Greetings to all! Hope youre finding increasing motivation to get where you want to go in life! I've been thinking alot lately about where motivation comes from and what takes it away? Why is it that some people are content with just existing and observing while others are so motivationful to thrive and get the most out of life, wanting their life to count and make a lasting imprint on the world? Why do some believe they can make a difference and others dont?
This is all stemming from the past few weeks in my training. I had an abundance of speed and tempo workouts, and while I know they're truly an important component of my training I was scheduled to drop my long slow runs for awhile. Meanwhile, I watched my motivation dwindle to nothing. I dreaded my track workouts, I dreaded my swim workouts and I was just filling up with dread. I missed the ear to ear grin workouts that told myself, "YOU JUST KICKED SOME A--!!"
This has lead me to deep ponderings about why some people just survive and why the guy I just read about in a magazine has a family with a wife, FIVE kids, full time job, and just won 4th place in the full ironman triathlon at age 38! Now some people who like a slower inactive life like to criticize those who are more zealous such as this guy. Why? Does it mean he's not a good parent? Not a good husband? Not a good whatever just because he's HIGHLY motivated? Where does he get it from? Very interesting to me is the curiosity about motivation. Often times I believe it stems from a person's inner belief about him/herself. Often times unmotivated people don't feel good inside about themselves, maybe because of a past that hasn't gone well, or a belief that he/she can't really change things.
Not really sure where my motivation came from, but it's definitely a fragile thing and I find extreme motivation from God and His creation!! I'm thankful for that as it's a gift that I highly value and cherish! Definitely one that I couldn't just muster up and give to myself. Anyway, today I went for a 13 mile run at 4 am...was finished before the sun even came up and it felt absolutely awesome! Cannot ever leave those workouts out. Though, I do believe there are things that can be done to influence motivation and breed success. I know this to be true in my personal spiritual and physical journeys.
Ok, so swim practice...UGH!! Coach Hermine is a boot campin' butt kickin' beauty queen screamer!! I totally like her and know she'll be a great coach for me! When I showed up for practice this week she first asked me, "so what kind of swimmer are you a 1:37?" I looked at her blankly and said, "I have no idea what that means." So she put me in the very middle lane...I've always been average, medium, plain and simple. Even she could tell and it made me smile as I dipped into the 82 degree water thinking about how that's true of my entire life.
She had us warm up and gave me some super helpful tips right off the bat. THEN...she had us KICK for an hour and a half!! In between kicking we had to do 20 second verticals (butterfly kick) with our arms out of the water, and I pretty much almost died!! At the very end we had to get on the blocks and do 25 yard sprints BUTTERFLY in front of alllllll the peeps! I was so incredibly embarrassed but thankfully I came in second behind some guy...that felt good I guess. Everyone was supportive and super friendly. I love it there and know I need to be there!
Soooo, I have made out a schedule that I believe will work for me based on an ironman triathlon book. This will be quite taxing but it's only the beginning as the peak training doesn't even start until mid-Jan? mid-Feb? So, on that note check it out at http://www.yahoo.com/. Click on the "mail" button. Then type in my username: ironjen2009 and password: gogogo. Once in click on the calender button, and then the month button. You can pass your curser over the workouts and details will pop up like the whole days plan or comments on how the workout went, or mental/physical aspects of the training on any given day. Might be fun to see what these hardcore triathletes do to themselves...im glad im not one of "them"!!!!!
What motivates or unmotivates YOU?????? Anyone???
Hope you're all doing well!!
Peace out!
Jen
ps-it is better to give than to receive
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Check this out...
In addition to my update five minutes ago check this out!!
http://www.triangle-events.net/netautor/napro4/appl/na_professional/parse.php?mlay_id=2500&mdoc_id=1026219
haha!!! Bring it!
http://www.triangle-events.net/netautor/napro4/appl/na_professional/parse.php?mlay_id=2500&mdoc_id=1026219
haha!!! Bring it!
