Monday, June 08, 2009

Mach Triathlon 2009


The Mach Tenn Triathlon was my first triathlon EVER...5 years ago. When I think back to that scary day 5 years ago, I almost get emotional. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had been running for about a year and a half, and I had just purchased my bike off of Ebay 2 months prior to that race. As far as swimming, I thought I was hitting the pool hard...but it was hard because I simply didn't really know how to swim very well, so I was not exactly efficient in the water, and a mere 500 yds was hard. I was going through a discovery period in my life. I was finding out, all by myself, that I was no longer limited by my preconceived notions, my critics, or my environment. William James said "Compared to what we ought to be, we are only half awake..." and I was realizing this on a small scale. Running had first tipped me off to this idea, and I was all about pushing some limits to see what was really possible. It was liberating, and the early morning sunrise workouts just plain made me feel good. So old basketball teammate, Leslie, told me about the Mach Tenn Triathlon and suggested I make it my first. Leslie was the only person I knew who had ever competed in a triathlon. To make a long story short, I worked really hard to get to a place where I thought I could finish that thing, and I did finish it, but I would never call that experience easy. I was terrified. The dinner I had eaten the night before was long gone in our septic tank by 3 a.m., and I didn't sleep a wink. The swim was what I was most afraid of, and for good reason, because to this day I am surprised I actually made it out alive. I was very happy not to crash on the bike, and my legs were pretty much in shock the entire run because the race itself was my first ever BRICK. I finished and was ecstatic. My parents thought I had turned into Super Woman, and my friends thought I was crazy. That day led to countless other sprints and olys, and eventually a half iron and a full Ironman - Ironman Florida. The many other lessons in life and in toughness it led too, though, are countless. Not to mention the relationships and friendships I have been blessed with in this sport.

All that said, Saturday was a celebration of all that. It was an "I-love-this-sport-so-even-though-I've-taken-a-break-and-am-not-trained-very-well, I'm-still-going-out-there-and-gonna-have-fun-with-my-friends-doing-the-sport-we-love" kinda attitude. And boy was it a lot of fun. And as it turns it out, maybe I'm not in as bad of shape as I thought. My times were only only seconds off of last years, and I even placed first in my age group! The fact that my friends Larkin and Leslie (who are also in my age group) took Overall 1st and 2nd certainly helped my cause, but I will certainly take it.

I went as hard as I could in the swim, and managed to come out with an 18:09 (0.6 miles) even though I got into a fight with an old man out there. He didn't appreciate my bumping into him as I squeezed in between him and another swimmer, so he decided to jerk my arm under water. I called him a not so nice name and we yelled at each for a moment then went on with the swim. I must admit that's never happened to me before, but it's all good. I don't hold a grudge...I said my peace, he said his, and we were back off swimming. Get 394 competitors in a lake and...well...it's gonna happen sometimes I guess.

I hit the bike hard. I knew that my only shot to do well in this race was to give 100% on the bike, and that's what I did. I ended up with a 46:16 for the 16 miles, which is just a few seconds slower than last year. And the crazy thing about this is that I found myself battling back and forth with the same guy, aka "Mr. Lightspeed", that I was battling back an forth with last year in this race! We both recognized each other, and pushed each other to the end again!

The run is a different story. I haven't been running enough lately, and I knew that. It hurt, pretty much the whole way. I went as hard as I thought I could...but if I am honest with myself, I know that I didn't really give it my all. Boo. I had more to give on this run, I wasn't even sore the rest of the weekend. Either way, I actually beat my run time from last year with a 31:59 for the 4 miles. My one promise for this race was that I would cross the line smiling, and that I did! With a total time of 1:39:03.

I SO loved seeing all my peeps and racing hard with them. And it was a total blast to see my sister finish her 1st ever triathlon here - 5 years after it was my first! She even snagged 3rd place in our Age Group!!
Next up, Lock 4 Blast...my first ever Xterra off-road tri...let's hit the trails!

10 comments:

tri-mama said...

Congrats to your sis! I tend to forget how much I love this stuff until I race or read a race report. Even when you are out there having fun, it's a great sport :-)

Hope you are having a great start to your summer

Trisaratops said...

Awesome job! :) Way to have fun...and kick butt doing it. You rock.

Chloe said...

I can't believe the old man pulled your arm! WTF? Crazy old man! But congrats on the great race - and that you had a great time!

Jessica said...

Great job Lana! You are amazing! Great run time, too...I dunno what you are talking about! fast!! J

Anonymous said...

You did awesome! Not just because you placed, but because you had fun. Congrats to your sister too.

Benson said...

Wow, what a great race report and a big CONGRATULATIONS to you and your sister. You two are AWESOME!
What a great way to spend a day.
Sunshine, friends, family, and all for the love of the sport.
YeeeHaw.

greyhound said...

Good thing you didn't have two sisters in the race or there would not have been any room for another family on the podium.

Missy said...

Rockin - so good to see you! I had a total blast on Saturday. Love that race. You sistas rocked it. I know Holly was nervous but she killed it.

Holly Jane said...

Lana, you have been such an awesome inspiration to me. You introduced me to the sport, and now you've got me HOOKED!!! :-) Thanks for training with me and pushing me every step of the way. I know I was not ready for the swim in this tri, but I decided to take the risk.... and boy was it worth it!!! I had a blast! Tri'ing with you is the most fun ever! Thank you for being the best sister ever.... in so many different ways :-) I love you!

Jennifer said...

I would love to do a try but I'm so scared. Your post has made me re-think it.