It took months before I felt ready to write about last year's triathlon (my first), but it only took one day before I felt ready to write about this year's (my second)...
I drove over to Bend by myself.
Josh and I just decided that I needed a good nights sleep on my own and that he'd drive over with the kids in the morning.
So I made the 3 1/2-drive, checked into my hotel around 2:30, picked up my race packet at Fleet Feet and went to buy a smoothie before meeting up with my mom, who had driven over the day before with Rudy.
Then we decided to drive the 25-mile bike route just to see what it looked like.
It looked hard.
And then we took a peek at the transition station before heading out for a quick dinner.
I was back in my hotel by 6:30, packing my race-day bag and trying to settle my nerves.
I turned out the lights at 9:00.
I was still awake at 12:00.
And then I woke up every 30 minutes or so until my alarm went off at 6:00.
And so I drug myself out of bed, washed my face, chugged a bottle of water, threw my bag over my shoulder and rode my bike down to the Les Schwab Amphitheater, where the race was taking place.
And then I set up my transition station, shoveled a peanut butter protein bar and a green machine smoothie in my face, met a student of mine in person for the first time (Hi Coreen!) whose husband and son were also doing the triathlon and then I debated on whether to wait at the transition station in hopes that Josh Downs and my kids would arrive so I could see them before the race started or to go hunting for a porta-potty so I didn't pee my pants.
I opted for the latter and as luck would have it, I ran into Josh Downs and the kids on the way (and he just happened to have my camera with him too.)
And then we said our hello's and our good-bye's before I jumped on a shuttle to get to the starting point for the swim.
And then I stood there, amongst a couple hundred people, all in wetsuits and yellow Deschuttes Dash swim caps, nervously awaiting my heat to be called.
And once they called the third heat, I waded chest-deep into the 62-degree Deschuttes River, making sure I was in the back of the pack. (Fewer people to swim over the top of me.)
And then they blew the horn and I started swimming.
It wasn't pretty, but it was better than last year's swim and that's all that counts in my book. Honestly, my main objective for the swim was not to panic like I did last year, and though I had a few moments that verged on panic, I never panicked.
I was even able to freestyle swim about 95% of it (though my face was above water most of the time.)
All that said, I have to admit that I chose this particular triathlon solely because the swim route is a downstream route that a dead body can float in 28 minutes.
So I figured if 28 minutes was the worst-case-dead-body scenario, I was up for it.
And who cares if some of the leaders from the fourth heat (that started five minutes after mine) passed me - I was just excited to pass one guy in my own heat.
Actually, on those rare occasions when I've passed someone, I always feel bad and stall next to them for a few seconds, trying to think of something encouraging to say.
But in this case, I was too busy trying not to drown to offer words of encouragement.
That's me in the middle.
And that's me too.
The sun was in my eyes and there was fog in my goggles so every time I passed a bridge (There were three.) I would holler, "Annie and Cole, I love you!" in the hopes I would spot my family. (Courtney Lee was with her mom and Ross couldn't make it.)
It was as I passed the last bridge that I heard them holler back and could see their silhouettes waving at me.
And then Josh raced down to see me get out of the water and to take a few shots of me transitioning.
I wish I could say that was me on the left with the glasses, and the red & black suit, and the sinewy triathlete body, but alas, that is me on the right, with the swim cap and the wetsuit and the big ole' butt, that doesn't resemble a triathlete (literally) in any way, shape or form.
And then I was off for the bike-portion of the race.
And yes, my initial assessment of the course was correct. It was indeed, very hard.
There was only about a 300-foot elevation gain during the first six miles, but then a 1200-foot elevation gain on the next 6.5 miles.
But I just kept on peddling and praying and every time I passed someone, I talked to them for a bit - usually telling them how many uphill miles my odometer said we had left and reminding them how good the downhill was going to feel.
And every time someone passed me, I forced myself to say, "Good job.", and remembered the broken promise I made to myself during last year's triathlon to get a better bike. (I've got kind of a hybrid bike - it's not a mountain bike and it's not a racing bike - it's something in between - but I'm trying really hard to be the kind of person who is happy and content with what they have, so I opted to keep my bike, even though it's not made for speed.)
