+1 day

• Posted on 19th May 2008
• in This-n-that
• by Dragonfly

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I had every intention of writing last night. But I was lucky to make it to the shower by the time we made it home. This is/was one of the most amazing moments I have ever had in my life. 9 months for one moment in time. And I took it by the horns and lived it to the fullest. And I didn’t do to shabby.
As we all waited we watched the “winners” from last year and this year get started. The winner this year…#2 she had a wonderful seeded time and made it in 1 hour 3 min. I want you to know and remember that time. I sat and made new friends and enjoyed a few moments with my mom and husband and we watched her blow kisses to her babies that were standing on the railings of the pool viewing area. She would blow them a kiss they would catch and than blow her one to catch that she put in the heart of her suit. It was catching and I was all tears as I not only missed my kids and wished they were there But I was nervous enough to puke so tears was a better option. 😉
Our dear Govoner Sarah Palin was there all smiles as she started off the swimmer as a “Wanna be triathlet, But I don’t know how to swim….”And they were off. Some of those girls swimming a 500 in only 5 min. MAN it was like sitting in a splash fest. I was amazed.
Soon it became my time and I was happy to get out there on deck. I knew that if I was there things would run more smoothly in my mind. I would be able to slow down my stomach. There is nothing like meeting new people to help with that. But than an old face I have met in anchorage a few times was there to great me with a smile and say…. “Your suit looks GREAT.” it was a club suit from the Triathlon club up here. They loves to see the club members in their colors. I got my numbers put on my skin both arms and my right leg with a small writing I had already done to show that I am Hard of hearing. I wanted people to know why I was blankly not looking the other way you know?Than we walked over to a different table and was fitted with a timing chip on our ankles. So after that I watched them calling numbers. They were doing them every 25. so I waited for 425 to be called and slipped into the warming pool. Don’t let the name fool you it was colder than our home pool and for that I was thankful. Made me want to get out of the water fast. I did a few back and forths…got used to the walls for the flip turns and got out. Why would I want to use all my energy. By the time I was out. They were calling 450 .. so that was me. 443 needed to get over there. And while I waited…..
a photographer with the A.D.N. came by and said “443, You Jennifer?” “yeah I am…. Nice to meet you” and so on. He than started a series of pictures that can be found HERE. I know there were more and I will be asking for copies that he just might give me for my photo book but enjoy the few he put out there for you to look at. I new there was a story going to be written you can read that HERE.
I was off to my lane quickly and instructions were given. I knew that we were supposed to tap the foot of the person in front of us and wait till the wall to pass. BUT I just couldn’t. If I would have done that my time would have been WAY OUT there. As it was I could have been so much faster. But to hear the reporter and the photographer and my family talk…I was FAST. They were all talk about it as I was going. I had no idea, I just wanted to GO!
I was hitting he walls with force. A Woman on a mission! I meant business. I lost track of counting by trying to weave in and out of the other swimmers. It was combat swimming out there. 😉 and I all the sudden noticed a STOP sign. I looked out of the pool. “ Is that for me?” “Yes, it is” she said. “ OH NO, I need to get out…” so they helped me get out of the pool ( Really big lip) and off I went running. I got out to my bike and my transition time was a little less than desired. I fought with a few things and still had a rock on my toe the whole way. (Blister to prove it) But once I was on the bike and going…. it was all me and the road. With me chanting….”You trained for this… you a ready. More ready than you have ever been. Just like the hill on bridge access road, you can get this one.” And I did. The bike was flawless, thanks to my friend for letting me use it. The volunteers on the trail were great with Hand signals to get me were I needed to be. And I went on the bike … swoosh swoosh, “On your right.” With in seconds. I was passing. Fast bike I tell you. I was screaming on your left or on your right most of the way. Than I thought I should be cheering them on. So I did. I would tell them how far they still had to go. Or yell at them that they were doing great. Something to keep them motivated as I streamed away.
Than the “HILL” the bad one. The one that is at the very end. It is the one that KILLED me. The one I screamed up. “ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH” the angle was horrible. It gets you at a near stop. I refused to walk my bike and I just wanted to get up there. Than as it leveled it went up again. ARGGGGGGHHHHHHHH…. okay Now we are up that last hill and we are going to coast. NOPE Hey put on the breaks and give over your bike it is time to transition. Which in one hand I was happy to see But I could have used a recovery coast at that moment. So off my bike went helmet too. And than……
RUBBER LEGS!!!!!!!! Oh yeah I tell you I LOVE that feeling…. it was SO MUCH FUN. As I yelled at my legs… no seriously I did…” COME ON LEGS….ARGH… COME ON!” there was a lady that just about grabbed me to help me. But Nope I got it and was off….
Here comes the only real BAD part. They had a water station and mom clearly in my head “ if they offer you water… take it” so lady has water and gateraid. “WATER” I said with a sign and words. And I gulped it down…. with GATERAID! NO NO NO….. I threw the cup in the trash as I ran by it and no sooner did I do that. Than it all came back up. But as they told me the day before I kept running. “puke and rally girl.” so I did. Now the running was a little worse for me. As it always is. I am a water baby by nature. But I muddled through. As I went by every station I knew what mile I was at. That was helpful I knew when to kick it up. I wanted to show that I was STRONG when I finished. And I did just that. I was with a woman that was passing people ahead of me. Seemed to be all I could do to pass her. She was the lady in my sights. But my legs couldn’t out run her. It was hills… going up I would pass her… going down she would pass me… than I saw the Overpass. The sign that I was ALMOST DONE. Almost to my goal…..SO I ran next to my competition gal for a few moments as I told her….
“I’m sorry I am gonna pass you again.”
“Is that our over pass?”
“Yeah, it is….this is my one moment…9 months -83 pounds.. this i my one moment in time and I am going to cease it.”
“She yelled, take it….. it is yours….”
And with that she let me pull away and run to the best finish I have ever felt. I went through an underground tunnel… and as I was in there and it was hitting me that I was only .3 miles away the tears started. Than when I was out of there. Men and women were yelling at me… and were clapping and going by hanging out of the car windows driving by… cheering for my one moment. Than the smile hit my face as I was at the entrance to the school campus. When I came around the corner I could see my husband and my mom. By than I had my heals touching my bum with a long strong kick. I wanted to finish in style. And I did……
I passed over the timer in a run that was full out…. than I crumbled. Right onto the stool and let them take the chip so I could go see my mom and my Husband, than there was a swimmer friend and two people from my kids school…. and, and… and…
“I DID IT!!!!!!!!! Bring on the HALF IRON MAN!”
I cannot wait for next year. I got to the back of the racing reception at at 12:06 I started my swim at 10:40 that is only 86 min. I do not have the official time. BUT that is an amazing time for a first timer. Remember the winner up there. She had a 63 min…. so I am only 20 min. out from her. 😉 BEAMING yeah I am still in a state of euphoria. I am not doing anything but slipping into the pool today. And I will get that done here in 30 min. today is a nice easy workout to loosen up my tight muscles that have had heat on them all night. 😉 so with this I leave you to read the article that is in our paper. Beth Bragg did an amazing job. Thank you for being there…and giving me my hug.. you were so sweet and an inspiration with your writing. You stepped into my life and did it all with such grace. *Bows * thank you again.
Everyone here. Your support was with me. I could feel the prayers you sent heaven especially when my foot was killin’ from the ROCK. Coach you were with me every stroke of the way as I wore my swim strong cap. Molly and Mark and all the new comers to my journal that have cheered me on… thank you. Your inspiring words helped me up that last hill. I tell you it is a killer. Ladies come with me next year. I will even put you up at my place. 😉
DF OUT