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Discussion: Tri....and finish
Subject: Tri....and finish By: Pam D. Written on: 2006-06-26 19:47:10 Message: I was racing in the Sprint class for the Tupper Lake Tin Man this weekend and had a good race! This is held up in the Adirondacks so the location is really beautiful. This almost was a no show as I have been having terrific knee problems the last month and had to make a decision on whether to do the race or not. I ended up swallowing my pride and said why not enjoy a great day and do the Tri and see how you feel on the run and if it is bad, just walk. Knowing full well that I would probably be near the end of the entire pack, I would still finish. The day was beautiful with deep blue skies and temps in the low 60's to start. We were in the first wave of the swim jumping off at 8:00 so there was no time to get too nervous. I had not really slept the night before but the sprint wave was shouting and hooting before we started which got everyone pumped up. The swim went well and the group thinned out by the first marker, but coming back in the shore the sun was in our eyes and I kept trying to spot but you could barely see anything. Oh well, just keep moving. Came out of the water (0.5 M = 18:33 min, 5/23 in age group) a little woobly (oh did I say that I have had a good cold for the last 2 weeks also). T-1 was fine but still was trying to catch my breath. The ride was about 19.6 M, no idea where they came up with that distance, but was supposed to be "rolling hills". WELL now I know what that means. I had driven the course the day before and was laughing at the term Rolling Hills. These were some long hills, or should I say mountains (This is the Adirondacks!!) that made the ups very slow and the way down very fast. It was fun though and seemed to go very quick. (1:13 10/23 age group). One strange thing they did was to body mark your age on your calf so you could see the age of the person you were passing, or being passed by. It is funny how competive this gets when you see someone much older whizzing by you!! Now came the fun part, the run or should I say walk. I tried to run the first mile or so and my knee just felt like it was locking up, so I put it into speed walk gear and finished the rest of the 10K with almost everyone passing me. Oh well, but I really had some fun with people in the water stops and those passing always had a some great words of encouragement. When I hit mile 5 almost an hour and fifteen minutes later, I broke out in the big stoopid grin we all know so well as I knew I was close to the end. It was still a great feeling to know I finished and did the best that I could. Needless to say my position droped to almost the end of all the sprinters but I really do not have much pain in my knee today so I know I made the right decision. Well, I will be looking to see if there is anything that can be done about my knee and might have to make the tough decision on trying any more Tris this year, but at least I completed this one as I had set out to do. I really just started reading the board in the last couple of weeks and I think everyone's positive spirit and drive helped me though the day. You guys ROCK....
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: maggie S. Written on: 2006-06-26 20:12:22 Message: Great job finishing! It is, as you describe, about enjoying the beauty of the course, laughing, pushing yourself, and making smart decisions even they smart your ego a little bit! Good luck with the knee (from someone who has had very bad knee problems....)
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: Teresa S. Written on: 2006-06-26 20:24:35 Message: Way to go Pam. Way to hang in there and enjoy the experience. What a great sport this is that you can enjoy the experience and share it with friends. I loved taking the journey with you. Good luck on our knee and your next race. Teresa
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-26 20:39:43 Message: Pam, It's great that you went out and did what you could and are smart enough to do what you should, as in taking care of your knee. I hope you enjoyed your day and also hope that your knee is better soon. Ron
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: Stacie J. Written on: 2006-06-26 22:09:50 Message: Great Job, Pam! You raced a smart race and I am so happy for you. Marking your age on your calf??? What an interesting idea! I kind of like it...
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: Leo d. Written on: 2006-06-26 22:21:04 Message: Pam, The hardest part is to listen to your body! Congratulations on finishing your Tri. Hope your knee will be ok and to see you in many more o come! Leo D.
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: Dan W. Written on: 2006-06-27 14:17:34 Message: Great job Pam! Take care of that knee and keep triing! My first (and only) tri had age markings on the legs as well. I really liked the idea. Good luck with your future training.
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: Jose G. Written on: 2006-06-27 14:39:17 Message: Way to go Pam! A resounding theme from us this year has been about overcoming physcial and mental challenges. And oh yeah, how rolling hills in a tri really means rolling mountains. You should come over to the Rocky Mountain region here in Denver and tri some of our 'rolling hills'. These course directors are psychotic!
Subject: RE: Tri....and finish By: Carie M. Written on: 2006-06-27 14:55:11 Message: So far both races I did had age markings on the calf - I just thought that was a USAT standard or something, guess not. Anyway - great story Pam, and what a fantastic attitude! I love the mountains, but I've never tried riding through them (yet) -- glad you were able to enjoy the beauty of it all.
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