3/4 mile swim in reservoir, 16 mile bike, 5 mile run.

Details are in the journal, here is the mini recap:

Swim: It was cold at 7am, but not as cold as the Pacific Ocean. I started out with freestyle and thought I was doing well, but the same old panic about breathing struck and I had to switch to backstroke. Just like in practice I was slower the first half (25 minutes) and much faster the second (15 minutes!) but still came out of the water right under 40. OH, and I learned to pee while swimming for the first time, that's right, I said it, I peed in my wetsuit in the reservoir because I had to and I decided I'd rather do it there than on my bike.

T1: I was frozen. It was only a 5 minute transition but it felt like 10. I did not fall down getting on my bike though.

Bike: We had done the course the day before which I knew was going to be a mistake. Confidence-wise it was a benefit as I knew where the hill was and how difficult it would be to get over it, as well as the fact that I COULD get over it. However, my legs were spent from getting over it the day before coupled with the swim. I never was able to power through on the bike and my time was 1:15.49, which was a good TWENTY MINUTES SLOWER than the day before. The good part? At least I know I can knock off 20 minutes next year. Also, I did not fall when I stopped at the end.

T2: About spent and out of energy, it took me 3:08 to rack my bike and change my shoes and socks, way too long.

Run: As difficult as this was, I did it in less time than I had anticipated. I had figured 1:15. I certainly can run faster than this, but doing it after two hours of swimming and riding is different. I walked much of the course but ran as much as I could. Very upsetting to realize there were not many people left on the course (none), I didn't see anyone until I made the turn-around and passed maybe five senior citizens. SENIOR CITIZENS. The good news is I finished the run in 1:10.21, almost five minutes faster than expected. AND that I didn't turn around at the 2 mile point like one lady told me to "because there's no one up there to check". Even though I wanted to. But I didn't think I could live with myself or look Erin in the eye if I didn't complete the entire course.

So my total time was 3:14.5, which is 30 seconds faster than I had anticipated, and yet I was almost the last one in out of 800 racers. As I was running I was trying to figure out how this could be. I was exactly as fast/slow as I had expected (except for the botched ride) yet I had come in just about dead last. And this is what I decided:

For all my working out I still have 40 pounds to lose, at least. And there weren't many other racers on that course with that kind of extra weight. So maybe people "my size" don't even attempt this kind of race. Which means that because I DID do it, the entire thing, and never even got off my bike to walk up the hill or turn around when no one was looking, then I did a pretty cool thing no matter how long it took. I know fit and athletic people who have no intention of attempting this or any other triathlon, so in a way, I beat them too. And I beat everyone who was still sitting at home or even in bed while I was out swimming in the reservoir.

So I was disappointed in myself for part of the run. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how proud of myself I should be. I don't care if I was dead last, or only beat people who were 60 and 70 years old, I still DID IT. I completed the entire course!! So not only am I proudly displaying my medal, but I fully plan to do this race next year. And take 20 minutes off my bike time, dammit!!!

I did decide I have no intention of doing the Olympic Distance in June, at least not this year. Maybe after I've lost these last 40 pounds. But I don't have it in me to go out for 4 hours, just not going to happen.

But I'll do another sprint. I'm already signed up for the Mermaid Triathlon in September again, and I'm *thinking* about the San Jose sprint in June. And there are sprints in August in Santa Cruz. We'll see. I'm definitely not done with this sport, in fact, I'm only just beginning.

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