-rack my bike & helmet and head out for the run (although i wasn't sure where to go at first!).

Jogged the first 0.5 km and was really struggling with my breathing so I slowed down to a brisk walk and walked to the turn around at 1km. Jogged the next 1/3 of a km, walked 1/3 of a km and then it was finish time baby and I started to jog again with vigor!  Walked briefly on the grass between Col By Drive and back into the finish area and then broke into a run. It was so exciting to see the crowds cheering and the announcer call your name - helps that I went to Jr. High (and dated briefly) with him - and then it was over!  Got my medal, gave in my timing chip and there was Dr. Freedhoff. 

I was sooooo happy to see Dr. Freedhoff - he's been one of my biggest cheerleaders since the fall of 2007. I know I wouldn't be in the position I'm in today if it hadn't been for him (and his amazing team). OK - I'm crying now and typing is harder here... but I got a hug from Dr. F and I felt like I'd graduated today. Today I am no longer a fat girl wanting to be and do... I am free from that.

I popped over to the annoucer's area to get a special gift from my friend Brian (the announcer) - a TriTheWorld.ca visor (seriously - check out this website if you want to see inspirational!!) and got high 5's from Rob Matthews (the trainer from BMI Medical who is an integral part of Dr. Freedhoff's team and a super huge cheerleader!) and then bumped into the OH Crew of Jenny, Sherri & her brother Matt (I think!), Brad and Karen and Jenn & her DH.  So amazing to have such support!!  They missed my finish by about a minute but we were all lined up to welcome Terry across the finish line and then cheered on Cindy when she came across.

I'll post a few pics here (hopefully) and maybe the others who tooks shots will share. :)



Can I say that I loved wearing my "Running My MASS off!" shirt? And I did see a few folks giggle at my "This seemed like a good idea 3 months ago!" hat.  LOL

My cheering squad:



The final push (last 5 meters!!):



Here's Terry (with the OH Cheerleaders!):



Cheering for me - didn't want to cheat them out of it (and I loved the sign!!):



I can't say enough how much support I've received from family, friends and my OH family.  It means the world to me.  Now on to start training again for the 5K run in Toronto with several other OH gals - Judyth, Ericka and I know there are others but I haven't seen an updated list. :)

xoxoxo to you all!!

0 Comments