Liz - So good to see you! Wish we coudl have talked longer. Missed Patrick. Hope he did ok!
Mike - Hope Madison was good!
Here's my report. Pix to follow. Not likely tonight. Thansk fro thinking of us Betsy!
My first Olympic distance. Wow, what a day. We had to be out of transition by 5:45 am, but I didnt start until 8:36 and Scott did not start until 9:04. OMG, thats a long time to think and wait. Usually, we get to transition pretty early to give us time. However, with the long wait, we only planned to give ourselves 45 min. Of course we were late getting out of the room and nothing seemed to be going right. However, I told myself that a half hour was plenty of time. Got to the line for transition about then. Would have been ok, but there were tons of people in line. Ugh. Should have learned from the kids races the day before that tit would not be that organized to get into transition. Still, I thought for the big races
.. This caused me to freak out a bit. Then, they announced that there was an entrance with smaller line up the hill. Went there. Then, they said it was fro the sprint distance. Ooops. Oh well, not going down to the big line once I was almost at the front of the other one.
They had to check for our chip and that we had our number on our bike. I got the OK and headed in. The volunteer on other side of me (who was on wrong side to see my bike number (which was required ot be on the right grabbed me. I said that the man said I was ok and she gave me a nasty look and checked me again. As Scott pointed out, everyone could say that the said it was ok. However, being grabbed when I am frazzled and made to feel like I was doing something wrong, especially when she was on the wrong side to see my stuff almost sent me over the edge. Not that I was rude to her, but I about lost it with tears. I have never been this nervous for a race. I did not feel this nauseous fro my first full. Not the way I wanted the day to start. Plus, they just kept announcing how we would all be kicked out at 5:45 and should have set our alarms earlier, Still, they should have had more people checking and should have known people who start at 9 am will not be there at 4:15, especially as this race advertises being for beginners.
So, from there it seemed to get better. People In my rack were very friendly and that was nice. I could not believe it, though. I had issues finding my bike in my last tri, so Scott got me a Minnie balloon. Wouldnt you know, there was the exact same on already in my row. Oh well, cant go wrong in a double Minnie row, right?
Got transition set and headed to find Scott. We actually got out slightly after 5:45. Actually, people got setup and out very quickly once we got in. Got about ¼ of the way to the swim start, which was a good 1.5 miles away and Scott realized he still had his race shirt on. Ooops. He was able to get back in thank goodness. Of course, we were at the swim start when he looked at me and asked if I had meant to leave my skirt on. Grrr
I double-checked myself when Scott discovered his shirt and still hadnt noticed that.
Now, there was a ¼ mile run from the swim finish to T1, so people were leaving shoes along a fence just after the swim out. I hadnt wanted to leave my crocs, but as long as I had to leave my skirt there now, I might as well. They could not get mistaken for someone elses then. (Yes, Im sure there were hundred of pink Minnie Jane Crocs with Pooh Jibbitz.) Anyway, that seemed a good thing.
Surprisingly, time passed fairly quickly. We watched the spun heats. I was very surprised how many people used the rope on the wall during the swim. Made me feel a bit better if I did have to go to side stroke that at least I was still swimming. (Nothing against those people, I cheered for every one, as it can be so intimidating, jus felt a little more confident in myself) However, watching the others swim made me feel more and more nervous. Plus, it was an in water start and we had to tread water fro a bit before starting. Didnt like the sound of that or the fact that the water was only 63. On the bright side, it was in a very protected harbor, so there was chop, but not really anything more than I get at the small lake at home.
Before I knew it, it was time to line up. Checked my stuff, said goodbye to Scott and got in line. Shortly thereafter, I saw Pat and Jim. I was so thrilled. I was so worried they wouldnt recognize me in the swim, that I wrote my name on my cap like I has seen a few others do.
. So thrilled to see them and so glad they were there.
My wave moved on. There were several very nice people in there that I chatted with and I got to see Scott again. Somehow, though, I moved up to the front without realizing. Not a good thing. All too quickly, it was time to jump in. I had such a hard time doing this. I almost asked someone to push me, but just sucked it up and did it. Although I was further front than I got more to the back when I go tin. Except, I forgot I was not going the same direction as the sprinters, so really moved myself more to the front. Ugh.
