Seattle Danskin Triathlon 2010
You might remember a little post I did back in June telling you that I actually had a secret one little word for 2010. That word is athlete.
In that same post I said that what I really wanted to do at the Seattle Danskin Sprint Triathlon was show up and participate.
Well, that's just what I did.
And I totally loved it.
I loved that it was all women - 3313 women if you want details. I loved seeing all the different ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. I loved that they all showed-up. I loved hearing people cheer along the way and I especially loved when I ran by and high-fived a blonde woman that I won't soon forget yelling out "Way to go Athletes!" I loved that I got to do this with Cristina, my cousin Rob's wife, who's a veteran (x6) of this race. I loved that my sister was there with me bright and early to capture the experience with photos and cheer me along the way. I loved that it was in the city near where I grew up - a coming home of sorts in so many ways physically and emotionally. I loved that I got to see a couple old friends from high school out on the course. I loved clapping along the way and yelling out woo-hoo and cheering others on as I made my way through the course. I loved that I got choked up at different points along the course as it hit me again and again that I was really doing this.
I'm already signed up for 2011.
And I'm totally excited to really train for next year. This past year I trained enough to be able to "make it." This coming year I plan to train to significantly reduce my time and approach it in a more competitive fashion. Now that I
know what to expect and have gone through the experience what I want to
be able to do is much more clear in my mind.
Here's a look at the weekend in photos with a couple stories along the way:
I drove up I-5 towards Seattle on Friday afternoon heading to the house in which I grew-up.
For the past week we'd been talking about whether Chris and the kids were going to come along. As much as I would have loved to have them there, it ended up just making more sense for them to stay at home. It's been a crazy busy summer and with our move so recent I think it was the right choice this year.
It also hit home how this was my journey.
I was thankful for the chance to just take care of me.
On Saturday Cristina, my cousin's wife and partner-in-crime for the weekend, and I headed up to Seattle Center to pick up our race packets.
We got our race numbers written on our arms with a Sharpie. Mine's still there.
After picking up our packets and other stuff we drove out to Genesee Park (site of the race) and "racked" our bikes. They have everyone leave their bikes there overnight so as not to have mass chaos in the morning.
I was getting really, really excited at this point even in the 95+ degree heat.
We checked out the Lake Washington swim portion.
A nice volunteer took this one of us.
Packing my bag on Saturday evening.
On Sunday I was up at 4:30am to leave my parents house by 5am. My sister and I followed Cristina and her family back up to Genesee park.
Walking into the participant-only area where our bikes were located.
At this point I was just really excited. I never got nervous but I was definitely filled with anticipation. I think if I start getting more competitive and wanting to beat some times then I'll likely get more nervous.
For this case, for this race, I was just so happy to be there.
Tons of memories of me in a suit with cap and goggles.
A look at one of the "waves" at the start of the race. I was in wave 18 which started at 7:50am. Two of my friends from high school were in wave 17 and Cristina was in wave 16.
Doing a little warm-up. The water temperature in Lake Washington was perfect. The choppiness of the water was not so perfect.
Still happy right before the start.
Doing some clapping as I walk down to the starting position in the water.
The swim is the leg that I'm most comfortable with in terms of my own personal life experience. I have a long history as a competitive swimmer throughout childhood/high school and into college. Diving into the murky water was exhilarating. I went with the tactic of being up front at the start and sprinting to get out ahead of most of the people in my wave. After getting out there I had a moment of panic as I took a breath and swallowed a huge gulp of water as a wave came right into my mouth. At that point I started doing breaststroke to regain a composure and to help me see where in the heck I was going and catch my breath.
I ended up doing quite a bit of breaststroke through most of the entire 800 yard swim. It helped me see where I was going. I loved it when Cristina told me that there's nothing pretty about the swim portion...she was so totally right.
After the swim comes the bike. I love my bike. I'm not fast on my bike but I love riding it. In this event we rode for 13 miles - out a road along the park, across the I-90 bridge towards Mercer Island and back again. It was awesome. I'm probably most excited about learning how to become a better bike rider and gaining more strength in my legs this next year.
Coming back in towards the transition area. Again, super happy just to be experiencing this whole thing.
After the bike is a 3.1 mile run. Running was the thing I practiced most before this race since I hadn't really ever run for the sake of running. My preparation had nothing to do with speed and everything to do with making sure I could make it the 3.1 mile distance. I walked just a bit and spent most of the time running at my own sweet pace. Again - totally an area where I could make some serious improvements if I put in the time.
Coming across the finish line I actually wished it wasn't ending.
I was so happy. So totally happy that I did it, that I showed up, that I finished...and that I know I can do so much better next year.
More clapping.
The medals we got after crossing the finish line.
This guy shows up in the craziest places.
Here's a look at my stats (as you might notice I wasn't in much of a hurry during the transitions):
When we were all done we went back down to the water to cool off.
Then we packed up our gear and headed out.
We'll be back again next year.
Let a new chapter of my story unfold. My life won't be the same again.
Congratulations Ali!!!! Feeling very inspired by your journey, as I was when you posted your secret word a couple of months back... my secret desire is to be an 'athlete' as well. It's never to late to start, right?
