2022 Triathlon Nationals Race Report

The night before the big day, I dreamt that I left my water bottles in the fridge (which I did at a previous race this year) and forgot to set up my transition area before the race began; apparently I was more nervous than I realized! But thankfully the morning went much smoother than my dream, beginning with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Michigan.

After I set my things up in transition, I had a full two hours to kill before my swim wave at 9:11am. It was a very late start, especially with an expected high of 90 degrees for the day! I wasn't looking forward to running in the heat. But coming from the gray skies of Seattle, running in the heat might be preferable to biking in the rain....

My family/support crew showed up at 8:30am to cheer me on, before I donned my wetsuit (to the sound of "Get It On" blaring on the speakers) and got in line for the swim start. After almost a year of training, it was finally time for the race to begin!

I jumped enthusiastically into the 64 degree water for a brief swim warm-up; with a wetsuit, the water wasn't too cold, but it certainly woke me up! Then all the 40-44 year old female athletes lined up along the dock, hanging on until the starter sounded the horn. We all took off, kicking and pushing our way through the throng. I often have a moment of panic at this point during the swim, but I was mentally prepared for it this time (thanks for the short drafting practice, Lisa!), and felt strong throughout the swim, finishing at 30:48, almost reaching my goal of 30 minutes.

I had a smooth transition to the bike, and took off, eager to ride the 25 mile course with no traffic! Just like God parted the waters for the Israelites, USAT parted the road for the racers ;) The best part was riding over the Hoan Bridge on I-794, looking out at Lake Michigan, sparkling in the sun, then cresting over the bridge and going all out in my highest gear on the way down. I finished the bike in 1:16:57, at 19.38mph, crushing my goal of going at least 18mph. Unlike the hilly terrain in the Seattle area, this course was mostly flat and fast.

I had another smooth transition from the bike to the run, but immediately felt the heat draining my energy as I began to run. I wasn't entirely sure I could make it without stopping to walk. When I came to the first aid station, with volunteers handing out gatorade and water and ice, I gladly grabbed some ice and dumped it down the front and back of my tri suit. Instant relief! It kept me going, anyway, and I ran from aid station to aid station, shade to shade, until I saw my family cheering me on at about mile 3, right when I needed it most. My crazy, super-supportive brother Tom joined me for about a half mile, providing a good distraction from the heat, and some much-needed encouragement at just the right time. Before I knew it, I was at mile 5, with only 1.2 miles left to go! I felt blisters forming on my feet, but knew I was going to make it.

As I neared the finish line, I was overcome by the joy of overcoming this challenge, of finishing this race. I was not only running for myself, as a way to fight against the struggles I've faced to get here, but also for the many people I know who are fighting their own battles--whether it's an eating disorder, or anxiety, or autism, or cancer, or depression, or racism, or war, or losing a loved one, and more. But we can have hope because "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us" (Romans 8:37). God has turned each and every struggle of mine into something good, which gives me hope for my future struggles, whatever they might be.

And so I ran to the finish line with a huge smile on my face, finishing at 2:45:10, just missing my goal of 2:45:00. But what matters more is that I did my best and had a blast doing it!

To finish this triathlon journey, here is a short slideshow with just a few pictures and videos of the race.

Enjoy your journey, and Godspeed!

My Tri Journey

 PART 1

"Let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." -Hebrews 12:1

Just about to begin my first tri in 2005

My tri journey began in 2005 in Seattle, WA. Together with my two friends and sisters in Christ, Merrilee and Lisa, we decided to do a triathlon to build community and foster fellowship as leaders of the children's ministry at our church. So we all signed up for the Danskin Triathlon and dove into something new. I borrowed a mountain bike that was too big, did little to no training, and stood in awe at the race start, surrounded by what felt like a million women, all of us crammed together like sardines in a can. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

But when I crossed the finish line that day, I was already hooked. There was just something about doing a triathlon that made me feel like I was doing exactly what I was meant to do. I was a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, and I could finally fly free! On the race course, I could "throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for me." It was similar to meeting Jesus for the first time: my whole life had been leading up to this moment, and I've never been the same since.

PART 2

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." -Proverbs 16:9

After the Black Hills Tri in 2009

After that, I really dove into the sport of triathlon, and one day, while reading the local paper, I came across an ad for a triathlon club in my area, and a Christian one at that. To me, it was the best of both worlds! Needless to say, I joined Team FASTT, where I met lots of amazing people to train with and learn from. I grew in knowledge, strength, and faith while swimming, biking and running my way through life.

