Barb's Race 2013 - A Woman's only Half Iron Distance Triathlon in Sonoma, CA

Thursday.  7.25.2013

We arrived to the rental house and it was everything I imagined. The house was very inviting and comfortable. I immediately wanted to run around and jump on every bed! Yes that is how much I loved it. The house was less than a mile from the Russian River (the swim start), which was just perfect for us. Once Darcy, Coach Q, and I arrived we took a nice little walk down to the river. The water was so warm and inviting, I knew swimming in it was going to be amazing.

Friday. 7.26.2013

Time to pick up our race bib and set up our T2 gear. In English speak, T2 means Transition 2. This is gear you leave ready for yourself for when you 'transition' from the bike to the run. To be honest, I was pretty nervous about leaving my running shoes out by themselves. Most people don't think much about it. But if your running shoes are your most favorite and really I am going to relay on them to take me those last 13.1 miles, they better be there when I get to T2.

Here is a photo of the empty T2 area. Wish I had a picture of the area full of bikes, it really is a sight.

Here Darcy and I are pretending to go out at the run start. It was an ahha moment for me. The next day I would be running out of here. So...on to race day.

Saturday. 7.27.2013
The night before I made sure to leave everything ready. Water bottles, wet suit, tri gear, everything was ready!!

Everything 'was' ready. Looking at my bike at T1, and talking to Coach Brad, .... i realized..OH NO my water bottles! I forgot my water bottles. :( I'm ready to cry. Coach Brad say's It's OK, we will get you some. I'm standing there. Thinking. Can I run back to the house and make it back in time for the swim start? No. Then I think 'shit', not going to cry. not going to cry. 2 minutes later..Coach Brad comes back with 2 hydration bottles. 1 with water, 1 empty. I run to fill one up with Gatorade (thanks SAG). OK everything is fine. I'm good with 2 bottles. I can stop at SAG and fill up my bottles. It's going to be fine. Freak out moment didn't happen. I was fine. And really I was.

My swim start was at 8:33 am. Here I go. What was I feeling? Amazing. I loved it. The water was perfect. Like my teammates told me "Bucket go out there and swim the shit out of it." And I did just that. I'm not the fastest swimmer, so my time didn't matter. It mattered that I finished. I swam the 1.2 mile in 1:00.52. Considering all..I was happy.

and...here goes. T1. Transition from Bike to swim. I put my wet suit and towel and whatever else I have and get ready to... 'Bike the shit out of it.'

OK here I go. I know I can do this. 56 miles...no problem. See I'm smiling.

At the beginning of the bike course. Somewhere before mile 5. I'm pretending to be hardcore Triathlete here. LOL. Looking at this picture all I see is that my arm coolers aren't pulled up correctly. I left my necklace on. My arms are all wrong. That is why I see. What I felt? AMAZING I was excited. I knew what to expect and wasn't nervous. Can't believe I wasn't nervous, the whole week leading to the event I was nervous.

This is a picture my friend Lisa took of me as I was going up Chalk Hill. What is the big deal? I did not get off my bike. Yes I stopped. Took a breath. And then continued on my merry way. Chalk hill is best described as the largest hill on the course. You hear so much about it out  that you basically talk yourself out it and say..I can't do this I can't do this. I kept looking at my mileage and thinking oh I have a ways to go for Chalk Hill. I thought it was at mile 48. Not sure why, but I did. So when I hit it at mile 45 I didn't think much of it. Even though I had done it twice already on training rides, i admit on race day it felt much easier. To say the least I WAS VERY EXCITED!!

And here this picture was taken after Chalk Hill. As you can tell i was VERY happy.

I did have a few mishaps on the bike course. Yes that is blood you see on my knee. I fell at SAG stop 1. I went to grab a water bottle and clumsy me only unclipped from 1 pedal and not the other. So I fell. The poor people at the SAG stop asked me to stop and go to the medical tent, I was like No I'm fine. See. Throw some water on it and I'm fine. Around mile 42/43 my bike chain got stuck again! UGH!!  I stopped and did the gear thing of switching it back and forth trying to get it unstuck. Nope that didn't work. Then I pulled over and realized SHIT now what. That chain is in there good and I can't pull it out.  I calmly tried to get it unstuck. Nope nothing. Lucky for me a guy pulled over and yanked that chain out!!  Thank you stranger who was hot and doing a full Ironman and did the helmet bump with me and stopped to help me...love you forever! :) Yes I was HAPPY. Must get my bike looked at again. This is getting old.

