That’s what I have had to continually tell myself after I managed to disqualify my team in the Morden Half-Ironman Triathlon.
For those of you who remember, two very good friends of mine and I decided to compete as a team in this event. Jenny swam, I was to cycle, and Carrie was to run.
We arrived in Canada on Friday night (my first foray into a foreign country!) and were beyond excited to compete the next morning.
Saturday, July 10th…
4:30AM : The three of us woke up and prepared for the 1 mile swim, 55 mile bike, and 13 mile run.
6:00AM : We arrived on site, racked the bike, and marked ourselves up. We were pumped. We were ready.
7:00am : Jenny banged out an amazing one mile swim.
~7:40am : She passed on the timing chip and I began my 55 mile (90km) ride from hell. I completely underestimated the not-so-steep-but-ridiculously-long-hills and whipping wind across the flat plains of Morden, Manitoba. I was in pain, but I was determined to finish the race if it killed me.
~9:00am : 20km in – I sent a silent prayer to the the heavens to make my ride just a tiny bit easier. Take away the wind, take away the knot in my shoulder, give my legs a second wind – anything.
~10:00am : 35km in – I notice the ride has suddenly become extremely rough and my comforting “push, pull, push, pull” mantra has become extremely difficult. My back tire was flat. I had nothing to change it with and no knowledge of even how to.
I was in the middle of Bumfuck, Canada with nothing but canola fields, empty road, my tears, and my flat tire to keep my company.
I couldn’t finish the race. I was done. The team was disqualified. All that training for nothing.
I swear I almost threw that bike into the field and left it there.
But I refuse to let this beat me. I did not fail.
Starting Monday, I will begin training for the Fargo Mini Marathon and I will finish my first half marathon. I will bring in my 25th year (my birthday is the next day) with a triumph that no one can take away.
Next year? I plan on competing in the Foilman Triathlon (.5 mile swim, 25 mile cycle, 6 mile run).
I will also learn how to change a tire.
I will succeed. I will not fail.
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Oh no! I can only imagine how disappointing that must have been, but really it was your bike that failed you! You would’ve kicked that courses butt had your bike not let you down! Good luck with your 1/2 marathon training!
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