I love this time of year... closing out a chapter of my life and looking ahead to the next, saying "bring it on!". 2010 was sort of a tough year for me professionally. I started a new business in 2009 and was a bit over-optimistic about the market's ability to bounce back. 2010 saw numerous potential clients cancel because of layoffs, restructuring, and tightened budget. Seems like it's just starting to come back a bit, but it's going to be a slow haul. I can say I'm learning a lot from triathlon that I can apply in my work, such as keeping the bigger picture in mind, working through the setbacks, and getting back what I put into it. I'm anticipating a good year in 2011 both professionally and in triathlon.
My 2010 in triathlon was challenging, motivating, fun... it brought out competitive parts of me that I didn't know existed. I had never run before; actually I'd tried hard to avoid the necessity of running. I'd never swam before; sure, I could splash around, but I certainly couldn't swim the length of a pool without stopping to gasp for air. And I hadn't been on my bike for any length of time for over 2 years. So back in February when the guy I was dating asked if I wanted to train with him for a triathlon, I thought... sure. I want to see if I can do this.
Here's my progress in pictures; the swim pic comparison says it all. It's ok to laugh with me, just not at me. :-)
My first tri I wasn't trained for AT ALL. I'd been training for a sprint, and my friends talked me into doing Wildflower Olympic. Mind you, this is a hard, hot and very hilly course. I hadn't done any hill training. I could barely run 6 miles. I'd NEVER done an open water swim. The water was choppy and cold. I didn't know how to sight. I couldn't put my face in the water without my lungs closing up from the reaction to the cold, so I ended up backstroking almost the entire time. I inhaled a LOT of water. When I finally got out of the water almost an hour after I started, the photographer had a little grin on his face. Snap. I asked what was funny... and he said I had a stick on my head. Thanks for not telling me sooner.
Exhibit A: I look like I just got run over by a truck. That's exactly how I felt. Note the stick. Hilarious! I laugh every time I see this picture.
Actual time for my first tri: 4:51. Right, that's the time for the Olympic distance, not the long course. Believe it or not, I didn't come in in last in my age group (phew!) but it was pretty close. My transitions alone were 12 minutes combined. I pretty much walked the run course. I'm looking forward to a redux in 2011 and shooting for 3:30 as my realistic goal (hills have been my nemesis), 3:15 for my wish-list goal.
Exhibit B: My last triathlon of the season was at Pacific Grove in September. Colder water (59 degrees) and crawling over kelp trees, yet I came out of the water with a big smile on my face:
Wow, what a difference. Overall time was 3:05 and I came in 10th of 46 in my age group. Transitions were cut to @ 5:30 (combined). I had a blast. This was a flat course but I still tired out by mile 4 of the run. I might do this race again in 2011 just to measure progress. Swim time was 38 minutes: everyone's swim times were slower because the tide was low and we literally had to crawl over kelp trees, but I should be able to really cut down my swim times in 2011 with a coach who can do stuff like this.
So... looking ahead to 2011: Cutting 1:20:00+ off my Wildflower time. Doing my first half Ironman in Hawaii (which I'd love to do under 6 hours, but given my hamstring situation I'm not going to even think about time goals for this.) Getting my body healthy, balanced and injury-free so I can REALLY achieve some great things in 2012. Building my business and getting some great clients. I can't wait. Bring it on.
What a great year! You will definitely nail some big new PRs in 2011!
Posted by: Molly | 12/31/2010 at 03:20 PM