Monday, October 1, 2007

Naylor's Beach

Let's say...it was not a good day, but not a bad day. I was mentally not with it beforehand. The hour start delay due to serious foggage did not help.

Swim was alright - went slow. I knew I was participating and not racing, so I aw MArgo and popped up a minute to say hello and then the next kayak was RCAT! gave him a shout out as well.
Distance: 1.5k
Time: 45:43 (goal 40-45)
Age Group: 8/10
Overall: 42/53

The bike I wanted to quit before even getting on. I fought mentally on did I even want to do this? I just didn't feel strong mentally or physically. Then...I fell going uphill at mile 8. I got up brushed myself off and stood there wondering how close a water stop was so I could quit. After losing time putting my chain back on and giving up trying to get my brake away from my wheel which i couldn't so it rubbed the whole race, I decided I would be too disappointed in quitting (thought about you KO!) and knew I had to get my game face on and do what I set out to do. I finished the bike with minor injuries to my body and bike, but big injuries to my confidence.
Distance: 26 miles
Time: 1:38:43 (goal 1:31:00)
Pace: 15.8 (goal 17)
Age Group: 7/10
Overall: 40/53

Pushed through the run in a run/walk to save the knee. It always takes me a good 2 miles to get into my rhythm. I decided I would do a 4 min run/1 min walk to give the knee some time off in there. Around mile 2.5 some guy asked me if I was nursing an injury and I had to say yes - darn knee! This was his first triathlon and we decided to finish the run together. Unfortunately around mile 5 he was havign a real hard time and needed to do a good bit of walking and I lost him. After the second turn around I saw him and he said he was running so I didn't see him walking - haha good for him! All of a sudden I was at the finish line...didn't do my traditional final kick as early on as I would have liked, but oh well.
Distance: 10k (6.2 miles)
Time: 1:08:20 (goal 1 hour)
Pace: 10:59 (goal 9:30)
Age Group: 8/10
Overall: 44/53

Finish Time: 3:36:37 (goal 3:15-ish)
Age Group: 8/10
Overall: 42/53

So after going into the race without having my mind with me it showed and I felt it. This was the first time I walked away from a race without a smile and a sense of accomplishment. Why? because I didn't try as hard as I could have. Admittingly there were some tears at my lack of performance. But I can only take this with me. I know what I need to do for the future and I have to say as always, it was AWESOME having all the pinkies with me.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Sweet M-
You are much too hard on yourself!! Naylor's is HARD. Be proud that you have the courage to do it. Most people don't.
You are a star :)

sq

Anonymous said...

BUT YOU FINISHED! You would've been much more upset with yourself had you quit--glad I was able in some small way to help you hang in there to the end. Congratulations.
LOVE YA!

Cyndi said...

Oh, Fave,

I agree with SQ -- you are being WAY too hard on yourself!! Look at all you have accomplished this year!! There are so many others that still have their lists of "one day I'm going to . . ." YOU are brave enough and strong enough to do what others only talk about. Be proud of yourself for a fantastic triathlon season! And give that knee some rest so that you're ready to take on next year's races with all the excitement, energy and awesome "fave-ness" that we all love so much!!

C

Diane said...

I agree with the previous posts and also want to encourage you to cut yourself some slack - you're injured yet you still had a tremendous season. And it is the first of many! You rock.

TriGirl 40 said...

I agree with the above. You looked great out there and finished looking strong - even with a bum knee!

Jonah Holland said...

Melissa,
Great job. SO great in fact I think I might even attempt Naylors next year --as you've inspired me. Maybe I won't be the ONLY walker out there. and if you can do a 10K in 1.08 walking, after the run and the bike...then I need to work on my 10K pr time!

mommy to 2, feels like 4. said...

You have accomplished soo much this year/ season. Take joy and pride in that, stop beating yourself up. You are a BadAss:)