Last place, not exactly what I had in mind...

Let me start by warning all MEN to turn back now. This post will definitely be TMI for you!

So yes, I attempted my 5K run/8 mile bike race today and I, not so proudly, got last place. I guess someone had to, but I had always thought I was more of a middle-end of the pack type of gal...guess I was wrong. I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that I am not the athlete that I thought I was. I'm just not sure how all of this has happened. I don't know if I'm not training as much as I should be or if it has more to do with me properly fueling my body. Trust me, I'm not starving myself!

Here's a breakdown of how the race went today: AGAIN, MEN TURN BACK NOW AND SAVE YOURSELVES!!

I had decided to just ride my bike to the race since it was just downtown and not far from my house. I didn't want to have to load it in the van, drive it there, and then have to unload it. This might have been a mistake or it might have helped, as it was a least a little practice on the bike prior to the race. I arrived only to realize that I had left my registration form and check at home. FANTASTIC! What a great start! Luckily they allowed me to race and bring the check afterward. So I headed over to the rack and, again not so proudly, placed my rusted mountain bike (NOT A FANCY RACE BIKE) among all the fancy race bike. There were, thank goodness, about 2 other mountain bikes there so this helped the ego a bit. Then I stood around waiting for the start while watching all the pros practice their transitions in their heads. They would stand at their bike, gears in their minds turning, making sure that everything was just right for the fastest transition from running to biking. I'm not so worried about my transitions, as the transition won't be what causes me to lose a race at this point...its more of the actual race that does it for me.

So finally the race began and my goal was only to finish. We started with a 5K run (3.1 miles) before transitioning to the 8 mile bike. I, once again, got caught up with everyone at the start of the race and took off a little too fast...I quickly realized and slowed to the pace I wanted. Then came the hill, but I survived. At mile 1 I was surely huffing and puffing but kept pushing on. All in all it was alright but not great. Next came the biking portion... (and let me just add that by the time I reached the bike rack mine was only 1 of 3 bikes left)

Like I mentioned earlier I'm not too concerned with my transitions. It won't be the transition that keeps me from winning a race, at this point anyway. I grabbed my bike, strapped on my helmet and hit the road pedaling. I made it down the big hill and started up the HUGE hill when...GUYS TURN BACK NOW-LAST WARNING...I realized I was facing every teenage girl and woman's worst nightmare...I had "sprung a leak" (and I don't mean potty). Sheer panic set in and I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I was less than 1 mile into my 8 mile ride. I didn't know whether I was going to have to quit or even what my other options were. Thankfully I work next to the hospital (right on said HUGE hill) and have gone to the cafeteria for lunch several times. I knew there had to be a bathroom close...

So I veered of course, noticing that the next to last biker was right behind me, and headed straight for the bathroom. Like all other bathrooms there were no FREE "supplies" so my only option was a wad of paper towels. Yep, you read that right! So I ran back out of the hospital, jumped on my bike - which was less than comfortable given my situation, only to be steps ahead of the last place biker and the follow car...CRAP! This was not exactly what I had planned.

I pedaled on and realized that things were bad. I was still highly worried about my "situation", very uncomfortable, totally spent on energy and still have 7 miles to go. I wanted to quit so bad but didn't want to be a quitter. So stupid me, I just sucked it up and kept going...not knowing what the next 7 miles would hold.

I made it to mile 3 of the bike portion before the last place guy passed me. Then after a hill I had caught him and quickly realized that we were "racing" for last place. Well, I held him off for just a bit and then he past me for the last time. The moment I realized I had no energy to catch him was a bad moment. Although I knew I wasn't going to win this race I really didn't figure I would be last. But I was. Now it was all about just finishing and taking care of my situation. One of the biggest things on my mind was wondering exactly what the severity of my situation would be once I finally reached the finish line...

Well, last place was all wrapped up by yours truly and then I headed straight for a friend to ask for help. She quickly directed me to the bathroom where she knew there were "supplies". Thank goodness! My situation was taken care of for the time being. Now I only had to ride back home, not the highlight of my day with my already sore butt, tired legs, and dehydrated everything else. I reached the front door, explained the horrid ordeal to mom and hunted for the check...no check to be found. Great, I must have lost it on the way to the race. Wonderful! Now a $30 race would cost me $60 because some cricker will have found my check and gone ahead and cashed it. Awesome!

Mom and I decided lunch was a good idea and would take the kids out somewhere...on the way we would stop by the race area and drop off my payment. We took the same route I rode just in case the check had fallen out of my pocket...I was doubtful. I'll be darned, there it was. Right on a hill that I had skipped (by taking another route home b/c I was so tired and didn't want to ride the hill again). Mom jumped out, grabbed it and we delivered it.

On top of all of that I had to hit the pool later in the afternoon to practice my swimming skills. This Triathlon next weekend is gonna be rough. After the struggle of running and biking during the race and now realizing just how spent I will be after the swim portion (the first portion of the triathlon) my goal will be to finish and I pray for anything other than last place again. I'm a good sport but last place is hard to take...my ego is severely damaged. Might I also take a quick moment to add that the guy who beat me was probably 25 years older than me, a little thick around the middle and on a bike that appeared to be too small for him. But really, what can I say, he did better than I did. Kudos to you, big guy on a little bike!

Disclaimer: I'm tired and don't feel like proofing this right now. If there are typos I am sorry. I hate typos but right now just don't care.