Tiki Swim + 100mi

I survived my first 2.4mi swim! Sunday 9/29, I competed in the Tiki Swim in Oceanside. The goal was to swim "Ironman pace", whatever I thought that would be.

It started off as a chilly day, but the water temp was warmer than the windy air temp so I was anxious to get in!

I avoided a warm-up, which is not usually recommended. However, there were large sets of waves and I didn't really want to have to come back to shore in a panic trying to get out of the waves.

Look at that girl, she's not scared of any waves! Um, just kidding, she's pretty scared. And thankful that the swim ends in the nice calm harbor.

When the race started, the waves were between sets, and it seemed like it would be ok. Until I got in... The waves started getting bigger, but (according to my husband watching from the shore) they weren't too bad. It took me a while to get out past the waves, but once I did it was pretty calm. I swam comfortably the whole time, pushing at times but generally maintaining a steady pace.

Swimming into the harbor, I noticed that I was a bit close to the rocks. When I took my next breath on the side with the rocks, I saw a fisherman, and had a brief moment of panic. Don't catch me!! I moved away from the rocks and no damage was done. Coming in to the finish, I couldn't believe how fast it felt like the swim went. And my time was faster than I thought!

Yes, I said "I beat your time!" to my awesome husband, meaning my time was faster than his IMAZ swim time. (By a mere 3 minutes.) This was more out of shock than bragging - I couldn't believe I just did that!

I ended up with a 1:35! Before the race, I figured I could beat 1:45, based on my Big Kahuna swim time.

On to the bike...
My 43min T1 (transition) was a bit much, but that included getting water, towel drying off, waiting for Greg to get the car, eating a banana, and getting my bike and everything ready (complete with a lot of sunscreen).

It's gonna be a warm day!

I met Greg at mile 21 (Carls Jr.) to get water and make sure I was comfortable with everything I needed. I don't usually train in my tri suit!

No, I did not eat a burger...

We parted ways and I was on my own for the rest of the ride. Well I was never completely on my own - actually, I met a few people on the ride. The first was thru Camp Pendleton, where I got to ride next to a guy who's doing Ironman Arizona as well. We had a lot to talk about!

When I got to Huntington Beach, I met 14 year old boy named Jose, from Santa Ana. He rode next to me for a while, keeping pace, which I complimented him on. (He was riding a single speed bike.) He was so full of joy, and kept saying how much he loved riding: "This is what I do!" I asked him where he was going. "Wherever!" He had "just barely started" his ride, and was 10 miles in. Wow, way to go Jose! He looked at my tri suit and bike, and asked if I was training for something. When I told him Ironman, he lit up and said something to the effect of "you inspire me so much!" I asked if he wanted to do an Ironman some day, and I had barely gotten this sentence out of my mouth when he responded with an enthusiastic "YES!!"

Throughout the rest of my ride, I struggled to stay in the aero position (discomfort in my shoulders etc.) and the heat was getting to me. I wanted to call it quits when I turned around at mile 83 and the head wind hit me straight on and I was uncomfortable and tired from the heat. But I just thought of how it's such a privilege to be able to ride. I thought of the joy that Jose has when he rides, and how I really am thankful to be able to do all the crazy training I do. And I found joy within the struggle.