Swim Coach Hermine
So, God firstly is above all that amazes me the most! He is a wonderful and loving and forgiving God and I love Him first and foremost. Secondly, the next thing that is most amazing to me right now is my sister Erin who is currently on the nations/world's top womens basketball team. The San Antonio Silver Stars are ranked number one heading into the first week of playoffs. Thursday at 6pm PST on ESPN2 will be her game against her old champion team the Sacramento Monarchs. I can't wait to go!! The part that amazes me is who gets to say I was on the number one team in the world in 2005, and now gets to say in this moment I am on the very best womens bball team in all the world?? ERIN BUESCHER gets to say that!! She's an amazingly humble gifted athlete and I'm her proud oldest sister!!! :) (http://www.wnba.com/)
Equally amazing is my other sister Emily who just arrived from Peru yesterday after serving orphans and seeing her fiance' for 3 weeks! The impact she's made, making, and will continue to make is extremely exciting!! I want to be a part of it for my whole life!!!
Next, I went to swim practice, met coach Hermine and decided to join the team. So, that means committing to 5:45am dunking my body in cold water with an option 5 days/week!! She said she focuses on stroke technique and that her experience with triathletes is that they don't like the instruction...doesn't surprise me as triathletes are pretty set in their ways and very intense people...unlike marathoners (haha). So, anyway, I told her I could use all the help I can get and she welcomed me warmly. While watching the practice the strokes were beautiful and they made it look so easy...I know better though, it's not easy!! Check out the facitility...it's quite amazing. There are two large pools, one with a big twisty waterslide into it. The other is where the practice takes place and as I watched (realizing they go right through the winter in this outdoor pool...eeek!) the warm steam float upward from all the converted energy I knew I needed this. I only have nine months to practice and while swimming is my least favorite I need to get into the water NOW! So be it. Here's a link you can see coach at the Ridgeway Swim Center (http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departments/recreationandparks/programs/aquatics/Pages/SantaRosaMastersSwimming.aspx
Jenny :)
Equally amazing is my other sister Emily who just arrived from Peru yesterday after serving orphans and seeing her fiance' for 3 weeks! The impact she's made, making, and will continue to make is extremely exciting!! I want to be a part of it for my whole life!!!
Next, I went to swim practice, met coach Hermine and decided to join the team. So, that means committing to 5:45am dunking my body in cold water with an option 5 days/week!! She said she focuses on stroke technique and that her experience with triathletes is that they don't like the instruction...doesn't surprise me as triathletes are pretty set in their ways and very intense people...unlike marathoners (haha). So, anyway, I told her I could use all the help I can get and she welcomed me warmly. While watching the practice the strokes were beautiful and they made it look so easy...I know better though, it's not easy!! Check out the facitility...it's quite amazing. There are two large pools, one with a big twisty waterslide into it. The other is where the practice takes place and as I watched (realizing they go right through the winter in this outdoor pool...eeek!) the warm steam float upward from all the converted energy I knew I needed this. I only have nine months to practice and while swimming is my least favorite I need to get into the water NOW! So be it. Here's a link you can see coach at the Ridgeway Swim Center (http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departments/recreationandparks/programs/aquatics/Pages/SantaRosaMastersSwimming.aspx
Jenny :)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Big Kahuna Half Ironman Triathlon
The Big Kahuna!! (Santa Cruz, California)
Whew! What a recovery day today and I feel great! I rode (Christy said to ride an easy 30 minutes) but shhh! Don't tell her that I started in the Marina and rode up and over the GG Bridge and back. The secret part is that a very fit cyclist passed me and of course I can't just stay in an easy spin so I bolted after him. He pulled at a solid 24 mph looking back over his shoulder every couple minutes to try and get a glimpse of who the heck is riding his tail. I giggled inside and it was wayyyy too much fun. At the end of the bridge before a conversation began (i suspected he would angrily tell me off for riding too close) I turned around and headed back for the car alone, dripping sweat, breathing hard, and in good form...to my surprise after yesterday's event.
