Okay...okay...I got sucked back into the blogging world! I always knew I would at some point, but I felt like I needed a really great story in order to start blogging again. So here it is...
Upon ariving at the race sight, my nerves started kicking in like crazy. We set up our transition area and tried to get everything in order.
A big thanks to Steve for pumping up my tires for me! What a gentleman! After getting transitions set up, it was time to get into our wetsuits. This was my first time swimming in a wetsuit and my second time ever BEING in a wetsuit. It was pretty hilarious watching everyone get theirs on :)
As we headed off to do our warm up swim, all I could think of when I looked at the lake was chocolate milk! For the record, I would like to point out that this time last year (we will call that portion of my life "Trish 2007") there was NO WAY I would get into a muddy lake to swim in sub 60 degree water temperatures! Remember, I didn't even like to get my hair OR face wet! But today I was ready for the race and jumped into the muddy water full force! The swim went really well for me and I think I swam the 250 m in right around 4 minutes! Yippee!
After the swim I ran over to transition to get onto the bike for my 13 mile ride. The ride started off great, but when I tried to change my bike computer from time to cadence, I reset the distance on accident! That meant that until I got to the 6.5 mile turnaround I would have NO idea how far I had gone! Are you kidding me!! The rest of the bike went well and I used my aero-bars the WHOLE time! I got to see Roger, Jessi, Steve and Tiff on the bike and we shouted encouragement and waved. I love seeing my friends out on the course, and this totally helped me along the way! As I finished up the bike, I was in good shape to meet my overall time goal as well. So far, so good...
After rolling into transition and dismounting off my bike, I started to "run" my bike back to its rack and my legs gave out! I fell on my bike and sliced it on my chain rink. I instantly got up and checked my leg. No blood yet (thank goodness because we all know I am a fainter!), so I should still run right? Trish 2007 would have quit right there, but Trish 2008 was going to give it all she had.
So I started off on the run, trying to meet my goal of running all 3 miles. About 1/4 mile into the run, I looked down to check my leg and I saw blood everywhere! Crap! I tried to calm myself down and focus on the goal, but about 1 minute later I saw my teammates running with Tiffany and I lost it! They all smiled and waved when they saw me, and I responded by screaming at the top of my lungs, "I'M BLEEDING!!" Tiff could sense I was freaking out, so she sent Jessi over to save me while Steve and Rog finished strong with Tiff. Thank you Tiff for sending Jessi when I needed her!
Jessi was an angel and she calmed me down right away. She is my coach and good friend, and knew just what to say to convince me to finish the race. Jessi and I ran all the way past the turnaround and along came the Excursion with Roger, Steve and Tiff. They offered me first aid, but I knew there was not way I would make my time goal if I took aid now. So I sucked it up to finish strong. Tiff jumped out and ran with me and Jessi til the end. I can not express what it meant to me to have teammates pull me through such a tough time. Trish 2007 was a total quitter, but Trish 2008 is trying to get over that. Jessi said, "You will NEVER regret finishing this race," and I believed her. Jessi and Tiffany were my saving grace, and I could not have finished without them! These girls are AMAZING! I am getting a little teary eyed just thinking about it! We crossed the finish line at 1:38:52, beating my time goal by 6 minutes! Whoo hoo!
After finishing the race, I immediately received first aid from Roger and Steve. These two guys took top-notch care of me and I will be forever grateful to them! Plus, having two hot guys tending to my every need is TOTALLY every female triathlete's dream! Thanks so much guys! According to Roger, you probably saved my life :) And a BIG shout out to Jen and her dad (pictured below) who came out to cheer us all on and take pictures! I love you friend!
After I was all bandaged up and ready to go, we went to the awards ceremony. Let's just say that Spokane cleaned up! Roger won overall, Jessi won for females, Steve placed 5th overall, and Tiff was 4th in age group and I was 6th in age group! My teammates had amazing races and I would like to give them props for their killer times! Each person worked hard to meet their goals and I could not be more proud of how they performed! I am constantly amazed at the athletic talent of my friends!
The trip home was just as fun as the trip over and we enjoyed EVERY minute of our time together! I feel so blessed to have been a part of such a memorable trip :) After arriving in the Thompson's driveway, Roger informed me that he and I were now on our way to the ER to get my leg stitched up! I was totally shocked and said, "But you said I was fine!" And Roger said, "Jessi said to lie to you until we got home so you wouldn't freak out!" I tell you...Jessi knows me SO well! So off Roger and I went to the ER and 2 1/2 hours and 11 stitches later, I was good to go!
