Little Miss Runner Pants

Congrats on #2!

Today was my first tri with an open water swim. At first I was worried about being in the last wave, but then I realized there is no one from behind to swim over me! Because I think I might possibly be the world's slowest swimmer.

oh danielle.. i'm sure i have you beat. :)

Great job on tri #2! I am pretty sure I'd be waaayyy slower than you on the swim. :-)

Great. Job. I always have the next wave catch me on the swim. ALWAYS. Doesn't matter the race is not about the swim. Look at the time difference between the 25th person and 25th (from last) person for each leg. It will be very clear what matters.

You left it all on the course!

Well. Done. You.

You do look tired. That's a really good kind of tired though. Way better than the work-all-weekend kind.

Oh, sugar. I didn't get to read your first report. I wasn't fast enough.

OK, want to know why you and every other middle to back of the packer (including myself) is my hero? Because it doesn't come easy. Because we weren't born with the genetics and the passion and the coaching to put us in the elite. Because bling is rare and elusive. And you do it anyway. You swim and you bike and you run and you have fun! Some of those snotty people in the front could never accomplish what you accomplish - they'd give up as soon as they got passed. Screw bling. Screw being fast and making it look easy. Screw acting like being athletic means any of those things. Being an athlete is looking down the barrel at the hardest thing you've ever done. And doing it anyway. Well done, AJ. From where I'm standing, you ROCK.

This is always an interesting topic. Honestly - and I hope this doesn't come off as offensive, it's just my personal opinion - I think you could be a lot faster. Looking at pictures of you, you LOOK like an athlete. You're stronger and fitter than most back-of-the-packers. If you really want to improve, I think you could really benefit from professional coaching.

I am about the world's most unathletic person, but thanks to three years of coaching and working my ASS off in high school, I went from consistently running 30:00 5Ks to running 21-minute 5Ks. I don't think running was ever meant to be my sport. But I think anyone who is in as good of shape as you are has the potential to be a lot faster. I'm not saying you're not working hard enough, but maybe you haven't quite learned how to train properly. Just a thought.

I hope this makes sense. :)

well. let me just say this, about that. two triathlons does not a triathlete make. in my second triathlon, i'm pretty sure i cried all through the run. the hardest thing that i had to come to grip with was that i was not competing against anyone else out on the course. i was (and am) competing against myself. so, you've got not being predisposed to anything sporty working against you. i've got 30 extra pounds from college that i'm currently shoving into a wet suit, and taking with me on a bike and a run. and you know how much i loves me some running... i can't imagine that not having those 30 pounds would make me feel any better.

i guess what i'm saying is stop being so hard on yourself. those who don't tri, don't know. tell them to shove it. you're only out there for you. i know i talk a lot about not wanting other women to beat me, but honestly, i just don't want to beat myself... all the while TRYING to beat myself. does that make sense? i don't want to mentally check out because i'm getting beat by someone who should totally not beat me based on my stereotypes of who is allowed to beat me, and who is not. the only person out there i need to worry about is myself.

finally, if triathlon were easy, everyone would do it. it's not. it takes just as much mental fortitude and focus and technique, as it does athleticism.

you can do this, aj. you. can.

and, with that, i'll step off my podium and recommend to you my favorite post-race tradition:

wine and jamocha almond fudge ice cream.

don't judge. it. works.

keep your head up, chica.

every improvement you make is just another indication that you can still improve. wasn't there a time when you couldn't do a pull-up? how many can you do now?
as hard as it may be at times, you never stop trying to one-up yourself. once you do, it's time to try something else.

you are both the easiest and the most difficult person to beat on the course, and that has nothing to do with the people who are out there with you.

I'm sorry to hear you feel down about your race. I think all of these experiences are making you a stronger athlete, both physically and mentally. It may take time to see the results on the clock, but you're tougher than you know and that will take you very, very far. I think you can do it!

People (non-triathletes) underestimate how hard it really is.
I was in your situation last year. At the begining of this year, my husband told me that I couldn't go any slower unless I took a nap in transition. I know how frustrating it is. But you really will get better. Use your frustration as your fuel to get faster.
You can do it!

Let me tell you what an elite triathlete told me after I said I was humiliated by my Wildflower time. In fact, I'll just copy and paste it from the email she sent:

"What on earth do you have to be humiliated about??? You went out and
finished a tough race, on a tough day, against tough competition. You
should be so incredibly proud of yourself.

