Race #7 of 2012 LAVAMAN

So I will pick up where I left off...
race morning I had normal race guts. Woke up wide awake and in shock the day was finally here. I had laid out my stuff for the race before I got sick so I packed up the tri bag, I think I double checked my list? See why waiting so long is dumb! I put my helmet and bike stickers on. I was so anxious to get going I headed down to where the team was meeting. Everything in the morning was so exciting and surreal. The whole team was there and I felt so much better I think I was high fiving and hugging everyone...except the one bad seed in the bunch (I am glad there was only one bad person I met this season). All my teammates have been amazing. Such good people who all are fighting and working towards the same goal. In this moment at this time it was all I could see is wonderful people who have been along side me during this journey. They all had some part of it with me. I have grown to love and appreciate everyone so much. Everyone looked GREAT! It was a short time of prep getting air in bikes last minute words from coach then we rode over to the transition area. Coach had given very specific instructions set up transition, go down to get body marked (I had done this at packet pick up), get timing chip, go to bathroom and meet at finish line for team photo. It's funny all the stuff I packed in my tri bag when I flew over seemed like so much stuff but laid out ready on race day seems like not much at all. I did have my tri kit on and wetsuit, goggles, cap in hand.We did the team photo and then coach gathered us around him. He had us close our eyes and he verbally went through the race step by step with us. His visualization was so vivid and his voice so firm, confident and soothing. After we had a little bit of time so we did a quick warm up swim. Honestly at this point everything was a blur of faces and sounds. The first wave was already getting in the water and the countdown was starting. At this point I was standing right by the start surrounded by my teammates that were in the same wave. I grabbed one for a quick prayer. Then I was just taken aback at the presence of power I was among. These were all amazing strong beautiful woman standing around me. I wanted to make some sort statement of awesomeness but it wasn't the time or place. I just wanted them all to know how amazing they are for making it to this moment. I wanted them to know what they meant to me and how much I loved sharing this with them. Well no time for that kind of mushy non-sense it was time for us to get in the water. This was the first time I have ever done a race that I wasn't petrified. It was the total opposite! I was amped, I knew I was ready and except for normal butterflies I had no fear going into this. I was passing out high fives to my teammates and the countdown was moments away when Kathryn next to me had her goggles snap!!!! I don't know how in the moment I was able to be the one to get her to focus and fix them but we pulled it off! She tied them off just in time for us to take off!!! I expected it to be a lot more congested and violent then it was. I thought I was going to get kicked and slapped all over the place. It was hard to sight and swim straight. Once I found a path that was clear I was good. I was swimming past a few people that were struggling and so glad I worked so hard on my ocean swimming. I loved this swim! Above was chaos and noise, below was tranquil and beautiful. There was so many fish just cruising around not caring one bit what was going on above. There was sea turtles munching in the coral. The water was perfect temp. From shore it didn't seem that far. Especially compared to the 2 mile swim we just did. But in the water it seemed to take a long time to get to each buoy. When I finally made the first turn is when the fastest people in the next wave started to pass me AND the slapping and kicking and swimming over me started. I got around the buoy that was the final turn and what a rush to be headed back in. Shortly after that the NEXT wave had people catching up with me. Something almost hit me head on and I turned in time to see it wasn't someone swimming the wrong way it was a sea turtle! He was just cruising along didn't care that there was a race going on. The way in was faster, not sure if current was helping or just a mental thing. Before I knew it was done with the swim! The thing that had frightened me so much every race before was a thing of beauty this time. I exited the water and coach yelled at me for a hug. As I left his embrace I turned and did a faceplant right in the sand!!! Totally embarrassing but I was so overjoyed I didn't let it get to me and got up and ran towards the transition area. I saw a couple teammates transitioning same time as me and I think we all made fairly good time. I opted to throw on my bike shoes with out socks. I had done this only a few times on short rides...so technically was breaking the cardinal rule "nothing new on race day". I didn't want wet socks for the run and decided I felt this was a little late in the season. I was fine with the decision until my toe started to hurt. I still don't know if my shoe was rubbing it or I cut it on coral or when I fell in the sand? Either way the wind had calmed down since Friday and the bike course was in perfect condition. Unfortunately what I missed out on course preview day was the slight incline that is on the out portion of the ride. It was gradual and never ending it seemed. Thank God for the few people on the road. The guys that were race SAG