All in all, I think we all followed Roger's favorite rule from Wedding crashers!
8 comments:
HOLY CRAP TRIC!!! You're baaaaaack! I so love that you're back on the blogging scene, maybe you can add this to your list of Trish 2008 accomplishments!
First, this trip was a total blast. There were SO MANY hilarious moments. I swear to you I have sore abs from laughing so hard. I can't wait until next time!
Next, let me say this. You made me proud to know you on that run. To keep going in that situation takes guts and digging deep... you did it. I was so glad to be able to be there to support you through it. You are one tough cookie and I love to see you push yourself beyond your comfort zone and then be rewarded ten fold. You deserved one of those crazy 10 foot trophies for your race!
I can't wait to hear about share circle in Miss Cudney's class on Monday morning... I dare you to bring the bloody sock!
You're bad ass, Tric! I am beyond proud of you.
Welcome! I was extremely inspired by how you handled the entire situation. So many people would have just given up and used their leg as an excuse. You powered through and the benefits of that are endless. It was a great time hanging with you on the trip and the next one will be even more fun. Great job and can't wait to read more about your adventures.
I still remember the conversation on who gets to tell Trish she should go to the hospital. Everyone was looking at each other, pretty funny.
Okay, it doesn't happen often and I didn't expect it but your post made me cry! I remember the first time I sat and talked with you at Starbucks. I loved hearing your story and how you struggled with running. You stirred this excitement in me.....wanting you to be able to run for more than 10 minutes and hoping that you'd be able to run off the bike the whole time for your races this Summer.
When I read about "Trish 2007" and "Trish 2008", I got goosebumps. I met the 2008 Trish, just hearing about the 2007 Trish.....but not knowing her.
You were definitely challenged out there and it is beyond inspiring to hear that you were able to dig deep and finish UNDER your goal time, even with a cut open leg. That's just plain bitchen. That's what made me cry.....you did it girl! And this is just the beginning!
Now, your next triathlon, if things get tough on the run, you can say to yourself "I ran the last one with a gashed open leg, I can do anything!". That experience showed you what you're made of and set you up for success. You're one tough lady and I know that had to be hard but Jessi was SO right to tell you you wouldn't regret finishing that race (she's full of inspiration-isn't she?). I'm really happy to hear you had such great support!
Congratulations! I'm SOOO excited for you and your ability to overcome any obstacles and get the job done.....beautiful!!!
XOXO,
Phaedra.
ps-I'm so happy that you've started blogging again!
Tric!!! I'm so thrilled to see that you are back in the blogging world. I think Tric 2008 is going to have many more stories to post than Trish 2007 ever did!
Now where to begin...first of all, I never even thought you would say yes to this race. You have grown (and shrunk) so much in the past year that I barely even recognize you. I have loved watching your confidence level rise so much.
I'm so happy you decided to come to this race. What a blast! The road trip there and back was priceless. Then there's the race. When I saw you out on that run course, I thought you were done for. Imagine my surprise and elation when we found you in the car STILL running! It was an honor to jump out and run you in. I am beyond proud of you for accomplishing your running goal with a huge gash in your leg! You are so hard core! Congrats on an amazing race and a great story to go along with it! :)
That was a great story. Like I said after the Rage in the Sage, stories are better if there is blood involved. Way to work through it and go well below your time goal. Sounds like you're on your way.
Trish, I feel very fortunate to have gotten to know you, cause I could see months ago that you were one tough athlete. But this story just solidifies it all the more! You are a true inspiration for toughing it out to a) even get in that water, and to b) get thru the run while losing semi-critical fluids. Your race and effort will go down in history I'm sure.
So sad I wasn't there to witness it, but thanks for the great report!!
Timmers
Write a new blog calling it a shark bite! Or maybe a bear or a cougar. Tough as nails finishing. Trish 2009 will be the bionic woman...you rock! T Montecucco
Congrats Tric?
Excellent job finishing up! Way to go on the run!! It's hard sometimes to keep going when all you can think of is wanting to quit.
Just log this one in the memory bank and use when when Trish 07 trys to crawl out of the [ast when things are hard.
That's how Jay and I do it Fat boy and Fat girl are no longer us it's all just active guy and active girl now.
Almost sounds like a cartoon super heroes story line:) LOL...
Any way Great Job!
Michelle and Jay
ps. like your blog site.
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