Nations Triathlon 2010

The Story of My Experience at Nation's Triathlon; September 12, 2010

Thank you all so much for your continued support of my endeavors with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My latest goal is still unreached in regards to fundraising; however, I wanted to share the story of my event in hopes it will encourage another small donation in support.


On September 12, 2010, I woke up in our Nation’s Capital with one goal in mind…FINISH THE NATION’S TRIATHLON with Team in Training. Unfortunately for all 7000 participants, we woke up to find a very rainy and cold day in DC. Triathlons require a lot of set up prior to starting the event to ensure our transition area is organized and easy to identify throughout the race. Not an easily achievable goal in the pouring rain.

Coach Lisa, Bob, Leanne, Kristin, Me, Brett, and Jill

We arrived at West Potomac Park, already soaked to the bone and freezing, to hear the water was indeed wetsuit legal. I was not worried so much about the temperature of the Potomac that morning; I was worried about staying somewhat warm in the 60 degree rainy weather.So as soon as I possibly could, I pulled on my wetsuit to stay warm, or to try to stay warm.  If any of you have never tried this, putting on a wetsuit in the rain (let alone the mud) is not easy.  Not to mention once it is on, you dont want to have to take it off for any reason.  Have I mentioned before how much we hydrate before our swim?  Wetsuit + Hydration + Port-a-Johns = NO FUN AT ALL!!!

With so many participants, swim starts are staggered to allow for safe entry and exit in the water. This meant only one thing to me… I had over two hours to stand in the cold rain and ponder what I was about to embark on. As my wave start came closer to realization, I started to shake. As I look at the other waves ahead of me swimming in the Potomac and exiting (some with ease, others looking like they just swam from Florida to the Bahamas) I start to question myself. “What the heck was I thinking when I signed up for this event? I can’t swim this distance! I can’t get in the water and make it the 600 meters out and 900 meters back to the exit.” I felt myself shiver:  I was no longer cold, I was scared to death.

As the announcer called for our wave to enter the water, I ran and jumped in. I knew if I hesitated at all I would completely psych myself out of the swim. I thought of only one thing… COURTNEY. What if she looked at Mom and Dad and said, “I can’t do this, leukemia is too hard. I can’t take chemo therapy any more. I am scared.” As giving up is not an option for my wonderfully strong, amazing niece, it was not an option for me that day either.

The water in the River was warm compared to the air and rain around us. As my wave of swimmers sat wading in the water for the air-horn to sound, I started to take deep breaths and tell myself that if Courtney can take chemo and go through all she has had to endure, I can swim 1500 meters in the Potomac. I mean really… What am I scared of?

Rockin the TNT Wetsuit

When the air-horn sounded, I tucked my chin down to my chest and started to swim. Every so many strokes I had to pick my head up and look around to see that I was still on course. The water in the Potomac is so dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face, let alone anything that may be in the water (not that I really wanted to see what was in the water). Before I knew it I was already out 400 meters. I kept singing to myself in the water like Dory from Finding Nemo: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming; what do we do? We swwwimmmm…”

The calming effect of the singing only last so long. As I approached 900+ meters, my asthma started to act up. I needed my inhaler, only I did not have it in the water. So I swam to the nearest kayak with a lifeguard; all the while praying I would be able to calm my breathing down enough to finish the swim. If I could not finish the swim I could not finish the race. As I reached for the edge of the kayak, the lifeguard asked if I was OK. I told him I was asthmatic and fighting my breathing but with a short rest I would be fine. There was one other person holding on to the kayak as well and he offered his inhaler for me. I would say I was amazed to find another person with my type of inhaler at the same kayak (one of many out there to support the swimmers); however, I was praying, and God answers prayers when we need them. After a huff on the inhaler I took off and made my way to the swim exit, thinking of Courtney with every stroke. Even with the stop in the swim it only took me a little over 50 mins to complete the mile. Not my best time in a mile swim, but given the circumstances, I am very OK with that time.

The rest of the race was somewhat uneventful. Although the bike route was riddled with puddles and wet roads, I completed the 25 miles safe and sound in 1:23. There were only a few congested areas on my ride.  Thankfully to some tough coaching and amazing teammates who inspired me all season, I found myself passing others with ease.  I needed to make up that time after my swim. At one point with only three miles onthe bike left to ride, I remember telling the girls I was riding around... "Come on girls, we left the skirts at home today.  Lets finish this thing!  Just three more miles here and a short 6 mile run."  I think one of the girls wanted to knock me off my bike at that point. She muttered something like " SHORT 6 miles my @$$!"  I laughed and sped pass her and all the others.  I had a race to finish!

I was barely running here... just needed a restroom

Off the bike and on to the run. I remember hoping my running shoes and socks stayed dry in the hotel’s laundry bag I used at transition. Sure enough, they were and my feet where happy feet. Throughout the summer I struggled with my run due to the heat and humidity in Florida. I cannot tell you how thankful I was at that point for the cool air and the rain earlier that day.  Even the light sprinkle I felt on the bike. I had a good run for hardly any training in that area. I finished the 6.2 miles in 1:17. Given that I spent the first three miles walking more than running looking for a restroom (I mean really, you would think they would be everywhere), I know my last three miles averaged a 9.5+ min pace to make up time. Overall, I finished the triathlon in 3:44:24 (just 36 seconds short of my 3:45 max time I was allowing myself). Not too bad for a newbie…

All in all, I had a great experience. I am certainly glad I got myself in the water that morning. I have said before and will continue to say the endurance races I put myself through, although trying and difficult, these races/events do not hold a candle to the test of endurance and strength our honored patients go through every day of their lives fighting cancer. When will I stop these races and end my journey with LLS? When we all cross that ultimate finish line and we find a CURE.

I am in the middle. 3:44:24 Official Time.  Next year: <3:15

Until then, I will continue to Swim, Bike, & Run… I will raise money and awareness... and, I will continue to fight with my niece.

I know you have all contributed at one time or another to my events for LLS. I hope you will continue to support me and the LLS Mission in this fashion. Please feel free to share this email and the link below with friends and family. The more support, the more awareness, the sooner we find a cure.

Again, Thank you for all your support.