56 miles done. 5:03:50. I was hoping for a time between 4:15 - 4:30. It's OK though, I got it done. How did I feel? I felt good. I was ready to get my grove on and get to running.

And now off to do my 13.1 miles.

I was OK with my knee on the bike, but come to the run . . it was a no go. I had to walk, when I tried to run I could feel it. It was a bit swollen. So I figured I better just walk really fast. OK so I only ran when pictures were being taken.

This was my serious face. It was also my 'I want to get this shit over with' face.

Why am I posting this picture? This picture has a story. I was running/walking and I hear this huffing and puffing. This guy was hurting and pissed. So I 'slowed' down to talk to him. Me being me said 'do you need anything? Can I help you?' He was like no I'm OK I just want this day to be over with. I totally understood what he was talking about. He then continues to tell me about how his friend talked him into doing this race. His friend got a group discount so hey why not do an Ironman. He said he was so upset with his friend. Yikes. So here I am on mile 7/8. Here is he on mile 4ish, he only had another 22 miles to go. Yeah I felt bad for him. I wonder if he made it.

My highlight from the run. I was just starting to run, maybe around mile 1, I had to pee really bad. There was a group there from the Silcon Valley IronTeam cheering on participants. I said..Be right Back I gotta pee really bad. Yes I talk to complete strangers because I can and I don't care. So here I go to the porta-potty. I come out...Imagine this..Coming out of a porta potty and about 10 people yell  'GO TEAM' as I open the door. They Scared the shit out of me and we all start laughing. BEST CHEER SQUAD EVER!!!

OK...back to the race. At mile 8 I was OVER IT! I hit the wall. I was pissed that I couldn't move any faster. I started running a bit. It hurt but who cares. I had blisters and I could feel them. Stupid blisters. So....here I am sprinting it in. You can't tell but I was crying.

I was telling my legs..MOVE IT!
Worst finisher photo ever. I should have put my head up. But I was crying. I wasn't crying because I was hurt or anything, I was crying because I had completed the race. I was so happy. My body was saying 'I never want to do this again.' my mind was saying 'OK when are we doing this again?'

This here is the finish line cheering squad ever! Hugs and kisses from them were the best.

I really was happy.

I still can't believe I did it. I would hear my friends talk about doing Ironman races and just sit in awe and wonder. Can I do it one day? A full Ironman, no way, but a half maybe. So I took on this personal challenge and did it. It has by far been one of the most amazing experiences ever. My coaches exceed my expectations. I was told it was going to be an amazing season, it really was that  and much more.

So what's next? Yes I am doing it again. Kona 70.3. Who is up on taking this challenge with me?

Ready?

While I lay here in bed I think about this incredible journey I've been on. I won't lie I've been so stressed that I seriously tried to come with a reason not to do this triathlon event. I know stop shaking your head at me, but you have to understand stress sucks.

While I am so excited about my new job I was also not excited about giving notice. I love the people I work with but really I was looking for a new opportunity. But wait I'm going off track.

Stress. This WAS the excuse I was going to use to get out of coming to San Diego. On our drive over here Mark kept rubbing my arm. He could totally pick up on my nerves. I took a few breathes and thought about it. Why am I so scared? I CAN DO THIS! No I won't be the fastest I may even be the slowest but I'll be damn I am doing this! So for now ta ta. Tomorrow I become a Triathlete!

5/31 Swim #2 Still smiling

Back when I was younger (like last week) I went to San Diego to Swim Qualify as part of my U.S. Marine training. In bootcamp I did pass, but back then all we had to do was float for I don't know about 5 minutes or so. We floated in our PT gear so it really was no big deal - for me at least. Then when I joined the reserves we had to re-qualify. This time it was in full Boots & Utes. I think that is where I first figured out I can't float and got a bit scared of the water. Here I was trying to float while I was in full gear, a stupid helmet that didn't fit, and all while carrying a rubber M16A2. Blah blah. I'll say it wasn't a bed of roses that's for sure. Sadly I went swim unq. I freaked out when I couldn't lift my head out of the water. But that was then..this is now. Yeah I like to babble.

I decided to attend last nights Team swim practice to give it another shot. More swim practice is better then none right. At one point I felt like the baby in yellow. Do what again? Do another 100 yards doing what - I forget what it's called already. Honestly think we swam a total of 750 yards or maybe more. At one point I lost count. It wasn't bad, I'm not complaining, it was just very exhausting. You know that song from finding Nemo - just keep swimming - I was actually singing that to myself. After a while I started smiling again (to myself) and started saying...I could do this! I really could!!!  . 

