Race Reports/Encouragement/Kudos for June 14 and 15

My first triathlon ever! I had my sister-in-law with me and it was her first too. The race expo was kind of disappointing. There were hardly any vendors, sponsors, etc. So we picked up our race packets, grabbed what goodies we could from the sponsors and listened to the Race Course overview discussion. We also were able to get Sally Edwards (the race founder) to sign our swim caps and bibs. After spending the rest of the afternoon in the park, I went to bed very excited for the next day. And that 4:30am wake up call sure comes early! But I was still so excited that it didn’t matter. I put on my swimsuit and some clothes and headed down to the 7-11 next door to the hotel. I picked up a Cliff bar and a Red Bull and headed to the transition. The race started at 6am and my wave was scheduled for 6:24. I headed down to the swim start right at 6 when they were singing the national anthem. At DCA, the transition was in the Timon parking lot and you had to walk in through a side gate they had open that went backstage. It was so neat to be standing there with all these girls that were all just as excited. Finally, my wave was called and we walked down the boat ramp that is backstage into the lagoon. I had been worried about the water being cold, but it was just the opposite! It was somewhere in the 60’s outside and the water was so hot that there was steam coming off of it! I think they said the water was somewhere between 78-80 degress! After the countdown for my wave, we were off. I had a hard time getting into any sort of rhythm because I was getting run over and hit and kicked from every direction! And the water was disgusting! So dark that you could not even see your hand in front of your face! I really think that contributed to all the running into each other the whole way. You just couldn’t see if someone was there or not. I did my swim in 15:46 which I thought was pretty good for me. After a long run back to the transition, I put my shorts, shirt, shoes and helmet on and headed out on the bike. The streets were closed, but of course there were Anaheim police directing traffic where they needed to. Once such intersection was at the California Grand hotel. This intersection was one of the first I came across on the bike. This idiot in a white minivan did not listen to directions and came on out into the intersection! I slammed on my brakes, but was more worried about the woman who had just passed me! All I could hear was tires screeching from both her bike and the car. I'm not sure how I stayed on my bike because I know I closed my eyes not wanting to watch. Amazingly, they just missed each other! As I rode by, I heard the cop yell "Pay Attention!" Yeah...ya think? So that was the start of my bike ride which made me a little nervous. The bike loop was a 5 mile loop that we had to do twice. There was only one hill, an overpass, but boy did it get me. I should have got off and walked up it because I'm sure that would have been faster! :-) As I began my second loop, I came across a crash where they had one woman on the ground and were pulling the stretcher out of the ambulance. I sure hope she is ok. There were two others stopped there too, but they appeared to be ok. So my bike ride was a little nerve wrecking to say the least. I was so happy to make it back into the transition area! I did the bike portion in 49:02. I climbed off the bike and wow...talk about jello legs! I kind of freaked thinking, how in the world am I supposed to run now? So I racked my bike and started walking, just to get my legs under me again. I was able to start running fairly quickly but kept to my run/walk plan. I took my camera and was taking pictures along the way. I even stopped on the pier to have my picture taken with the lagoon in the background! I was very disappointed by the lack of Disney characters! I even said so on my post race survey. At the least, they could have had Mickey and Minnie near the finish! Oh well... I was able to finish strong in 27:27. So my total time was 1:39:59! I was so excited! My goal had been to finish under two hours. As London would say, "Yea me!" (Suite Life of Zack and Cody reference for those of you with young children that watch the Disney Channel all the time!) I could not have been happier! I would totally recommend this tri for any first timers. They are totally newbie friendly and willing to help you along the way. I can’t wait until next year because I would love to do this race again!

PS - I have some photos, but can't post them due to Ringo closing! I'll have to try and create an account somewhere else. Any suggestions?
 
Michelle: Congrats on the Tri!! Sure sounds like the lagoon needs some cleaning out or something. As for your photos try Picaso from Google or photobucket. Both are free.
 
Michelle, congratulations and thanks for the race report! My mom and I are so excited to do this race next year ( our first tri ) do you remember when registration opened up?
 
Congratulations to everyone that did a race this past weekend!! I am sorry I didn't get to everyone, but just so you know I did read all the reports!!
Yeah WISH Team.
 

CONGRATS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN AN EVENT THIS WEEKEND!

Wendy: Congrats to you and DS for getting to do the RftC together. You're right, that's an awesome hat! I hope his back is feeling better--sometimes I get tension there when I run, and don't know why. And woo hoo for his new NBs!! (Btw, I don't know if I knew before this how old DS is...wow, what ambition!). Anyway, great job keeping the runs in the family.