Just think about the 85 to 90% of the population that could not even
think about doing what you just accomplished on Sunday."

The number is probably closer to 99%. Most people, in response to hearing I do triathlons say something along the lines of "that's nuts!" or "I would NEVER do that" or "I could never do that".

But you know what - they could. And I can and you can and we do and that counts - it counts a lot.

I too tire of being one of the slower people out there but the more I do it the more I love myself for doing it. So do it, baby. Do it and feel the love.

It wasn't too long ago you were encouraging us to brag about our accomplishments. Brag about your accomplishment. You deserve it.

It's taken me 2 years to get to the point where I've started to be somewhat happy with my running results/times. Lots of hard work, injuries, ups and downs - you know how it is. So this past April I dove into triathlon with a Sprint. In May I did tri #2 - an Olympic. Last month I did tri #3 - a half IM. And you know what - I can't say that I was really happy with any of my finishing times (I was literally the last person out of the water in my age group at the half IM). But looking back at the 2 years it took me with my running, I don't see why I expected it to be any quicker with triathlon.

So for the time being, I've decided to take a step back, not worry about time, and just have FUN with triathlon. That is why we do this, right? :-)

So be happy that you finished something that is NOT easy. Be happy that you're living an active, healthy lifestyle. Be HAPPY. :-)

Congratulations on your finish!!!

As someone who is also my own worst critic I understand where you're coming from.

A study in the mid or late 90's showed that only 15% of Americans exercise (vigorously) 3 times a week for 20 minutes. So ... you're way far fitter and sportier than most!!

It is so important for us to give ourselves credit for what we *do*, and what we *can do*. But also to give ourselves time to master skills and start to maximize our abilities.

I know swimmers approaching their 50's swimming who were competitive athletes as youngsters, teenagers and into their twenties who are now swimming their best times ever.

You did great. Keep up the good work!

I so wish I had been able to read your earlier post. Even without knowing your times, I'm totally with you on all those feelings. I get them at least just a little bit after *every* race, as a true back-of-the pack chica. And I know first hand about those "non-tri'er" comments, as I've had more than my fair share...they sting, even if we know they shouldn't.

Eventually you will realize that what Nytro and 21st said is right on...and you will be happy knowing that. Or, you (unlike moi) will just get faster.

In any case, you came...you saw...you finished. And that, my friend, is a FABULOUS day. :-)

BRING BACK THE POST!

(who's with me)

BRING BACK THE POST!!

i'm so proud of you -- you just keep doing your thang!

SO PROUD!!!

if you figure it out let me know because i'm in the same boat. and i will of course do the same if i unravel the mystery.

Hey - you got the Bold Blessing of Proudness. I hope you are feeling better now. I know it always works for me.

Heck, you completed a triathlon. A lot of people are intimidated to even try. You should be proud!
There is a lot to learn about racing. You have good day and not so good days. Sometimes I still get freaked out in the water and want to flip onto my back. I've been doing triathlons since 2000.
I say keep it up! Way to go!

Long time reader, first time commenter...As I read your blog, during the last few months, I have looked up to you...your ability to work hard, but not take yourself too seriously, is the balance I have always craved. I hope that this experience will be one, that in the end, will make you stronger and realize how many people, who you know, are proud of you, simply for being you!
You rock and you wear cool socks (only one other person in the world gets that compliment)!
Take Care and Smile!

Congrats on the finish. I can totally understand how you feel. I felt similar after my last race. It has pushed me to work harder (except for the last week, as I have taken to the booze and gambling) and I hope it pays off in the end.

I am racing in the Midwest Mayhem in Lawrence in two weeks. Not sure if you will be there, but I will keep an eye out for you....after all I am your stalker.

I've been racing for over 25 years and haven't won a race yet! No one told me I was suppose to win!

Tri numba 2 is still 2 more than i've done, and you are an inspiration, funk and all. This post was definitely a factor in getting my lazy ass out of bed this morning for a return to the running world.

i'm with bold. bring back the POST!

oh dear...i feel your pain. no i don't, bcs i'm too much of a weanie to even TRY a tri. but i'm not gonna tell you to buck up. i like the wine and ice cream idea. or wine and chocolate. yum.

you OWNED that race. YOU. You raced against YOU. and YOU kicked YOUR BUTT!
:)

This. Does not. Make me like him. Any. More. That's all I have to say.