We always look forward to the Moses Lake Triathlon. This was my first triathlon four years ago. I decided to do it when I was pregnant with Marley. It was my pregnancy hope that I would return to a having a normal body again.
This year it was just Mom and I, and for the first year in doing this race, the sun was out. I was a bit apprehensive since it's been raining for the past two months in Seattle! This means little heat training. The forecast was temperatures in the 80s and Mom's race didn't start until 10am. It's nothing a little water and smart racing can't take care of.
Mom and I met for our pre race meeting which ended up in sentimental tears and prayers for a safe and fun day of racing. I have to say, I love each time I see my Mom race. Really, she is such an inspiration. Not only does she keep training and racing each year, she gets better and always has a positive attitude. Mom and I have this thing where we tell say certain days just feel like "God" days. I know, they all are but some we just savor a bit more. Today, I told her was a God day. It felt special, not in a winning prizes kind of way, but just special. After a few last minute instructions, we parted ways. I had to get my warm up finished and she had to finish her prep.
I was beyond excited about my warm up and mental preparation going into this race. I felt confident and calm. My race plan was solid in my head. I like to pick one thing to focus on for each part of the race. I just work on that. Today was; swim - good form, bike - steady pace and run - keep my miles at an 8:00 pace. My swim warm up felt great. Sighting seemed easy today and the water was a perfect temperature. They told us it was 68. Nerves set in slightly but I kept repeating positive thoughts and I only had to do a few major deep breaths when they announced 1 minute to start. I totally focused on my form for the swim, which made life much easier. My only major obstacle was the people who were off course, one of which I colided with head on. This was on the last 1/4 mile and totally threw me off. I had to do some serious mantras to get my head back into swimming. Form is so huge in swimming and this year it totally paid off. Although I had a slower time, I had a lot more energy out of the water than I have in the past. This in turn made my transition much easier.
And then came the bike... I recently purchased a TT bike (time trial/triathlon) which I have affectionately named, the Beast! I got that name from one of my jr team members. It's fast and I have pretty aggressive position which in turn makes cycling a whole new experience. I totally have to focus because it responds to every movement I make. It also comes in very handy on straight mostly flat courses. I do forget there are some decent hills at Moses Lake. I did manage to keep my pace up and consistent for most of the ride. I was excited, knowing I could keep my run pace high, I was pretty sure I had a chance at a decent age group top finish.
At about mile 19 of the 22 mile course, I had a strange sensation. My left foot suddenly felt very heavy and hmmm, didn't appear to be moving in a circle anymore. I looked down and saw the left crank arm was no longer attached to my bike. Looking back, I am so grateful I did not crash at this point in the course. I have to thank my balance and core training and I'm pretty sure God for this moment because really I should have been in a pile on the side of the road. I wish I could have seen myself dismount and then pull the crank arm off of my cycling shoe. I'm sure it would have been funny at some point in the future. I was still hopeful. I hadn't lost much time. I thought I could just shove it back on and limp in. Being that I'm not much of a bike mechanic, I put the crank arm back on but didn't check to see that it was offset from the other crank arm. This doesn't not make for effective cycling. Try it sometime. Put your bike together which both pedals in the same position. FYI - recipe for falling off! So, I set off walking. Clip clop, clip clop went my cycling shoes down the road. Thank you to the few racers who asked if everything was ok. After a mile and deciding was going to purchase new shoes now that I've likely worn my cycling shoes down to nothing, I took them off. Now walking barefoot, I pondered why on earth anyone would want to run barefoot. I've read a few articles on barefoot running recently and it's kind of interested me until I think of all they loose needles, glass and general nastiness on the ground. Ok, back to the "race" which is over for me at this point. I start thinking about my Mom. I have to get off this course before she starts because she will be really upset to see me walking my bike out here. I'm contemplating getting in the car with anyone. I figured if they tried to hurt me I could beat them down with my new weapon (crank arm). Then Sister Madonna passed me. If you don't know who Sister Madonna is, check out any Kona rerun and you will probably see her. Sister Madonna is an amazing woman who is in her 80s, yes 80s and competes in all kinds of triathlons including Kona. She has inspired me on several ocassions with her amazing racing attitude. Sister Madonna rides by and says, "don't worry, you'll make up for it on the bike!" Ok, so now I just love this woman. No, no not today but it's totally fine. So I say one quick prayer. "God, please send someone to pick me up". Literally, 5 seconds later a Moses Lake PD Officer pulls up (the only female officer in the county I might add) and says, "Do you need anything". I tell her I really need a ride and she says, "of course!". Ohhhh yeah, friends!!! Her rider gracefully gave up his front seat spot, actually, I think he was really excited to sit in the back. It was this funny moment because she told me I could sit up front which I just assumed I was going to do. Don't I have, "spent seven years as cop, probably was in training with you, still can pass background" written all over me? We had a great little chat and I am so beyond grateful for that moment and that ride! Thank you Moses Lake PD!!! The best part was, I made it back just in time to see Mom head out on her bike.
(Sister Madonna Buder - above)
I later joined Mom for the end of her run and passed her off to Payton and Marley to run down the finish chute. Always a cute photo!! Mom looked amazing today. She swam a longer course, so I don't have an official course to compare her to but it was a big improvement this year. She had a ton of energy despite cycling and running in the heat and sun. Go mom!!! Plus she is doing another race next weekend.
I also had a chance to thank Sister Madonna who I think told me I was some hero or something. She is great! She told me a story about getting a flat and riding it to the finish of a ride. If I can race when I'm in my 80s and have her attitude all along the way, I will be pretty excited!
Today was definitely a "God" day. They are never what you expect!!
Thank you so much to my kids and wonderful husband. Gandma and Papa "G" who had Payton and Marley duty, Papa "C" photographer extrodinare, Karie for checking in on me, Sister Madonna, Moses Lake PD and of course Mom for ALWAYS listening!
Gotta love trying to get that wetsuit off!
Hannah making her way to T1