And after I turned around and started the downhill decent, I continued trying to encourage the people still biking uphill on the opposite side of the road by hollering, "Not much longer, you've got this!", until I caught on to the strange looks and realized that I was cheering for random bikers who weren't even signed up for the triathlon.
And that's me (25 miles later) coming back from the bike.
And no, the guy that's smiling in front of me with a kid in tow wasn't doing the triathlon - apparently he was just there taking a leisurely bike ride with his son to make me look bad in my photos.
And then I transitioned for the run and took a few extra minutes to love on my kiddos and to get a photo with them.
A few minutes out of the transition station, the guy ahead of me turned around and asked, "Do you think we're even going the right way?", to which I replied, "I think I had a nightmare just like this last night."
Thankfully, we spotted a red arrow (and a porta-potty) just a few yards ahead that told us we were indeed going the right way though.
And then he and I passed each other a few times before I finally pulled ahead.
And at about mile three, I passed a triathlete in his 80's and when I jokingly said, "I think the finish line is waiting just around the corner for us!", he asked, "What have you been smoking young lady?"
And at mile 4.75 when I passed another girl about my age, I looked at my Garmin watch and said, "Only 1.25 miles left to go!" which caused her to express her undying love for me.
And at mile 5.5, I spotted my husband, who was there to run alongside me (in a pair of flip-flops) for the last half-mile.
And as we neared the finish line, he said, "Finish strong." and walked over to the sidelines so I could run it in on my own.
And then I saw my mom with my kids and my camera.
And I crossed the finish line, happy to see that (unlike last year's triathlon) there was still a crowd.
But the only crowd I cared about was the one that circled around me with hugs and flowers and chocolate milk.
And the final stats, with some comparisons from last year...
It's an olympic triathlon, so it's a 1-mile swim, a 25-mile bike and a 6-mile run.
The swim: 22:59 this year, compared with 46:48 last year. (Again, I had the downstream current working for me this year, which made a huge difference.)
Transition One: 5:07 this year, compared with 6:50 last year. (I can blame my long transition time last year on the fact that I was crying and called Josh Downs - who was in El Paso getting ready to deploy - during the transition. I have no excuses this year though. I was just slow.)
The bike: 1:45:49 this year, compared to 1:58:10 last year. (I don't remember how much of an elevation climb there was last year. I just remember that there were a few miles that were insanely steep and I had to repeat the loop three times which stunk. This year was just an out and back loop, but 12.5 uphill miles is hard on the legs and the spirit, even if you know there's 12.5 downhill miles coming up after it.)
Transition Two: 3:43 this year, compared with 4:01 last year.
The run: 1:07:37 this year compared with 1:19:18 last year. (I probably walked about a mile of last year's run and stopped to drink water and cry in that lady's bosom at one point during the race, which inevitably added to my time. This year, I ran the whole course though, with the exclusion of three short but steep hills where I decided that my energy would be best-used by walking briskly and a few quick stops for water because running while drinking water always makes me choke.)
The tears: 0 tears this year, compared with lots of tears last year.
Overall time: 3:25:16 this year, compared with 4:15:10 last year.
Placement: 188 out of 208 this year, compared with 180 out of 183 last year.
And yes, that means that 187 people finished before me and only 20 finished after me, but somehow, it still feels like success.
And did you notice that I didn't even wear long pants to cover up my sausage-legs???
Big success.
I thought I was going to die just running my first 5K last year, so I have to say that you ROCK!
Posted by: Marlene | July 16, 2012 at 09:08 AM
I just cried some tears for you. I am so proud of you! You did "wicked awesome"! You inspire me (in more ways than one!)
Posted by: Stacey Clinton | July 16, 2012 at 09:14 AM
Way to go Karen. You are amazing!
Posted by: heather | July 16, 2012 at 09:19 AM
So proud of you Karen!!! AWESOME JOB! :) I love that you cheered on others too.
You are one amazing woman! Never forget that.
Posted by: Jen S | July 16, 2012 at 09:39 AM
Amazing Karen and you seem to be smiling through the whole day. Very well done.
