I swam.
I biked.
I ran.
It rained. (A lot.)
I smiled. (A lot.)
If I had to summarize my triathlon strategy, it would go like this:
Swim: Watch where you’re going!
Bike: Hammer down!
Run: Just don’t stop.
As expected, I was pretty slow on the swim. (The point was to make it, and I did!) What was unexpected was that I’m comparatively a better cyclist than I am a runner! My bike time was 181 overall, and my run time was 318 overall.
I’m happy with every single part of the race. I wanted to become a swimmer and a road biker, and I did. Moreover, I absolutely LOVE biking. I love it. It’s amazing, and without this race as incentive, I’m not sure when I would have gotten out there.
More importantly…
I wanted to raise money to help fund cancer research and prevention, and we did.
As I was leaving the transition area to go out on the run, a man was standing to the side, clapping for every runner, and saying “Thank you, you helped save my mom.”
When I looped back on the run, 32 minutes later, the same man was still standing there, thanking every single athlete heading out on the run, telling them they helped save his mom.
I wonder how long he stood there.
His mom is alive, but he hasn’t forgotten.
I thought a lot about the people I know who were lost to cancer on that run. It was a very heart-felt run. During the last half mile, I told myself I was going to pick it up for Connie. And then Erica. And Cousin Jackie. Let’s pretend the names stop there. But they don’t. There are too many.
I saw Will and Andrew with Greg and his parents on the run course, and I ran over to give them a hug. I was so emotional at the time that the photos look like I’m about to cry, even though I remember seeing them there as one of the happiest moments in the race.
I had a ton of family come see me finish; I got to hug my Dad right before walking down to the swim, and my niece has evidently been playing “Aunt Kelly” and pretending to swim, bike and run. I have a father-in-law to whom I can toss a wetsuit with no explanation, a mother-in-law who always has an umbrella, and a sister-in-law who will trudge around a race course carrying a sleeping toddler through a downpour. Words can’t begin to cover how supportive Greg has been of the idea, the process, the training, the event… I’m a lucky woman.
I am so proud and touched to have participated in Tri For a Cure. The women who raced raised over 1.6 million dollars for the Maine Cancer Foundation. There were survivors who had never been active before cancer, who have now become triathletes. There were generational relay teams consisting of three generations; my mother saw two team-mates practically carry their runner across the finish line.
It’s an incredibly powerful event, filled with remembrance, hope and strength.
Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey; I am so grateful to have been part of it.
OK, so you totally rocked this! I am so impressed. I lost my younger brother to colon cancer at the age of 34 (diagnosed at 29) and we did a number of fund raisers and raised a lot of money through golf outings. You did awesome and overcame your fears. I did a Tri last year but it was not an open water swim and I truly don’t think I will do one. So hats off to you and your family cheering you on! Go Kelly!
I’m so sorry to hear you lost your brother; I’m glad you’ve been able to raise money to fight cancer through golf… taking something people love to do and using it for good is a double win. If you ever decide you want to do an open water swim, remember that the wetsuit is partially buoyant and there are kayakers on the course! Only if you want to, though; that’s the amazing thing about life is the number of possible challenges out there – find one that makes YOUR heart sing. Sounds like you’re good at that, already 🙂
Wow, congratulations!!!! The pictures are awesome. I’m impressed too.
In your stats, what does T1, T2 and “penalty” mean?
T1 and T2 are transition times between sports – getting off the wetsuit and into bike shoes etc 🙂 The penalty box is for time penalties; there are more rules in triathlon and some you get time penalties for and a lot will disqualify you (not buckling your helmet before you get on your bike, using an iPod etc).
Thanks, that’s really interesting!
So, what’s next for you? : )
My fourth Chilly Half Marathon; and I’m going to train for it this time, unlike my half this spring when I was distracted by learning to swim! (An awesome distraction, don’t get me wrong.) And I plan to keep working on my swimming and biking for fun… and at the moment hope to do Tri For a Cure again next summer 🙂
Wow these are really great photos! And a wonderful recap of this adventure. Not everyone can say they have done a triathlon. I can’t believe it rained, but maybe it didn’t matter? Glad to hear your family was there to support you, that must help a lot. I remember when I did the 19 mike kayak race and saw my family half way through and I just burst into tears from the mix of joy to see them but the pain I was in too from physical exertion. Weird combination for sure. Congratulations on your accomplishment and best of luck for your next challenge!