Redman Eve

It's here. The day before Redman. I'm so ready. Sort of.

We did a Last Chance Workout, so to speak, today at Lake Hefner. Everyone on the message boards had been very worried that the water would be too warm for wetsuits. That won't be a problem. The water was 70 degrees this morning and with the lows going down below 50 tonight, it won't be warming up any too soon.

I almost think I would be better off if it weren't westsuit legal. My wetsuit has been problematic lately. At HyVee, I had to pull it down off my torso so I could expand my lungs enough to breath. Then, I wore it at a practice swim on Monday. The water at Lakewood was fairly cool. We swam about a mile there, and I had no problems. Today, the water being cold and choppy, I felt like I had issues again.

I haven't done much swimming in choppy water to begin with. That, along with the cold water freaked me out a bit, and I had a "moment" again. I made myself stay out there until I swam a few hundred feet comfortably. I do really believe that once I get into the race tomorrow, have the buoys clearly defining the space, see lots of kayaks around for safety, and can just GO, I'll be fine, but this again did give me pause. I think it was a good reality check to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take the swim for granted.

The weather is probably going to serve up the worst on both ends...it will be cold for the swim and the start of the bike...and, it promises to be hot for the run. And, it could be windy on top of all that. Weather is never anything we can control, but just get to deal with what is served up. While I feel more than ready for this event, I am worried...worried about staying calm and focused on the swim; worried about my nutrition on the bike; worried about running in 80+ degree weather, when my body so quickly acclimated to the 60's and 70's KC has been serving up; worried about the unknown.

But, overall, I am so grateful. First and foremost, I'm grateful that I have the mere ability to swim, run and bike. Secondly, I'm grateful that I joined this group of amazing women that have so enriched my life in every way. We each came to the table with strengths and weaknesses. We've bolstered each other up and cheered for our successeses. I appreciate our coach and the time/planning she has done, but it is really these women that I have to credit to the fact that I'm sitting here in this hotel, writing these words and anticipating not only a triathlon, but my first half Ironman distance triathlon.

Go, Red Ladies! Be safe, race well, and Kick 'em in the NIBLETS!