If At First You Don't Succeed

… try, try again (or in my case, tri, tri again).  Coming into this season, I had some pretty lofty goals.  While I was able to meet and even exceed my expectations in some aspects, another was a bit harder to grasp.  It seemed that try as I might, that elusive pro card was just out of my reach as I oh so narrowly missed the mark or had circumstance change that mark four separate times.  The frosting was completed on my proverbial cake when I received notice from USAT that my finish at Lifetime Minneapolis would not count as a qualifier (due to the course change) a mere 36 hours after a disappointing finish at Hyvee.  I had a good cry, took a deep breath, and accepted that it simply wasn’t my time.  My season was over and it was time to reevaluate my goals … or was it?

Later that week, I opened my mailbox to an invitation to the Toyota Triple Crown Championship (the Lifetime Tri series final) in Oceanside, CA.  At first I all but dismissed the possibility; as I am still an intern, I have less than no money and couldn’t foresee getting myself to California as a possibility.  However, I talked to Coach Mace and we decided I would continue training as though I would be doing the race.  On a whim I sent letters to a few local businesses requesting sponsorship for the event.  A few weeks later, I had all but given up hope when I found yet another surprise in my mailbox: a generous sponsorship from Kelley Country Creamery (on Hwy B in Fond du Lac) to help cover airfare.  Friends on the west coast offered up their couches and cars (thanks Amanda, Gordo, Scott, and Tyler) and suddenly everything started falling into place: the race was on.

Thank you Kelley Country Creamery!!!

As game day approached, I noticed a different feel than I had in previous events.  More than anything, I set a goal of having fun rather than achieving a certain position and felt more relaxed and confident than I ever have for a race before.  The fun of the event was only bolstered by sunny southern California and some quality time with an old friend (Amanda) and a new one (Gordo).

Great to see my Salzburg roomie Amanda

My support crew for the weekend - thanks Gordo!

All the fun and smiles came to a jolting conclusion, however, with a simple observation from a fellow racer as we tread at the start line, “Hey, look at the fog coming in.”  And come in it did.  I have never been so completely and utterly lost in the water as the buoys were impossible to see.  The first half was a mess as kayakers did their best to point us in the right direction.  Fortunately by the time I hit the turnaround, the volunteers had worked out a system of guiding packs between the buoys and I made it safely to transition.  While my swim time was substantially slower than anticipated, everyone else in the amateur waves had the same issue (pro’s got out just as the fog rolled in) and I managed to post the fastest female split of the day. 

Swim start: see the fog juuuuuust starting to roll in

On the bike, life became truly miserable.  I have never been so painfully cold in my life.  The air temperature was in the mid-40s and the fog/mist kept me soaking wet (so much for that beautiful California weather).  My jaw hurt from shivering and my upper body was completely rigid, I couldn’t even see straight I was so cold (I even cried because that’s what I do when I’m cold).  At one point, I very strongly contemplated dropping out of the race.  However, a little voice deep in my heart screamed out, “NO, NOT TODAY! THIS IS MY DAY!”  Mind over matter was the name of the game and I found a new level of mental strength that I didn’t know I was capable of.  Instead of giving in, I pushed harder with the one solace that the harder I pushed the sooner I’d be out warming up on the run course. 

Off for a chilly, chilly ride

After my helmet off and my run shoes on with my stiff fingers, I took off out of transition (at this point neck and neck for second/third).  My feet were numb but I focused on staying ahead of the girl breathing down my neck and gave into the song in my head (Britney Spears telling me to “Work B@#%*”).  After two miles, my extremities began to thaw and I realized I had another level left.  I picked up the pace and before long I could see the back of first place getting closer and closer; Gordo saw me at right about this point and later commented that it was the first time he saw me crack a smile.   Over and over I told myself, “This is my time, this is my day,” passing first place and never looking back.  As I crossed the finish line, my emotions of a year’s disappointment and a moment’s total joy collided head on as I simultaneously began to laugh and cry; I had finally done it. 

Women's Podium

It hasn’t yet sunk in that I’ve qualified to race as a professional triathlete.  I am both excited and a little nervous about the possibilities held by the future.  Next season is going to be tough and I’m going to have to get used to being a little fish in a really big pond.  But for now, I am allowing myself to appreciate all that I have worked for and accomplished this season.  Soon it will be time to hit the pavement (and the pool and the trainer) with even more intensity.  But for now, it is time to sit back and simply smile.  

Welcome to the off season