Since I first entered into the multisport world I've always vowed to never, ever do a local race. I never want people I know watching me race. When I tell people that I do triathlon they are always impressed so I try to keep that mirage going. Because if they actually saw me racing, they'd know I wasn't all that impressive. The no-local-race rule was broken this weekend at the extremely local Wyckoff Triathlon. Everyone talks about this race all year but I've always been able to avoid it altogether. The opportunity came up just last week to get into the race so I jumped at the chance, oddly enough.
I've been working hard to let go of my extremely high expectations. I'm always disappointed when I don't come in first - let's be real here, I'm pretty much never going to come in first place unless I train hard all day everyday. That means no bagels, no Starbucks, no lunch, no naps, no parent/teacher conferences, no fun, no life - coming in 1st is not worth giving those things up and I need to remember to just have fun (not to mention I'm pretty sure I don't have the DNA make up to be a world champ)! This was my first race of just trying to have fun and it went well. I had a really good time, I watched everyone that I know from my town fly past me and wasn't ready to quit. My time is my time, my race is my race and I need to just enjoy the race, enjoy being active and continue to improve. This race had a 5 mile run - not a freaking 5k which is what is should be - and I was really worried about the run but really tried to let go of that fear.
A few days before the race, Kevin left me this note and at the bottom it said, "you are my ironman" and I wrote that on my wrist the morning of the race. I used that to get me through the run - I never gave up, I hardly walked and averaged an 11:11/mile which is about a minute faster than I was expecting (and for those following this blog that is pretty impressive for me!).
Along with just enjoying the race, I made a few rookie mistakes. Many triathletes will find a small, local race to do at the beginning of the season to work out all of the kinks. This was my THIRD race of the season yet still mistakes were made - you know "People plan, God laughs":
-got out of the water and realized I had no socks so I rode without sock (I left them in the car). Not a terribly big deal but only bc Kevin was there and I knew he could get me socks for the run (of course they were in transition when I got back to run!);
-went to put on my helmet and my hair tie snapped - snapped right in my hands so I had nothing to do with my hair (which if you know me is a NIGHTMARE!). I am never without at least 4 hair ties around my wrist at any given time, except this one time;
-then my helmet didn't fit, wouldn't stay on and was all over the place - I have no idea what happened as I had just wore the damn helmet a few days before for 6 freaking hours! Had I fallen on the bike - I'd be brain dead as this helmet was serving me no purpose - take a look (notice the hair and helmet - a hot mess!):
This race ended up being so much fun!
- I got to race with Jenni;
- My sweet first born son got up at 4am to watch me race;
- Kevin wasn't racing which means he gets to be my full-time sherpa (which is awesome!);
- I did better than expected and had fun on all 3 legs of the race;
- And most importantly, I wasn't disappointed at the end - I was happy!
The only real downside was the finishers medal - very, very lame.
I am going to put myself in the lottery next year to get into this race again - I think this will be a good staple race to do every year to see if I can keep improving with each passing year.
Bring on I Love The Tavern Tri coming this Sunday...
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