Saturday September 6th, my sweet friend Angela, my parents, James and I headed down to Santa Cruz early to get to the hotel and expo. The hotel was more house-like with two suites, a full kitchen and dining area. It couldn't have been in a more prime location a half a block from the expo and a half mile to the start of the half ironman triathlon. The heat was scorching on Saturday and after getting settled and signed in, Angela and I headed back for a most excellent, deep, peaceful two hour nap. Meanwhile, my fam headed to the beach at that time and had fun swimming in the ocean. Got excellent sleep Saturday night. The only thing I did notice was with all the last few weeks of tempo/speed workouts my body felt pretty tired Fri/Sat, but I didn't get overly concerned about it.
Sunday at around 4:15 am I jumped in the shower, made some coffee, we took our bikes/gear down to the expo, had our race numbers and age tattoo'd all over our bodies, set up our transitions and headed back to the hotel for a few more precious moments of rest.
Down at the beach the sunrise was OUTSTANDING! The water temp wasn't too cold (low 60's) but much warmer than I had anticipated. My biggest fear of this triathlon was of the seaweed. But, the biggest fear I should have had was of the SEA LIONS!!! They were ubiquitous! I tried hard with Angela's help to stay calm and not get worked up over it. Angela took off first in her age group (there were only two, under 35, and over 35). The men had many more categories.
THE SWIM
I got a screaming head start over everyone else and with the bouy being far to the left I failed to scope well and headed straight for the pier! Everytime I see the pictures I crack up. You'll see, in the pictures to follow. I finally realized it when I didn't feel anyone grabbing at my feet or swimming over me, which I fully expected! So, I made a 90 degree turn and tucked in behind about 5 girls ahead.
During the swim I felt extremely claustrophobic in the wetsuit. The neck was too tight and I kept wondering if the suit would cut off my carotid supply and I'd slowly fall asleep and gently sink to the bottom of the ocean, but it didn't happen. In fact, I didn't even feel short of breath. Cardio-wise I was quite comfy.
Something worse happened out there. As my arms flew I looked back and saw heads bobbing hard after me. It was then I had a vision that repeatedly popped into my mind for the remaining swim. I envisioned those bobbing heads to be as an army of submarines after me in a small boat escaping as fast as I could with chop sticks as paddles! I felt as if I had absolutely NO upper body strength, and sure enough some of them passed me with such beautiful strokes that glided them through the ocean water.
The end of the swim was fun because the water looked like a lake, and suddenly these sneaker waves would come out of nowhere and take some of the swimmers back out a bit. It made me laugh and scream, and lifeguards were out there fighting for those who couldn't make it in. I let one wave push me in and caught it to the sand where I took off hard in my wetsuit and barefeet for 1/2 mile to the transition area...kind of gross with vomit on the cement at the bus stop that we all past without shoes.
THE SWIM-TO-BIKE-TRANSITION
Bike transition went pretty well, I mean I'm it was so slow, but I felt good and anxious to get on my bike and hammer away to make up for lost time.
THE BIKE
I really enjoyed the bike and finished around 3:02 hours. I caught up to and raced a bunch of guys in their early twenties (they all have their age on the back of their calf) and I passed them on every uphill and they screamed by me on every downhill. One 34 year old girl was with us and she was big and powerful. In fact, one thing I've noticed in these tri's is that there are hardly any skinny small girls!! There aren't many ripped girls either. They mostly have very large solid muscles and plenty of sub-Q to feed them in these endless energy crises events! I decided to hold back and let that strong girl battle those boys in efforts to reserve my legs for the run. Though, my hamstring started talking to me on the bike which slightly grabbed my attention.
Before they all took off, we were trying to pass each other going north into the wall-like head wind on Hwy 1 which had alot of traffic and the guys in their big pick up trucks would screech by at like 90 mph laying on their horns. Pretty scary and the girl turned to me and screamed, "THIS SUCKS!!" I agreed then kicked back focusing on my own pace. Interesting how it seems like the only ones to really be threatening on the road are guys in very large pick ups. So, I cruised on the way back which had a nice tailwind and I reached 43 mph on one of the downhills and stayed there for quite awhile!! That was alot of fun! No fear!! Wooohooo!!!
