That is me in the green and blue, in the background. The biker is my friend, Alice.
Spudman 2010! I can't believe it was here, and now is gone. This summer has flown by. It is funny how my summer is kind of defined by the Spudman. So much of what I do in the summer is determined by the Spudman. Now that the race is over, I feel like summer is over; but lucky me, I still have another month until school starts. Maybe even another triathlon before the season is over. I have never done more then one in a season (okay, I have done a short little tri besides the Spudman the last two years, but it is not really a race.??? I guess it is, but I don't consider it one.)
How did I do, you ask? Depends on who you are. Some may say I should not even run, because there is no chance for me to win. Others may think I am Superwoman, just because I finished. All that matters is what I think, I think I did well, but could be so much better....
I love the whole feeling of the Spudman event. It starts for me Friday morning. I know they are setting up for the event, so I have to drive to the park. It is an amazing transformation there. Porta-potties like you wouldn't believe line the park. Tables and chairs, fences and booths start to fill up the grass. Then about 10:00, the roads start to fill with cars littered with bikes. There are cars with bikes on top, cars with bikes on back, and cars with bikes inside. I don't know what I think is so great about seeing those cars, but it is an amazing site. Soon, the parks all around are filled with tents and campers. I am in awe at those people who sleep in a tent, then run that race the next day. Many have small children....sleep??? I guess most people don't sleep much the night before anyway, too many nerves. (I do not have this problem.)
Packet pickup and the carbo loading dinner are also exciting to me. There is something so energizing about so many people talking and anticipating the same event. People are comparing notes, bragging about past events, and making excuses for why they will not do there best the next day. I love to listen to these conversations. I don't mean to eavesdrop, but I can't help to listen to people's reasons for running, worries about the race, and expectations for the next day. So many people with the same goal in sight.
Choosing where to place your belongings in the transitions is also an interesting task. Everyone has their ideas of the best way to do this. My strategy this year was to just get out of the transitions with everything I needed. I got a great spot for both the bike and run transition. I felt good.
As I said, I do not have a problem sleeping the night before, and had a good night's sleep. We headed out to the race about 6:00. My brother Don raced also, so we had our dad take us in to drop us off. We headed to T1 (transition 1 where you come out of the water and get your bike.) to check our bikes, and leave our gear. Last year Don had a flat tire, and almost didn't get to race. This year, no problems. I try to take my time, and not rush before the event, because feeling rushed really gets my nerves going. Many people used my pump before we left, and many well wishes were exchanged. It was nearly 7:00 by the time we left the transition area. raced at 7:30 and Don raced at 8:10. The cars really get backed up between T1 and the start, so it took us a few minutes to get to the drop off. By the time we got to the park, the were starting wave 2, it was 7:10. I had 20 minutes. All of a sudden, I felt rushed. I still needed to put up my running stuff in T2 (end of bike, start of run. T1 and T2 are in two different places.), go to the bathroom (very important to do, and the wait time can be tremendous, even with 50+ porta-potties.), and put on my wetsuit. Those 20 minutes rushed by, and by the time I got to the water, there was 2 minutes left. I said a little prayer, slid into the water, and got ready to swim.
