I understand the whole concept of Thanksgiving Day but I try to remember to give thanks each and every day for the many blessings I have in my life. We heard a sermon recently that addressed the line in the Lord’s Prayer of “give us this day our daily bread”. Specifically I need to remember that each day God gives me exactly what I need and nothing more – so if I am thankful on a daily basis then technically, every day is Thanksgiving.
But no one ever said I was a quick learner so I’m thankful for Thanksgiving Day to remind me to count my blessings and find goodness in all God puts in my path.
My Thanksgiving began at 4:40 a.m. when the iPhone alarm sounded and I bounded out of bed. By 5, Mike and I were on the road to Goodyear for me to participate in my first triathlon. Mike keeps telling me to say it’s my “first” because he doesn’t think it will be my last. We’ll see.
The night before he made sure my bike was ready (good thing he checked – I had a flat due to old rim tape so he not only replaced the tape but changed the tire too) and then marked me for the event.
I'm official with my race number and age!
Most of the participants used magic market to place their race number on their arms plus their age on the back of their leg. But Mike is a stickler for doing things in the Ironman tradition so he got out his stencils and stamped me so I’d look like I knew what I was doing.
As we neared the race start on Thursday morning he dropped me off with my bike so I could get a good transition spot and he parked the car and then brought the rest of my gear. I had no idea how much I’d appreciate valet parking along with a personal coach but he made the whole process totally anxiety-free for me – even provided a special belt to hold my race number instead of having to pin it to my jersey.
The youth tri started at 7 and when all the kids were done, the men started their run leaving just the women to start 10 minutes later. The starting line was in a wide drainage culvert and as soon as we exited, Cindy joined me and ran alongside me for the rest of the run. She got water at the aid stations, shouted encouragement and generally kept my mind off worrying. I was certain I was at the very back of the pack so when we made the first turn it was encouraging to see so many who were wwwwaaaaaaayyyyyy behind me.
Finishing the 12-mile bike ride
I knew my bike time was better than expected and now my only concern was if I’d saved enough energy to get through the swim.
I racked my bike, peeled off everything except my swim suit, grabbed my goggles and cap and raced to the pool where I had to jump in feet first.
During most of my training I never had to share a lane and I just assumed I’d be so far at the back that no one else would be near me – however that wasn’t the case. I’d also never swam after using my legs so strongly so Mike warned me I might flounder for my breath on the first lap. I’m glad he warned me because I made sure I started slow and got my breathing into a normal rhythm right away.
Coming down the last lap
Crossing the finish line!
Third in run, second in bike and swim - third for my age group.
With my bronze medal
Usually I’d feel this obligation to be helping with dinner but yesterday I decided that I’d earned a break – plus who knows if/when I’ll ever get another plastic bronze medal!
Burl even drove straight to Mickey D’s to get me a Diet Coke without being prompted. What a great guy he is.
Of course by time I got back to Mike’s and showered most of the meal prep was done so I just grabbed a beer and sat on the patio and enjoyed the 80-degree sunshine.
We had 15 adults and 6 boys (ages 2-17) along with 6 dogs so the house was truly a zoo. With everyone pitching in on the food we had way too many options. I stayed traditional with turkey and dressing over the ham and sweet potatoes and I passed on the pumpkin and pecan pie to enjoy some to-die-for pumpkin bars that Annie’s sister, Aimee, brought.
By 7:00 I was about to crash on the couch from the effects of the tri, turkey and some great white wine – and Cindy, Stacey and our friend Cristette were making plans for a midnight raid on Chandler Mall where the first 500 shoppers to spend $100 would get a $50 gift certificate.
They were among the first shoppers in the Lego Superstore but by time they paid, the line at Mall Customer Service to get the $50 gift certificates was wound all around the mall so they gave up and got home about 3:00 a.m.
By then I was enjoying a deep recovery sleep with dreams of my next triathlon dancing in my head.
You are so awesome! I just read your posting on the triathalon out loud so Jim could hear it and we are so proud of you! We are also very impressed because neither of us think we could have even finished the event, let alone had your times. You continue to amaze me! You are truly a WoS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations triathlete!
Interesting report, I’ve never done a reverse triathlon. Great pictures too, thanks for sharing your experience.
Go ANNE! Bring your metal to dinner and we’ll toast your accomplish. I so want to be Anne when I grow up.
Vicks
You give me hope. Congrats on a fine finish!
I am doing a Sprint Tri in Republic on the 14th of August! Are you going to do that one? -Katie