THE BIKE-TO-RUN-TRANSITION
The bike transition had a great, funny, and highly embarrassing moment. I had rocks in my socks from the swim-bike transition so i had to empty my socks. Then, after changing as fast as I could, I headed out for the run at the "BIKE-IN" when the guys in front started yelling "WRONG WAY!!" and a guy from behind yelled, "YOU STILL HAVE YOUR HELMET ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" At that point everyone started laughing and I started wondering "am I confused??? Do I need some salt???" but no, there was no excuse...i was just totally lost in my own right mind. Haha!!!
Laughing hysterically I had to run back to my bike, dump my helmet, and run to the other side so i could finally start running the 13 miles! I'm cracking up right now and am thankful for fun moments like that that seem to lighten everything up!
THE RUN
The run started with my left hamstring yelling at me, so I just focused on an easy easy easy pace and planned for the first three miles to go slow to allow my body to transition, and decided to run easy the whole way out and hard the way back in. So, I plugged in right behind a 54 year old who was at a solid, steady, easy but challenging enough pace and that allowed me to enjoy watching the surfers down below the rugged cliffs in the hawaii crystal green-blue waters in perfectly formed surfable glassy waves. Out a bit farther I could see seaweed beds with sea otters in them and was thankful that I didn't run into them during the swim. There was a perfectly cool seabreeze that really helped refresh me and I was in awe of God for everything in that moment.
At mile 3 or 4 I had pulled away from the 54 year old who stopped to use the bathroom, and fell into pace with a 29 year old girl. After awhile she turned to me and we talked until mile 9. A darling young gal but I had a plan and completely got distracted by my hamstring pain and her continual excitement for meeting me and blurting things out such as, "I know you're not concerned about your time but I'm so excited that were running about 10 minute miles!!" I had completely forgotten my own plan and the fact that I had caught up to her from starting the swim 20 minutes behind her!!
The utter discouragement just filled me but I pressed on and was glad I was, "helping her out." Finally at mile 9.5 she said, "I know you don't care about your time, but I'm so excited that if we keep this pace we could possibly break 6:30!!" At that point I lost all my focus and couldn't go on, I told her to run and catch that time and she pressed on while I stopped to walk and cried, and cried and cried for about a full minute.
Then, I realized I had a choice. I could either sit and wallow in self-pity or carry out my plan even though I just ran 5 1/2 miles at 10min/mile! ...And even though my hamstring hurt (at one point I wondered if I was going to snap it). So, I opted for the positive. I started running. Then I started running faster and then faster. And before I knew it I was passing people. And before I knew it I was passing younger people (the older crowd started way behind me in the swim, and had been frequently passing me...easy as pie).
Then I started passing familiar people and of course towards the last 2 miles I just HAD to put enormous amounts of pressure on myself, like, "see that girl wayyyyyyy up there??? BEAT HER!!!" and I did, and all the people I could beat I did. I turned the corner, down the stairs, and onto the sand for which 1/5 mile we ran...ON THE SAND!!! OOOOUCH!!! But, at the last part where the crowds were thick and I was dodging little girls that happily ran up and down from the water to their sand castles, when suddenly a sneaker wave hit my legs hard! Many cheered and laughed, and it felt wonderful!
I forced a smile but believe me it was the last thing I wanted to do. I was in so much pain, and so much disappointment but I smiled anyway and ran hard to the finish. The harder I ran the more the people screamed. Then I heard above all my mom screaming at the top of her lungs..."JENNY B!!! JENNY B!!! GREAT JOB!!!!" and I turned and my smile came so easily, and I pointed to her, and I was so comforted by her! She brought me so much joy and love and it was a moment I'll never forget. My mom was there, and I can't even begin to articulate the level of blessedness I felt and have in my life. God gave me her and I love Him so much more for her as my own mom!!
