General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I got beaten today (in so many ways)... Rss Feed  
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2007-10-07 11:27 AM

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Out running or enjoying a fine glass of red...
Subject: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
* By my first open water swim race...OMG, I'm pretty sure I was going to die and I was certainly not planning on doing so much backstroke/kayak hanging. I spent most of the swim chanting "Please don't let me die, please don't let me die."

* By the hilly bike monster...you think I might have gotten acclimated to Atlanta's hills, having been here over a month, but not so much. We don't have hills like that in Richmond...our hills are gentle and rolling, and no matter what the race description says, I can tell you that for this girl (who's a Midwesterner at heart), those are NOT ROLLING. I spent the first half of the bike chanting "Why couldn't I have died on the swim, why couldn't I have died on the swim."

* By the mechanical bike demon...yeah, that whole chain coming off thing. Nasty little imp! How dare you mess with my bike? It wasn't until I got past this issue that I actually started having some positive thoughts. "How much further to the T-shirt? How much further to the T-shirt?"

* By my social nature...On the run, I was Little Miss Chatty. Actually - that's not such a bad thing, methinks. I wasn't in the running for any awards so I talked to some nice folks until I felt I could speed up again, then I motored to the next group. I also stopped to say hi to LHablas Lou as I hit the 3 mile marker. Good to see a familiar face since I'm so far from home. "I can do it. I can do it."

* By my upset tummy...After the race I felt like crap. I had to stop and rest on the way back to the car (which was about a mile, by the way) with all my gear and Kazho (bless you, Kaz) stayed with me. I've never really had tummy issues before - so that's a big bummer. But it was fun to chant at the folks walking by and expressing concern "No really, I'm OK. No really, I'm OK."

This isn't exactly how I wanted to end my tri-season, but I know what I need to work on for next year. (Um, swimming biking & running would be a good start.) I kind of feel as pathetic as I did for my first tri of the season (and my first ever), but I know that I never could have done what I did today back in March. So there.

Kristen



2007-10-07 11:36 AM
in reply to: #995267

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Master
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
sorry to hear about the bad parts... but the post was very comical
2007-10-07 11:57 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
enders_shadow - 2007-10-07 12:27 PM

* By my first open water swim race...OMG, I'm pretty sure I was going to die


Yup. That's par for the course. You either think you're going to die, or you reconsider all prior decisionmaking.

I'm also chatty cathy on the run. I think I'm stoned on endorphins by that point. I really do think I'm batman.
2007-10-07 12:07 PM
in reply to: #995267

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Master
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Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ
Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
Oh no, what an experience. But if you train all winter it can only get better then next season Do you have a place where you can practice OWSs?
2007-10-07 1:13 PM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
*You succeeded in doing something that less than 0.5% of the people in this country can do.

*You succeeded in accomplishing your "short term" goal #1

*It sounds like you successfully overcame several separate issues and finished. I've watched professional triathletes quit after a couple flat tires (in conjunction with a bee sting).

*You successfully kept a clear focus while overcoming your fears in stressful situations.

Looking at the big picture...........it sounds to me like you are a winner! Congratulations...
2007-10-07 1:30 PM
in reply to: #995267

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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
You got through it... you moved forward with ever stroke, spin and step.  You kept swimming, you were able to deal with a dropped chain and finish the bike course (I shall introduce you to training in Cartersville to conquer the Atlanta hills!) and then you played social director on the run and I'm sure brought smiles to more than a few faces.  It also sounds like you learned a thing or two out there today.  Sounds like a success to me and I can't wait to see how you improve next season!


2007-10-07 1:35 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
Sounds like a winner to me, a comical one, but a winner none the less. Congrats!
2007-10-07 1:44 PM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
Sorry you had so many things with which to deal, Kristen. The tone of your post sure shows that you kept a great attitude about it though. WTG!
2007-10-07 2:06 PM
in reply to: #995365

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Master
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
rfergus5 - 2007-10-07 2:13 PM

*You succeeded in doing something that less than 0.5% of the people in this country can do.

*You succeeded in accomplishing your "short term" goal #1

*It sounds like you successfully overcame several separate issues and finished. I've watched professional triathletes quit after a couple flat tires (in conjunction with a bee sting).

*You successfully kept a clear focus while overcoming your fears in stressful situations.

Looking at the big picture...........it sounds to me like you are a winner! Congratulations...


