I TRI'd to TRI and I DID

It's now been a little over 96 hours since I ran across the finish line at the Esprit de She Sprint Triathlon in Naperville, Illinois. Ninety-six hours of mixed emotions, excitement, reflection, and moving on in life. As much as I want to live in the moment quite possibly forever, I have to prepare to have my next moment.

The day before my triathlon I had to pick up my packet, get marked, go to the race expo, and a race course talk. I wasn't nervous, I wasn't anxious, I was excited and I wanted to GOOOOOOO! Poor Will, what a guy, seriously. I had overtaken our second bedroom with all of my stuff laid out in event use order and in most cases with multiples in case there was some freak accident.


Will joined me in picking up my packet which was a good thing. I was bib 720 and the packet pickup was in numeric order ... my line ... didn't have a wait. I actually asked Will if I was in the right spot because it seemed unreal that everyone else was waiting in lines that were dozens deep and I was able to waltz on up and get my packet. After getting my packet I had to activate my timing chip so it was race ready to be on my ankle for the entire day. I decided to get marked while at the expo so I didn't have to do it the following day. I quite confidently went on with the rest of my day wearing the numbers 720 on each of my upper arms, my age of 34 on my left calf, and my wave number of 16 on my right calf.

I felt relatively confident after the course talk, but that being said I was relatively confident that I'd just follow the crowds of people on all three courses in the event that I had any confusion. The expo itself was buzzing with excitement as participants passed and everyone seemed to encouragingly wish one another luck. 

I went on with the rest of my day, Will and I running some errands. On our way home it began to rain which in retrospect was just foreshadowing. Once we got home I got everything ready and packed up. I had to put my sticker on both my helmet and bike frame. As well as I packed everything up in my bag assigning each item a thoughtful idea of placement. 

My alarm was set for 4am. We were going to follow Kristine and Matt to the race, each of the respective guys also bringing their bikes so they could navigate easier around the race. Rain had previously been predicted for the day, but when Will woke up he checked and the percentage of chance had lessened! We packed up and were heading out at 530am. 

We didn't make it very far until it started raining. I'm not just saying rain like a few drops here and there. I'm saying rain that you have to have your wipers on the super fast speed and the rain is so loud bouncing of the vehicle and road you have to turn the radio up just to hear it as you travel. The rain continued as we got closer to Naperville. We did laugh along the way, we were slowly finding ourself in lines of traffic with bikes on the back of vehicles. We all were going to the same place. We all had one mission. And as it stood we all were going to get wet.

Going with people who had been to the event prior was absolutely key to our success in parking and navigation. Matt knew a side street that wasn't far from the start and finish area that was perfect for parking and getting around. We headed out in the pouring rain to set up our transitions. I suspect transition set up is different for every race, but I further suspect it's not typical to have to cover everything in plastic bags which would further slow transitions down. Then again, I didn't want to put wet bike or running shoes on, so in plastic bags they went. I did find it a little humorous with the number of bike seats that were covered with plastic bags; after all you hop on your bike after swimming so you're wet to begin with. I digress, in the Tri-World I'm just a newbie.

I was set up and the race was delayed by 15 minutes. The delay meant that my previously scheduled 8am start would be at 815am. The four of us went and took shelter in one of the trucks to try to stay dry ... which is funny looking back considering we were already soaked. It was nearing time so Kristine and I put our caps on, grabbed our goggles and we were off. 

On our way to the start, Matt talked me through the swim and reminded me to just breath and have fun. The rain wasn't letting up, but we were getting ready to get into a pool to swim a half mile. I stood at the top of stairs taking it all. This was happening. I was going to go line up with my wave and once they sounded to go, I would be off. Kristine and Matt each hugged me and told me to have fun. Will gave me a hug and kiss and I was off. 

I lined myself up near the end of my wave. I knew I wouldn't be fast so there wasn't a point in getting up front to slow those faster than myself down, nor get myself worked up and get lost/wet/drown in the shuffle of swimmers. I once again found it a little humorous that as we stood in the pouring rain, preparing to get into water to swim, one of my fellow wave-goers had a plastic poncho on.

As each wave prior to mine started and Wave 16 moved closer to the water I still wasn't nervous. But I was overcome with emotion. I was getting ready to start a triathlon. A full blown go swim a half mile, transition, bike 13.3 miles, transition, and run 3.1 miles triathlon. 