I learned alot yesterday. I learned that I had a successful race. That it was my first ocean swim, and my first race in a wetsuit...I have a HUGE rash on the back of my neck from the wetsuit that of which I was aware of the whole time on the bike as my helmet sharply rubbed on it. I learned more about how I have a choice how to react in life to the bumps in the road. That I don't have to give up when things go terribly wrong. That I didn't give up. That I chose to believe in me when nobody was around.
That I can experience God anywhere doing anything. Doesn't just have to be in the church. A simple example is that since the swim I had to pee but due to anxiety I couldn't pee in my wetsuit (a common practice of all ocean water swimmers) so I headed out on the bike with a full bladder...not a good idea. Now I can see why people just pee their pants on the bike. It's really inconvenient to stop during the fast paced biking. But by mile 30 I couldn't think about anything else except where and when could I pee?? There weren't any safe places to jump off and pee. So, when I finally came across a port-o-potty I hit it, and after what seemed like an eternity I asked God if He could make it stop! I finally felt like yelling at my bladder, "COME ON!!!" haha! So, I was in touch with God even in the out house! haha!
I also learned that triathlon girls are big, strong and scary! I think I'm a big girl, but next to them I feel pretty measly and unstrong. I learned that speed workouts prior to an endurance race are probably not the best idea. I learned that Angela and I are going to grow alot in character, have alot of fun, change our bodies, be able to tolerate and endure alot of pain, become more disciplined, and that she's a super easy buddy to travel with! I'm excited for what the future has in store!
Lastly, it seemed like nobody got hurt from what I could tell. All except one girl. There was a railroad track at a 30 degree angle that hit us (unkowingly) at high speeds. We had to swing wide (with a bunch of lose gravel) and seriously I was so scared I thought I could just drop dead right there. Going out and coming in I wish I could have checked my heart rate as I'm sure it was nearly 500 BPM!! I passed the test though and thankfully we made it without falling. The girl however got her tire locked in the BIG space between the rails and the fire trucks and ambulance all rushed to her aid. Very sad. I also saw tons of flats.
Well, that's it for now. I talked to Christy today and she gave me lots of good tips. I need to be fitted for my aerobars and seat so that I'm leaning way more fwd at the front of my seat. Interesting. She also said she thought I did pretty good for a first ocean and wetsuit swim. I only practiced in the pool twice since the vineman at the end of July! Duh!
Jenny
ps-pictures to follow
Whew! What a recovery day today and I feel great! I rode (Christy said to ride an easy 30 minutes) but shhh! Don't tell her that I started in the Marina and rode up and over the GG Bridge and back. The secret part is that a very fit cyclist passed me and of course I can't just stay in an easy spin so I bolted after him. He pulled at a solid 24 mph looking back over his shoulder every couple minutes to try and get a glimpse of who the heck is riding his tail. I giggled inside and it was wayyyy too much fun. At the end of the bridge before a conversation began (i suspected he would angrily tell me off for riding too close) I turned around and headed back for the car alone, dripping sweat, breathing hard, and in good form...to my surprise after yesterday's event.
Saturday September 6th, my sweet friend Angela, my parents, James and I headed down to Santa Cruz early to get to the hotel and expo. The hotel was more house-like with two suites, a full kitchen and dining area. It couldn't have been in a more prime location a half a block from the expo and a half mile to the start of the half ironman triathlon. The heat was scorching on Saturday and after getting settled and signed in, Angela and I headed back for a most excellent, deep, peaceful two hour nap. Meanwhile, my fam headed to the beach at that time and had fun swimming in the ocean. Got excellent sleep Saturday night. The only thing I did notice was with all the last few weeks of tempo/speed workouts my body felt pretty tired Fri/Sat, but I didn't get overly concerned about it.
Sunday at around 4:15 am I jumped in the shower, made some coffee, we took our bikes/gear down to the expo, had our race numbers and age tattoo'd all over our bodies, set up our transitions and headed back to the hotel for a few more precious moments of rest.
