# 2 Completed

When the alarm went off at 330am, I was all packed and ready to go. Hooch got up and decided to go with me. It was the first time in several years that she had come to cheer me on. She is not a morning person at all. I was pleasantly suprised and excited that she was going.

PRE-RACE
This race was advertised as a great race for beginners. There were no awards but a great opportunity to gain experience. Just what I needed. I knew from the area there would be some hill but nothing like Galena.

It was a 90 minute drive and no traffic on the roads. The closer we got to Rockford- the foggier it was. I found Rock Cut State Park with no problem but the fog was so thick it was hard to see the parking. I got out and began the walk into the fog to find the start. The closer it came to 8am, it became clearer.

THE SWIM

Because there were only 150 signed up, there were 2 waves to the swim. I was in #2. I went into the water early and swam around alittle. I was not nervous at all.

The horn went off for my wave and off we went. At about 100m, the panic hit again. I was breathing hard and felt like I couldn't do it. I rolled onto my back, kicked alittle, then regrouped. I was OK. My sighting was better this time. I actually caught back up with the wave and got bumped around some. I did not start my watch so I had no idea of time.

T1

I felt like I was in slow motion in the transition. I will be interested to see my time.

BIKE

Sugar waited patiently for her chance to hit the road. She watched as many of the others headed out but she knew that sooner or later I would show up.

The bike rocked. I felt great. Even though there was a crosswind.I think I stayed between 15-20mph. I was able to stay in aero most of the time and pass alot of people. Hooch did not see me come in because she felt that I would be farther back. I went back and forth with a much younger lady and finally passed her for the last time in the final mile.

T2

Again I felt very slow.

RUN

The course started off up a hill. It took longer for my legs to lighten up. At the half mile mark, we began a hill that lasted almost to the turn around. I did not walk at all. The best park was heading back and going down that hill. I know that everyone who I passed on the bike were passing me on the run. My pace seemed to stay between 11-12 minutes per mile.

I finished around 1:35 something. I have no idea of any of my split times. Besides that panic in the swim, I reached all my goals and totally enjoyed the experience.

Tomorrow, my offical training for the Chicago Marathon with Glen Ellyn Runners Club begins. I am looking forward to making some new friends and breaking 6 hours.

Waddling with a Tri-smile ..............

ROCKMAN TRIATHLON

400M SWIM / 20K BIKE / 5 K RUN

Saturday will be my second triathlon. I am very excited about this one. When I picked Galena as my first, I had done the duathlon for the 2 previous years. The swim was the new part to the race. This race is totally new to me. No one else from my group will be there.

My goals:

1. Finish and enjoy
2. Feel in control the entire swim- no panics
3. Push hard on the bike.
4. No walking on the run

I am trying hard not to put any time goals on myself although that is hard not to do.

Early weather predictions are for 80's and isolated thunderstorms. Game on.

Waddling to Tri it a second time....................

This morning was another new experience for me. I got to the gym at 530am and gave a quick look to the pool. I saw no one on it. I was positive it was Tuesday. I dumped my stuff in the locker room and walked back out. Then I found where everyone was at. Outside at the OUTDOOR lap pool. A panic attck came over me. The water is 5ft deep and I was sure very cold. After a delay, I finally jumped in. The water was amazingly warm. It was OK. Our masters swim will be outside for the rest of the summer. I actually loved it.

While I was cooking dinner, I had a Huge sneeze. When I did it, I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. Ouch! It really hurt. I tried to pretend it did not bother me and went out for a easy 3mile run. I ended up doing some walking. I am trying not to think about it. I have never had this happen before.

Waddling very slowly.......................

Weds update-- Woke up today and my back feels fine!!! Whew!

AM- LOST AND FOUND

The Morning started off heading to swim. As soon as I pulled in, I ran into Iron Snoopy and Moose. I raised my hatch to grab my bags to take in and---NO SWIM BAG. I never take it out of my car. I went into the gym to see if it was there and Lost & Found opened at 7am. It was 615am. Luckily I had my suit on and Iron Snoopy lent me a pair of goggles. I did get a 30 min swim in.

After swim, I showered to go run with Glen Ellyn Runners. I got on my running stuff on only to find that I had misplaced my running shoes. I stopped at lost & found on the way to my car to look for my shoes and found that they did indeed have my swim bag. After arriving at my car, there were no running shoes. I was limited on running time so I just headed for home. I found my shoes sitting in the garage. I took off for my run.

AFTERNOON- CELEBRATION

Today was National Cancer Survivors Day. Our hopsital had planned a large picnic to host this celebration for our patients. The weather turned out fantastic. So many of our patients and families came to celebrate life with us. There were over 200 people there for lunch and a speaker.

There are times in my job where you wonder if you do make a difference. When I looked around at all the faces, I realize that in some way I do. This day is also very special to me. Bino went with me to help escort patients with handicaps.

MAY NUMBERS

I recapped my training hours for May and feel satisfied. June and beginning of July begins a large increase but I think the groundwork has been laid.
Bike: 15h 00m - 194 Mi
Run: 9h 33m - 45 Mi
Swim: 12h 34m - 17954 M

Waddling into June.............