I've got some pictures of the tri.  First, the official photographs, which include a few that clearly are not me, and one particularly lovely one of me starting to pull off my wetsuit.  Next, a collection of pictures from my brother and step-dad, mostly of the run.  Thanks to my photographers!

This time, no jellyfish!!!  I have to say, between that and the comparatively cool and overcast day, this year's race was much more pleasant than last year's!  Despite that, I managed to finish in 3:27:06, which was 2:15 longer than last year.  Still under my goal of 3:30!  For me at least, it was interesting to compare my two time breakdowns:

2008: Swim 24:30 T1 10:55 Bike 1:36:47 T2 4:00 Run 1:08:40

2009: Swim 24:30 T1 10:17 Bike 1:40:57 T2 4:01 Run 1:07:22

(the T's are transitions)  It's funny how consistent I was from year to year.  My swim was exactly the same, I managed to shave a few seconds off that first transition, which I was trying to do, but my biggest shock was that I was four minutes slower on the bike this year, and a tiny bit faster on the run — not at all what I expected. If I can, next year, I would love to buy a new bike.  I'm currently riding a bike with a compact frame, designed for shorties like me, but unlike some compact bikes, it also has smaller sized wheels, which I firmly believe slow me down.  We'll see if it's in the budget! 

Thanks to all who I saw along the course — Mom, Stephen, Bill, Marjorie, and Regina.  Thanks also to Tiffany of Team Lipstick, who ran with me for most of the run leg and pushed me on the bike leg.  And a huge thanks to everyone who sent me good wishes and Facebook comments — I am so lucky to have you all in my life!!!  Pictures to come as I get them.

I'll be finished with the NYC Tri!!  If you're an early riser and would like to come watch, here are some details.  I'll be starting my swim wave at 6:35 a.m., wearing a silver swim cap, and it'll take me roughly 1/2 hour.  Then, on to the bike leg from 72nd St. up to Mosholu Parkway and back, which should take about an hour and a half.  Finally, the run, across 72nd St. to Central Park, following the loop clockwise around, and on to the finish line, which I should hit about an hour after I start the
run, somewhere in the ballpark of 10:00 a.m.  It's on Dead Road, just west of the bandshell on the 72nd Street
Transverse in Central Park.  Here's the whole course map.

According to the website, good places to watch include:
1. Swim Start – Riverside Park & 98th Street on the Hudson River.
2. Swim Exit – Riverside Park & 79th Street on the Hudson River.
3. Run Course along 72nd Street from Henry Hudson Parkway to Central Park West
4. Race Finish – Dead Road in Central Park near the bandshell off the 72nd Street Transverse

Also
got more info yesterday that suggests a few other spots — for the
bike, there's a great view in Riverside Park from 83rd Street to 106th
Street.  For the swim finish/bike start, Riverside Park at about 81st
Street or wherever they let you go.  For the run you can try the West
side of the Park, Park Drive East (I'll stick near the spectator side)
or Cherry Hill before we head to the finish on Dead Road (this appears
to be just north of the bandshell).

If you're looking for me on the course, I'll be wearing black tri
shorts and a purple Team in Training top.  I ride a royal blue
road bike wearing a white helmet, and on the run I'll have on a white Jackrabbit visor.  I'll be sporting a yellow number — 2178.

Thanks again to my friends and family for all the support and good wishes along the way, with an extra thanks to all who donated a total of over $3,000 to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Best of luck to all of my fellow Team in Training members, especially to my mini-group, and also to Amy A., Gaby, other Team Joe members, and all the other crazies who are willing to swim in the Hudson.  LET'S KICK SOME ASS!!!!  Have a fun and safe race.

– It's muggy out, but at least there's a breeze.

– This feels okay.  Not great, but not bad.  I still don't want to run for more than 20 minutes.

– That guy is still there.

– I'm hungry.

– Will I be able to squeeze in a short swim sometime tomorrow?

– Crap, I'm out of milk.  Need to pick some up before I head home.

– Central Park is more scenic.

– Still hungry.

– I need to make a new running mix.

(see why I get so bored while I run?)