Down at the beach the sunrise was OUTSTANDING! The water temp wasn't too cold (low 60's) but much warmer than I had anticipated. My biggest fear of this triathlon was of the seaweed. But, the biggest fear I should have had was of the SEA LIONS!!! They were ubiquitous! I tried hard with Angela's help to stay calm and not get worked up over it. Angela took off first in her age group (there were only two, under 35, and over 35). The men had many more categories.
THE SWIM
I got a screaming head start over everyone else and with the bouy being far to the left I failed to scope well and headed straight for the pier! Everytime I see the pictures I crack up. You'll see, in the pictures to follow. I finally realized it when I didn't feel anyone grabbing at my feet or swimming over me, which I fully expected! So, I made a 90 degree turn and tucked in behind about 5 girls ahead.
During the swim I felt extremely claustrophobic in the wetsuit. The neck was too tight and I kept wondering if the suit would cut off my carotid supply and I'd slowly fall asleep and gently sink to the bottom of the ocean, but it didn't happen. In fact, I didn't even feel short of breath. Cardio-wise I was quite comfy.
Something worse happened out there. As my arms flew I looked back and saw heads bobbing hard after me. It was then I had a vision that repeatedly popped into my mind for the remaining swim. I envisioned those bobbing heads to be as an army of submarines after me in a small boat escaping as fast as I could with chop sticks as paddles! I felt as if I had absolutely NO upper body strength, and sure enough some of them passed me with such beautiful strokes that glided them through the ocean water.
The end of the swim was fun because the water looked like a lake, and suddenly these sneaker waves would come out of nowhere and take some of the swimmers back out a bit. It made me laugh and scream, and lifeguards were out there fighting for those who couldn't make it in. I let one wave push me in and caught it to the sand where I took off hard in my wetsuit and barefeet for 1/2 mile to the transition area...kind of gross with vomit on the cement at the bus stop that we all past without shoes.
THE SWIM-TO-BIKE-TRANSITION
Bike transition went pretty well, I mean I'm it was so slow, but I felt good and anxious to get on my bike and hammer away to make up for lost time.
THE BIKE
I really enjoyed the bike and finished around 3:02 hours. I caught up to and raced a bunch of guys in their early twenties (they all have their age on the back of their calf) and I passed them on every uphill and they screamed by me on every downhill. One 34 year old girl was with us and she was big and powerful. In fact, one thing I've noticed in these tri's is that there are hardly any skinny small girls!! There aren't many ripped girls either. They mostly have very large solid muscles and plenty of sub-Q to feed them in these endless energy crises events! I decided to hold back and let that strong girl battle those boys in efforts to reserve my legs for the run. Though, my hamstring started talking to me on the bike which slightly grabbed my attention.
Before they all took off, we were trying to pass each other going north into the wall-like head wind on Hwy 1 which had alot of traffic and the guys in their big pick up trucks would screech by at like 90 mph laying on their horns. Pretty scary and the girl turned to me and screamed, "THIS SUCKS!!" I agreed then kicked back focusing on my own pace. Interesting how it seems like the only ones to really be threatening on the road are guys in very large pick ups. So, I cruised on the way back which had a nice tailwind and I reached 43 mph on one of the downhills and stayed there for quite awhile!! That was alot of fun! No fear!! Wooohooo!!!
THE BIKE-TO-RUN-TRANSITION
The bike transition had a great, funny, and highly embarrassing moment. I had rocks in my socks from the swim-bike transition so i had to empty my socks. Then, after changing as fast as I could, I headed out for the run at the "BIKE-IN" when the guys in front started yelling "WRONG WAY!!" and a guy from behind yelled, "YOU STILL HAVE YOUR HELMET ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" At that point everyone started laughing and I started wondering "am I confused??? Do I need some salt???" but no, there was no excuse...i was just totally lost in my own right mind. Haha!!!
Laughing hysterically I had to run back to my bike, dump my helmet, and run to the other side so i could finally start running the 13 miles! I'm cracking up right now and am thankful for fun moments like that that seem to lighten everything up!