My swim is slow, and this year much slower, even though some amazing person gave me a brand new wet suit. (21:40ish)My transition was slow also (4:18). I flipped all my stuff all over when I grabbed my towel (next year I will just put my towel on top) and stuffed my helmet in my gear bag, then had to try to fish it out. But then I was off. I grabbed my bike and ran to the bike start. I love to bike, but my odometer was not working, so I had no idea how fast or far I was going. I just rode, and loved it. I passed a lot of people. Less then ten men passed me, and no women. It is amazing how fast those guys can pass you. You can even hear them coming up behind you, and they sound fast. I thought a couple times as I passed someone, "I bet I sound fast." I guess you can always dream. I passed a couple women who decided they were not going to let me pass them, and they sped up to pass me again. I love it when they do th
at, it gives me extra energy. Anyway, needless to say, I blew them away. I cruised into T2, left my bike, and grabbed my race number. It was only when I got outside the T2 area that I realized I still had on my helmet. (Not the first time this has happened, I am an idiot.) Anyway, I snatched it off and left it at the aid station. I was off. I felt slow on the run, and had more women pass me then I remember other years. The first two miles I felt okay. Mile three had me thinking the run was going by pretty fast. Then, between three and four I got a little tired. Four to five, I just kept telling myself, run to the aid station (it was at mile five). I walk through the water stations, so I kept telling myself, water=walk, water=walk. Usually, this is where my body takes down my brain, and I walk. However, this time, I made it to the water station. One cup of water over my head, one in my mouth, and I was off. I decided it was time to run. One mile and I was finished. I took off (not as fast as I thought, I am sure) and finally felt pretty good. I started passing people who had passed me between mile 4 and 5, and then even passed some of those women who passed me at the first of the race (even the Hammer women who looked like she was invincible). Just when I thought I would have to give up, I saw people I knew running the other way, Don, my cousin Carl, some of the boys from our scout group. After too many good jobs (I can't believe how much energy telling someone good job can take.) I was on the last hill. It is downhill, so I ran. The finish line.....yeah for me! 2:31. (55:04 run). Not my best time, but I will take it. I felt great though, and can't wait til next year. Reflections later about what I learned about myself, and how I will get faster. This post is already too long.
I do, however, need to celebrate. Today I celebrate anyone who has done something kind for another. I mentioned earlier how someone had given me a wetsuit. This was my 6th Spudman, and I have considered buying a wetsuit many times, however, I can never justify it. Well, last Thursday, my friend stopped by with a box. She told me she had been given instruction to give it to me, take a picture, and never tell who had given it to her. I couldn't imagine what it could be. I opened it, and still had no idea. It was something in a bag. Then I opened the bag and was floored. I could tell as soon as I opened it what it was. I am not good at accepting things from others, especially something so expensive. I was in awe. I don't think I have ever felt like that before, and I know I have never received a better present. I think it was the whole fact that I never expected it, and had done nothing to deserve it. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I feel so undeserving and so grateful. It is amazing what a small act of kindness can do for another. I know you all have done kind acts in your lives, and I thank all of you. You may not have done this for me, but you have done others things for me, and for other people. THANK YOU! I love to hear about acts of kindness, what is one kind act someone has done for you?
Spudman 2010! I can't believe it was here, and now is gone. This summer has flown by. It is funny how my summer is kind of defined by the Spudman. So much of what I do in the summer is determined by the Spudman. Now that the race is over, I feel like summer is over; but lucky me, I still have another month until school starts. Maybe even another triathlon before the season is over. I have never done more then one in a season (okay, I have done a short little tri besides the Spudman the last two years, but it is not really a race.??? I guess it is, but I don't consider it one.)
How did I do, you ask? Depends on who you are. Some may say I should not even run, because there is no chance for me to win. Others may think I am Superwoman, just because I finished. All that matters is what I think, I think I did well, but could be so much better....
I love the whole feeling of the Spudman event. It starts for me Friday morning. I know they are setting up for the event, so I have to drive to the park. It is an amazing transformation there. Porta-potties like you wouldn't believe line the park. Tables and chairs, fences and booths start to fill up the grass. Then about 10:00, the roads start to fill with cars littered with bikes. There are cars with bikes on top, cars with bikes on back, and cars with bikes inside. I don't know what I think is so great about seeing those cars, but it is an amazing site. Soon, the parks all around are filled with tents and campers. I am in awe at those people who sleep in a tent, then run that race the next day. Many have small children....sleep??? I guess most people don't sleep much the night before anyway, too many nerves. (I do not have this problem.)
Packet pickup and the carbo loading dinner are also exciting to me. There is something so energizing about so many people talking and anticipating the same event. People are comparing notes, bragging about past events, and making excuses for why they will not do there best the next day. I love to listen to these conversations. I don't mean to eavesdrop, but I can't help to listen to people's reasons for running, worries about the race, and expectations for the next day. So many people with the same goal in sight.
Choosing where to place your belongings in the transitions is also an interesting task. Everyone has their ideas of the best way to do this. My strategy this year was to just get out of the transitions with everything I needed. I got a great spot for both the bike and run transition. I felt good.