That mile swim was so darn intimidating. However, I was thrilled that Id actually have scream teamers on the course. Plus, except for 0.25 miles, you swim along a wall that is filled with people. However, the water temp kind of sucked those happy thought-out of me. Luckily, we started right away. The first few strokes felt awful, but I was so worried about getting swim over and into and trying to get my rhythm, that before I knew it, it wasnt so bad. Saw Scott on the way down. Yay!!!
I did about 4 stokes of side stroke at one point to catch my breath. Is till go at bit too caught up in starting fast. I also sighted a bit longer than necessary to catch my breath, but not too bad.
The way down went really quickly. I was getting my rhythm, siting well and not doing too badly. Didnt realize that there was a bit of a current that way. Figured that out when I turned around. However, I had my rhythm and the artificial confidence that I was going pretty fast because I didnt realize it was current pushing me. Oh well, Ill take it however I can get it.
So, slow and steady I went. I think it helped that I had seen so many start out to fast and go to the wall, that I really drilled into myself how important it was to go easy. Before I knew it, I was half way. Woo hoo!
Pat and Jim were around that spot. I have never, ever had any desire to smile or extend any effort when I swam. I was so excited to see them, though, that I waved and smiled every time I spotted (which is fairly frequently) for quite some time. I was jealous, though, that they seemed to be having a leisurely stroll, while I was working my tail off to keep matching their pace. Then, I got a bit cocky, as I was so happy. Started doubling my distance between strokes. Before I knew it, I was in the safety boat area and about to swim off course. Bummer, I was one of those people that the boat people yelled at to get on course. Ugh. Lesson learned Back to my style. Form here, I was thrilled to se so much of Pat and Jim. However, you could see the finish for ¾ of a mile. So, it took forever. With the current going against me, I was losing steam. I turned to side stroke a couple times, but then people would catch me and really stir up the water and I found it was easier to return to crawl. OMG, I never thought Id EVER say that!!!! Getting a bit more tired, though, so only looked for Pat & Jim about every other time sighting and Im afraid I lost my smile. However, they will never know how incredible it was to have that support when I had never raced more than half that distance and had really only gone close in practice once. (I had done drill of a lot of short intervals that got me close, so I had a good base, but not doing it without stopping on too many occasions scared me a bit.
Now during the pre-race talk, they told you when you smelled diesel, you were getting close. SO, I was actually happy as a clam when I started tasting diesel (the harbor was a yacht club). Yeah, they lied. Oh well, I got a beautiful view every time I sighted. Finally, I was near the steps out. Now, there were people to give you a hand, but they were not supposed to pull/. I know I pulled, but the woman who grabbed me was hanging so far into the water that there is no way she didnt pull some. All I can say is that she must have been dead at the end of the day. What a wonderful volunteer1!!! I lapped my watch and was not thrilled with the time, but still thrilled with the performance.
I got out and just wanted to cry I was so happy I was done. Im really afraid to see what Jims pix look like because holding back the tears of joy were hard, I just kept saying I did it!!!!!!! to myself. Coming out and going up the step is hard, plus I was just so emotionally overwhelmed that I had to pause and catch my breath. A volunteer stopped to ask if I was ok. I told him I was fine. I tried to smile but the tears wanted to flow. Im not sure what came out, but it must have been ok, because he said, Now thats what I like to see. Cool. Big warm fuzzies.
After my little pause I started to jog. Thats normally tough for me, but I was doing pretty well. I got my crocs and shoes and started again. (Remember this is my ¼ mile jog to transition and transition is uphill). My shins started to cramp up, I think from keeping my crocs on. However, I am such a softie and never go bare foot and it seemed meant to be that I put my crocs there, that I decided just to deal with it.
Got into T1. Went the wrong way, but it was so well marked that I lost no time. Got my stuff together fairly quickly and was off . Grrr
.Forgot to start my Garmin, although I did not think it would take long, as it had found itself when I set up. Famous last words, lots of trees in transition and they dont like to find themselves while moving.
Started out of T1 and went immediately uphill. So glad they warned us of this in the course talk. Heading north on Lakeshore Drive. Beautiful! However, the wind was predominately from the north and it seemed like there were only uphills and not down. Ugh. What happened to gently rolling bridges? Now, the bike was north, n turn around and go south then turn around again part way, come back north and n south again. So, while I was not anywhere near the speed I wanted to be, I knew I start slow and I kept counting on the wind bind me to help make it up. At the turnaround, I was way tired and 0.5 mph bind goal.