THE RUN
The run started with my left hamstring yelling at me, so I just focused on an easy easy easy pace and planned for the first three miles to go slow to allow my body to transition, and decided to run easy the whole way out and hard the way back in. So, I plugged in right behind a 54 year old who was at a solid, steady, easy but challenging enough pace and that allowed me to enjoy watching the surfers down below the rugged cliffs in the hawaii crystal green-blue waters in perfectly formed surfable glassy waves. Out a bit farther I could see seaweed beds with sea otters in them and was thankful that I didn't run into them during the swim. There was a perfectly cool seabreeze that really helped refresh me and I was in awe of God for everything in that moment.
At mile 3 or 4 I had pulled away from the 54 year old who stopped to use the bathroom, and fell into pace with a 29 year old girl. After awhile she turned to me and we talked until mile 9. A darling young gal but I had a plan and completely got distracted by my hamstring pain and her continual excitement for meeting me and blurting things out such as, "I know you're not concerned about your time but I'm so excited that were running about 10 minute miles!!" I had completely forgotten my own plan and the fact that I had caught up to her from starting the swim 20 minutes behind her!!
The utter discouragement just filled me but I pressed on and was glad I was, "helping her out." Finally at mile 9.5 she said, "I know you don't care about your time, but I'm so excited that if we keep this pace we could possibly break 6:30!!" At that point I lost all my focus and couldn't go on, I told her to run and catch that time and she pressed on while I stopped to walk and cried, and cried and cried for about a full minute.
Then, I realized I had a choice. I could either sit and wallow in self-pity or carry out my plan even though I just ran 5 1/2 miles at 10min/mile! ...And even though my hamstring hurt (at one point I wondered if I was going to snap it). So, I opted for the positive. I started running. Then I started running faster and then faster. And before I knew it I was passing people. And before I knew it I was passing younger people (the older crowd started way behind me in the swim, and had been frequently passing me...easy as pie).
Then I started passing familiar people and of course towards the last 2 miles I just HAD to put enormous amounts of pressure on myself, like, "see that girl wayyyyyyy up there??? BEAT HER!!!" and I did, and all the people I could beat I did. I turned the corner, down the stairs, and onto the sand for which 1/5 mile we ran...ON THE SAND!!! OOOOUCH!!! But, at the last part where the crowds were thick and I was dodging little girls that happily ran up and down from the water to their sand castles, when suddenly a sneaker wave hit my legs hard! Many cheered and laughed, and it felt wonderful!
I forced a smile but believe me it was the last thing I wanted to do. I was in so much pain, and so much disappointment but I smiled anyway and ran hard to the finish. The harder I ran the more the people screamed. Then I heard above all my mom screaming at the top of her lungs..."JENNY B!!! JENNY B!!! GREAT JOB!!!!" and I turned and my smile came so easily, and I pointed to her, and I was so comforted by her! She brought me so much joy and love and it was a moment I'll never forget. My mom was there, and I can't even begin to articulate the level of blessedness I felt and have in my life. God gave me her and I love Him so much more for her as my own mom!!
I learned alot yesterday. I learned that I had a successful race. That it was my first ocean swim, and my first race in a wetsuit...I have a HUGE rash on the back of my neck from the wetsuit that of which I was aware of the whole time on the bike as my helmet sharply rubbed on it. I learned more about how I have a choice how to react in life to the bumps in the road. That I don't have to give up when things go terribly wrong. That I didn't give up. That I chose to believe in me when nobody was around.
That I can experience God anywhere doing anything. Doesn't just have to be in the church. A simple example is that since the swim I had to pee but due to anxiety I couldn't pee in my wetsuit (a common practice of all ocean water swimmers) so I headed out on the bike with a full bladder...not a good idea. Now I can see why people just pee their pants on the bike. It's really inconvenient to stop during the fast paced biking. But by mile 30 I couldn't think about anything else except where and when could I pee?? There weren't any safe places to jump off and pee. So, when I finally came across a port-o-potty I hit it, and after what seemed like an eternity I asked God if He could make it stop! I finally felt like yelling at my bladder, "COME ON!!!" haha! So, I was in touch with God even in the out house! haha!