Posted by: Catriona | July 16, 2012 at 09:49 AM
You are just amazing and seriously inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Posted by: Sandy | July 16, 2012 at 09:53 AM
that is amazing, you should be really proud of yourself!! :D
Posted by: Agata | July 16, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Awesome job! Just cried some "happy tears" for you. :)
Posted by: Nanette in Washington | July 16, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Way to go Karen!!!!!!
Posted by: Carol Muehleisen | July 16, 2012 at 10:01 AM
I cried over your post last year, and am crying again this year. SO motivating and inspiring. You make me want to do a triathalon in the worst way, and I am SO not in any kind of physical shape to do so. Way to go Karen...AMAZING accomplishment!!
Posted by: Katie J | July 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Karen,
that made me CRY happy tears for YOU!
AMAZING! you should be PROUD!
that's just awesome girl!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | July 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM
You rock!!!!!!! Congrats on a successful Tri!!!!! :)
Posted by: Michelle Adams | July 16, 2012 at 10:05 AM
You took almost a whole hour off of your time - wowsers!! That is incredible, Karen. And you went out and did it and that's the most amazing thing. Congratulations!! And thanks to Josh Downs for taking all those photos of you :) and to you for sharing them. I am so proud of you - even though I only know you through your blog!
Posted by: Crystal | July 16, 2012 at 10:06 AM
oh karen, you and this blog of yours never fail to make me laugh or cry. you have such a great spirit and i admire you for all that you do. shamelessly teared up my desk at the part where josh ran with you in his flip flops. there's nothing better than a love like that. you are a blessed woman.
Posted by: kayla | July 16, 2012 at 10:14 AM
You never fail to make me tear up, this time when you crossed the finish line. And ditto what Kayla said ... love how your family supports you.
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | July 16, 2012 at 10:16 AM
WAY TO GO KAREN!!!!! You did a fabulous job! I laughed so hard at the "big ole' butt" comment, laughed so hard I cried!;)
Posted by: sarahnewton | July 16, 2012 at 10:17 AM
CONGRATS teach! You rocked that race! So proud of you...
Posted by: Jessica Schmitt | July 16, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Way to go Karen! You did great!
Posted by: Addie | July 16, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Hey, that sinewy lady was at transition same time as you! Doesn't that mean you are just as fast?
I got teary at your times! YOU ROCK!
Posted by: Kelli | July 16, 2012 at 10:31 AM
OMG - tears in my eyes as I read this post and looked at your photos (OK - Josh's photos of you). You rocked it girl and you should be so very, very proud of yourself!!! I know I am proud of you and can only hope and dream of meeting you in person one day. Congratulations on a huge accomplishment!
Posted by: Heather Casper | July 16, 2012 at 10:38 AM
I am so proud of you Karen! I have tears too! You did a wonderful job! You are inspiring!!! :)
Posted by: carrie | July 16, 2012 at 10:42 AM
ROCK ON!!! Go you!!!! YAY!!!!
Posted by: Tanya A | July 16, 2012 at 10:45 AM
YOU did a triathlon!!!!!! That is so awesome & amazing & fantastic & inspiring. Huge congrats on making it not only a better over all, but going back out there!
Posted by: Ada | July 16, 2012 at 10:50 AM
(so glad to know i'm not the only one sitting reading this getting teary-eyed) you have a gift with words lady... somehow everything coming out of your mouth feels inspiring!!! what an awesome accomplishment! you rock! ;)
Posted by: kristy.lynn | July 16, 2012 at 10:51 AM
You. Are. Awesome. :)
Posted by: julie | July 16, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Karen, you are AMAZING and such an inspiration!!! No if you'll excuse me, I need to go dry my eyes out.
Posted by: Bobbi | July 16, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Way to go Karen. So proud of you.
Posted by: Doris D. | July 16, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Great Job!!!!!
