Disappointment and Victory

I just could not do it. The distance in the open water at Tri for the Cure just freaked me out. A half-mile swim was about my outer limit in a pool and seeing how far those buoys were just did me in. No excuses, I wussed out. Physically I was probably capable, but I couldn't shut down the mind and let the body take over. I really never was able to do much in OWS practice and most of my swims in the last month really sucked.

So I met Annie at the bikes. Since we were in the non-competitive wave anyway AND the race was so frippin' huge, it really didn't matter( at least officially ) that I didn't swim.

I pushed Ann faster on the bike than I think she thought she could do and then prodded her along on the run and refused to let her walk after the halfway point. She finished with an awesome 1:41.

I was mightily disappointed in myself and really didn't know what to do about the upcoming KC Women's Tri. Ann came back to KC with me and we went out to Kill Creek for OWS practice. I managed to go out to the buoys a few times but my head was out of it. I'd already quit on open water swimming.

I think I came up with the brilliant idea to see if we could become a team for the KC race, instead of individuals. We'd already both paid so it was no loss to them. And, lo and behold, the friendly woman at registration switched us like no big deal.

Ann did the swim and bike and I ran. The swim was shorter (500 m) and really quite a bit of it was pretty shallow. Visually, it looked much shorter and the time-trial start was much less crowded. Plus the whole race was much smaller and just all-around more relaxed.

Ann did about what she predicted on the swim. Since teams had to start at the back, she passed alot of women and finished in 12-something. Then she totally kicked ass on the bike, doing the 10 mile course in 34 minutes. I was blown away when she came in as quickly as she did. We excitedly exchanged the chip and I took off.

I had hoped it bring it home in less than 25 minutes, since I had done nothing but stand and sit around all morning. However, we are in the midst of a massive heat wave. I'm not sure what it was at 9-something a.m. but I'm sure it was well into the 80's with humidity and bright sun. I took off a little fast and hit the first mile at 7:49, so I knew I was in trouble. I never really got into my happy running place but that's OK. It was an out and back course and it was cool to see all the runners. Everyone was so friendly and encouraging each other. I know the whole 'Tri for the Cure' thing is inspirational and all but I really felt more inspired and part of things in this event. An old friend of mine from the Library was there doing her first tri. We high-fived on the run!

OK - so I ran a 25:35. Not bad given the conditions. I have done quite a bit of training in the heat but never at that kind of pace. So I was a little woozy when I crossed the finish line.

But we won the team category by 9 minutes! 1:13 ! We got medals and we both won door prizes. I don't have anything but good things to say about this race. Next year, I want to do it solo. I would do Tri for the Cure again maybe as a team. It was well organized for as big as it was. KC had great swag and was much less chaotic. You just have to deal with the August heat.