Wow I really did it...

9/12/2014

Yes yes I did. I actually completed my first Olympic Triathlon in beautiful Banff AB. It didn't go as planned and like usual I struggled till the bitter end. But you know what, I beat the race clock, finished it and accomplished one of my major goals. That in itself is a major win for me like my friend Lisa said. I may have finished last but I still beat 3 people that gave up and quit like I wanted to so very badly. I didn't quit for a few reasons...

1) My son was waiting for me to finish and I didn't want him to see his Mom be a quitter.

2) I'm not a quitter and I finish what I set out to do. lol that and I am a stubborn person.

3) All my fabulous friends and family who gave me encouragement before and those words helped carry me to the finish.

4) I finished for those that can't do things like this cause their asthma or disability prevents them from even attempting such a thing. I am very blessed to be able to have done all this and keep continuing on this new fitness/race path.

Triathlons are not my strong race catagory at all as this is the first year for them. Each sport on their own I'm good with, it's just doing them one after another on the same day. Lol

This race from the get go started out bad from race panic attacks in the very cold water. Then on the bike started getting major hamstring cramps that were extrusiating painful. Then when I did the run my body was starting to shut down on me and I was having pain and other odd sensations all over. My asthma also causing me grief at times and the heat at the end wasn't helping matters either. The one thing I was worried about was the cold water and my asthma... luckily my wetsuit helped that and I had no issues with breathing.

Along the way though I have had the most amazing support from the race director and volunteers cheering me on and kept asking if I was done yet. When I said nope they kept saying how proud they were of me for not giving up. Then along the run course perfect strangers cheering me on saying I can do this. But the best part and the most emotional part for me was the finish. When I had strangers all along Banff Avenue cheering me on and hearing my name announced to everyone at how long I had been at this race and how proud they were of me. Then seeing my son and parents there waiting for me after I had just done the hardest thing in my life was extremely emotional. I still get teared up thinking about it.

I am so proud of myself for finishing and my race medal hangs in a special spot for right now. It doesn't get to hang with the others but in it's own spot so I can look at it before bed and when I first wake up. I would wear it everywhere if I could. Lol

So on another note I did the Run or Dye 5k race back in August and well let's just say we did it but I wouldn't do it again. Color me RAD was way better and a lot more fun. This one they started late and you had to run on and airport runway. I am proud of my friend Lesley for doing her first 5k with Ty and I. She did so awesome and ran a very good portion of it. She stepped outside her comfort zone and tried something new. I do however know how to get her moving if needed and had fun with that. :)

Only 2 more races left with the big finale at Sunpeaks for the Spartan Beast where I will earn my Spartan Trifecta at the end of this month! Even though this could be another long race I am excited for it now. I really love the Spartan races. I am hoping to finish faster then first thought as I am getting stronger, but will go and do my best. I just hope my cramping issues don't show up on the hill intensive course. I will be stretching those muscles out lots before hand.

I have been taking it easy recovering from the triathlon and concentrating on core and upper body. Trying to get my legs back and resolve issues there. Everyday they get better but not fast enough for my liking. lol

Well I will leave you with the lastest pics from Run or Dye and the Triathlon.

Until next time...