In 2009, I was in peak performance, training for my 2nd half-ironman with a coach I met through Team FASTT, Sara. I had never felt better, and was eager when I went to pick up my race packet the day prior to the race. When they handed me my race number, I laughed, thinking it was a joke at first. Was my number really 666? Weren't they suppose to skip that number? Really? Of course, 666 is just another number, but it is also the supposed number of the devil in the book of Revelation in the Bible. But no, it wasn't a joke, and I was to wear 666 on my bike, helmet, race bib, and body. I'm not a superstitious person by any means, but as a Christian, I wrestled with the thought of marking my body with the number of the devil.

And so I prayed about it, seeking God's guidance. Why did I, out of almost 1,000 people, get 666? Was it pure coincidence, or was it something more? Should I just get a new number and pretend it never happened? But I believe there was something in it that God wanted to teach me. In the end, I pulled out of the race, deciding it just wasn't a part of His plan for me. In hindsight, I think it was a test of sorts to see if triathlons had become an idol, something I began to care more about than God. And based on the struggle I had in giving up this race, it likely had, or soon would have, become one. I was miserable giving up something I had worked so hard for, and I was angry at God about it.

But slowly my anger was replaced with peace. I was reminded that "in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." I ended up doing a smaller, shorter race instead, the Black Hills Triathlon, and even won 1st in my age group (and 3rd place overall). In fact, the picture above from Black Hills is one of my favorites to this day.

That was my last triathlon before I embarked on a much tougher journey--the journey of motherhood!

PART 3

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." -1 Corinthians 9:25

My first tri as a mother

Then came a baby in a jogging stroller! As a mother, I was both overwhelmed and in awe of this tiny little human in my care. It was fascinating and frightening at the same time. As a triathlete, I was in denial that I needed to slow down; I mean, surely I could just do a super sprint tri in my neighborhood two months post-partum, right? The bike course literally went past my street--how could I not do it?

And so, as foolish as it seems in hindsight, I did the Cottage Lake Tri in September 2010, two months postpartum. I even got 2nd in my age group (though my daughter was the real prize). I just couldn't slow down. I guess I was trying to hold onto a part of my old life, while losing so much of myself to motherhood. That was something that would continue through three children. There was a growing anxiety and depression over the loss of me as a triathlete. It was a dark time when my kids were little, which grew darker when one was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I recall one day sitting in the nursery glider while holding one of my beautiful, precious daughters in my arms. I looked through the lattices on the window, feeling like a caged bird, unable to fly. All of this, combined with a fierce love for my kids and an intense joy at the newness of life, created a crazy storm within, one that would last for several years.

That was when I stopped doing triathlons. I simply lacked the energy and motivation to keep going. I wish I could say that I let triathlons go willingly while embracing motherhood completely, but that would be a lie. Instead, I was like one of my kids, kicking and screaming when I didn't get what I wanted. I couldn't let go, and to this day, I feel like I missed out on some of the simple joys of motherhood because of it. But with time, and a little help from friends, family, neighbors, counselors, and of course God, I have come to embrace and enjoy my life in the moment, both as a mother and as a triathlete.

After a five year hiatus (give or take...I can't quite remember!), I re-entered the world of triathlon, doing about one per year (except for 2020, darn Covid!). Then, in 2021, I competed in the Lake Tye Triathlon and got 1st in my age group, which qualified me for the Age Group Nationals in 2022. I was ecstatic! It would be in Milwaukee, where a brother of mine lives. It felt like a dream come true, and after praying about it--and making sure my priorities were in the right order, with God first--I signed up and started training. That was when I got my fourth "baby," Bella, my bike. I was lucky to find her on FB marketplace during a bike shortage due to the pandemic, and she was just my size! I'm not really a pink sort of girl, but it has certainly grown on me.

As I began training for Nationals, I decided to go all in and see what I might be capable of at this stage in my life. And what a crazy rollercoaster of a year it has been! Training with kids, battling sciatica, dealing with autism, supporting my immunocompromised husband during Covid, and more. It has not been easy, but it has been good. God has carried me through it all, and I once again feel free to fly!

