1st Tri Back

I didn't know where to start after so much time off.  As it turns out, a low-key sprint with family around was perfect. 

 The Turpins:  me, cousin Anna, Great Aunt Ann, Aunt Kathy, and Great Uncle Jerry. 

I traveled to Arkansas to race with Joy and see my incredible family.  I have to plan my races now based on travel with Isla, and having family help was perfect.  In fact, I couldn't have done it without Nami and Papaw watching Isla, so thank you!

I decided to go all out and practice with my equipment, even if I looked silly.  I really needed the practice after a long layoff.

The swim:  pretty much what I expected.  I felt fine- no problems.  Got passed by a strong swimmer chick, but otherwise it was an uneventful pool swim.

Where is the string?  Help!!!!!  

 And then the real fun started and all of my rustiness from two years off appeared.  I ran the wrong way out of the pool- of course no one stopped me.  I had to back track to the right door.  tick tock...   and then, I couldn't get out of my swim skin.  Now, this was 100% my fault- Blue Seventy makes and amazing swim skin and it it so easy to take off- you just flip the zipper and separate the sides.  But, I forgot that little nugget of information.  It had been so long since I have used it, I was randomly trying to unzip the thing and just stood there in transition trying to figure out why I couldn't unzip my suit.  Everyone was asking if they could help, and it was actually pretty funny.  I looked ridiculous!  

And that is reason #1 I am glad I wore the suit, even for a sprint.  I am so happy I had that happen for this race rather than a big one. 

Hmmm...nice helmet placement Damie.  (I did fix it once I got on the bike after looking like a goob for a bit).

The bike was my wildcard.  It is generally something I do well, but I usually have miles to give me confidence.  I just set a goal to try to push the whole time and teach my body to feel uncomfortable again.  I don't race sprints with a computer, so I had no clue mph.  I just went by feel...  how is my cadence?  can I go harder?  catch that person up there.  is this the right gear?  I am happy to say the bike leg was better than expected overall. 

I am glad that I did choose to use race wheels, as my favorite gears sounded awful and kept skipping.  The last time this happened, it was because my chain had stretched out.  So, one more thing to fix before the next race. 

Done!  Holding my sweetie. 

The run was exactly how I thought it would be.  I ran a 23 minute something for a 5k.  I didn't expect to go faster, as I have just not put in the work to deserve to be faster.  I am definitely the type of runner that needs either lots of miles or some good speedwork.  I can run a relaxed marathon no problem, but I can't wing a fast run.  I was happy to be out there, running pain free, and doing work. 

Explaining to my family how I did in the race, since they bailed after the swim for IHOP as they assumed it would take me 3 hours.  High expectations for me, I see...  :)

It was super satisfying to see Isla after the race.  Racing is so different now- the training, the logistics, and the preparation.  I feel like I am pretty much winging everything now, and I have no room to be type A with this stuff.  I had zero warm up and 4 hours of sleep (2 x 2).  That is my new reality and it is totally fine.  The good thing is that I am just happy to be there, show up, and race.  It is all a real treat for me, and then I get to return to my little pumpkin.  

Isla clapped for the finishers, although she is not looking too impressed here. 

Joy ended up 1stOA, and I was 2ndOA.  Joy is one of my very best friends, and I look up to her as a person, an athlete, and a mother.   I really just think she is one of the very best triathletes I know, and mostly I just love racing with her.  We always have such a good time together.  When we finished, we both had a 1:08 +seconds.  (I clearly had more seconds than Joy.)

Mommy power!

As one friend pointed out, there is a bald midget on my back.  :)

This is what everyone thinks it is like as a triathlon mom:  easy times- happy kid- no big deal. 

This is what it is REALLY like as a triathlon mom!  WAAAA!!!!

And one more- WAAAAA!  Isla was so tired after waking up at 4am and NOT napping (her own choice!).  Joy and I are totally unfazed.  :)

I spent the rest of my weekend with my Turpin family.  It was so wonderful to share my daughter with them.  She was IN LOVE with her cousin Anna. 

And that is it!  I am back.  I had such a fantastic time racing- it was a wonderful Mother's Day gift.  It gave me confidence to go ahead and sign up for some more races now that I know I completely die out there on the course and no one cares if my mommy muffin top pokes out.  

xo