The Hyvee Triathlon Race....errrr Spectators Report

Well, those of you who have been following my blog know that Sunday should have been a HUGE day for me.  My first, official, OLYMPIC distance Triathlon.  The Hyvee Triathlon in Des Moines, IA.  I trained for months and I was ready to take on that 1500 Meter swim, 25 mile bike, and 10K run...but alas, it was not to be.  Instead it looks like I'm facing shoulder surgery and an uncertain race future.  I couldn't get in to see the specialist for 3 weeks!  That really sucks.  I just want to know what's going on and how long I can expect for recovery.

From what I've been reading, the prognosis is likely surgery, and the recovery is lengthy.  Although it's arthroscopic - because it is your shoulder (and a very movable body part) - it pretty much means no physical activity besides walking or a stationary bike for 2 to 3 months and no swimming for at least 6 months!!  At least that's what I've been reading.  That will be truly devastating and throw my first marathon and many other races out the window.  Sigh.....I digress...this post is supposed to be about the Hyvee Triathlon.

I decided that in spite of the fact that I couldn't race, I wanted to go to the race anyway.  I wanted to go ahead and pick up my packet and get my free stuff.  This was a $150 race...so I had already invested a lot of money.  I wanted my stuff dang it.  Plus, I thought it would be fun to go watch the pros race.  Unfortunately, we didn't end up seeing the pros race.  I didn't realize that they didn't race until late in the afternoon and we hadn't planned on staying in Des Moines that long.  We did go to the race and watch the Elite Men and Women and some of the Age Group race.  It was fun to see those first few racers cross the finish line and to cheer on so many different people.  I did get to see one of the Coach's from my Women's triathlon class cross the finish line.  She got 2nd overall for the Women in the Age Group Tri.  She is truly an amazing athlete!

I had SEVERAL teary moments throughout the weekend.  I was trying so hard to stay positive, but everything was difficult.  I kept thinking about how I SHOULD be feeling - nervous, giddy, anxious, excited, but instead I felt sad and depressed.  When I picked up my packet I had to say, I'm not racing, can I skip the 20 minute safety briefing and just pick up my packet.  The expo should have been fun and exciting.  It would have been cool mixing in with all the other athletes.  I tried to enjoy myself in spite of it and I did.  I had ups and downs.  One minute I was fine, the next I was not.

Sorry, about the race.  The race itself looked AWESOME!  It was just another reason to be disappointed.  It was such a major production.  The finish line was padded in blue carpet with flowers and banners.  It was amazing.   It finished at the Capital Building in downtown Des Moines and there were enough Grandstands set up for probably 5000 spectators.

The finishers area

The Capitol building

It truly looked like you were at some huge world class event.  And I guess you kind of were.  There were literally athletes here from all over the world.  This was the first ever 5150 Championship race.  The 5150 is a new race series from the people who produce the Ironman race series.  There was a Pro Race,  an Elite Championship race, and then the Age Group Triathlon.  There were 60 pros, about 300 athletes in the Elite race, and about 1500 in the Age Group race.  They said there were over $1 million in prize money and awards for all the races.  The male and female winners of the Elite Championship race won Mini Coopers and some other prizes.  The Elite Cup (pro race) winners won over $150,000.  So yes, the race was a pretty big deal!  It would have been so much fun to be a part of.

The Men's Elite Winner - Adam Webber

The Para Triathlon World Record Holder - he is blind - and he swims, bikes, and runs with a partner!  Crazy!

The Women's Elite winner - Kimberly Pancoast

The packets were definitely the best race swag I have ever seen.  I was seriously glad I went to pick up my packet.  You got lots of great stuff.  You got a backpack, a bike jersey, a stocking cap, a visor and lots of other "stuff" including sunglasses, a shower cap, and some food.  It was sponsored by Hyvee afterall....a local grocery market chain in our Region (which is based out of Iowa).  I even bought a separate race t-shirt.  It says 5150 on the back, spelled out with all of the race participants names.  Mine is on there.  I had been trying to decide if I would use or wear any of the stuff since I didn't do the race, but then I decided I put ALL of the work into it.  I did everything I was supposed to do.  I knew I was ready and would have finished.  I didn't earn the finisher's medal, but I did earn the gear.  And I am going to wear it.

Sad Michael...picking up her packet at the expo

The backpack

My name is in the "0"

I wish I had more details to share, but I have no stories about setting up my transition or that huge monster hill at mile 2 on the bike.  I just hope to find myself in Des Moines, IA next year....proudly crossing that finish line and earning my medal!  But for now, I am trying to stay active.  I am still running and biking until I'm told I can't.  That's all I can do.  I am still working toward my marathon in January....I'm just continuing to move on.

On a separate note, Jim got me the cutest necklace ever. It was supposed to be my "Congratulations" present, but instead it was more of a "hope this cheers you up" present.  But I love it!  It has a turtle on it!  I have pretty much been wearing it non-stop since Friday.