Now, as I write this post while actually flying on the airplane to Milwaukee with my family, I look forward to crossing the finish line at Nationals, regardless of how I do, knowing that "everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." To that end I strive, running the race before me while keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, my real prize and finish line.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17

Many thanks to:

My husband, Scott, and his incredible support, from start to finish line.

My kids for their inspiration, silliness, and reminding me what's really important in life.

My mom for doing anything and everything to take care of my kids so I could train, or just take a break when I needed it. You saved my sanity many times!

Merrilee and Lisa, for getting me started on this journey! May God bless you on each of yours.

My four brothers: Tim, Toby, Tom, and Tyson, for keeping me on my toes. I was always trying to keep up with you guys, and now it's paid off!

Lisa and Team FASTT, for creating a place to learn and grow in strength and faith.

Sara, for your coaching expertise and encouragement, on and off the course.

Serene and Louise, for being such awesome training partners and friends for a while, until life's course took us in different directions.

Pastor Ray, Christina, and Mountain Ridge Community Church, for all of your support and encouragement. Thank you for the prayers, and Ray--for getting me in the right gear with bikes and life.

Joe, for helping me mourn the loss of my first tri bike, and tuning up my new one, "Bella."

North End Otters for helping me improve my swim. Although swimming is my weakest, it is also my favorite!

Susie at Corpore Sano Physical Therapy for all your advice and healing touch! I am stronger and faster because of you.

And last but never least, Jesus, who gives me strength for the course.

The Finish Line - A Birth Story

To start off, my labor did not go at all how I had hoped.  I pretty much had to throw my birth plan out the hospital window once I arrived.  I can laugh at it all in retrospect, but it was definitely hard at the time.  "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

After my due date had come and gone, and Josie was still enjoying her time in the womb, I had some tests done to make sure everything--and everyone--was still doing well.  As it turned out, I apparently had a low amniotic fluid level, which meant Josie didn't have enough swimming space.  After drinking copious amounts of water and a second test the next day, I had to be induced immediately.  I'm not entirely convinced the test was accurate, and it seems to be one of the current trends in obstetrics, but after a quick trip to Jamba Juice to fuel up with a Peanut Butter Moo'd smoothie, I reluctantly went into the hospital to induce labor.  There went my desire to labor at home as long as possible, out the window.  It's sort of like bad weather on the day of a triathlon--it's not how you want things to go, but it's beyond your control.

And so, at noon on Wednesday, July 7, I was induced.  The first attempt to start labor was a very unpleasant and awkward process--a foley catheter was used like a balloon to encourage dilation.  This took about four hours, and Scott and I grew bored as we waited in the hospital room, nice enough though it was--we hadn't brought enough stuff to keep us occupied.  We even called my mom to bring us a board game, though by the time she arrived I had finally reached 4 cm, and the catheter fell out.  I was so excited and relieved!  Labor had finally started.  To keep it going, they gave me pitocin.  I cried as they hooked me up to the machine (my hormones certainly didn't help).  And because of the situation, they had to continuously monitor Josie, so I was also hooked up to a fetal monitor.  There went my desire to dance with my husband, out the window (though we did attempt it at one point).

Once contractions grew more intense, I did everything recommended in the books and classes:  walking, using the birth ball, changing positions, getting into a water bath, breathing, focusing, etc.  After about ten long, excruciating hours, I needed something more to help with the pain.  A trusted friend (whose sanity I now question!) had recommended saline shots in the back for pain, so I thought I'd give it a try.  You know when you read about those blood-curdling screams in books?  Well, after getting the saline shots, I think I may have curdled my husband's blood.  As well as the two grandmas' in the waiting room.  And the nurses' in the hallway.  Perhaps even my own, it was that bad.  You could have recorded my scream and used it in a horror film.  I would say it was worse than labor.  It may have helped for about an hour or two, but it wasn't worth it to me.

Once the shock of the saline shots wore off and my contractions grew closer together, I reached my limits not of pain tolerance, but rather pain endurance.  It was very discouraging when, after two hours, I had only dilated one more centimeter.  Had it been a triathlon, I would have quit the race.  But that isn't a choice with childbirth.  So, at 4:00 am and 7 cm dilated, I opted for an epidural.  I felt defeated.  There went my desire for a labor without pain medication, out the window.  The anesthesiologist came in and administered the epidural.  I call him my "epidural angel" partly because he relieved the pain, but perhaps more so because he was a collected, caring and calm presence right when I needed it most.  Of all the medical professionals involved with my labor and delivery, I would say he (and my nurse Heidi) was one of the best, and he was only present for a few minutes.  Though he did come back after Josie was born to see how I was doing, and to say congratulations.

