It would be an understatement to say that I'm a little annoyed right now, but we'll just go with that.
I DNF'd at SoMa this weekend. I am still mad at the world, and I am still processing the event. Eventually I'll be able to write something balanced; for now I'll spill some facts...
I had an unrecoverable mechanical failure on the bike. I spent two hours waiting on the course for mechanical support that didn't come. As a result, I was only able to finish two of the three bike loops after my 1.2 mile swim.
There were no timing mats on the bike course. It would have been possible to skate into transition and start running. No one would have been the wiser. But the finisher's medal says 70.3 it does not say 51.6.
I can't get those two hours back. I didn't get a finisher's medal. I got other stuff instead.
I got friends who helped me on the course, who went above and beyond, and sacrificed their own race times to help me. All my Outlaw teammates offered to help, I knew they couldn't. Baboo, Mighty and Wiz all called in technical support people, and stopped to help me, in vain.
Bolder went and got a tech guy and brought him back to me. If it weren't for him, I'd probably still be out there hoping someone would come.
I got friends who comforted me at the end, who empathized with my misery. 21st Century Mom, Stronger, and Momo all talked me through my tears. Comms and Benny shared my frustration.
I got to cheer on my other friends and wish them well on their race. All my Outlaw teammates were suffering mightily in the heat, but they kept it strong. Nytro looked like she was suffering, but she finished! Duane kept going, though I know he wanted to quit. In the end, he did it on his own.
At the end of the day, it's just a race. I cared more about having fun and enjoying the company of good friends than I did about finishing. I came for me, and I came for them. I am a lucky woman - I have great friends.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: if I was going to go out there to win, I'd never bother to get out of bed.
It's not about the race.
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16 comments:
Oh no! I'm so sorry! But, yeah, things like this happen every now and then to remind us about all those wonderful folks we got in our lives that back us up. You one lucky gal.
Hey- you had more time to hang with your friends!!
bold and i will be writing strongly worded open letters on our blog to landis... just a thought for you, too.
nice seeing you at the airport! sorry you had such a crappy day! wish we could have visited more!
DPR - you have the best attitude ever! You were dealt a low blow by totally inadequate sag support on that course and you've taken it like the salty lassie you are - arrrrr! We all need to write letters to RedRock and suggest they implement rolling sag support.
There's more fun to be had next year!
Sounds like an emotionally painful experience to go through - waiting and waiting for mechanical support. :(
Glad there is some positive spin on it - you are mightly blessed to have so many friends out there. :)
Live to race another day with renewed energy!! It's just one day, chalk it up to experience! Nothing can get you down for long!!!
I'm all mad that this had to happen to you!! I'd probably be sulking like a big baby.
You would've done awesome if you had the chance to finish. Your attitude shows you're a champion in the ways that really matter. I can see why you have so many good friends :)
you handled everything so well. i was so impressed. i'm still such an endurance toddler, that i learned so much yesterday, on what to do when things go wrong. i was just learning along with you...
and for the record, that was a severe mechanical issue. and, i want your legs tested for EPO, i don't know how you jammed that chain in there with such force!
i had so much fun meeting you though. it wouldn't have been SOMA without you!!
this...
At the end of the day, it's just a race. I cared more about having fun and enjoying the company of good friends ...
epitomizes my whole outlook on racing. you took the day for what it brought you and you are the richer for it (as are we) - medal or no medal.
BIG hugs, friend.
A Bad race with good friends is better than a great race with no friends.
There's nothing better than having people around you when a race gets tough.
Yikes - what a bummer. I have nightmares about mechanicasl failures. Sorry it happened to you.
(((HUGS)))
Sorry to hear about the breakdown. That sucks.
But it does sound as if you learned a lot about how great the tri community is and what great people you know.
It's good you can count your blessings despite a frustrating race.
you must have processed fast, I heard nary a bad word from you though Bold filled in the details from on course later.
You can't help the stuff that you can't fix. Many pro's don't finish races too.
I'm really sorry....about the whole damn thing. One of the worst feelings I've ever had in a race was riding my bike away from you when I couldn't get that friggin chain out.....I would rather you rode my bike in if it wasn't so big. You got one thing right....we're not getting paid for this....it's no longer about the race for me either...
It's about everything BUT the race.
:-(
Still, glad you had the day with your friends.
Sorry to hear about the DNF. Those are always painful...yet, still provide the best life lessons.
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