As I said, I do not have a problem sleeping the night before, and had a good night's sleep. We headed out to the race about 6:00. My brother Don raced also, so we had our dad take us in to drop us off. We headed to T1 (transition 1 where you come out of the water and get your bike.) to check our bikes, and leave our gear. Last year Don had a flat tire, and almost didn't get to race. This year, no problems. I try to take my time, and not rush before the event, because feeling rushed really gets my nerves going. Many people used my pump before we left, and many well wishes were exchanged. It was nearly 7:00 by the time we left the transition area. raced at 7:30 and Don raced at 8:10. The cars really get backed up between T1 and the start, so it took us a few minutes to get to the drop off. By the time we got to the park, the were starting wave 2, it was 7:10. I had 20 minutes. All of a sudden, I felt rushed. I still needed to put up my running stuff in T2 (end of bike, start of run. T1 and T2 are in two different places.), go to the bathroom (very important to do, and the wait time can be tremendous, even with 50+ porta-potties.), and put on my wetsuit. Those 20 minutes rushed by, and by the time I got to the water, there was 2 minutes left. I said a little prayer, slid into the water, and got ready to swim.
My swim is slow, and this year much slower, even though some amazing person gave me a brand new wet suit. (21:40ish)My transition was slow also (4:18). I flipped all my stuff all over when I grabbed my towel (next year I will just put my towel on top) and stuffed my helmet in my gear bag, then had to try to fish it out. But then I was off. I grabbed my bike and ran to the bike start. I love to bike, but my odometer was not working, so I had no idea how fast or far I was going. I just rode, and loved it. I passed a lot of people. Less then ten men passed me, and no women. It is amazing how fast those guys can pass you. You can even hear them coming up behind you, and they sound fast. I thought a couple times as I passed someone, "I bet I sound fast." I guess you can always dream. I passed a couple women who decided they were not going to let me pass them, and they sped up to pass me again. I love it when they do th
at, it gives me extra energy. Anyway, needless to say, I blew them away. I cruised into T2, left my bike, and grabbed my race number. It was only when I got outside the T2 area that I realized I still had on my helmet. (Not the first time this has happened, I am an idiot.) Anyway, I snatched it off and left it at the aid station. I was off. I felt slow on the run, and had more women pass me then I remember other years. The first two miles I felt okay. Mile three had me thinking the run was going by pretty fast. Then, between three and four I got a little tired. Four to five, I just kept telling myself, run to the aid station (it was at mile five). I walk through the water stations, so I kept telling myself, water=walk, water=walk. Usually, this is where my body takes down my brain, and I walk. However, this time, I made it to the water station. One cup of water over my head, one in my mouth, and I was off. I decided it was time to run. One mile and I was finished. I took off (not as fast as I thought, I am sure) and finally felt pretty good. I started passing people who had passed me between mile 4 and 5, and then even passed some of those women who passed me at the first of the race (even the Hammer women who looked like she was invincible). Just when I thought I would have to give up, I saw people I knew running the other way, Don, my cousin Carl, some of the boys from our scout group. After too many good jobs (I can't believe how much energy telling someone good job can take.) I was on the last hill. It is downhill, so I ran. The finish line.....yeah for me! 2:31. (55:04 run). Not my best time, but I will take it. I felt great though, and can't wait til next year. Reflections later about what I learned about myself, and how I will get faster. This post is already too long.I do, however, need to celebrate. Today I celebrate anyone who has done something kind for another. I mentioned earlier how someone had given me a wetsuit. This was my 6th Spudman, and I have considered buying a wetsuit many times, however, I can never justify it. Well, last Thursday, my friend stopped by with a box. She told me she had been given instruction to give it to me, take a picture, and never tell who had given it to her. I couldn't imagine what it could be. I opened it, and still had no idea. It was something in a bag. Then I opened the bag and was floored. I could tell as soon as I opened it what it was. I am not good at accepting things from others, especially something so expensive. I was in awe. I don't think I have ever felt like that before, and I know I have never received a better present. I think it was the whole fact that I never expected it, and had done nothing to deserve it. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I feel so undeserving and so grateful. It is amazing what a small act of kindness can do for another. I know you all have done kind acts in your lives, and I thank all of you. You may not have done this for me, but you have done others things for me, and for other people. THANK YOU! I love to hear about acts of kindness, what is one kind act someone has done for you?