OMG, the course rocked downhill!!!!!!!! I was going 5 mph faster and not working nearly as hard!! I was so thrilled that I finally remembered prayers of thanks for getting me through the swim and for letting the bike feel so good and for the friends thinking of me and the beautiful route and I dont know what else. I was flying high!!!!! I started looking for Scott and I wanted to tell him that it got way better on the downhill, but no time of course. Still, just seeing him on the course helped. Brought my average up 5 mph above goal and was thrilled to death.
I just kept telling myself that I just had one more shorter time to the north and I would more than make up for it again with the longer southbound finish. Woo hoo. I rocked the north. It wasnt fun, but I only dropped under my goal pace once!!!! I was so thrilled. Changed my goal to 1 mph above original goal. Id see strugglers and tell them that northbound sucked but south was awesome so hang in there. Did I mention I was flying high!
Of course, I took a bump to hard and lost a Gu bottle that Scott had worked hard making a holder for. L Felt bad about that , but I knew hed forgive me. I was going fast. :-D Rocked the bike. I should have been 1.5 mph over my original goal!!!!!
Approaching the 3 mile mark, I saw the front of the man. Ding! He ran the Super Sprint yesterday and n helped at my water station. How cool. Wish I had realized that when I could have said something. Oh, and he had done the sprint before the Olympic distance.. Wow.
So, I finally reached the 3 mile mark and was thrilled. OK, not thrilled but at least I was half way. Plus, at thins point, the more steps I put in in this direction, the less I put going back. Unfortunately, I remembered that back was all into the wind. Got to the water station just before the turn around and the volunteers said Youre almost half way! Um, no. We passed it, but they tried.
There were girls at the turn around who were great and said how great I was and that even better I was a woman and even better I had a skirt on. Lol. Funny, but Ill take it! I was so happy that I should be able to see Scott now. I really wanted him to finish with me, as I was mentally gone. Miles were just not passing by for me. However, I told him that if he was doing well, not to hang with me. Tris are the only time he goes on his own and can do his best, instead of mine, so I told him not to stay with me. Not long after the turn at all, he was there, Yay!!!!! Then, I had to wait for him o catch up. I was moving so slow, though, it should not take long. Long enough, but finally he was there. I was so excited to tell him how Id been doing and ask how he was. Yeah, he didnt have to stay, but he had to stop and chat a bit.
Bad me. I was so desperate , though. He said he was not having a great day. I was really bummed for him. I do have to admit, though, that I had a glimmer of hope that he would stay. Wouldnt wish him a bad race in a million years, but mentally, I really needed him to stay. Finally, I told him he could go. He said, If its ok with you, Id like to stay. Hallelujah!!!!!!!! The next miles were slow and torturous, but they went by a bit faster. About 1.5 to go, though, the outside of my knee started to hurt. L Pretty sure it was just because I was running on the wrong side of the path for me, but didnt make me happy. Got to Soldier field and the aquarium, though and at least I knew we were getting close. Only 3 tenths or so to go. Picked up the pace from snail to turtle, Could see the finish. Yay! Could see my scream teamin angels. Yay!!! Made it!!!!!!!!! While it was a bummer to end on my worst part of the race. I did it!!! Plus, I know I gave it my all. Maybe too much in the bike, but its so fun to go fast on the bike. Wish I could have been closer to my ultimate goal time. Wish I could have been anywhere near my goal fro the run. It was too hot for me by run time, though, I know I gave it my all. Cant be dissatisfied at all. Nope, Im still thrilled. I DID IT!
Here are teh results. May not look great to the rest of the world, but I am still proud.
so I'm a bit concerned about that, but it is what it is.
Carrie!! 
Great Race Report - and yes, I bow down to you!! You are incredible!! I truly admire you!!
)
(at this point ds girlfriend, my dd and dh truly thought I was crazy) so I jumped up started taking pictures - and cheering him - he looked like a real swimmer (he was on the HS swim team - and made the UIC water polo team Friday!! 
and 
I have some generic pics I'll post for y'all! He was back at the hotel by 4:45am and rested, relaxed ate some breakfast and we headed back to the start of the race around 7am - 