And we were off. I started out doing exactly what I knew to do. Right stroke, left stroke, breath. According to my watch I was .14 miles in ... aka ... still in the first lane (of six) of the swim and I was kicked in the chest. Logic would tell me that this was an absolute possibility swimming in a mass of people. Logic would even tell me that getting kicked in the chest would knock the wind out of me. Logic wouldn't have prepared me that I would panic. I started to question my life decisions and question if I was ready to do a Sprint Triathlon. And yes, I understand the logic of being in the swim was a poor time to panic and question if I was ready for the event. I paddled my way to the end of that lane. I fought to get to that first turn, but never flopped over on my back like I saw others do. I calmed down and started again trying to compose myself. It was short lived because I didn't think I could make it. I still had 4 more laps to go, and these aren't typical laps ... when you get to the shallow end of the pool it is so shallow you have to pretty much stand up and run around until the water is deep enough to swim in the next lane. In the midst of my lack of confidence, slight panic, and questioning myself ... I heard Matt yell my name. Over the chaos of what was going on, I heard him yell my name. I looked where I last saw Matt and Will at (because Kristine would be starting shortly), and I didn't see the guys; I actually figured there was another Lori and I was so used to hearing Matt yell my name during swim that I was trying to channel those moments. I kept going and was getting a groove. I heard Matt yell again and this time I saw Matt and Will and I acknowledged them. That was what I needed, I found my swimming groove. I had two and a half laps left and was still within a literal couple minutes of my goal of swimming a half mile in 20 minutes. 

In all of my swimming practice I was pacing 20 minutes for a half mile swim, so getting kicked in the chest, having the wind knocked out of me, questioning my decisions and ability ... finishing in 22:15 during my first go at it ... I'm fine with. Then it was on to transition. I felt awkward. I did. I had just swam (and at the time I wasn't ok with my swim or time, but I have come to be proud of it) and I was now going to run to get my bike stuff and head out on that course.

I passed Will and Matt and at the time I was feeling defeated. They had seen my slightly terrible swim and since it had been raining I didn't want to slip on the pavement so I was doing my slowest speed walk. I looked up as I was coming closer to slowly speed walking into transition and I saw my mom and godmother! I knew they would be coming, but I had no idea when or where. Seeing them and knowing they were seeing me in an outfit that makes me look like an encased sausage ... was what I needed. I had a boost of excitement and energy, as well that in theory biking is my fastest/strongest practice.

Since the swim was technically at a beach my feet were covered in sand so once I was in transition I had to wipe my feet off quickly, get on my thin cycle socks, get my cycle shoes in place, get my helmet/gloves/glasses on, and grab some quick nutrition. Now granted when it came time to get my bike of the rack I completely tried from the opposite direction and further wasted a few seconds. I got out of transition in 5:59, with knowledge of where to cut time in the future.

Will had made it around from my swim exit to the Transition 1 exit and was able to get photos of me heading out on the ride.

I felt pretty confident on the bike course. Now, I'm borrowing my best friends old bike, and it's age is getting up there. In fact when I mention the OCR it is faced with much mocking. Oh the mocking, seriously, there should probably be a medal for all of the mocking that goes on toward the OCR. I biked strong and took the turns slow. The pavement was wet and at times the sky was still misting down on us. The bike course is two loops out and back. On my first loop back I was heading back and Kristine was still heading out, she yelled for me and it was nice having that boost. I made my first completed loop and there was Matt and Will again! I continued onto the second loop knowing I could do the whole 13.3 mile ride in 60 minutes or less. I had completed the second loop and was on my way back and Kristine passed me. All things considered, I was surprised she didn't pass me sooner! As I came to the end of the bike course and dismounted my bike once again my mom and godmother were there! My cheering squad(s) were moving around as much as I was!

I finished the 13.3 mile bike ride in 54:19 and was into transition. Thank goodness for the volunteers inside the transition because the newly paved area was SLICK. I actually saw two other athletes completely wipe out trying to run through. So seeing their misfortune and having volunteers warn me, I did a delicate speed walk with my bike. I racked my bike, got my helmet off, took my wet socks and shoes off. I threw on my race belt, threw a GU in one of my back pockets, got my dry socks and shoes on and knotted, and I was off to run after 3:37 in transition!

