Tri, tri again. Last year I suffered through a highly-overrated regimented training process for the SHEROX "Sprint" {800 m swim/13 mi bike/5K--like anybody sprints that} Triathlon in Tempe. This year, not too much! I was surprised that I even finished the race. But I managed. I hollered at Megan so much during the run that she finally waited for me and we crossed the finish line together. That was the fantasy that I'd had in my head. To finish with one of my sisters.
Disclaimer: Megan had a head start on me because they started her heat (age 35-39) before mine (the awesome 40-45 year old heat). She kicked my bootay in the bike, though.
This tri was way more fun--(if sweating yourself to oblivion can be considered "fun"). Maybe because I had my two sisters [Megan and Susan] and SIL Maren along for the gig. Maybe because I had such low expectations? Maybe because I had nothing to prove this time. Maybe because I knew what to expect since this was my 2nd tri.
Nobody looks good in a swim cap. No one. Ever.
Some things I had to think about to keep me from repeating last year's panic attack(s) in the water: the Kentucky Derby, for one. [was anyone else inspired at how the underdog $7,000 horse with a hick of an owner beat the million dollar thoroughbreds owned by all the Saudis?] I also kept thinking about how I really shouldn't even be here because I hadn't trained very much, and how lucky I felt to be with my sisters and how proud I was of my sisters and then I got a little choked up and had to get it together and then I thought about my rhythm of strokes and breathing, and so on, so on. I even managed to notice the blueness of the sky and the airplanes overhead during my breaths. This was my stream of conscienceness. The water was nastily fetid.
{the woman above swimming on her back deserves some kudos--I did my fair share of breast stroke to catch my breath. Swimming in Tempe Town Lake takes some grit.}
Megan and her kids, Deven and Jeffrey. (above)
Over. Till next year?
16 comments:
Ohhh, thank you for the great belly laugh about Marc snapping photos of some random woman. That made my day. Tell him I loved his cluelessness.
Go you! That is amazing. I don't know if I could ever do anything like that.
You and Megan and Susan all look so great! Way to go. That is so funny about Marc taking the wrong woman's photos...at least he didn't give her a congratulatory smooch at the finish line! I love the shot of the cousins all lined up. Can't wait to see you guys at the beach. I hope that you and Meg and Sus are more in a lay-around mood than a triathlon mood there!
Congrats lady! Way to go AGAIN! I'm looking forward to our tri in November.
Nice tri suit!
I can't even believe you did that ... if I had to do a triathlon I'm pretty sure I would die ... literally! Good goin'! Also, too funny about Marc & the poor woman. That is something I would do!
I'm so glad you posted about this! I loved the pictures and was cracking up about the ones that weren't you. I think you are so awesome for doing a sprint triathlon! Is it a new tradition? I would love to do something like that some day.
I was cracking up at Marc taking a picture of the wrong person that Steve came over to see what I was laughing at, and he was like, "Yeah, what was he thinking? It doesn't even look like her?" Which got me starting laughing all over again. Whatever! Steve would TOTALLY do the same thing!
Awesome post!
great job kare!!! i would like to join you next year..
LOLOL That was very very funny. Thanks, Marc, for the laugh. Way to go, Karen, on your awesomeness.
Another funny thing was the photo of you passing the floating lady. LOL I am going to wake up Paul with my laughter.
You are AMAZING and cracking up at the pictures of the other lady! Hilarious!
Hilarious. Love the photos all in a row of the NOTYOU. Crack me up!
Oh man, ...I am so proud of you!!!- that takes some guts in my book- just the whole thing, the nervousness of it all, the figuring out the bikes, the outfits, the timing, ... Good job, and you look great, as do your sisters!!! Wishin' I was fit and ready to try a tri. Soon enough, I suppose. Sigh. Baby first. Enjoy your time at the beach- we just got back, it was awesome with the fam!
In McEqualOpportunityPhotographer's defense (why should he only be photographing his wife?).... Remember, McBuddingProfessionalPhotographer might need an alternative career / secondary vocation once Obamacare comes to fruition. Besides, she was wearing pink, and I can only imagine that soaking in water for unspecified period (puffed rice, puffed raisins, puffed...) might do to anyone... one can't always be sure. Ultimately, I'm also sure he wanted to be sure he was ready to take the perfect picture of his perfect wife!
hey scott! who you calling "puffed"? bad analogy dude.
I'm not calling anyone puffed thank goodness. Just heard about people swelling up in water... that's all. Thankfully, never you!
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