Ditto! Well said fergus. Kristen you are a winner
2007-10-07 2:30 PM
in reply to: #995267

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Science Nerd
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...

Sorry you had a tough race, Kristen.  Just remember that you made it through and that's what's important.  You're tough enough to stick it out and not give.  Next time you'll be even better. 

I think your first OWS race experience  is pretty normal.  I was surprised at how much harder it was than swimming.

2007-10-07 2:35 PM
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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...

Forward is forward. I think it's all the more admirable that you powered through the race (not to mention just getting back to your car) despite difficulties at each step. Hey, it's hard enough to race a race when it's all going right ... the fact that you finished, with grace, humor, and incredible accomplishment, is exceptional. Though you may feel beaten, the truth is, you beat the tar outta that course.

And thanks for my Sunday funnies ...



2007-10-07 4:47 PM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...

Lemme see, did I read that right?  I think it said: 

* you DIDN'T drown!  heck, you didn't even get dragged back to shore by the lifeguards -- you finished your first open water swim leg!

* you put the chain back on and KEPT GOING!  you finished your first monster-hill bike leg!

*  you kept yourself, and probably several other people, in good spirits on the run!

* you got the t-shirt!  heck, you EARNED it!

Sounds like a great day to me.    Congratulations, triathlete. 

2007-10-07 4:58 PM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
CitySky - 2007-10-07 4:47 PM

Lemme see, did I read that right?  I think it said: 

* you DIDN'T drown!  heck, you didn't even get dragged back to shore by the lifeguards -- you finished your first open water swim leg!

* you put the chain back on and KEPT GOING!  you finished your first monster-hill bike leg!

*  you kept yourself, and probably several other people, in good spirits on the run!

* you got the t-shirt!  heck, you EARNED it!

Sounds like a great day to me.    Congratulations, triathlete. 

X2...I couldn't have said it any better. Congrats and give yourself a big ol' pat on the back! Smile

2007-10-07 6:01 PM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...

enders_shadow - 2007-10-07 10:27 AM * By my first open water swim race...OMG, I'm pretty sure I was going to die and I was certainly not planning on doing so much backstroke/kayak hanging.

 

First off, congratulations!   Great job and getting it done.  I remember my first OWS (no wetsuit and first time in OW) and it was a pain in the butt.  Be glad you got it done!

 

A quick question on whats highlighted above, but doesn't hanging on the kayak mean an auto DQ? Or is that only if they help you move forward? 

2007-10-07 6:12 PM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
bradword - 2007-10-07 7:01 PM

A quick question on whats highlighted above, but doesn't hanging on the kayak mean an auto DQ? Or is that only if they help you move forward? 



Hanging is good, obtaining forward progress with the aid of is bad. The kayak guys were very good about not making any sort of progress at all.
2007-10-07 9:41 PM
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Subject: ...
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2007-10-07 9:57 PM
in reply to: #995849

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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
Good job. I can definitely feel for your "I'm going to die on the swim".

Same thing happened to me. I'm still doing OWS and hope to manage my next one better.

On the swim "DNF" == "Did Nothing Fatal"

Good job finishing the swim. I know for me, I've never been so happy to get out of the water in my life.

-Jot
2007-10-08 5:38 AM
in reply to: #995267

Expert
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
Awesome Race! These kind of races are why we keep doing them right! Congratulations!
2007-10-08 6:53 AM
in reply to: #995267

Veteran
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
We survived! So much for thinking, "Well, that doesn't look so bad, does it?"
2007-10-08 10:24 AM
in reply to: #995267

Master
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...
It sounds like a hard day, but in the end, you overcame everything that was thrown at you and it sounds like you had a good time overall.   Great job!!  Even though you ran into a lot of obstacles, you will remember the perseverence that you showed in this race long after memories of other events have faded.
2007-10-08 11:17 AM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...

Hmm...were you somehow recording my thoughts during my last tri???

I agree with all said above.  You pushed through and finished - well done.



2007-10-08 12:50 PM
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Subject: RE: I got beaten today (in so many ways)...

You rocked it, girl!!  If you could've seen the smile on your face when I saw you RUNNING to Mile Marker 3 - that smile said it all!!  You were having a great time and it showed.

Way to go!! (and you are so far from pathetic, TRIATHLETE)

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I got beaten today (in so many ways)... Rss Feed