Got me a tatoo!

End of tri season. I had a season. Thank goodness for that! Inspite of Ben & the kids' absence, I finished the course and did it faster than anticipated.

As always, I did not get enough sleep the night before a tri. Who does anyway? After reading Rebecca's race report, I tried to have 2 boiled eggs for breakfast like she did. Its a good energy source but not very yummy. Had a half pb sandwich and a banana. I think this is a good tri breakfast.

Elaine arrived shortly before 6 and installed her bike rack. After several attempts, we came to the conclusion that "midget" bikes like mine DO NOT fit in regular racks. It fit in the back of her car very nicely. We got to Shadow Cliffs with plenty of time to check in and get ready. Elaine was my limo driver, sherpa, cheer section, and photographer rolled into one. Look, she even made a sign for me that says GO JUDITH GO! Isn't that the sweetest thing?



We had time to wander around and check out the booths. This event can really use more sponsors and volunteers. My favorite thing they had were the tatoos. Check it out! By the way, that is my left calf -- not a caveman's club okay?

The Swim

This is my least favorite event as you all know. The water was warm enough to not wear a wetsuit. Good thing. I have been swimming in this very lake this summer and I know it well. Or not. Did my usual start at the front of the pack because I know I was gonna drop back. I was confident in my swimming until I rounded the last buoy. Okay, no other swimmers, so keep the trees to your right. I was swimming for a long time and I kept seeing the same tree. Not good. I took my head out of the water and doggie paddled to shore. That way I saw where I was going. I knew I was the last swimmer in my wave to get out of the water. Only I wasn't as per the results. My time was 15:57.0 and was 93/98 in my wave. There was Elaine with her sign and a big smile. She took this good shot of me below. I know it may not seem like it but this photo shows that I did loose some weight.

T1 took 5:03.5. Very short for me. Normally it takes twice as long (or maybe 3x). Must be the no wetsuit situation. Got out of transition quick and up that "hill" out of the park without mishap.

The Bike

The ride itself was pretty pleasant. No surprises. The course was slightly different from my "For Fun" tri last year. There were a couple of miles when we were on a bike trail and I took that opportunity to down a couple of baby Luna bars. The one hill on the course I failed to conquer last time was the same hill I failed to conquer AGAIN. I got further up it this time though. I walked it about 10 ft. to the top. Darn that hill! I biked way faster than anticipated (even given the fact that my odometer measured only 10 mi. instead of the stated 11). I hate to admit it but it felt good to get on the bike again (this I think would make Lizzie very happy). I was aiming to finish the course in 1 hr. I finished in 42:48.5. This was why Elaine missed me on my descent. She only got this picture of me leaving not coming. This is a good thing!

T2 was 5:02.5. About just as long as T1. It could have been better though.

The Run

This run course again was different from last year's "For Fun." The steepest hill is of course the first one just after the bike. Wasn''t even a hill really, more like a goat path. Seriously! It was so narrow you can only go one person at a time. It was so steep I did not only walk it, I had to grab some major roots to haul my bum to the top! Geeez Louise! You get up a little landing type area and then do another uphill jog. Of course, when you're up, the downhill run should feel great. It didn't. My brain felt like an ice cube floating in a brandy glass while its being swished around. Lots of ups and downs in this course. My biggest complain is that there was only ONE water station for the whole run course AND you get to it when there's only 1 mi. left to go. What good does that do? Of course, when I got there, THEY WERE OUT OF WATER! There was nothing to drink. Even though I was slow, tired and thirsty, I was breathing normally after the first mile. I really felt fine. This is why I think I could maybe do a half-marathon, but that's a different story. Anyway, I finished strong (by Judith's standard anyway) and I was happy because I was gonna get a drink. My time for the run was 39:26.2. Good enough for me.

The organizers did not disappoint me. True to form, they likewise ran out of finisher medals. I don't care. Its all about the t-shirt anyway, right? By the way, my total time was: 1:48:17.8. I was 542/598 overall. I will try and top that next year ;)

Thanks very much to my old friends Lizzie, Elaine and Paul. Thanks to my new tri friends Rebecca & Donna. Thank you Lord for an amazing life and a great tri season! Hanggang sa muli, until next e-time...