I also learned that triathlon girls are big, strong and scary! I think I'm a big girl, but next to them I feel pretty measly and unstrong. I learned that speed workouts prior to an endurance race are probably not the best idea. I learned that Angela and I are going to grow alot in character, have alot of fun, change our bodies, be able to tolerate and endure alot of pain, become more disciplined, and that she's a super easy buddy to travel with! I'm excited for what the future has in store!
Lastly, it seemed like nobody got hurt from what I could tell. All except one girl. There was a railroad track at a 30 degree angle that hit us (unkowingly) at high speeds. We had to swing wide (with a bunch of lose gravel) and seriously I was so scared I thought I could just drop dead right there. Going out and coming in I wish I could have checked my heart rate as I'm sure it was nearly 500 BPM!! I passed the test though and thankfully we made it without falling. The girl however got her tire locked in the BIG space between the rails and the fire trucks and ambulance all rushed to her aid. Very sad. I also saw tons of flats.
Well, that's it for now. I talked to Christy today and she gave me lots of good tips. I need to be fitted for my aerobars and seat so that I'm leaning way more fwd at the front of my seat. Interesting. She also said she thought I did pretty good for a first ocean and wetsuit swim. I only practiced in the pool twice since the vineman at the end of July! Duh!
Jenny
ps-pictures to follow
Monday, September 8, 2008
Kahuna Half Ironman Triathlon photos...
My family went into the brrrreeeezing ocean while Angela and I napped before the big day
Haha! Funny! 
Ohhh! Sooo busted!!!! haha!!
The Matrix Man!! LOL!
Oh yah baby!! This missy is all about havin' some fun!! ;)
Oh James, youre sooo bad! Haha!!
Just arrived to the most perfect overnight home in Santa Cruz!!
Too cute with all those shells!!
Now that she's married (as of last week...who does this??) let the duo training begin!!!
haha! Good boy doing his homework in Santa Cruz!
Can we go eat our burritos now???
Darn it, why is this here again??? Gotta figure out how to get this out...
Good pic papa!
Ahhh, rise and shine...trying not to think about the swim. Got good sleep but not long enough.
Wishing I was him at this point. Must be nice! haha!
Sweet lil Tica...our much loved baby girl!
Goggles? Check, Sports drink? Check, Cap? Check, courage? uh, where did I put it??? let me see...
Wait for me guys!! haha!
This was funny seeing how people handle stress. Angela and I got a gut level laugh when we saw an elite athlete waiting at the back of his wife's car for the trunk to open...when we finally heard in a very stressed out tone say, "WHHHHYYYY ISN'T THIS OPENING??????" We giggled away understanding the pressure and yet seeing someone else going through it as well. 
So many busy bodies!!
The famous photographer!!
heading out to the ocean (about a half mile from the expo)
cute! My mom always always has to wear her cute "crocks" (flippies)!
Angela trying to convince BOTH of us that...."THIS IS FUN!! WE DO THIS B/C ITS FUN!!"
Dad!!! Stop taking pictures and take these car keys!! haha!!!
Yep! I was cold with my wetsuit on...had to wear TWO jackets before feeling comfy!
Santa Cruz is soooo nice!!!
So pretty!
Let's have a gathering guys!
Oh my!
Angela's wave gets to go first! YIPEE!!! haha!
Ah, BEAUTIFUL!
At least they're feeling the fun at this point! haha!
Ok, this was intersting...he was a Hawaiian guy (we weren't so sure) who blew the horn to see if the ocean would let us go in. Kind of interesting. I just kept thinking the person needed a bra until I heard his low voice sing...then I knew he was male. Honestly, I didn't know.
This picture makes me laugh! As were listening to the feminine boy sing Angela has her eyes closed! Somehow that cracks me up!
Grrrrrrreat picture!!!!!!!
Dad! Awesome!
Pre-race massage...this is becoming a well received tradition!! haha! Thanks mom!
no comment.
Uh, I'm not so sure about all this.
JUST BEAUTIFUL!
The elite guys venture out first
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