Posted by: Sue | July 16, 2012 at 11:11 AM
you are a rock star. i cried all the way through this. so proud of you....been reading for YEARS. loved this post. :)
Posted by: meg duerksen | July 16, 2012 at 11:16 AM
So amazing and inspiring!! I'm so happy for you that this year was more fun for you! I started running back in September and since then have run a 5k in November, a 10K in April and now I'm doing a half-marathon in September. I've lost 71 lbs! You have been inspiring to me in your dedication. Maybe I'll even try a triathlon someday!
Posted by: Melissa Ladd | July 16, 2012 at 11:26 AM
You are way too hard on yourself! I saw that first picture of you and thought, "man, she looks good!" You are a triathlete. I hope to one day say I'm a triathlete. I have a long way to go. Thanks for your detailed post of the race. You are a rockstar in my book!
Posted by: Alicia | July 16, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Woo hoo!!!!!! You're an inspiration lady!!!!
Posted by: Jenny | July 16, 2012 at 11:41 AM
So, I had to leave my blog reader to actually come and post on your blog to leave a comment. I cried reading this. I remember last year reading your post and crying then too! But this year was cries of happy joy that you, a mom, a photographer and my online not real life friend conquered a triathalon AND beat all your times!!! WHOO HOO!!! YOU GO!!!!! Ps I know we aren't even online friends but I love your blog!
Posted by: Kate | July 16, 2012 at 11:46 AM
You totally rocked it. I thought about you all day, and just knew you were having a great day....would have LOVED hearing you cheer everyone on...so YOU! A big congratulations!!
Posted by: janel | July 16, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Great job!
Posted by: megan b | July 16, 2012 at 11:52 AM
i should know better than to open your blog without a tissue - happy tears! WTG! You are an inspiration!
Posted by: allison | July 16, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Always remember that even the person who finishes last in these races still finishes MILES ahead of those of us on the couch;)
Way to go!!!!!
Posted by: Tai | July 16, 2012 at 12:05 PM
You cut an hour off your time, that is incredible!!! You looked so happy in all the pictures and proud too!! You are an inspiration, I wish I read this before I had DQ for lunch....
Posted by: Cindy | July 16, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Congratulations-you have come a long way since last year. I haven't done triathalons but have done running races. My first rule is to finish, my second rule is to not finish last. so you accomplished both-and my favorite part of racing is always having my family at the finish. SO proud of you.
Posted by: Kelliann | July 16, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Congratulations!!! Way to Go!!!
Posted by: Faith | July 16, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Totally inspiring. You should be incredibly proud!
Posted by: Kathy Crenshaw | July 16, 2012 at 12:32 PM
AWESOME! You are an inspiration! I hope you are so proud of yourself - so have EVERY reason to be! Make sure to take some time to celebrate such a big accomplishment!
Posted by: Laura | July 16, 2012 at 12:35 PM
WHOOHOOOO!!! You are such an inspiration!!!! I'm in awe of you on so many different levels!!! You Rock!
Posted by: Stacey | July 16, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Fabulous job! You inspire me:)
Posted by: Sandra VV | July 16, 2012 at 12:48 PM
I have to join in and say I was crying as I was reading this as well, I am glad that I am not the only one. You are an inspiration! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Amie | July 16, 2012 at 01:00 PM
Amazing!!! Congrats!!
Posted by: Melissa | July 16, 2012 at 01:05 PM
so many thoughts and prayers to you on that day... you are amazing!
Posted by: kate | July 16, 2012 at 01:05 PM
Congrats ... I think you're a.maz.ing!!! :)
Posted by: Sharon | July 16, 2012 at 01:08 PM
WAY TO GO, LADY! Way to Go!
Posted by: Liesl | July 16, 2012 at 01:19 PM
Simply put....YOU ROCK and YOU ARE TRULY AN INSPIRATION in SO MANY WAYS!
Posted by: Jodi | July 16, 2012 at 01:19 PM
Amazing.. I just cant run....just hate it..... so major KUDOS to you for doing this and your numbers really improved from last year.......serious success!
Posted by: Kris | July 16, 2012 at 01:25 PM
super proud of you my friend! love you tons!!! xoxoxoxox
Posted by: twebster | July 16, 2012 at 01:31 PM
You GO Girl! Tears of happiness for YOU!
