The BIG day!!!

There was little sleep to be had last night.  I kept jerking awake, heart slamming in my chest, scared to death I wouldn't be able to perform.  After tossing and turning, I got up at 5:00 and started "running around the house" to quote my family.  I didn't think I was being that loud, I only took a shower, got ready, and ran up and down the steps 75 times getting my ipod and a new cd together so I could transport some new songs onto it - to help me run faster.  Jim caught me as I was dashing through the intersection of our hallway and bedroom and said, "Well, are you a bit anxious, dear?!?"

We all met and drew numbers on each other - literally.  I was number 3 - on both arms and a calf. We each got a tongue depressor with our number on it and "S" "B" "R" on which our times would be logged.  We got a bag full of goodies - wow, I was going to use that gel protein stuff in between running and biking!  I had brought my super duper energy jelly beans (which I was popping profusely at 6:45 AM), but this would be a strawberry treat to spur me on!

Everyone got to choose which leg to start with, Andrea and I chose running - the majority chose swimming.  There was a designated reserved treadmill area and about 6 of us running.  Andrea was to my right, and a beautiful, long legged blond was to my left - running 7.2 mph.  Dude, I ran 7.2 once for about 5 seconds 5 years ago.  Talk about PRESSURE on the stubs!!!  Andrea wasn't helping matters as far as not psyching me out, either.  She accelerated to the sevens also!!! 

The paper they gave me when I signed up for the competition said we would need to begin the treadmill while standing on the sides, get it to desired speed, and then jump on.  I was freaking out about this just last night because I forgot to practice, and I could just see myself jumping on and flinging backwards, hitting my forehead on the running belt and being disqualified.  The guy gave us time to warm up, and once we were ready, we called out and he wrote down our time.

I jogged along at 5.0 for probably a mile,  moved to 5.5, and then played around, increasing and decreasing from 5.5.  It was incredibly hot (again), and my legs felt like lead.  I finally backed it off to 5 for a few minutes, increasing once again. I desperately needed a drink of water, but was afraid to decrease to grab my bottle.  Jim and the girls showed up with a surprise -  the three of them had shirts that said "Team Ruthie" in an emblem that resembled a steel plate!  It was awesome!  He had done it as an early birthday present for me.  If only I wasn't dying with my seemingly 200 pound lead weight legs churning, knees burning, and gasping for air, I would've been more appreciative of the gesture!  "I'll get out of your way and let you finish, I know how you are when you're running."  He's right, I hate anyone being up in my business when I run.  I finally turned it down and walked at 4.0 my last couple of minutes.  Sad, I know - 28.10 -  not even as fast as my fastest practice time - 26.25!  But, 14 seconds faster than my first practice doing the whole triathlon - that was something. 

I finished, got my tongue depressor, tried to acknowledge my family, their happy faces and their rockin' shirts - but my face was red, my body was already tired, and I wondered if I could actually finish this thing. 

I was slow in transition, taking a few minutes to change into bike pants, moving like a turtle, grabbing a drink and some fitness gum.  I had one of my girls hold my strawberry power gel - then forgot all about it and set off for the bike. 

The swimmers were here, Wendy (who worked with me in the pool), Andrea, and many others, including the teachers who had heard about "Team Ruthie"! People I didn't even know were saying, "Oh, YOU'RE Ruthie!" I felt like a celebrity, thanks to my sweet, thoughtful and supportive husband.

Contrary to what I originally thought, the course was NOT all flat.  Every mile was a level increase.  We did only go to level 6, but since my lead stubs were BURNING like fire, this was no easy feat!  Some guy from Fox News showed up right then with his camera, wow what a glamor moment.  My face was all red from exertion, hair completely soaked.  Can't wait to see that on TV tonight.  Towards the end the teacher made a competition between myself and a 27 year old girl,  we were neck and neck.  It was kind of fun and broke the monotony.  The girl beat me by just a few seconds - but she had started before me.  I beat her time.  Did you hear that?  I'm 46 years old tomorrow, and I beat a 27 year old.  Go me!!!

I went to don my glamour cap, relieved to swim.  I knew this was going to be the easiest part.  A girl finished up, and then, there was just me, the pool, the four judges, and my three fans.  And here I was all worried about sharing a lane and mowing down someone.

I was strong.  My arms, tris, lats reaching forward, a stronger swim than I've ever done.  THANK YOU WENDY for showing me the claws, the roll, and the form!!!!  Mind you, I did have to backstroke on the way back to catch my breath.  Each lap I completed I heard the judges and Team Ruthie yelling, it was exciting, and I was relaxed and ready!  Five laps.  Final time - best I've ever had, even in practice:  8:29!!!  If you've seen the pic of me in my swim cap at the end of the race (my 3 on my arm), I've got a grin a mile wide because they just told me my time.  I was ecstatic!!! 

Everyone got a medal, and there were no age divisions.  Wendy (1st) and Andrea(4th) were in the gold medal division.  I was two or three behind Andrea in the silver division (I'm a bit fuzzy on this yet, final results will be posted next week).  Final overall time:  65:16.  Remember way back to the second blog when I did my own personal triathlon to see if I could do it?  My time was 93:07!  I had improved in all three areas.

Finishing this triathlon is a special birthday gift to myself.  If I have to get older (and hey, it's better than the alternative), I may as well get BETTER, right?!?  Thanks to all of you for sticking with me through this blog, cheering me on, leaving comments.  We've come to the end of this blog, but stay tuned - there's another triathlon in January!  I will be creating another blog - possibly a general workout blog.  I'm open for suggestions - leave comments!