 

My BFF Sue Baker read my blog post from yesterday and said she cried. Tears of happiness. She really does love the Triathlon team and I can understand why. The coaches are so patient and really are with you the whole time. 
 

---

A quick update on my fundraiser. The list of opportunity drawings keeps on getting better.

When I created my FB Invite I was pretty vague about the Journey Fan prize package. I wasn't sure what I would be getting so..I kind of left it open ended. I did get an email yesterday confirming what the prize package will be. 

drum roll please......
2 Tickets (YES TICKETS) to the Journey Concert on July 21 at the San Manuel Amphitheater, San Bernardino, CA. 2012 Tour merchandise items with an autographed copy of the "Live in Manila" concert DVD.  Did you know this concert starts their 2012 Tour? So you know it's going to be good! And Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo (from loverboy) will there. Wait..come to think of it I want those tickets. Just kidding, maybe, but I may have to bribe the prize winner to take me along. 

 

AND if you haven't checked..I also got the word that the Ellen Show is donating tickets to the show. I've been a few times and totally loved the experience. So DON'T ask me to give you the tickets. You will have to come to my event to get your 'opportunity' to win them. Even if you are family, and I pulled your hair, and I love you a lot..you will have to attend. Love you Espi. :)  

I've said this before, but really am fortunate to have such great people in my life. Thank you again.
 

 

 

5/30 How did you like it?

The highlights of my first swim practice with the Team in Training Triathlon Team.

1. I feel like throwing up.

2. I can't breathe under water. How is that even possible?

3. My legs feel like jell-o

4. I drank way to much water

5. I HAD THE MOST AMAZING TIME EVER!!!

Yes while it was hard. I can swim. My friend Sue Baker kept telling me "Bucket! You are going to love it! The coaches and mentors are with you at all times! BUCKET are you listening? JOIN THE TRI TEAM!" Me: OK Sue I'll do it.  And yes if Sue told me to jump off a bridge and that it would totally be safe - why yes I'd do it.

This is my BFF Sue Baker.

I have absolutely no regrets in joining. It's a new adventure for me. I can run. I can bike - well only if there are no parked cars, running cars and little kids with skate boards on the road. Oh the swimming. That will be my biggest challenge - but honestly with some practice I will be fine.

And yes Sue you were right. I LOVE IT! So for those of you that haven't been listening to Sue Baker, what are you waiting for?

Let the training..almost..begin

When I joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Triathlon team, the one that really scared me was the bike thing. Can I afford it? Am I being realistic in thinking I could do something like this? 

Who know there are programs out there where they give you loaner bikes? Not me! So I called, emailed and the response.."We have a bike for you!" I got super excited! Then I said..oh this means there is no turning back now is there? The way I have described my emotions is "I'm super excited and scared shit-less at the same time". 

The next step is to plan my fundraiser. I have the idea in my head. I know what I'm doing. I just need opportunity prizes..and PEOPLE. I have a few prizes that have been offered up, but I need more. Something that will really draw people into my party. So if you are reading this..and want to help me .. and love me..and think I am amazing...email me. :) I wanted to plan my party for late June, but that isn't going to happen. So now I have to pen in a date for the 1st weekend of July. I've planned plenty of fundraisers where I know I need to plan at least 2 months in advance. So far so good, but I need to get to planning instead of just having the ideas in my head.


 

a Triathlete? Me? Why not.

I thought about it a few times, actually it's been on my mind for a while. I wanted to do a Triathlon before I turned 40. 40 came and went and still I didn't want to take the plunge. I'm scared. I for one am the FIRST one to tease my friend about sharks in the ocean. I will sit there and totally tease him and scare him all while I am just laughing away. Honestly I was jealous. Jealous because it wasn't something I could do. Really I wasn't ready for the challenge. As always life got in the way, or really I made excuses. 

About a month ago I was talking to my friend Jenny about seriously considering doing a Triathlon with Team in Training.My friend Sue would just tell me "Bucket! Do it! I can't even tell you want an amazing experience it has been!" Sue, Jenny and I have trained for marathons together, but a Triathlon? While helping out at a fundraiser (back in December) again they 'almost' convinced me. During a night of walking the streets of Los Angeles and drinking a few beers - Jenny had me convinced. BUT I still hadn't signed up. Then I finally decided, this is my year! As I said before "Crazy is as crazy does."     

Sue, Jenny, Talene, Nary, and me.

And so a new chapter in "The Crazy Things Bucket Does" begins.