<img src=”http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e45/21stCenturyMom/Racing%20Pics/th_2007Composite_sm.jpg” I’ve probably lost all my readers by now while you gave up on me ever posting again. Maybe you thought I decided to hibernate for the winter. It feels a little like I am hibernating but I’m not. I just got blogged out during NaBloPoMo and my life has been a little…how shall we say.. quiet for the last 10 days. I decided that it was time for the year in review.
This was my first real triathlon season. Prior to this year I did the Tri for Real sprint distance triathlon (700 yard swim, 18-ish mile bike, 4 mile run) in 2000 and then again last year. I PR’d last year by 23 minutes and by then had started reading triathlon blogs so that was the race that gave me the bug.
This year I raced 6 triathlons, 3 half marathons, 2 bay swims, 1 5K, 1 12K and one 4 mile run. That is more racing than I have done in my entire life before 2007 combined. So how did it go? You can find the boring old numbers after the jump if you are interested. They don’t really tell the story, though. That part takes words.
The best part about this season is that I had one. I did it. I toed the line time and time again and raced and of that I am proud.
The not so good part about this season is that time and time again I let my self doubt and a lot of low self esteem and internal self deprecating dialog hold me back. I didn’t really train because I figured ‘why bother – you suck any how’. I learned a lot about the depths of my image issues and managed, finally, to realize that toeing the line counts and that just having enough faith to make the effort is laudable so yay me! This is a first.
I also learned that if I put my mind, heart soul and body to this and really try I could be somewhat competitive. That’s how I took 2nd at Bethel Island. I raced. I could at least give the women in my age group vying for middle of the pack slots a run for their entry fee and next year I intend to do just that. I have a lot more ability and drive than I have ever tapped in to so next year my goal is to really train and to race hard – to give myself some credit to succeed and to train to that end. That will be another first.
Right now I have only 2 events locked in for the season – The Sharkfest Swim (currently sold out!) and Vineman 70.3 (about half sold out so if you want to do it get on it!). I also expect to do the Bay to Breakers, hopefully with a bunch of bloggers in Tutus. I am currently awaiting for the Dec 15 Escape from Alcatraz random drawing. I SO hope I get in. If I don’t get in to Alcatraz (and perhaps even if I do) I may very well do Wildflower Short Course again just to transcend my horrible experience from last year. I won’t go down until Saturday, though because that camping was kind of awful. 1 night of that is quite enough, thank-you-very-much. I will also do the Tri for Real because that is my “A” race where it all started.
I want to thank each and every person who has encouraged me and told me I rock and reminded me that just showing up not only counts – it’s HUGE! It has taken me quite some time to get the message but I think I’m there!!
To the extent that I have been hibernating I am going to do it for a few more weeks. I’ve been swimming 3 days a week and I’ve done a bit of running. I’ve gotten on my bike exactly once since SOMA. I did not go for a ride this morning with my favorite person to ride with because it was cold and I just don’t feel like it. I feel sort of bad about that but oh well. I did not do the Bah Humbug 5K last weekend which was a mistake because I could have placed really well and a lot of people from Forward Motion were there and it would have been fun but I’m broke so oh well again. There’s always next year and next year is going to be great!