As part of a baby shower gift, my mom had given me a silver heart with an inscription that read, "I can do all things through Christ" (Philippians 4:13).  I thought this verse would help me endure the pain of childbirth without pain medication, but instead it became the verse to help me do what was even harder than that:  give up my own desires.  I wasn't throwing them out the window after all, I was giving them over to God.

After the epidural, I slept for several hours.  It felt incredible.  I had no idea how exhausted I was until I slept.  When I awoke, I felt like I had just run the longest race of my life.  Only I still had farther to go!

I began pushing at about 9:30 am.  With the epidural, this was actually one of the easier parts of labor.  Forty-five minutes later, at 10:17 am on Thursday, July 8, Josie was born!  Scott ended up catching her (with the midwife's help) and cutting the umbilical cord.  He was such a great support throughout the entire course of labor, and I wouldn't have wanted to do it without him there.  He's my superhero husband.

My first reaction to Josie:  utter and complete awe.  Outside of Josie and my husband, the world around me blurred (and not just because I wasn't wearing my glasses).  I knew things were happening--nurses cleaning everything, a surgeon stitching my tear, someone observing Josie, etc.  But my focus was on my new daughter lying on my chest.  Newborn babies can look rather strange--even ugly--but to me Josie was the most beautiful thing in the world at that moment.

And Josie's first reaction to the world:  She pooped.  On me.  *?@! happens.  But the love I had for her washed all of it away; it simply didn't matter.  I imagine it's much like how God's love for us washes away our sin.  When we become his children and are cleansed by the blood of Christ, our sin simply doesn't matter.  It's still there, but in God's eyes it's out-of-focus.  His is a lens of love.  "Love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

I have now experienced childbirth.  The pain of labor is an enduring pain with intermittent bouts of intense pain--all day and/or night.  It is more like an ironman than a sprint triathlon.  But with labor, there is a much better, incomparable prize at the finish.

Trimesters Part 3

With all the excitement of the new baby, I haven't had much chance to write about the third trimester.  So just for the sake of continuity, here are three brief points on my third trimester:

• I failed the initial glucose tolerance test, which meant there was a possibility of gestational diabetes.  After much stress and a second longer and stronger (99 grams of sugar in 5 minutes!) test, I passed with flying colors.  Whew.
• I had two baby showers and got lots of great things for the baby.  Everyone has been incredibly generous.
• Scott and I celebrated our 5-year wedding anniversary on June 18, five of the best years of my life.  We went out to dinner and a movie to celebrate one last time together before we would become three.

The Curse of Childbirth - A Devotion

"Women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."  1 Timothy 2:15

 I don't pretend to know what this verse means.  I think perhaps it refers to the curse of childbirth in Genesis 3:16, and that women will collectively be saved from sin by enduring the pains of childbirth, as long as we are faithful, loving, and holy.  Perhaps it means God will save us physically during the intense pain and process of labor and delivery.  Or perhaps by enduring childbirth and childrearing we will fully understand what God went through when we sinned by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thereby understanding why he did what he did, helping us to put our trust in God once again.  Kids have an uncanny way of teaching us about ourselves--including our sin and disobedience--and about our relationship with God our heavenly Father, for what child does not disobey his parents at some point?  Furthermore, childbirth may help us to identify with Christ's suffering on the cross, an intense suffering that brings about life.

This passage came at a very appropriate time for me.  I am not far from childbirth--less than two weeks away from my due date.  The pain and suffering ahead of me is a bit frightening, and yet I am trusting God to help me through it (with help from my husband, midwives, and nurses!)  I'm also trusting in him to prepare me for parenthood, and all the challenges and joys that it will inevitably bring.

Prayer:  Father God, I pray for you to cover me with your saving grace as I endure the pains of childbirth.  May your grace be sufficient for me not only in childbirth, but also in childrearing, and may your power be made perfect in my weakness.  I pray also for your grace to cover over my daughter, that she would come to know you as her Lord and Savior, and that your truth and love would shine brightly through her life.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9