Tomorrow is the Open Water Challenge (800 meter lake swim and 5K run). It’s the precursor to my sprint triathlon next weekend (750 meter swim, 17 mile bik, 5K run), and I am very, very nervous. This will be my third attempt to swim in an lake during a race, and so far, I am 2 for 2 in panic attacks.
Our little afternoon adventure did strip away some of my nerves – we went to a local triathlon store called Trysports, and it definitely got me in the mood to RACE!
The purpose of our visit: drop off my bike for a tune-up. I knew I needed my gears fixed and a new chain.
After dropping off my girl, I admired all the new and shiny bicycles. I would love to drop $2,000 on a new bike, but it’s just not going to happen – I’ll stick with my good-enough used bike.
The other reason for our visit to Trysports was to purchase a trisuit. A trisuit is basically an outfit that you can swim in, bike in, and run in. Women’s trisuits come in one-piece styles or two-piece styles. I knew I wanted a one-piece because I didn’t want to worry about my top riding up.
I ended buying the 2XU 2011 Women’s Endurance (WT1778d). I was most surprised by this suit’s shelf bra. I didn’t think I could find a trisuit that I didn’t need to wear a sports bra underneath (to control the pups), but it was really supportive.
According to the manufacturer:
- New quick drying and body cooling ICE X fabric, muscles are gently compressed to reduce fatigue, while the garment continues to breathe over long, hot endeavors.
- Panels built from new 70D KINETIC SPEED fabric deliver advanced turbulent airflow technology for greater speed on the bike. Long course Italian made triathlon chamois provides support on the bike whilst remaining discreet for the run.
- Other features include flatlock stitching, silicone leg grippers, rear essentials pocket and contoured paneling for unrivalled comfort and performance.
I have no idea if a trisuit will actually make me faster, but it will definitely make me feel more confident and comfortable! Especially on the bike. Yay, padding!
I was ready to checkout, but then I spotted Trysport’s running shoe fitting area. Figured I might as well get much-needed new shoes while I was there. Trysport has really friendly employees who instruct customers to run on a treadmill (to videotape pronation – whether your foot collapses in during your stride), as well as another cool device to measure your arch.
I might not have the ideal runner’s body, but I do have beautiful arches! Heh. It’s the small things.
I ended up finding the PERFECT shoes but had to order them in because the right color wasn’t in stock.
Eats of the day!
A spinach salad with baked tofu:
Quinoa with collard greens, chickpeas, and tomatoes (only now do I realize how similar lunch and dinner looked – my appetite was off due to nerves):
A big old glass of Chardonnay on the porch (which is totally NOT what I should be doing the night before a race)…
And now, I’m munching on a huge hunk of French bread and contemplating everything I need to bring to the race tomorrow.
My goals for tomorrow’s swim:
- Don’t cry
- Don’t panic too hard (a little bit is okay)
- Put my face in the water and actually do proper strokes
- Don’t cry
I don’t care if I finish last out of the lake (I was dead last during my previous tri)… I just want to feel STRONG.
Ready, set, GO!
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{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck! And girl…. Looking GOOD in that Tri suit. Not many can pull off a onsie
I really admire your determination! Best of luck tomorrow, and you ARE strong.
Good luck Caitlin! You will do great!!
I can’t wait to hear how you like your tri suit. I am thinking about getting one but am not sure
Good luck! You’ll do the best you can
To control the pups! GAH! Love it. I agree though in the need to control the pups when exercising!
Good luck Caitlin! You’ll do great! You have way more guts than I’ll ever have…
Good luck tomorrow! It’s always fun to have a new workout “toy”, enjoy the suit!
Best of luck tomorrow!! No tears
You’ll do great!
Good luck Caitlin! I know you will kick butt!
Two things:
1. Obviously it’s too late for this now, but have you tried going for a lake swim without the pressure and stress of an actual race? I think it might help you to practice a few times just by yourself where you can stop however many times you need, etc. Just a suggestion – of course I’m hoping you are AMAZING tomorrow and don’t panic at all! You could even bring your hubby along with a kayak!
2. As for your goal of doing strokes – breaststroke and sidestroke are two strokes where your face doesn’t even HAVE to go in, and they are amazing for lake swims (although I guess not AS fast). For me, the worst part of lake swimming is putting my face in the icky water and not being able to see where I’m going. These strokes let me get around that, so you might want to practice them for next time!
Again, GOOD LUCK! I can’t wait to see you kick ass tomorrow.
Ah thank you for this advice. I tried to apply it and I think it helped!
Good luck tomorrow! You will do great — it is tough to do, but try to relax and get some good sleep!
Your confidence is very inspirational! Good luck tomorrow!
Good luck! I know the third time will be a charm.
1) You are HOT in that suit girl!!
2) You WILL be strong. You ALREADY ARE.
3) Chardonnay, beer, alcoholic beverages in general – just 1 – is totally what you should before race day!
You will be AMAZING! When I start to panic, I try to force-control my breathing. Breathe in for three seconds, hold for three seconds, breathe out for three seconds, hold for three seconds. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
It’s what I do as I’m getting ready for worship every Sunday morning!
Good luck tomorrow!! I know you’ll do GREAT! By the way, you look so professional (and toned!) in your trisuit–must mean you’re a real triathlete!
I got “officially” fitted for running shoes for the first time a few weeks ago—watching myself run on the treadmill was fascinating! I found out that I’m a heel-striker and that my arches actually collapse with each landing (yup. ouch). The staff at the running store was so helpful and friendly, and they put me in some great, supportive shoes!
Best of luck tomorrow! You’ll be great!
