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.
I can 'hear' the joy in your voice as I read this post. Congratulations on completing the tri. It is great that you started your athlete journey while your kids are young, I started when my youngest was 10 and I don't know what a waited for. I am a better mom and person when I feel healthy, not to mention, able to keep up with the rest of the family. Way to go, Ali!
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I have tears in my eyes too! how inspiring for all of us! Congratulations Ali!!
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Wow what an inspiration. You can tell how wonderful this was for you - you were positively beaming. What a great accomplishment! Enjoy the rush.
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What a wonderful story! Not only are you a fabulous storyteller/documentor but also athlete. Such an achievement. Congrats.
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I so remember reading this post...And thought WOW and now I am thinking WOW WOW WOW. Good for you. What a wonderful wonderful accomplishment. I cannot imagine even making it through ONE of the events. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Congradulations!!!
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too funny! I did the SAME thing for my first time on saturday. My mom, who is an avid reader of your blog, messaged me this morning and told me to come over and read this. I guess being in a triathlon is the new thing for 2010 :) But next year my mom is joining me.
Congrats! Well done!
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Wow Ali, way to go! I'm very impressed. What a great story, what a great ATHLETE!
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You go girl!!
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way to go ali!
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Wow! Congratulations!
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I am so proud of you and so happy you did this. We can do anything we put our minds and bodies to do. Great Job Ali!
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Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment. So nice that you have it documented with photos. This is so inspirational, not that we all have to be athletes, but that we should not be afraid to embrace and follow our dreams. I'm here clapping for you.
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Ali, from your will to do this to the photos to the time...I have just been transported to 2000 when I finished my first and only Danskin Tri.
I am DEATHLY afraid of water and didn't know how to swim. So at the age of 33 I decided to learn. My friend Holly spent the winter before teaching me. That August we drove to Denver, Colorado {an 8 hour drive}. We did the race in a huge park there...I have photos very similar to yours.
The morning of the race I was so sick with fear. I had never swam in open water with so many people! When it came my time to go in I froze. A famous triathlete {Sally Edwards} was on the sidelines and she was so sweet. She encouraged me in the water. Once in I panicked. Finally I was given one of those boogie boards kids use and the COAST GUARD boat came beside me and stayed with me the entire way! I was so TERRIFIED!! I was doing this for my Dad who had died of Leukemia 4 years before and I just kept thinking of him.
When I finally got out of the water I remember just standing there...exhausted, embarrassed and tears were running down my face. I was sobbing. This old couple was standing there and they said...."Honey, RUN.". That snapped me out of the trance I was in and I began running up the hill and over the grass to my bike. From there it was so much fun!!!
Doing this was life-changing...I am so proud of myself for finishing {even if I had to have the Coast Guard and a boogie board help me through the water!}
I am so proud of you!!! What an amazing day!!!!!
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Congratulations -- you rock! Very inspiring -- I hope to push myself to do something athletic this year -- I know I just have to do it and not talk about it -- your story inspires me. How great that your sister got these great pics so you can relive your experience and share it with others.
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Congratulations!! I could feel the excitement as I read your post! Thanks for sharing.
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Awesome!! Congrats on a personal journey "beginning"
Here's to the next event.
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I don't have your willpower to just do it. you have to be proud of yourself, I would be.
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Congratulations, Ali! I am so in awe of you. Thanks for sharing this great accomplishment.
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Really so cool!! And your stats are so completely respectable! Wow! You are right in there with all the veterans! :) Congratulations, it must really feel like such an unbelievable sense of accomplishment!
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This is outstanding! Your endless persistence and strength are a great model for those of us who need that extra push!!
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That's AWESOME. So proud of you and don't hardly know you!
I hoping to have the same achievement one day. I've been wanting to do a tri for as long as I can remember. I wanted to have done one by the age of 30 but I'm still working on it! Good for you!
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this is so great and inspiring! congrats.
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Congratulations, what a wonderful accomplishment to be so proud of no matter what time you finished-you FINISHED!!! You are definitely an inspiration to all of us out there!
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Congratulations! What an amazing feat. Great job - you are an inspiration!
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Sooo incredible and awesome! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and photos with us. I thought of you many times that day hoping it was going well.
Congratulations!
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