I'm still pretty anxious about the tri.  That said, I feel somewhat more prepared this year than last, which I'm hoping will mean I'll beat my previous time.  I have done two full mile swims in the pool, which takes me about 43 minutes — in contrast, that same mile took me 24 minutes in the Hudson.  Thanks, current!  I have run the actual run course, or parts of it, many times now — I know the landmarks in the park, where the hills are, and how far I really have left to go at any given time.  This week is all about tapering — small workouts, hydration, and plenty of rest.  Today I'm opting for rest, weights tomorrow, a light bike or run on Thurs, and a light swim on Friday.  That's it.  But I'm feeling well-prepared.  Even so, feel free to send a little extra luck my way!

Despite the fact that I will be completing my third triathlon in less than a week from today, I have a hard time thinking of myself as an athlete or as an athletic person.  Athletes played sports in high school, maybe even college, and they were good at them.  They do sporty things.  You look at them and say — hey, she's really athletic.  That's not me. 

As a kid, I got picked last for kickball teams.  I played a mean left bench on my soccer team.  In softball, I played outfield, with the exception of one unfortunate season when I played catcher, and spent most of my time doing cartwheels and singing to myself to stave off the boredom.  Sure, I dabbled in things like gymnastics, but it was never competitive.  I didn't do anything athletic on a consistent basis until I turned 30.  It was that birthday that motivated me to become more active in my life –  I figured that I hadn't done it up to that point, so it was high time I did, as an investment in my physical future.  So that's when I started cycling.  I rented a bike with my brother and his friend, and almost keeled over in my one loop around Central Park.  I think of that day every single time I hit the big hill on the North end of the park. 

Since then, I have cycled literally hundreds, likely thousands of miles, completed several 5k runs, one sprint triathlon, and one Olympic distance triathlon, with one more to come next week.  So why then am I still struggling with the notion that I am athletic?  Because it's not easy for me.  I'm not fast.  I'm not particularly competitive.  I don't want to win.  And it's hard.  Cycling and swimming are easier for me than running, but every time I run — every single time — it is hard.  My breathing is labored.  I am slow.  My heart races.  I want to stop.  Some part of me hurts, usually my shoulder, my knees, or sometimes something else.  Running is always hard for me, yet something inside me pushes on, because I know, at the end of it, I'll feel good, like I've accomplished something that's good for me.  Even if I take a walking break, I never allow myself more than 60 seconds. 

I also think that if I can do it, non-athlete that I am, that anyone can do it if they just try.  But that's not the case — some people don't try — won't try.  There's something in me that does try.

Maybe I am an athlete after all.  I keep pushing myself.  I want to beat my time from last year.  If I keep saying it, maybe I'll believe it.  I am an athlete — a triathlete, even!  It's time I started admitting it to myself, getting comfortable with it, and owning it.

Oh mighty Hudson,
I journeyed to your waters this morning
And gazed upon you from above,
Noticing your murkiness
And an Oreo cookie package
Floating where I will be
Next Sunday
But mercifully, no signs of jellyfish.

The NYC Tri is a mere 10 days away (7/26!  Come watch!) and the nerves are starting to kick in.  By Sunday, I'll have completed one more long bike, long swim, and long run, then I'm pretty much done except for some minor workouts just to keep things moving.  I'm feeling pretty good about my training and overall readiness generally, but would still prefer to swim in the Hudson by myself rather than with a few hundred other women in my age group.  A girl can dream . . .

After last night's 1 mile swim, I came home and made a small mushroom pizza for dinner and went to bed relatively early.  At 7 a.m. I started my brick workout — 1/2 mile run, 19 mile bike, 6 mile run.  Between that and the ride to/from I tacked on a few more bike miles and burned well over 1400 calories according to my heart rate monitor.  Starting to get used to those big hills at the north side of the park — maybe I'll do them one more time before the race, but I'm feeling pretty good.  Plus, it turns out that a week cycling in Bordeaux on a heavy bike really strengthened my legs!!  I can't remember the last time I accomplished this much before 10:30 a.m.  Probably last summer around this time . . .