Logistical Nightmare
It's no mystery that I am the queen of psyching myself out over a race. Usually the distance or the conditions really mess up my mentality.
But not this time.
I'm amazingly calm about the race itself. Don't get me wrong...I'm still nervous. But I think they're the good nerves...the healthy ones that help optimize performance in the end (knock on wood...because I know this can easily change). I know I can cover the distance of the swim and bike as demonstrated on that ill-fated day in Kansas. And the run...well...I can pretty much crawl my way to any finish line if I had to. I enjoy the long, slow distance rather than going super fast for a really short period of time. So yeah...I'm ready even though I've been less than enthusiastic about training since the Kansas 70.3. And it's better to be undertrained than over...right?!
So rather than freaking out over the race itself...the past 72ish hours have been spent freaking out over how the heck I was going to be navigating my way to and from the race site without a car. The original plans we laid in place had crumbled miserably. And the whole thing was evolving into a massive logistical nightmare...and that's an understatement. Mike needs to the car for an out of town commitment. I need to be there Saturday for check-in and racking...and then again early Sunday morning to set up transition and get the race started. I explored taking the Metra and borrowing cars and everything in between. It would've been so much easier if I didn't have that little machine I have to power around during the second leg.
Pretty much everyone that knew of my situation was eager to lend a logistical helping hand. Some of Mike's friends from high school were going to let me stay at their place in Gurnee. But I had no way to get to and from Chicago and Racine to Gurnee. Until my buddy Lauren out in Crystal Lake offered her car for the weekend, even offered a crash pad and a pre-race carb loading dinner. But with no way to haul my ride around, it proved to be way too challenging. I was pretty much on the verge of giving up hope. And then these two decided they weren't going to take 'I'm not doing it' for an answer.
Leah and Jason are absolutely, positively, the most ridiculously amazing and selfless people I know. Not only are they taking me up there both Saturday and Sunday...they bought a bike rack for the occasion...claiming that this is something they've been wanting to buy for a while. Seriously. Who does that?
Insanely great friends. That's who.
I am seriously humbled by their extreme generosity. I owe this entire race--and then some--to them. And so now I know have to try and up the ante on my performance. Not just for me...but so they don't have to be sitting outside in the heat watching my crazy shenanigans for TOO many hours. (Thanks you guys...such words fail to convey just how appreciative I truly am).
From the logistical standpoint, my nerves have finally started to subside. I know they won't be completely gone until I'm setting up transition on Sunday morning...but I am a much calmer Jayhawk right now. And lets face it, a calm Jayhawk is a happy Jayhawk.
And if you need any more proof that my friends are complete and total rockstars...Katie, Kara, Maggie and Missy created, by hand, a little book of inspirational quotes and letters to get me excited for my big race. They knew how heartbroken I was after Kansas and receiving the package this week really helped me get in a better frame of mind. It's sort of surreal when you realize that sometimes other people believe in you more than you believe in yourself.
Oh...and for your own personal enjoyment (or mockery, whichever you please), here are a few pictures from Sunday's race...
Emerging from the water...notice the blue caps around...mmm...yeah. They were in the wave before me. :) I didn't know I had a 1:46/100yd in me!
And the bike! The wonderful, fabulous, bike! And further proof that I have indeed learned to be (more) comfortable in aero.
And of course, an unflattering photo from the run.
Happy Thursday, everyone!
But not this time.
I'm amazingly calm about the race itself. Don't get me wrong...I'm still nervous. But I think they're the good nerves...the healthy ones that help optimize performance in the end (knock on wood...because I know this can easily change). I know I can cover the distance of the swim and bike as demonstrated on that ill-fated day in Kansas. And the run...well...I can pretty much crawl my way to any finish line if I had to. I enjoy the long, slow distance rather than going super fast for a really short period of time. So yeah...I'm ready even though I've been less than enthusiastic about training since the Kansas 70.3. And it's better to be undertrained than over...right?!
