LURAY TRIATHLON AUGUST 2024

March 2024 I fractured my left elbow during a training bike ride. I was so upset with myself that this accident happened, after all, 2024 was going to be my year to become an Ironman triathlete by racing Ironman70.3 North Carolina and 2024 was also going to be the year I completed my first century ride. After I fell, I was so disappointed with myself. I asked, "how could I allow this to happen?" I loathed for a bit and after realizing loathing would change absolutely nothing, I got over it. How did the accident happen, you ask? Long story short, I was attempting to put my water bottle back into its cage, but I rode off the pavement into the grass, and while attempting to get back on the pavement, WHAM! I fell and skid on the pavement. For the next five months I was left to ride on a stationary bike (without putting pressure on my arm). Swimming was completely out of the question and running became manageable after a month or so with my arm in a sling. I was determined to keep my body active while allowing my elbow to heal. See exhibit A below.

Don't judge my underarm hair in the picture above. It's pretty hard to shave underarms when you have a fractured elbow. #hairypits

Months went by and I continued to follow up with the doctor regarding my elbow. It was healing, but not at the pace I wanted. I continued to ride the stationary bike and run when I could. My legs were getting stronger with the amount of riding (and resistance) I was using on the bike. See exhibit B below.

Look at those "guns"-I mean arms. lol

August came and there was an Olympic distance triathlon that I wanted to try. I had been back in the pool a few times and felt I had the range of motion to move my arm and the endurance to swim the necessary 1500 yards. So I drove the two hour car ride to the race location, race morning, and put my body to the test.

SWIM: Two loops to total 1500 yards. I positioned myself in the back at the swim start and when it was time to enter, I was excited. Two minutes later I was thinking, "This is stupid. I'm going to stop once I finish the first loop". lol The excitement faded quickly, but I kept swimming and eventually warmed up. Before arriving at the location of the second loop, I'd decided that I would #carryon with the swim to completion. I emerged out of the water feeling good. Take a look at Exhibit C below.

I mean, look at that smile. No one would ever believe just a few swim strokes before this, I thought swimming, on this day, was the worst decision ever. lol I took my precious time to get to transition one. I changed into my socks and clipless shoes and sashayed to the bike mount line.

BIKE: For me, the 25 mile bike ride was hard. My garmin watch showed it was 1654ft of elevation and it took me a little over 2 hours and 2 minutes to finish the ride. I was a little disappointed to see my average speed was 12.7mph, but then I saw my max speed was 40.3mph and I was all good again. lol When I got off the bike on race day, I said I would never do the Olympic distance again, but as I'm sitting here writing this post, I think I've changed my mind and I'll give it another go someday.

RUN: It does not matter which tri event I am doing, I am ALWAYS happy to get off the bike and on my own two feet again. This day was no exception. However, trying to get in a run grove proved to be a little more challenging than expected. In my opinion, the 10k run could be classified as rolling. It was beautiful scenery and the temperature was good. On the flats, I felt my speed increasing but as soon as hill approached I would slow down again. It was all good though. It started to rain, I mean pour down raining during my last two miles of the run. I didn't mind the rain at all. It was actually refreshing. Plus, it put a little pep in my step to get to the finish line.

I finished the race in 4:18:24.1. I was ineligible for awards because I raced in my wetsuit and that was fine by me. I was getting my feet wet in tri life again after my elbow fracture so I was fine with my results. It was a success. I did not drown, I did not fall of the bike and I did not die on the run.

Until next time folks. Move your body and have fun doing it.