Update Next Day: Read my Full Race Report
Update Later in the Day: I’m done feeling sorry for myself and will post my race report tomorrow. Thanks to all who posted/emailed encouraging words. I have to remember to focus on the positive in my life – I do tend to be a negatoid! Truly, I’m lucky to be alive; and even luckier that I am healthy enough to do this stuff. And 6:25 is a decent time for such a tough race course.
Original Post:
For the first time in my three years of doing triathlons, I crossed the finish line feeling like a loser. My time was 6:25. 25 minutes off my goal. I came off the bike at about 4 hours, and worked as hard as I could on the run, but still didn’t get the pace I had trained for. I didn’t really think I could do the run in 2 hours, but I really thought I could do it in 2:10. I should have been able to. All the hard work I put into preparing for this race was NOT worth it, and am going to take a step back and re-evaluate this whole triathlon thing. It was a lot funner when I just had the goal to finish the race.
That’s all I feel like writing about this race right now. If my mood improves I’ll write more. I usually am on such an endorphin high after a race that I’m in a good mood for days. But I’ve been really down…
Carol,
I am sorry that you are so disappointed about missing your goal for the race and hope that you recover soon – both physically and mentally! If it makes you feel any better, the older I get the more I appreciate the “little” things in life and try not to dwell on negative things that have happened to me in the past.
Even though you feel you did poorly, you have accomplished more physically than I have ever been able to do in my lifetime, so you are very blessed in my book. You also have your good health, mental acuity, and numerous other good things when you stop to think about them; so don’t dwell on the negative.
As you suggested in your blog, maybe it IS time to reevaluate the triathlon thing. To be exceptionally good at something, one usually has to become fanatical about it. The problem with this is that fanatics do not lead a balanced life because they concentrate on one thing at the exclusion of practically all else. Not a formula for a happy family life!
Having never been at such a high level as you, I really am not qualified to offer any advice… but I will anyway! ha ha! Try to figure out a way to ENJOY your physical challenges and not push yourself so hard that it ceases to be fun anymore. Besides, I can’t help but think that extreme endurance sports like that must damage your body over the long haul – maybe you should slack off just a bit. I don’t know about you, but I am in this for the long haul!
In other words, CHEER UP!
Regards,
Ron
Carol,
Regardless of your time, you are a winner in my eyes! The fact that you finished a 1/2 Iron is totally amazing! You know I’ve followed your blog since last year when I did my first triathlon – I’ve asked you many questions along the way – and you’ve done nothing but motivate and inspire me (and many, many others, I’m sure). Thanks for sharing with all of us – keep your spirits up…YOU DID GREAT! Congrats!
Chary
hi carol 🙂 i think anyone who can go hard out for 6+ hours is amazing! I have just started in this tri business and am traing for season 2! i have only got a few sprint tris under my belt at the mo. I read your blog all the time for motivation and inspiration, and you are my tri IDOL!! keep it up!!
Keep your head up, you did finish and that run course is really tough. I did not make in in 6hrs either and i was disappointed but i am looking forward to some shorter races and ways to improve.
Carol,
I felt the same way after my half ironman. I figured six hours and was 6:41. My time suffered because of conditions. Crazy weather and my lack of run conditioning. Think it through, do a sprint distance to find the love again and you’ll be fine. I do a supersprint every year to remember just how much fun triathlon really is……best wishes
Carol,
Don’t feel so down. The Duke course is a beast. Triathlon, especially long course, is all about gaining experience with every race. Yesterday was tough for you, but think of it as making a deposit in the “pain bank.” Withdrawals are not allowed until you have a good, long-standing balance. This race, though the result seems miserable right now, will make you so much stronger for next time. There’s something to be gained and learned from every race, no matter the result. And by the way, 6:25 ain’t so bad!
-Scott