I am a TRIATHLETE. Y Freedom Tri Race Report

As you all know, I have really been looking forward to this moment in my life. Just last July my wife took a picture of me at the beach where I weighed 470 pounds. Today I was at 220 and in the best shape of my life by far. I slept pretty well in the motel room. I woke up at 4 and trying to keep my breakfast as close to what I eatr before working out as possible, I ate 2 1/2 packs of granola bars for a total of 270 calories. I also drank about 32 ounces of water. I drove the 20 minute drive to the pool and stayed much calmer than I thought I would. I got to the body marking area where I was marked with my bib number 348. I then had my bike and helmet checked and I went to Transition area to get set up. I was definately one of the 1st ones there. The racks they had were not the best at least my rack. They needed extra racks so they had these make shift racks that were about to crash down from the weight of all the bikes. They actually ended up moving me along the fence which wasnt bad, because it was right next to the bike exit and entrance. I then went in the pool area and got ready for the race. My nutrition plan was to take a gel 5 minutes before the race that started at 7 then take another one 45 min to an hour after that. That 1st gel may have been a waste because the race got started a little late and when you are bib 348 and there is a 10 sec delay between swimmers, it takes a while before it is your turn. As i have stated before, I put an estimate of my swim at 9:55. At that time my swim was actually closer to 12 min. When it was finally my turn, although the swim was the event I was most apprehensive about, I was gliding on the water. It was awesome, until I had to pass. There is traffic coming both directions and in NASCAR terms, we were 4 wide at times. I made it around several people when all of a sudden at about 130 meters a guy is trying to pass me swimming under me. It seemed like I was the only one following close to the ropes. Everyone else swam in the middle. After the guy got past me and kicked me in the face a couple of times, he was wore out. He used so much energy to pass me that I was able to pass him right back. I passed several others and was not passed again. I had started my stop watch right when I was told to go and stopped it right after I stepped on the mat for the chip, 7:55. WOW, 9:00 was my best time. Now my official time is 8:04, but I think there was a mistake when they wrote down the start time when we were leaving 10 seconds apart and the difference in my time and the offial time was 10 seconds. Oh well.  jogged to T1 then took my time putting my socks, shoes, helmet and sunglasses on. Spent too much time there, but I was just trying to have a good time, and not forget anything and relax. I hadnt looked at my swim split yet until leaving T1. Had I seen it earlier, I probably would have rushed to get out sooner. I got on my bike and dad gummit if I couldnt get my left foot in that little basket on the pedal. The pedal kept spinning and I have never had that trouble. I kept going about a 1/2 mile really slow till I got my foot in. Got passed by 1 racer while I was going so slow. As I was going, my bike computer wasnt. Thats what I get for not checking the magnet in the morning. Any how, i started riding. It was awesome. Very little wind and a very flat course. I started passing people like crazy. I scouldnt even count them, but I did notice I was passing bib numbers in the mid to lower 200's. Training in the south Texas gulf coast winds definately has its advantages. My bike was awesome. I was making sure to thank the volunteers and the police officers for controlling traffic as I passed them. They were awesome, The last 3.5 miles i decided to push hard as I looked at my watch and knew I could have a sub 40 bike split. Perhaps even way sub 40. About 2.5 miles from the finish, I looked at one of the police officers to thank him when BANG, I ran right over a raised reflector speed bump type device. I had avoided all the others the whole day. You had about 3 inches or less to miss them, but I took my head off the road for a sec and nailed it. This bent the back wheel and flattened the tire. I was devastated. I got off the bike for what seemed an eternity as riders started passing me. I wanted to cry. I didnt know what to do. it was my back tire and there was no time to change a flat, then I realized I couldnt change it if I wanted to since I did not have a quick release nut on the rear wheel. I was determined to finish the race. Today I was "Daring Greatly" I got on the bike and rode a bent wheel with a flat tire the remainding 2.5 miles. I was at a snails pace. Now I was pissed. I was being passed by several. I got back to transition and took off my helmet, put on my race belt and took off. Thats what I get for racing to compete a little rather than to complete. The run was ok at 1st, but the bike thing was in my head, so I pushed it a little hard that first mile trying to make up time. After the first 1.5 miles I walked. I walked a lot, maybe even a mile or more. I decided that I needed to enjoy the atmosphere and not try to make up all that lost time on the run. I finished the race. My primary goal was to finish the race with a smile on my face. I hope I did that. Then I decided that if I was going to reach a certain time goal for my 1st one 1:45 was it. Then after my swim on Friday, I thought I could possibly go sub 1:30. That didnt happen, but I had a blast and I am officially hooked. When I crossed the finish line there was still a little disappointment, because I know I could have gone at least 15 minutes faster. But then I stopped worrying about it and did what Chad and Dan have kept telling me to do, enjoy it. Thanks guys. Later,I was sitting in the bleachers as the last runner finished, a 68 year old inspiration, when it finally hit me. I started bawling like a baby. I finally did it. I have done something that I never thought I could or that I would, and I had a pretty successful race for the most part. I was proud of myself and my accomplishment. I was sad that my wife and kids were not there to witness it with me, but I definately understand. I am tearing up, just remembering those feelings earlier today.

I cant wait for my next one in New Braunfels with an open water swim. Sorry this is so long, but I could probably go several more paragraphs.

Thanks for reading and remember to Tri to Dare Greatly!

You finished and with it sounds like a smile on your face!! What an accomplishment!! Look where you were just a relatively short time ago!! Onward to New Braunfels and the next race!!!
Meggie

WAY TO GO!!!! What an awesome feat you've accomplished!

Wow Darrell,  very inspiring story and a great accomplishment.  Congratulations.  That is an awesome thing you did!

Thanks ladies. I had an amazing time!

Darrell (EDITED TO CORRECT NAME SPELLING)

I am so excited for you... Sitting in tears as you probably said one of the most profound statements and something I need to really learn to live by... "racing to compete a little rather than to complete"... Often of times, even as I find myself in workouts in the gym, I am competeing against everyone there, do more, do faster, etc... Instead of realizing I am not there to compete, but rather complete.... Complete something I never would have done before, and certainly not 'everyday' like I do now.

In life its not about competition, but completing!

Thanks for saying that and sharing your story!!! 

Jessica

You DID it!!!  I'm so proud of you! I think you came out the winner on this one!

Congratulations!!!! You are an inspiration to all of us that have had WLS.  I look forward to just being able to walk without getting winded.  I am only almost 3 weeks post op but I feel better than I did 1 month ago. 
Again WEIGH to go!!!