Allyson: Woo hoo on your first 5K and terrific time! I just knew you'd exceed your expectations! You so deserve that runner's high--and I bet you that this is just the first of many successes. Welcome to being 38 years young! :thumbsup2

Jackie: I cannot believe you did all three events! :worship: I'm also impressed you and your friend ran the hill for the first race. And you for the second. And that break between the 2nd and 3rd race must have been a killer. You definitely get bragging rights for all of this--I mean, how many people can say they ran three 5Ks in a day (and in much less than 24 hours)?

Liz: I'm sorry your 8K was cancelled. Better safe than sorry. (I hate that cliche, but in this case it's true.)

Leana: I posted on your blog, but great race. You came, saw the hills (and the gravel), and you conquered! :cool1:

ksoehrlein: Oh, and inaugural race. How very cool. I love how you had this entirely rational plan with the C25K and then decided to run in front of your kids. That's just what I would have done--and it's just so right on race day to do it, too! And way to push your comfort level with the hills; that must have been really difficult, given your TM training. (I put the TM at an incline, which helps when you toggle back and forth between indoor and outdoor running.) Your time for the race was fabulous! You deserved the bling, the after-party, and all the kudos you can get. :woohoo: Oh, and congratulate your pit crew for us. They're highly valued.

Stacie: I know I've posted elsewhere on your RR, but let me say here that I'm very glad your knee didn't bother you and that you earned any soreness in your calves and quads with your conquering of the hills. Oh, and that outfit: too cute (and very well coordinated)!

MB Michelle: Congrats on your first tri! Too bad about the expo, but getting the autograph seemed really cool and almost to make up for the lack of vendors! Wow, steamy hot water that early? And disgusting?! :scared1: I wouldn't have guessed. How did you feel your transitions went? Also scary was the bit about the other biker and the white minivan. You'd think they would have controlled traffic more effectively, although I wasn't there and don't know how that might have worked. But it sounds like the overall event was good for you, not only in terms of time but overall friendliness. Of course, your time was great, so that helped! So, "Yeah YOU!"
 
MiaBanda...yay!!! I'm so psyched to hear about your first tri!! :) Sounds like you had some good bike handling in your favor, and I can't wait to see your pics...Snapfish or Kodak Gallery might be other places to consider posting them.

All the other racers...good for you! Sorry for the one (I'm forgetting by now) whose race got cut short. I feel your pain. My tri in Kansas got cut short, too, though I guess I understand, with all the bad stuff weather-wise that has gone on in the midwest.

I did a 1/2 Ironman race this past weekend. Well, up until mile 10.5 of the run instead of 13.1. I swam easy, had a kick-a$$ bike--even with a hilly course, and was doing fine on the run until they stopped the race for severe weather. The weather wasn't bad for long, so they were being a little over-cautious, but I was having a good day, so I won't let it ruin it. I had a much stronger race than at the Disney 1/2 Ironman tri last month.

In other news...I broke up with my bf of the last 1.5 years 2 weeks ago....it's been tough. That's why y'all have not heard much from me. It's for the best, but that doesn't make it easy.
 
MiaBanda...yay!!! I'm so psyched to hear about your first tri!! :) Sounds like you had some good bike handling in your favor, and I can't wait to see your pics...Snapfish or Kodak Gallery might be other places to consider posting them.

All the other racers...good for you! Sorry for the one (I'm forgetting by now) whose race got cut short. I feel your pain. My tri in Kansas got cut short, too, though I guess I understand, with all the bad stuff weather-wise that has gone on in the midwest.

I did a 1/2 Ironman race this past weekend. Well, up until mile 10.5 of the run instead of 13.1. I swam easy, had a kick-a$$ bike--even with a hilly course, and was doing fine on the run until they stopped the race for severe weather. The weather wasn't bad for long, so they were being a little over-cautious, but I was having a good day, so I won't let it ruin it. I had a much stronger race than at the Disney 1/2 Ironman tri last month.

In other news...I broke up with my bf of the last 1.5 years 2 weeks ago....it's been tough. That's why y'all have not heard much from me. It's for the best, but that doesn't make it easy.

Betsy,

Congrats on the tri--I know you were kicking booty on ALL the legs of it--and for having such a calm, mature reaction to the RD's decision to end the race. That must have been a hard decision to make, and a hard decision to swallow, but it sounds as if it was handled beautifully. Speaking of hard decisions and mature responses, I am so sorry to hear about the ending of your relationship. :hug: I hope you are able to find some joy in your training, your running, and tris, and that you come back to WISH. We miss you!
 
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