Santa Barbara Long Distance Tri August 28th Part III

My turn......hugs, Val

Wow Wow Wow! What an amazing experience. I was all nerves the night before the race. Elizabeth and Andy were the best veterans to share my experience of my first Long Triathlon. It really hit me the night before when I was estimating how long this was going to take me. I was making the jump from the sprints that take me around 1hr 45 minutes and I was jumping to something I knew was going to take me about 5 hours. Never in my life have I done anything at such intensity for 5 hours!!! Andy & Elizabeth said it best: Do your best, for yourself, compete only against yourself and finish even if you have to crawl across!!! And I did just that, I FINISHED! (Running, not the crawling part!)
The swim, 1 mile, was long. The windy conditions made water choppy which made it hard to get into the rhythm we are so used to getting into swimming on calm ocean waters. Towards the end I was cold and felt like my legs weren't moving, but I think it was that current was strong and I felt like even though I was swimming, I wasn't getting anywhere. But I finished the swim!! The ride was also long. I felt great with my little cheat sheet about when to eat/drink and when the hills were coming! I felt very prepared for ride. The first 2 hills didn't hurt so much. The third hill almost killed me! The last 4 miles back into Santa Barbara felt like eternity. Did I mention I want to move into any of the houses in Montecito....gorgeous!! My lower back, not used to 30+ miles began to ache around mile 20, but I pushed thru. When coming into the transition area after the bike, I actually sat down to put my socks and shoes on, when it hit me that I had 2 more hours. Convincing myself, I put shoes on and started the run. Back still aching, I approached run mile by mile, trying not to think of the full 10miles ahead of me. I ate my first GU Gel packet and LOVED IT! Much prefer the squeeze and swallow to the chewing required for the chomps. I loved the run and would have run fast except for my back made me run like a slug! However upon the turn at mile 5, pace downhill was faster and easier on the back and as I approached finish line I was cruising and felt great! The absolute best cheerleaders in Elizabeth and Sissy awaited me. Thanks to Elizabeth for hugging me and letting me cry! What a release, rush, relief all in one moment! In a nutshell, this was the greatest physical accomplishment of my life to date. I am thankful for having found TT Team because without their training, support, encouragement, hand holding and true care for each other, accomplishing something like this isn't possible. I was prepared and felt great!! I can't wait to do this race again. It also gave me crazy confidence that maybe one day, someday, maybe I'll try a Half Ironman!!!