Posted by: Colleen | July 16, 2012 at 01:57 PM
Totally awesome! Remember you are doing something many of us are not even brave enough to think about - much less attempt!
Posted by: Jennifer O. | July 16, 2012 at 02:02 PM
Karen, I am so inspired by you! I cannot imagine doing a triathlon....just think about it.....YOU finished and did better than last year. I'd say you were a complete success!!!!
Posted by: Colleen Barron | July 16, 2012 at 02:03 PM
What an awesome job Karen!!! Congratulations.
Posted by: Tammy Eberhard | July 16, 2012 at 02:05 PM
Way to go! Wish you could hear me shouting to you from Cincinnati, Ohio! Way to go Karen...I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Lynn | July 16, 2012 at 02:05 PM
Way to go! You are such an inspiration! Keep up the hard work. I can't wait to see you beat this time next year too!
Posted by: Lexie | July 16, 2012 at 02:32 PM
Why does reading this make me tear up. Can it be that I'm really proud of a near-perfect stranger, because she put her head and heart into something and kept doing it, even when doing it was both hard and physically painful? Way to go, Karen, you did GREAT.
Posted by: Caroline D | July 16, 2012 at 02:36 PM
Congratulations! Yay!
Posted by: Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita | July 16, 2012 at 02:47 PM
HUGE congratulations! You are such an inspiration! My new motto for this year (my birthday to birthday year) is "do hard things" and this is just the type of thing I need to read! Fantastic job and thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Julie | July 16, 2012 at 02:56 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again You. rock. chicky!!! Well done!
Posted by: KarenP(kphike) | July 16, 2012 at 03:07 PM
Stamina woman! I'm out of breath just reading about it - BRAVO
Lovely to see some sunshine too - we're having nothing but rain in the UK - so thank you for that too
Your family are Lucky Ducks having you as a driving force - a great inspiration to us all.
xx
Posted by: Heidi Sharpe | July 16, 2012 at 03:25 PM
That is incredible...you shaved almost an hour off your time from last year! Be so proud of that...seriously....you did a triatholon....you are a triathlete! Never mind "the big ole' butt, that doesn't resemble a triathlete (literally) in any way, shape or form", or "the sausage legs"....damn....you completed a triatholon! Congrats to you!
Posted by: KathleenB | July 16, 2012 at 03:46 PM
AWESOME job, Karen!!! You made it to the finish line and that is a huge SUCCESS!!!! Congratulations!!!! :-)
Posted by: Trina | July 16, 2012 at 03:49 PM
I think that sinewy person you were comparing yourself to was a MAN!!! You're a lean, mean, triathalon machine, Nellie!!! My admiration for you has skyrocketed--you GO girl!!! :)
Posted by: kat-in-texas | July 16, 2012 at 03:53 PM
Way to go! You should be so proud of yourself. I think it's great that your experience last year didn't keep you from going out there & trying again (and rocking it!).
Posted by: Shannon R | July 16, 2012 at 04:20 PM
I have to admit this made me cry happy tears. I love it when women are fierce with their inner voices and show their beauty instead! So amazing!! You looked radiant!
Posted by: misha leigh | July 16, 2012 at 04:26 PM
That is such an awesome accomplishment, congratulations!
Posted by: Diane W. | July 16, 2012 at 04:39 PM
Way to go! Love your spirit and drive. Love your empathy for others even more. Congrats on your accomplishment - well done!
Posted by: Sherri L | July 16, 2012 at 04:43 PM
Love seeing these photos -- thank you for sharing! You look S-T-R-O-N-G, Karen. It means so much to hear about your highs and lows and funny moments. And you're lookin' foxy in your wetsuit -- glad Josh Downs got such good shots of his dream girl in action! You inspire me!
Posted by: Liz Culpepper | July 16, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Awesome, awesome job.
Congratulations!
Julie
Posted by: Julie | July 16, 2012 at 04:52 PM
Way to go, Karen! You may have had 0 tears, but I'm misty-eyed reading about your successes! So excited for you...congratulations! :)
Posted by: Michelle (aka mybelle101) | July 16, 2012 at 05:26 PM
Amazing Job Karen! I'm so proud of you. I finished my first one last year and chose not to do one this year. Now reading what you wrote I wished I would have trained and did one this year. I did end up doing a half marathon and 2- 5ks.
