Mighty Magnolia Triathlon Race Report

Mighty Magnolia Triathlon
Hattiesburg, MS

Well, I know I assumed that Ironman Canada was going to be the final tri of the season, but last week we decided to sign up last minute for the Mighty Magnolia triathlon in Hattiesburg. I know, I know. I'm such a sucker when it comes to races ;) You think I would learn by know how much I hate the HURT of a sprint triathlon. It's about equivalent to a 5K for me when it comes to the hurt factor. (only you have to factor in the running on tired legs from hammering on the bike!)

We decided to do this race for a couple of reasons.

•  Hattiesburg is a possibility for a future home when Matt finishes his Hematology/Oncology fellowship. We thought we could scope the area out, since I'm not familiar and have a fun day looking at neighborhood areas to live, in case there was an opening for an Oncolgist in the future :)

•     I really wanted to see what my legs had left in me for the season. I had gotten so close to winning a couple of triathlons this year. (got 2nd twice and let's not forget the DQ I got when I was on pace to win ;) I thought I had a chance to win this one, but wasn't sure of my competition, since a lot of the females were from Louisiana and the coast area. I also was trying my luck for a spot for USAT Age Group Nationals in Vermont next year.

Let me elaborate on that last sentence:) I am the type of athlete that needs a goal; it's extremely hard for me to just go swim, bike, or run without some race or goal in my mind. I knew that if I qualified at this race, it would roll over to next year (I'm estimating the race to be at the end of September again?) Since we are now trying to start a family (Yay!!!), I figured Age Group Nationals might be a great race to keep me motivated to train (at a low intensity,of course) through my pregnancy. If I had this as a goal, I would keep on keepin' on, if ya know what I mean ;)

But, I say this as just a best-case scenario. I have no idea how long it might take for us to start this journey. I am trying my best not to worry about it and just let it happen, but we are talking about "Mrs. Type-A Personality" at her finest!!! I am trying every day to put it in God's hands and just have faith that it will happen in His time, not ours.

One of my friends, Leah, put a verse on her Facebook wall this week that really helped me remember this.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7

I must remember this on a daily basis, so I posted it on my fridge :)

So, on to the race report! I'll make this one short and sweet!

Because we signed up so late, we were almost dead last in line. It was a time-trial start, and Matt was ahead of me, so he jumped in 5 seconds before me.

SWIM: The swim was uneventful. Right after the buoys marking the turnaround, I felt someone grab my side. They held on for a few seconds. I thought "How rude is THIS guy?!" It turned out "this guy" happened to be Matt :) He noticed my jersey underwater and so we swam side by side almost to the timing mat. I am thinking the swim measured a little long (or maybe I am a little slow,considering my lack of training in the last 6 wks since Canada ;)

BIKE: The bike has quite a few rollers that I wasn't expecting. By mile 6, my legs were already screaming at me. I just tried to hold on for as long as I could, and remembered Matt telling me that it was all about the bike on a sprint tri. I prayed my legs would be able to function on the run.

I averaged 20.3; My odometer must be off---it clocked me at 20.5 average. Either way, given the time that I have been on the bike, or lack thereof, I was ok with the time.

RUN: Oh boy. Think I biked too hard. I think I expected my legs to just remember how to bike hard and pick up right where I left them back in July at my last sprint. Let's just say, they didn't agree with me on that situation. When I looked down at my watch and saw I was only at .6 of a mile, I knew it might be ugly. I thought I might vomit Gatorade (still not ready to drink that stuff again since Canada:( My legs were just not there. I wanted to push harder, but I just couldn't. They were fried. I don't know if I'm just not 100% recovered from Canada, or if they just aren't used to the speed I was trying to put on them. Either way, the run went by decently fast and I was SO glad to cross that finish line. I was disappointed in my run, but I think I was expecting too much out of my body.

I was very excited to win overall female!! I forgot how much sprints HURT. I have determined this year that I am a long-course kinda gal. I'm not necessarily talking Ironman distance(too much training), but I just enjoy going long and at a more comforable pace, as opposed to the "swim/bike/run as hard and fast as I can till I puke my guts out" pace ;) If I am going to race more of these, I need to TRAIN to race fast, and not just try it out on race day ;)



Race Director, Ben Hughes and me (first time to sport the sponsor Jersey ;)



We got some beautiful pottery that was worth the hurt of the day :) Matt scored 2nd place in his age group, so I was proud of him!!

LOVE the pottery!!!

Now, it's time to call it a year. It has been quite a year in the triathlon world of 2010. I've learned a lot about my body and how to train it. I have learned how to suffer through the pain more this year than any other. As Matt says, triathlon, especially Ironman, is similar to life. You learn how to push on when you might not always feel like it. You learn how to give yourself goals; but if you don't reach those goals, you can't give up. You just to have another list of goals waiting underneath :)  Such is life. You must always strive to do your best. You won't always succeed at doing your best, but you can't let that stop you. Anyone can give up. That's easy. It's the pushing through and learning how to perservere through the good and the bad times that REALLY make you strong. That's when you learn how to live life ;)

As I write this, I don't know what's in store for me next year. I am certain of one thing. I am ready for the ride. I am ready to start a family as soon as possible.  If I have it my way, I will be "about to pop" during peak tri season, but I am taking it one month at a time, and I am doing my best to trust God and just be content in having a baby in His time. After all, that's what it's all about. God already has our plan laid out for us. We don't know what it is, but we have to trust Him and know that he wants us to sit back and just let it happen. He will take care of us. That's a given :)