Another "First"

Two weekends of racing in a row. My body and I have never visited that place before, and I'm trying very hard to curb my apprehension. I think my mind finally let the up-coming half-iron distance race on Sunday become real for me. Up until now, it's been out there, it's penned in on my calender, all the preparations have been made, and yet I didn't really feel it. I do now. I'm excited, nervous, and VERY curious to see how my body will respond. I can't even begin to guess how it will go.
My birthday "Pardee" was really fun! The race itself went pretty well overall, and I somehow managed to come away with a 3rd place finish in my NEW age group, just 10 seconds behind second place! Again, I was so surprised, especially given my time in the swim. I thought I was capable of getting into the top 5, but a long shot for top 3. So my goal for the race was to just better my swim from last year. I was SLOWER! UGH!!!! The conditions for the race almost mirrored last year except that it was a bit breezier. I've never worn a wet suit for this race, and again the water was perfect!
These are my times:

Swim 2010: 10:39 / 2011: 10:57 (grrrrr....!!!)
T1 2:55 / 2:00 (NO SOCKS!! ;-))
Bike 45:28 / 46:26 (Did not start to feel good until mile 10)
T2 2:02 / 2:19 (It would help if I knew where my spot was...GRRRR!)
Run: 23:58 / 23:40 (I LOVE how good the run feels, during races anyway!)
Finishing time 1:25:00 / 1:25:22

There are so many variables to consider when comparing yourself from one similar event to another. We are never the same in any given moment. So again, how do you measure success? My goal for this race was to better my swim time from last year. I did not meet that goal. Was it a successful race for me? YES! I got to the starting line, and I finished the race. Success! Was I disappointed in certain aspects of the race? You bet. There are always improvements to be made. Indeed, that's one of the things I love the most about this sport. The challenge to improve and adapt. These improvements and changes are not always physical, and not always apparent when you look at things too closely. Take a step back...and look again. I was tired coming into this race as it was at the end of a tough block of training. I am training for Ironman this year, I was not last year. There are a few health issues I'm dealing with and my body is responding differently to the training this year. I AM one year older!! So from that perspective, I am VERY happy about my day in Pardeeville!! :-)
Yes, there was cake and celebration after the race. Team BBMC did very well and took home more AG awards! :-) I saw many friends and familiar faces as I get to know more and more people involved in the local triathlon scene. How is it possible that I get to live this amazing life?
I was telling myself, "I get to...I get to" quite a bit during that afternoon's four hour ride. Again, it was crazy how hard it felt. I was windy and hot, and I was depleted from the race. I just tried to take it easy and drink, drink, drink! One bright spot during that ride was when I was passed by a fellow rider. I noticed his body was marked with his race number on his left arm, and his wave number on his left calf. I yelled, "Hey, did you just do Pardeeville?" He slowed down to meet me and said, "Yes. Did you?"
"Yes! How did it go for you? Did you ride here from there?"
"Yep! It went ok. Are you riding long too?"
"Yes, but I drove back home first. Where are you riding to?"
"I live on the west side of Madison, but I may ride a bit farther"
"Wow! Are you training for Ironman?"
"Yes, this will be my 10th IM Wisconsin. How about you?"
I didn't say anything for a few moments. 10??????? He hinted that he's done a few others. I think he said he was 50 something. Wow! I said, "Yes, but it's only my second." He said good luck and that it was nice meeting me. He then turned left and rode off.
That random meeting gave me the energy I needed to finish my ride.
Later I thought about the fact that I said, "only my second". I reminded myself how lucky I was that there was even a "First". I reminded myself that there are no guarantees that there will be a second. But on this day, I had a great race, finished a tough ride...and lived to see another birthday. And there it was again, that feeling of gratitude.
Next up....Door County with Team BBMC!!! Bring it!!
Enjoy this day!