We all know that phrase, right? I’m sure someone has told it to you at one time or another. But, it sure is easier said than done!
As you know, I spent the entire summer training for my big race that took place this past Monday. I packed all my stuff the night before, got up at 4am and was at the race site at 5:15am. Race started at 8am, and by8:20am, I was DONE. Yes, done! Unfortunately, I had a difficult time breathing during the swim portion of the triathlon, and I made the decision to pull myself out of the race. It was the hardest decision I’ve had to make to date in triathlon. I was quickly lifted out of the water and put on a boat, and taken back to shore. I cried the entire way. I cried when I was packing my stuff up. I cried on my drive back home. I cried myself to sleep that night.
Sure, all my friends have told me how this happens to everyone at one point or another, how I need to get back on the horse, how I should think about all the other accomplishments I did this summer, etc. Yeah, it’s all true, but it’s hard to believe right now. It’s been 4 days, and I’m still upset and angry about what happened, but I think I’ve stopped crying at least.
I’ll definitely be tri’ing again, but not without a lot of thought first. It would be really easy for me to give this triathlon stuff up, especially since I’m not the fastest person around, but I refuse! So, I might be a little scarred, but you’ll see me back out there again next season. Here’s a quick photo taken by one of our team photographers, Tom Marek, right before the start of the race. Just a few of my teammates who were racing/volunteering that morning.
Photo credit: Tom Marek
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