While I was in transition my mom and godmother had made their way around and were ready for me on my way to begin my run. As of late I've been pacing myself slower than earlier this year. I began my year with around a 10 minute mile, which by no means is bad. However, as of late I've been pacing slower knowing that a) I've been training for longer distances, and furthermore b) I've been training to run AFTER I swim AND BIKE. Basically, I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment.

While I wasn't blowing any records out of the water I was running. I passed runners who were walking, and I was running. Once again showing up out of nowhere was Matt and Will on their bikes. They found me on the run and were on the sidewalk cheering me on, biking alongside me. Matt told me it was a good, even pace and to keep it up. A few looks, which were accompanied with eye rolls, and they were off letting me be on my run. 

I didn't stop once. I kept running. I was pacing about an 11 minute mile, which still meant I would finish in under 35 minutes and that would put me right around the 2 hour mark, which was my goal. While it may sound unsportsmanlike to my fellow athletes, the woman who kicked me in the chest early on in the swim ... I passed her on the run course and finished the race before her. BAM! 

The run course was interesting. It started in the back of a parking lot, then through a wooded area on pavers, up a hill to cross a bridge, then into the road next to traffic, eventually ending back up on pavers winding through the Naperville Riverwalk area to end running through grass. I ran it all. I didn't stop once. However, near the end I slowed down. I had to. I could see the end was coming. I had done it. I was so overcome with emotions that I couldn't breath. 

I finished my run in 34:14. Just after I crossed the finish line was Will for a high five and kiss.

Following up was my godmother and my mom. As soon as I got through my cheering squad I was given my medal, a wet towel, some water, and some snacks. First thing I did before seeing anyone was get my official photo taken with my medal for the event.

Is it the most flattering photo? No. Do I care? No. I just had done a triathlon in pretty wet conditions afterall.

Once my photo was done I was off to find my cheering squad. Will greeted me first and told me my mom and godmother were down with Kristine and Matt. Hugs, high-fives, and photos were all around.

Now there was just one person missing. My best friend, Vicki (and owner of the OCR). I had no idea if she made it to my race or if she was around, so I inquired. Vicki had made it! She was there! I just had to find her. 

Well it turns out Vicki was convinced something must have happened to me on the bike course either with me, the bike, or the pavement. When she didn't see me she went out running the bike course looking for me. As fate would have it, she had just missed me as I completed the bike course. 

As the day went on I continued to wear my medal, but I did change out of my rain soaked clothes the first opportunity I got. I thought about how amazing the experience was. I had planned to finish in under two hours and I finished in two hours and twenty-two seconds, no shame, no disappointment. The spectators along the way were unbelievably awesome. They cheer for everyone going by, even if they don't know you. Those people who yell out race bib numbers and acknowledge you going by, they don't know it but they helped me. They helped me realize I really was doing a triathlon. The random and hilarious race signs along the way made me smile and even laugh out loud a few times. The fellow women who would say "good job" or " you've got this" were amazing to be among. As well the women who complimented my tattoo as they either passed me or I passed them, it was a small, but meaningful compliment. Having my cheer squad move all about and show up in random places was more than I could have ever imagined and asked for. 

If a year ago at this time anyone had told me I'd be reflecting upon completing a triathlon I probably would have had choice and colorful words to follow your stating such. In fact I would have questioned why we were talking, because that would have sounded crazy a year ago. And now, it's not so crazy. It's even not so scary. 

The film geek in me needs to make reference to a now twenty-year old movie (Dad, if you're reading this TWENTY YEARS OLD). The movie Angus. It's underrated, unknown, has my favorite Mazzy Star song in it, and in fact is only available on VHS. The movie ends with the main character, Angus, reflecting ... much like I did on Sunday. Now my reflection didn't involve my grandfather like Angus' character, but I had had my moment and I wanted another. Much like Angus and his words "I said screw 'em. I finally knew what it felt like to be on top of the world. I had had my moment, and then I heard my grandfather's voice say to me, "Now go have another." Maybe I will. Who knows."

And there's very little 'maybe' to it, I WILL have another moment. And it won't be as great as my first, but it holds all the possibility in the world to be better. Because after all, who knew I could have this moment, let alone those that haven't come yet.