Birth to another Triathlete!
The awesome parents came to watch, the weatherman heard my plea, and the lake heated up.
My parents and I spent a night in Seattle and then hit the road to arrive well ahead of time at the beautiful Bellingham Washington. My mom made a comment to me as we get there "Wow Iva, is this where you are going to live next?" At first I kind of chuckled, but then I realized she was right. I think in many ways I am going back to Washington, maybe not Bellingham, but definitely back to Seattle. Anyway, sufficed to say the area is beautiful and we had a great time there over the weekend.
So as I got ready to race my first race in 5 years I felt the age old jitters which are classic for me. That pre-adrenaline rush combined with anxiety and excitement surged through me as I started setting up my transition area, and as I got my swim suit on and the wet suit over it. Now about the wet suit, well I wouldn't be a Jovanovic without at least one blooper. So as my mom and I are struggling to put on my sit, something was wrong. We couldn't figure out what, but the suit went on with great difficulty and pain. Finally with about 15 minutes to start time, I rush out and as I am going this wonderful lady stops me and tells me "Do you know your suit is on inside out?" I don't remember what I said to her, but I am sure my face was red. I was flipping out thinking I would miss my start time, and here is this woman telling me to take the damn thing off and put it back on. What did she think, I could do this and get down there in time??? HA, too bad she was right, and did a lot to calm me down. Turns out she is an owner of the store Train or Tri, and I fully expect to buy everything and anything from her if I need to for my future triathlons. ONE AWESOME WOMAN! Anyway, I did get to the start group on time and in the lake I went.
The swim was the best part for me, I did it with confidence and speed. I passed people and almost got clocked in the head twice, and was out in record time. Serious amount of fun there was had by me. I love swimming in lakes and I had this sneaking suspicion that if my Dida could see me swim that he would have been proud. He was my swimming coach, buddy, and inspiration, and (knowing I am not religious) I felt him out there while swimming in that lake.
As I came flying out and ripping off that terrible suit, I started running towards the transition area and was out wet and dripping in minutes. I was so worried about getting out in time, and it turns out those mere moments in the transition time were things I looked forward to. They were distinct markings to where I was in the race. They really helped me set my energy and know how much I would need to finish. As soon as I was on the bike I felt like I was at home. I was on an instrument I new, and on a road that felt familiar. I was again confident, and having way to much fun. Cars, motos, other cyclists, all a swarm around me and none of them bothering me as I feared. Just another ride on a Saturday morning as I have done for 3 years now. So when the hill at the end of the 10 mile ride hit every one of us we all pumped through it and the cheers of the crowed was very inspiring.
As I finished the ride I felt almost a sense of sadness...it was almost done. Again back through the transition area, bike hung, bike shoes off, running shoes on! I saw my parents and surprisingly I started running right away. I thought I would need time off, and yes my legs felts like water filled balloons but I got into a rhythm, and stayed in it for the rest of the race. The trail was wonderful, with great shade and sun spots so that the amazing weather could both warm and cool the skin as we all ran. But the best part were the other people running. I ended up running with another gal about my age who also had asthma. We both laughed and kept each other going. A guy who I passed on the bike trail also caught up to us, and he started teasing me about being hell on wheels. What can I say, the bike is my thing. He was saying how running was easy for him, but how he was struggling today. The three of us had so much fun to the end that we didn't even realize we were that close. And when I crossed that finish line there was a sense of determination and pride and the sure knowledge that should I sit down I would never get up again. So I didn't sit down!
After a while my parents helped me get my stuff and I singed up for a massage...the best free massage I have ever had! I had a wonderful flowing feeling afterwards and a great feeling of peace. For the first time in months I had a feeling of peace, happiness, and greatfulness that I am alive! This triathlon wasn't just a thing to do, but a proof to myself that the little girl with Asthma can really do whatever she wants when she puts her mind to it!
My parents and I spent a night in Seattle and then hit the road to arrive well ahead of time at the beautiful Bellingham Washington. My mom made a comment to me as we get there "Wow Iva, is this where you are going to live next?" At first I kind of chuckled, but then I realized she was right. I think in many ways I am going back to Washington, maybe not Bellingham, but definitely back to Seattle. Anyway, sufficed to say the area is beautiful and we had a great time there over the weekend.
So as I got ready to race my first race in 5 years I felt the age old jitters which are classic for me. That pre-adrenaline rush combined with anxiety and excitement surged through me as I started setting up my transition area, and as I got my swim suit on and the wet suit over it. Now about the wet suit, well I wouldn't be a Jovanovic without at least one blooper. So as my mom and I are struggling to put on my sit, something was wrong. We couldn't figure out what, but the suit went on with great difficulty and pain. Finally with about 15 minutes to start time, I rush out and as I am going this wonderful lady stops me and tells me "Do you know your suit is on inside out?" I don't remember what I said to her, but I am sure my face was red. I was flipping out thinking I would miss my start time, and here is this woman telling me to take the damn thing off and put it back on. What did she think, I could do this and get down there in time??? HA, too bad she was right, and did a lot to calm me down. Turns out she is an owner of the store Train or Tri, and I fully expect to buy everything and anything from her if I need to for my future triathlons. ONE AWESOME WOMAN! Anyway, I did get to the start group on time and in the lake I went.
The swim was the best part for me, I did it with confidence and speed. I passed people and almost got clocked in the head twice, and was out in record time. Serious amount of fun there was had by me. I love swimming in lakes and I had this sneaking suspicion that if my Dida could see me swim that he would have been proud. He was my swimming coach, buddy, and inspiration, and (knowing I am not religious) I felt him out there while swimming in that lake.
As I came flying out and ripping off that terrible suit, I started running towards the transition area and was out wet and dripping in minutes. I was so worried about getting out in time, and it turns out those mere moments in the transition time were things I looked forward to. They were distinct markings to where I was in the race. They really helped me set my energy and know how much I would need to finish. As soon as I was on the bike I felt like I was at home. I was on an instrument I new, and on a road that felt familiar. I was again confident, and having way to much fun. Cars, motos, other cyclists, all a swarm around me and none of them bothering me as I feared. Just another ride on a Saturday morning as I have done for 3 years now. So when the hill at the end of the 10 mile ride hit every one of us we all pumped through it and the cheers of the crowed was very inspiring.
As I finished the ride I felt almost a sense of sadness...it was almost done. Again back through the transition area, bike hung, bike shoes off, running shoes on! I saw my parents and surprisingly I started running right away. I thought I would need time off, and yes my legs felts like water filled balloons but I got into a rhythm, and stayed in it for the rest of the race. The trail was wonderful, with great shade and sun spots so that the amazing weather could both warm and cool the skin as we all ran. But the best part were the other people running. I ended up running with another gal about my age who also had asthma. We both laughed and kept each other going. A guy who I passed on the bike trail also caught up to us, and he started teasing me about being hell on wheels. What can I say, the bike is my thing. He was saying how running was easy for him, but how he was struggling today. The three of us had so much fun to the end that we didn't even realize we were that close. And when I crossed that finish line there was a sense of determination and pride and the sure knowledge that should I sit down I would never get up again. So I didn't sit down!
After a while my parents helped me get my stuff and I singed up for a massage...the best free massage I have ever had! I had a wonderful flowing feeling afterwards and a great feeling of peace. For the first time in months I had a feeling of peace, happiness, and greatfulness that I am alive! This triathlon wasn't just a thing to do, but a proof to myself that the little girl with Asthma can really do whatever she wants when she puts her mind to it!