You’re gonna rock it AND look hot while doing it in that new trisuit!
Can’t wait for the recap!
xo
I’m so nervous too!!! But we will both be fine!!! Have fun tomorrow!!!!
A little wine never hurt before a race…it will help you sleep. Have fun tomorrow!
you can do this! i am so proud of you
good luck tomorrow! you’ll rock it!
Good luck tomorrow! Just remember that you’re a strong and well-trained athlete
You’ll do amazingly, and cute in your suit, too!
GOOD LUCK!!! You’re going to do great!
The number one thing you can do is to visualize yourself beating your fears. I was TERRIFIED of skiing the first time and I walked down the entire mountain. That night I was determined to go out the next day and rock that mountain. I laid in bed and visualized myself skiing down with ease and it TOTALLY worked. Visualize yourself rocking that lake and you totally will!! Have fuuunn!!!!!
This was super helpful for me last night – I took your advice!
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear it went so well! The next time will be easy peasy!!
Good luck! We’re all rooting for you.
You’re going to do great! You’ll panic just enough, kick your legs like Speedy Gonzalez, and blow everyone else out of the water (figuratively speaking, but that actually fit well there!)!
You will be 827% awesome in your race tomorrow.
Good luck! You will rock it
GOOd LUCK!!! you are for sure going to rock it!
we’ve all been reading about how hard you’ve been training and preparing, both physically and mentally.
can’t wait to read you’ve fantastic race recap
Good luck tomorrow Caitlin!! I can’t wait to read the recap
Best of luck tomorrow Caitlin! You WILL feel strong because you ARE strong! Rock that race!
Wishing you the best tomorrow, Caitlin! You got this lady!
Good luck tomorrow Caitlin! I hope you have a panick-free swim
Go Caitlin Go!!
good luck!!!
You’ve got it Caitlin you can do this girl!!
)
So you’re already a step ahead of me!
I wish I had done a tri before so I could give you tips, but I’m absolutely horrible at swimming haha. Doggy paddling is the only way I know how to swim
I swam competetively for years and one of the things about a tri that terrifies me the most is the open water swim! Good luck!
You’re my hero for just facing your fears. You’re so awesome!
You look like the picture of health Caitlin. I watched your race diary on You Tube. Awesome and inspiring. I have been running for a year and a half and hope that I can keep growing in the journey like you lil’ sistah! Love the Operation Beautiful Blog. Am sharing it all over FB. Orlando is proud of you…:0)
Thank you so much, Gail!
Good luck! The 2XU suit is great- I’ve got 2 of them. And I’m totally in the PRO pre-race booze camp- just a wee glass helps more than it hurts, in my book.
Your new 2XU suit looks fabulous on you! Good luck!
All the best for your race! You can do it
You’ll be awesome. xxx
Good luck!!! You’ll rock it, no matter what happens
Good luck Caitlin, you will be great
xx
sending positive vibes, caitlin! just remember: “this is tough, but we are tougher.”
great shoe fitting experience! i work in a running store in canada; we offer gait analysis but i wish we had those high tech options to assist us! can’t wait to hear what shoes you chose!
Glad you decided to get the trisuit. I invested in one for my first sprint triathlon but all the logistics were just making me a crazy person
Don’t forget you’ll probably need one of those belt things that holds your number for the race part. Good luck with the swim today, you can do it!!!
Good Luck today Caitlin!
Good luck!
Good luck today. I am headed out for a 5k in about an hour. I’ll think of you!
Good luck!
Good luck. I have faith in you.
Hi Caitlin!
Good luck today – just remember the breathe in the water – you’ll be great! I look forward to reading all about it
I’m adding a blogroll type page to my blog and think it’s only polite to ask – would it be okay if I added you to my list?
Sure! Thank you so much!
go Caitlin go!!
Good luck today! I can’t wait to hear how it goes.
You look rockin’ in that suit and will totally dominate that race!! On another note what a coincidence with the bike, i just gor myself a shiny new bike today, so cute it has pink on it, i was sold from the start!!
yay I love pink and white bikes
enjoy your new toy!
You’re going to do awesome!! We all believe in you
Best of luck! I agree with the other posts…you look amazing in your suit!:) Hoping all goes well for you!
I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon, but the open water really does terrify me! At least I know I’m not the only one. Good luck you’ll do fabulous I’m sure!!
I’m so excited to hear about your race. I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember. Panic attacks are awful. Something that has helped me through them is giving myself permission to have them. If I try to pressure myself not to feel the anxiety going on, it can be twice as intense fighting against it. If I embrace it and let it pass, it’s dealt with. I’ll be cheering you on from afar tomorrow! Good luck.
Good advice… I need to embrace the freak.
You can do it Caitlin! And you have a million people cheering you on! Yes, a million. I counted
Congrats! I also love her quote, “When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a know and hold on.”
You are probably done racing by now (or in the process of it) … I hope it went well!!!!
You look great! And what a great store! I’ve always wanted to do one of those foot (feet?) evaluations.
ps. ^ditto to what Jolene said.
I definitely need to be fitted for the right running shoes but I’m kinda scurrred of how expensive its going to be (not the fitting but the shoes they will suggest). I don’t know if I can justify buying expensive running shoes if there is a good chance that I won’t run regularly (believe me, there is a good chance!). In any case, I’ll probably put it off till the fall as it is superrrrrr hot here in Texas already so no running unless I want heat stroke.
The fitting should be free! And you can definitely say, “This is my budget, please work within it!”
Ooh I just picked up that same bottle of Chardonnay from Trader Joe’s! Is it any good?
I liked it a lot, actually!
That salad looks amazing!