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love the part about your life never being the same again. I felt the same way when I walked the Avon 2 day walk in 2009. Its like you go through a door that you never knew existed and now there is no taking it back. Sort of like college too. Congratulations! Awesome!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
you go girl! thank you for sharing your story. i am happy for you that you were able to make a dream a reality.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
WOW...this is awesome...and I am so happy for you and so get the whole 'being happy for just being there' I am at that point right now in my life too. I, thanks so very much to you and Cathy Z have forged a new path and started this whole eat less move more...for me it was eat less and move...because any moving would be more lol! I love all the pictures of this adventure and hope to have someone capture my daughter and I when we do our first run in October...congrats Ali and bless you and your family.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Congrats Ali! You are now officially hooked!
Once you have that feeling of crossing the finish line you want to do it again and again. I relish the training and I love the finish line even more!!! I have been doing this for 10 years and at almost age 49 hope I can continue for at least 20 more!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I forgot to mention...you might be interested in this idea,,,,since my hubby is a runner also and our boys have run a lot of races with us I came up with the idea of keeping all the race bibs on a jump ring, with the name of the event, date and finish time and a finish/or after race photo on the back!
We have dozens on that jump ring and it's a great type of mini-book!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
THIS IS SO SO COOL!!! I LOVE ALL THE PICTURES AND YOUR HAPPY SMILE YOU LOOK SO CALM AND AT PEACE JUST LIKE CATHY Z DID FOR HER 5K... SO HAPPY YOU HAD A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH YOU. I THINK YOU HAD AN AWESOME TIME FOR BEING YOUR FIRST TIME I THINK....THANKS FOR TURNING IT INTO A FUN POST. MY COMPUTER IS BROKE AT HOME SO HAD TO WAIT TO GO TO LIBRARY JUST SO I COULD SEE HOW YOU DID. SO EXCITING AND INSPIRING!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
This is so wonderful to see on your blog. I competed in two sprint triathlons this summer and lost 45 pounds leading up to them. Doing a triathlon was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I can see it was for you, too.
Your times are excellent. You have so much to be proud of!
Here's to living life to the fullest!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I just linked to your post from Cathy of Bits&Pieces. Wow, what a wonderful experience! I am in Eugene as well, and have been considering the (still remote) possibility of attempting a tri next summer. The Danskin one sounds great. I love running, but am slow. I love biking too, and swimming, but I am not fond of cold water. But a triathlon seems like an incredible challenge - and I want to be up to the challenge!
Congratulations to you for your achievement! And thank you for the inspiration to train.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wow Ali, that's incredible - words fail me!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Congrats on finishing. Sounds like you did an Olympic distance tri. My husband did tri's for a few years and got to the point of going to Nationals but then quit because he was training so hard he wasn't having fun anymore. You can definitely get 10 minutes off your time by faster transitions. Google "triathlon transitions" and you will be able to get lots of tips on how to have things organized better so you fly from one event to the next. It is the quickest and easiest way to better times. My dh is also an excellent swimmer so he usually kicks *ss in that section. He really had to work on his bike and run. So happy for you. And next time bring the kids, they will love cheering you on (have them bring some cow bells!).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Congratulations! you've added "Athlete" to your life's resume!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Totally awesome. You just might be getting me to the gym this week!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali... this is awesome! So proud of you...congratulations!
I know this feeling. Although, I've done nothing like this, I did walk my first 5K this past year with my 80 year old dad. It was awesome, and even more so, he is training to run in next year's 5K. So inspiring!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
congratulations, ali. look at what all that hard work helped you accomplish. i'm so impressed!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
You go Girl! (oops, I mean athlete!)
I'm so happy for you and your accomplishment. Showing up and finishing is just huge.
I was teary also reading the story because I'm participating in my first Sprint Tri in October, and I just started the running training. I also am comfortable with the swim portion (been swimming about a mile three times per week); and I'm not too worried about the biking, although I've got very fat tires!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Way to go Ali! That is awesome! I trained for my first Tri this year as well. A group of us from Pittsburgh, PA did the Trek Women's Tri in Pleasant Prairie, WI. 2 weeks before we were to leave I got sidelined with a back injury that I still have not fully recovered from - its been since July. But training for a tri is just so amazing & being part of something so great. I am hoping to get back in training soon & I'll look forward to "tri-ing" again next summer. =) Our group can be found here www.trainingwithsue.com! So proud of you & your time isn't bad either. We were told that if we (being "first timers") came in anywhere around 1:45, then we did well. Be proud girl!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Awesome job, Ali! I love that you didn't get nervous before the start and had such an upbeat attitude throughout. You really enjoyed the spirit of the event. It looked gorgeous and like so much fun!
I look forward to meeting you sometime--I'm headed down to Eugene to race Women's Half and to promote Run Like a Mother book at the expo.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Congratulations! I'm proud of you! I just love that you are so brave and willing to just be there and do your best. That's where I am headed. Just showing up and doing my best, not worrying about the rest.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Kudos! Congrats! What a great feeling.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Way to go, girl!
So proud of you!
So motivated by you!
Thank you sweet Ali!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Way to go Miss Inspiration!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
what an accomplishment! congrats and thanks for sharing your experiences!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
way to go, I think you've inspired me!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
That is so cool and inspiring! Congratulations!
Sign in or sign up to comment.