"What's worse, not being able to finish or not trying?" And with that question, from my mom, I decided to give it a tri (haha). I had only signed up the week before after dealing with uncontrolled IBD since my insurance removed the correct dose of medication and then caused it to fail as a result (our health care system is a disaster). So it's been bad. I'm supposed to be doing Ironman CA, but who even knows. I just wanted to be back out there again. I miss racing. I miss training. I miss being able to do what I used to do. Being fast. And now it's just about survival. That was what this race was about for me: proving that I'm still here and still fighting.
When you're asking yourself "how much blood is an acceptable amount to lose and still race," you know you probably aren't going to be putting in any kind of record times. But it was still just the goal to just stay hydrated, go at a steady pace, and do my best, with the option of calling it if it got to the point of being a more immediate safety issue.
The Special Olympics were taking place nearby in Orlando, so this race was the host event for Triathlon. The Special Olympics wave started first on the day at 7:00AM, and my wave was not set to start until 7:47, so I had time to watch these amazing and inspiring athletes and cheer them on as they exited the water and made their way to transition. I saw local Ironman great Chris Nikic, who even had a news crew in tow. Such a great spokesperson and inspiration for the sport!
I have to say, out of everything during the day, I was the most proud of my swim. I am usually not very good at sighting, but I did so well at staying on the buoy line during the race! Just look at that map line! So straight! No getting lost or extra swimming for me this time!
The bike was 10.5 miles. I had exactly zero outdoor bike rides since this latest bout of illness. I've been so scared to go for a bike ride because I can't even leave my house that long at a time (if you don't know what I mean with the subtlety, I mean food does not digest, sooooo...)!! I decided to try a new Garmin trainer recently because I figured if I was going to have any kind of chance at training I needed to try to have more simulated rides than my basic trainer. It's really cool because it adds resistance and you can watch videos of different courses to mimic different rides from all over the world.
But yeah, no actual bike rides for a triathlon is not really the ideal situation, but it is what it is. And that was all part of why I was just trying my best to finish the race. I know I get most sick usually if my heart rate or breathing fluctuates too much, so that was my main focus was being steady, especially on hills. No hills were worth powering up and ending the day (back when I could actually really race, I would eat hills for breakfast haha, I was so good at climbing!!).
I was definitely struggling by the time the run came. I had already vomited a bit, but I was still trying to just go with the easy and steady pace to just finish. The lake was beautiful and racers were all super friendly (as always, that's why I love these events). The nausea was kicking in more and more while I was getting further in, but as I got closer and closer to the finish, I knew I could make it, even if it was hard. I had to at that point. The rest could come later.
Once the finish line was closing in, it was game- time. Another athlete was right next to me coming into the finishing-chute, and there was an instant, unspoken understanding that we were racing to the finish. I'm pretty sure that's how friends are made in this sport! Congratulations on your first tri, Gretchen, and thanks for a great finish!