<table summary=”
| Date | Event | O’All/Div | Time | |
| 4-Feb | Kaiser Half Marathon Run – Half marathon | 3693/67 | 2:23:35 | |
| 15-Apr | Brickyard Run -4 Mile run | 32/4 | 41:34 | |
| 6-May | Wildflower Triathlon – Olympic | 1019/25 | 4:39.54 | |
| 22-May | Bay To Breakers Run – 12k | 7838/168 | 1:22.31 | 10-Jun | Sharkfest Swim – 1.5 Mile Open Water Swim | 161/15 | 50:17 | 4-Jul | Run San Ramon Run – 5k run | 129/8 | 29:49 | 21-Jul | Tri For Fun #2 Triathlon – Sprint | NA/NA | 1:25 | (it’s for fun! They don’t track times or places | 29-Jul | SF 2nd 1/2 Marathon Run – 25k/Half marathon | 1496/40 | 2:28.05 | 12-Aug | Folsom International Triathlon – Olympic | 153/10 | 3:33:41 | (a 66 minute PR over Wildflower – booyah!) | 16-Sep | Tri for Real #14 Triathlon – Sprint | 117/6 | 02:06.2 | (2 minute PR over last year) | 29-Sep | Bethel Island Triathlon – Olympic-ish | 39/2 | 3:10:22 | First Ever Podium Spot – Huzzah!!! | 30-Sep | TI 2 Y Swim – 1.5 Mile Open Water | 156/10 | 01:11.2 | (stretched on wrong side of mats – D’OH!) | 21-Oct | Nike Women’s Half Run – 25k/Half marathon | 4183/2346 | 2:29.32 | 28-Oct | SOMA Quarterman Triathlon – Olympic-ish | 512/9 | 3:52.31 | (2 minute PR over last year) |
21st-century-mom.com 
Yup, still here:)
This year I raced 6 triathlons, 3 half marathons, 2 bay swims, 1 5K, 1 12K and one 4 mile run. That is more racing than I have done in my entire life before 2007 combined.”” Congrats on this, P. !!
Also still here (although I mostly read via bloglines). Your race line-up looks good. I’ll probably see you at the KP 1/2.
that’s quite a lot to digest! My eyes glaze over just reading it, so yes, damn, of course you should be proud! how many women our age are out there putting it all on the line?? Not so many!
(I loved your line about wanting to “get into Alcatraz.” When so many people spent so much time trying to get OUT of alcatraz. ha ha. a little alcatraz humor.)
i think you DID learn a lot this year. Me too! I doubt you’ll soon forget how it felt to be on that podium! here’s to next year!
eh, just admit it. the only reason you want to compete as a triathlete is that you can’t compete in pageants because of those photos of you, a lemur, and two drunken students from Andorra.
Good luck getting into escape from Alcatraz, I will be so jealouos if you get into that. That I think is the coolest tri going.
Yay you!
Your 2008 season look like a lot of fun.
holy cow, you were, like, RACE QUEEN!
Yay, you! You had a hell of a season! I hope you do Wildflower, because it’s near my new home and I plan to volunteer. That way I can meet you.
Great season! (Don’t burn out TOO fast…!)
2008 is going to be great!
And hibernation…it’s GOOOOD! Rest up!
i think resting now and then is good (in case you hadn’t noticed based on the void of training posting i’ve been doing lately), especially after a year where you raced as much and as solidly as you did.
you’re hard on yourself because you want to be better, but what you have to realize is that this is your first full year. to go from nada to a season like you had – well, that’s downright amazing in my book. go easy on yourself and enjoy this recovery time. it’ll be back at it before you know it.
i, for one, can’t wait to watch how you do next season! pr, pr, pr, pr, place!!
Holy cow – that was a busy year! You deserve a little hibernation. Congrats on everything you accomplished this year – may you build upon it even more in 2008.
I’m glad to see you are giving yourself more credit, you deserve it! Relish in a great first season. 🙂
Like many of us, you need to Believe. 2007 was a year of transcending your cultural norms. 2008, long or short, will a race season of incredible maturity and progression for you.
Like many of us, you need to Believe. 2007 was a year of transcending your cultural norms. 2008, long or short, will a race season of incredible maturity and progression for you.
yes, you do rock!!!!
xoxoxo
Please, please, please never tell yourself you suck – internally or externally! You are just about the most awesome thing going. And, your season, holy smokes!
Enjoy your break, you deserve it!!
Congrats on the great season! You forgot to mention another highlight- meeting me! 😛 Just kidding. I can’t wait to come out and see you race next year with your new and improved self-confidence. Zach and I are still planning on joining the FM Club but maybe closer to spring. Thanks for all the encouragement you’ve give me (and all of us in blogland)! Happy Holidays! 🙂
YAY for a great 2007 season! Congrats!!!
I’m still here…..and you’re awesome!
Great season! Now you are ready for a wonderful 2008 full of victories!
nuh uh. still here.
you had an awesome season – here’s to another!
So glad to have you out there giving it a go, that’s what it’s all about. Sanding on the start line is a victory all by itself, congratulations.
You have a lot to pat yourself on the back for. Job well done this year – in all the races!