Ravelympics 2008 + I Tri'd & I Succeeded!

Though I did not originally intend to participate in the knitting ravelympics this year, there was enough chatter on the boards that I eventually succumbed to peer pressure, joined Team 51 (go DC and environs!) and embraced my competitive nature (even if I'm only competing with myself, I do enjoy a challenge!)  Maybe I'm too ambitious, but I entered Indigo Ripples in the Synchronized Flirty Skirts event, as well as the Central Park Hoodie in WIPS Wrangling.  As of today, CPH is 1 front + hood + buttonbands away from finishing.  Indigo Ripples is 10 balls of Elann den-m-it.  I do have some time off work, and a road trip that will allow for plenty of mindless stockinette, so I plan to work on it then.

In other news I did my first triathlon.  My primary goal was finishing, and there I am at left crossing the line.  I had a secondary time goal, which I did not quite meet, but it was close.  More importantly, I got a feel for the sport.  The day got off to a rather inauspicious start, when the bike rack where I was setting up my transition area collapsed, twice.  During the first collapse, I sustained 2 bee stings on the back of my right calf muscle.  I haven't been stung by a bee since I was a kid, and this hurt, like hell.

 The swim was slow, as there were so many people in the pool (see the pic below!), lots of body-to-body contact, and I got kicked in the face at one point.  The bike ride was better, except when failed to properly replace my water bottle in its cage after my first drink and it went flying.  I decided to dismount and run back to get it.  I was psyched for the run, and felt like I was good for it, as I hadn't pushed myself hard at any point, nor had I gotten out of breath at all.  But my legs felt like concrete, and it was all I could do to maintain a slow jog; I did pick up the pace by the end.  The only possible issues I can identify are dehydration (I had planned to drink my entire water bottle on the bike, but I left it alone after the initial accident), or maybe lack of caloric resources.  I did not get a chance to carbo load the night before, and before the race I had only 22 oz water, a yogurt, and a luna bar.  Perhaps I should have risen earlier and I had a bowl of cereal or something.  Oh well, something to think about for next time.  

And yes there will a next time!  Many next times, God willing.  I would like to complete a full (international) distance race at some point, maybe next year.  My race today was a short sprint: 1/4 mi swim, 8 mi bike, 2 mi run.  I already signed up for a 5k running race in September, I can't wait!   

Special thanks to my parents, sister, and DH for cheering me on, it was so great to have that motivation.  Awesome photos credited to my dad.

More pics from the Race, left to right: swimming, crowded lap lane (I'm the pale one near the center!), Biking, Running

   

Comments

[laura]

oh mi goodness steph YOU'RE CRAZY!

but i mean that in the best way. congrats!!