Posted by: k.chock | July 16, 2012 at 05:30 PM
Not a swimmer, not a biker, not a runner, so hard to relate, but looks like you did a GREAT JOB. As a past student, you set me on the road to photography, and you did a great job with that too. Every day is a new accomplishment. Thanks.
Posted by: Linda | July 16, 2012 at 05:35 PM
I am so impressed!! Way to do it, Karen!! Congrats.
Posted by: Jules | July 16, 2012 at 05:55 PM
Karen- You continue to be an inspiration both behind and in front of the lens! Congrats!!
Posted by: Nicole | July 16, 2012 at 06:19 PM
You are incredible! Well done!
Posted by: Selina | July 16, 2012 at 06:21 PM
You are awesome and you are truely an inspiration. I run too, and I have a big butt and sausage legs as well!
Posted by: audrey | July 16, 2012 at 06:26 PM
You are amazing!!
Posted by: Sue | July 16, 2012 at 06:36 PM
Amazingly awesome!
Posted by: jm | July 16, 2012 at 06:36 PM
Woo hoo! Congratulations :D Any improvement on previous challenges is fantastic - well done!
Posted by: young nanny | July 16, 2012 at 06:38 PM
I have photos (not nearly as good as Josh's) how do I send them to you?
Posted by: Coreen | July 16, 2012 at 07:32 PM
Congratulations on your second Triathalon! You are officially a triathelete!!! You rock!
Posted by: Heather D | July 16, 2012 at 07:51 PM
GREAT JOB...just look at all those PRs!!!!!
Posted by: Kat | July 16, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Congratulations! You are such an inspiration to fat girls like me. Thank you for sharing your story and your life with us.
Posted by: Nicky H | July 16, 2012 at 08:34 PM
You are amazing!!! So very proud of you!
Posted by: Mary Ann Jenkins | July 16, 2012 at 09:59 PM
How do you want me to send your photos to you?
Posted by: Coreen | July 16, 2012 at 10:05 PM
AWESOME!!!! Congratulations on your fantastic achievement!!!
Posted by: Jacqui | July 16, 2012 at 10:40 PM
So inspired, so amazed, so blessed by your blog, your words, your photos, your faith.
Catching up on your blog and so encouraged by this post and your bitter scorned woman song post.
The comments on that post--wow!
God has already written the story of your life--and it is amazing!
Thank you.
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Posted by: todo list | July 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM
A-Ma-Zing! That is incredibly hard. I walked 22 miles one day and then couldn't walk (literally) for a week. This sounds impossible- and you did it- twice!
And, Josh took some pretty great pics
Congrats!!!
Posted by: Jacki | July 17, 2012 at 12:24 AM
I'm so proud of you! For all that you do. Finish strong! :-)
Posted by: Nadine | July 17, 2012 at 02:16 AM
good for you, Karen! what an awesome accomplishment...and so much better than last year!
Posted by: Kim S. | July 17, 2012 at 02:30 AM
What an accomplishment!!! You rocked it!
Posted by: Kelly S | July 17, 2012 at 03:30 AM
You cried 0 tears, but I just cried some for you. I don't even know you, and I am SO PROUD OF YOU! You can just see in Cole and Annie's eyes how proud they are of you too. Congratulations!!
Posted by: Niki | July 17, 2012 at 04:21 AM
So proud of you! Awesojme job!!!
Posted by: Jennifer Rutz | July 17, 2012 at 04:27 AM
So proud of you, Karen! YOU ROCK!!!! :-)
Posted by: Becky T. | July 17, 2012 at 05:41 AM
You rock, and your family did a super job documenting your success.
Posted by: Cyndi | July 17, 2012 at 05:59 AM
Sometimes you take my breath away--today was one of those times. Just fantastic! And I love that your family took such great shots--a testament to your ability and teaching. THEY are documenting YOU!
Posted by: MSS | July 17, 2012 at 06:11 AM