Triathlon

Post-triathlon


I have a new addiction...triathlons! I just got back from doing my sprint triathlon on June 12th with Clint and Kylee in Oklahoma City. We were so nervous before it and not really sure what we were doing or how we were going to do certain things. The day before we registered and received our info, bags, etc we needed for the race. Thought we were going to be able to ask questions this day (since we were very green at triathlons), but they turned out to be very unhelpful. After registering I had to go get the road bike I was renting. I got a sweet Cannondale. It was awesome. I am addicted to road biking now, but still love mountain biking more. I am wanting to find a nice, inexpensive road bike to buy because it is fun, plus I want to do more triathlons! I didn't get to ride this bike more than just a little practice to get used to it and for the race. Bummer since it was so nice, but we were too busy and only had it less than a day. The night before the race was really busy. Had to go back to Shawnee, get everything ready for the race, like make sure we all had our bikes, had the right pre-race food, figured out what we were wearing etc, etc. The figuring out what we were wearing part was a little complicated. Took us a while to decide, it was pretty entertaining and hilarious actually! We probably went to bed between 12 and 1 and got up at 0430. Really didn't feel too tired when I woke up. And didn't have that hard of a time going to sleep or sleeping. I have been much more nervous before races than I was for this one. We got all loaded and head to OKC, when we pull into the parking lot we see all these athletes unloading their bikes and getting ready. Clint and Kylee used their mountain bikes, which shouldn't have bothered other people at all since that gave them that extra advantage for them using the faster road bikes, but I guess people just like being judgmental. Going into the triathlon I was expecting to feel totally out of place, but figured there would be other people around that didn't really know what they were doing either, but this was not the case. Before the race, in getting ready and warmed up, we kind of got stuck up, bad vibes from people. But as time went on and during and after the race, it turned out to be a very friendly environment and encouraging. After the race this random girl even told me great job as I walked by her. It was great.

There were only around 225 or so people in the race. I was 199, Kylee 200, Clint 196. So we were at the end of the line. The swim was in a pool so they did what they call a wave start. So they start one person at a time, spacing them out 30s or so. One starts, reaches a certain point, then the next, etc. So we didn't start until more than an hour after the first person started. There were people done with the whole race by the time we even started. Crazy. Luckily it was a slightly cloudy day so it didn't ever seem too hot during the race, which I was worried about. Being a very inexperienced swimmer, I have absolutely no idea how to really pace myself swimming. I just tried very hard not to start out too fast, but also didn't want to go too slow. Ended up handling the swim very well, just had a burning head at the end. Probably from the cap, goggle, water pressure, etc. I don't know, but it eventually went away during the bike ride. After the swim I sprinted to the transition area, threw on my shirt, socks, shoes, and helmet and ran my bike out then mountain and took off. I was excited my transition was a between 1 and 2 min, which is faster than I thought it would be. I ended up swimming in my shorts so that helped a lot. The bike ride felt very good. It was fun. Did not seem like 14 miles, it went fast. At the end I put in a lot of energy trying to pass a few people so I was very winded starting my run. Which was an odd experience because unless I sprint, I never really get winded running, its usually a side ache or the fact that I am so dizzy and nauseous I just can't see straight and almost pass out. So I started running winded, so just with that I felt like I was going slow, then, of course, I get dizzy after only 5 min. of running. I felt very slow the whole way. Luckily I never got so dizzy that I was about to fall over, so I was able to keep running. At the end of the run everyone was so encouraging, saying I was almost there, cheering and clapping. It was great. And no one could leave until the race was completely over, so there were lots of people around. I felt terrible by the end, but also great for completing a triathlon! The run was definitely painful, but I enjoyed the bike and swim. Which is weird since its running that I have done so much more of. But I beat my goal run time, I couldn't believe it. I ran a lot faster than I felt. I beat my bike goal time as well but not the swim goal time. I had no idea what to really set my goal time for anyway, so know I have a base time to go from. After the race, they gave out some prizes and the medals. It was an awesome experience. Poor Kylee turned around too early, stupid people at the water station didn't help her out. So she got dq'd for not completing the run. And I had to be in the 25-29y/o category since I turn 25 before the end of the year. So I got 5th place in that category, but would have placed first in the 20-24 y/o category, darn! Now I am going to start shopping around for a bike and find the next triathlon I am going to do! Oh, and go to the Dr. and see if we can figure out what the heck this stupid vertigo thing is about.


Me waving hello as I pass Clint's sister, our only supporter!

The trip to OK turned out to be very fun, busy, and uplifting. Got to see my best friend, old co-workers, other friends, and have new experiences. Played frisbee golf with Kylee and Clint, did the triathlon, baby shower for college friend, rock climbing, Benedict Street, many other sports and activities with Kylee, met up for social time with old-coworkers, experienced Oklahoma flooding, saw damage from the Oklahoma hail storm, and much more. I am so thankful for all my friends I have and for them spending their time and energy to spend time with me. I wish I enjoyed the state of Oklahoma more so I could spend more time with all the great people there! Makes me sad to think about leaving Oregon now because of all the great relationships I have formed here and all the great things to do around here. But that is life and part of what happens beings a travel nurse.

Out with old co-coworkers:

Esther and Audrey


Esther and Wendy


Sharon and Esther

Before leaving for Oklahoma, I had to completely be moved out of the vacation rental I was in. I moved everything to my new place, the upstairs of the house of a supervisor here at the hospital. Her and her husband live downstairs and we share the kitchen upstairs. The upstairs has living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms. They were going to rent out both rooms, but I told them I would pay a little more to have the whole upstairs, a little more privacy. When I got back from OK I have been working everyday since so I was living without anything put anywhere, just all in boxes, not knowing where anything was. Finally today I had a little time to get a little more organized. I think it is going to good living there. They have an older cat and a kitten. The kitten is great. He will cuddle up and sleep next to you. Granted he wakes up at four in the morning being a rascal and keeping you up, but he is a good kitten. I think they are going to fulfill my cat desire enough that I don't think I will be getting my own cat right now. Just in the past few days I have felt like I have kids or something because the cats have caused me to get lack of sleep, but they are fun. I also got some horrible bug bites in Oklahoma that after a week are finally not itching anymore.

I guess May here had some of the rainiest days in history, now June is having tons of rain as well, but also some of the coldest days. Barely getting above 60. It's crazy. I am really hoping things turn around soon so I can have some nice days to enjoy all there is I still want to go do when I am around here. I have tons of stuff in mind that I want to do this summer, I am excited! Just planned some good hikes and bike rides with some co-workers today!

Unfortunately, I was a loser with my camera again this trip. I didn't take one picture. I even told Kylee I needed to make sure I took some pics. Darn me, I suck! I don't know why I did that. Sorry...