said don't worry its all down hill after the turn around. Great I thought...but where is the turn around! Then there was a fit, tan, beautiful man on the side of the road cheering for everyone....and well he was just very nice to look at. He moved to the other side on the way back for additional support. During the race talk they went in great detail about the turn around. It had a steep decline, then speed bump then steep incline into bottle exchange. I managed to maneuver it well and exchange 2 bottles. I did really well eating and drinking on the bike. Definitely room for improvement but I had come a long way from not being able to do any of it while riding. I drank a total of 4 waters on the bike minus a little I dumped on my head. At 2 gu's and ate a bonk breaker bar. It was fun out there passing by all the teammates and being in the actual race. I should of paid more attention to going faster and trying to pass people but I was just going along smiling and loving where I was at. Just like the swim after the turn around it felt like no time and I was making the turn back into the resort and headed back to transition. By this time I was definitely feeling the heat. I was feeling tired and didn't have the kind of energy I would have liked to be heading out on a 6 mile run. I was very very very slow at first. In fact I was very slow the whole run. I could never get that burst of energy I can usually muster up at the end of a race or training. The run went out of the transition through a little patch of lava field then onto the street for miles 1-4. There was a small incline but no major hills. The aid stations were a thing a joy with ice and water. Just as coach said every training I was pouring water all over and stuffing ice in my hat, clothes anywhere I could get it. I definitely saw the value in keeping my body cool over trying to drink water. The run was tough because of the heat but I felt good. I kept telling people when they asked how I was that I felt strong. I did feel strong...just also slow. TNT had an aid station that we got to pass by twice that was cool. It was like you knew there was a support boost there waiting. I relished the few moments on the run there was shade. Once I turned into the resort I knew I was in the home stretch. The last mile or so seemed to never end, but then the finish line was in sight and then I got the missing burst. I ran as fast as I could to the finish!!!! It was a great moment. Ended up bittersweet in a way, kinda lack luster moment. I don't know what I expected but there was sort of a "that was it" aspect to it. Everything about the race was beautiful. The course the people the location. I loved the opportunity that everyone supporting gave me to do this. After getting across the finish line and getting my medal coach sent me down into the water. That felt sooooooo good to dive in and cool off. I am so happy that I did this race. I have talked about it for so long and my friend Jeani was right. This was my race. I wish I didn't have to go through everything I went through to do it but I will never question God's will in my life.
It always seems God shows me something when I do these races. This time was no different. Everything in training was just so all about God and trusting Him. I really think that the things I overcame throughout the season and the lofty accomplishments were almost more then the actual race. The whole morning on the beach with Noel's rocks was a big God moment. Really the big thing happened after I got home. I came home with a desire that had been absent from my life. I came home wanting a relationship. Watching everyone with their significant others at the race. Supporting them, being at all the events and cheering them on. I wanted that too. I have been single for a long time now for a lot of reasons mostly by choice and partly because most guys..mmmm all guys even the seemingly nice ones turn out to be liars or crazy or just not good enough for one reason or another. I came home ready to trust God's plan for me even if it meant trusting a man in my life. I was ready to surrender my heart and be willing to allow someone to get close. The cool thing is it was like God was just waiting for me to do so cause the results were instant!!!! OK don't freak out and look for a status change in facebook just yet. I have always said God is a great husband to me. I am truly never without and even live in abundance. He constantly amazes me in ways that are not humanly possible. Well there I was on Easter morning in church. Alone as usual. In that moment where I said sooooo yeah about the whole I want a relationship, sitting alone in church is not so fun. I hear loud and clear I am going to pursue you like you have never been pursued, I am going to put a desire in your heart that you have never knew possible. Our relationship is about to grow deeper and stronger. He revealed to me that I am not yet presentable to the one He has for me & I agree. I am pretty sure He could mean a man on earth or my heavenly Father. Either way I am all for a stronger relationship with the one who already has all my love, heart and trust. I still would like to share all this with someone and have some earthly support along the way but I am not desperate for it like I am to be closer then ever to my Lord.
I am so looking forward to what is in store with this summer season and my upcoming races.
I doubt I will get to post about the post Lavaman fun but it was seriously OFF THE CHARTS. Coach said we were never going to be the same and he was right!!!! HELE HUI