So rather than freaking out over the race itself...the past 72ish hours have been spent freaking out over how the heck I was going to be navigating my way to and from the race site without a car. The original plans we laid in place had crumbled miserably. And the whole thing was evolving into a massive logistical nightmare...and that's an understatement. Mike needs to the car for an out of town commitment. I need to be there Saturday for check-in and racking...and then again early Sunday morning to set up transition and get the race started. I explored taking the Metra and borrowing cars and everything in between. It would've been so much easier if I didn't have that little machine I have to power around during the second leg.
Pretty much everyone that knew of my situation was eager to lend a logistical helping hand. Some of Mike's friends from high school were going to let me stay at their place in Gurnee. But I had no way to get to and from Chicago and Racine to Gurnee. Until my buddy Lauren out in Crystal Lake offered her car for the weekend, even offered a crash pad and a pre-race carb loading dinner. But with no way to haul my ride around, it proved to be way too challenging. I was pretty much on the verge of giving up hope. And then these two decided they weren't going to take 'I'm not doing it' for an answer.
Leah and Jason are absolutely, positively, the most ridiculously amazing and selfless people I know. Not only are they taking me up there both Saturday and Sunday...they bought a bike rack for the occasion...claiming that this is something they've been wanting to buy for a while. Seriously. Who does that?
Insanely great friends. That's who.
I am seriously humbled by their extreme generosity. I owe this entire race--and then some--to them. And so now I know have to try and up the ante on my performance. Not just for me...but so they don't have to be sitting outside in the heat watching my crazy shenanigans for TOO many hours. (Thanks you guys...such words fail to convey just how appreciative I truly am).
From the logistical standpoint, my nerves have finally started to subside. I know they won't be completely gone until I'm setting up transition on Sunday morning...but I am a much calmer Jayhawk right now. And lets face it, a calm Jayhawk is a happy Jayhawk.
And if you need any more proof that my friends are complete and total rockstars...Katie, Kara, Maggie and Missy created, by hand, a little book of inspirational quotes and letters to get me excited for my big race. They knew how heartbroken I was after Kansas and receiving the package this week really helped me get in a better frame of mind. It's sort of surreal when you realize that sometimes other people believe in you more than you believe in yourself.
Oh...and for your own personal enjoyment (or mockery, whichever you please), here are a few pictures from Sunday's race...
Emerging from the water...notice the blue caps around...mmm...yeah. They were in the wave before me. :) I didn't know I had a 1:46/100yd in me!
And the bike! The wonderful, fabulous, bike! And further proof that I have indeed learned to be (more) comfortable in aero.
And of course, an unflattering photo from the run.Happy Thursday, everyone!
Labels: Danskin Womens Tri, Spirit of Racine HIM
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 12:17 PM
11 Camper Comments:
You look so happy out there! Looks like you are having fun too!
Thanks for sharing the photos!
Hey! I was at that race too! I was the guide for my mother-in-law, who was doing her very first triathlon as a legally blind athlete. What a great day it was. I was browsing BT and thought I would check out your blog (I'm Jenn from jenndocmartin, by the way). Maybe I'll see you at SOR. :)
You will ROCK this weekend! Wish I could come witness this amazing race for you. Or better yet, even DO a half this year..UGH. You will be amazing and I can't wait to hear how it goes!!!
Kick ass Barb. :)
I am so excited for the race this weekend! You are going to do great and I'm so glad we could help. And we were going to get a bike rack this was just the kick we needed to get it. See you saturday!
Good luck this weekend. You are ready. Also great photos!!
Yea for great friends and good luck to you this weekend.
You are the happiest triathlete I know!! Great pics, too.
It's good to have friends...it's what it's all about.
Good luck and you'll do great, I just know it!!
I agree with everyone else - I have never seen so much smiling from someone in the middle of a race ;) If youre smiling you know that its all gotta be good!
Those ARE fantastic friends. This is so awesome!!Race strong and happy!
You look great in the pics, Barb!! Good luck this weekend!
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