Please Find My Results (or titled: The Least They Can Do Is Say, "You DQ'd, F-off" :) )

Your first tri. An exciting event. At least it was for me.

My was a failure as far as time goes, but the fact I finished meant a lot to me. I was too tired/in pain to keep track of my own times (even forgot to click my watch when I came across the final mat!), but I figured it was no big deal, I'll get them when the results come out.

Wrong.

I first contact Bill with KLM (http://www.klmmarketingsolutions.com/) on 7/20 . He forward my email to Jeff with the timing company. No response. On 7/22 I followed up with Jeff (cc'ing Bill at all times). His response?

Jennifer,

I have emailed you twice. #252 chip NEVER crossed a mat. I believe you did. I believe you were mistakenly given chip #212 or chip #255. I order to determined which chip is yours I need your best approximation of your finish time or someone you finished with to determine which chip you were wearing. I Can Not fix you without your best approximation.

jeff

I replied same day letting him know that I checked my spam folder and inbox and never saw a response. Fine. Sent him the info the best I could and a picture of me crossing the finish line, hoping maybe he could read the number of the girl next to me. I waited 5 days until 7/27 and then sent this:

Jeff,

I hope that your weekend was good, the weather was incredible.

In all honesty, I'm hesitant to send you an email asking if you ever figured out which chip after your last response. There is a good chance you responded to me again, and for whatever reason I did not receive it. If that is the case, I apologize, I'm not sure why I am not receiving your emails.

Did you have any luck with the details I provided below in figuring out which chip I had on?

I will be out of office most of today but can be reached via email if you have any more questions for me.

Have a great week!

Best Regards,
Jennifer

On this email, I also cc'd my gmail account hoping that a good reply all would catch his response.

No.

Nada.

Nothing.

So, today, I didn't even both with Jeff at the timing organization. Sent the email to Bill at KLM my final email on the subject.

Bill,

This is not an easy email for me to write, but feel its necessary.

I never got a response to the last two emails I sent to Jeff, despite sending in pictures and what I thought was close to my ending time per his request.

I'd like to thank your organization and Jeff's for basically putting a damper on what is a big accomplishment for me. I'm sure Jeff will say he responded, but I can not find any of his responses, except the one below, in either my inbox or spam box. I'm not sure where he is sending his responses to. It could be he is not spelling my last name correctly when typing my email or something. I have no had any other lost emails that I know of.

At this point, I'm going to blog about it on my personal blog and the tri sites I belong to and call it a loss. I will never know the official time for my first triathlon and can only guess based on the clues I gave below. I will have no idea how I did in each individual part or my transitions. All of those numbers would be nice for a base, so after my next tri, I know where I am improving. The sad thing is, family and friends who do not live here in town can not look it up. In fact, it looks like I never participated at all. I am not sure how to explain to you how that feels, especially after almost quitting in the swim, but deciding to finish, even if I came in last.

I know mistakes happen, and they are unfortunate, but I feel the lack of responsiveness is insulting . One lost chip may not be a big deal to either your organization or Jeff's, but it was a big deal to me. In fact, at least say you have no way of knowing and I would feel better. Instead, I was ignored.

I would also like to have some link or information on the photographer that was on the course. I see no information on the Midwest Mayhem site.

Unfortunately, after this experience, I am not sure I will participate in a KLM event again.

Jennifer

An over-reaction? Maybe. But it's a huge let down. I know it shouldn't be, but they "lost" me. I didn't come in last. Maybe close, but not last. Even if I did, I'm proud I finished.

I didn't think wanting to see my times was that unreasonable.

I could have DQ'd for some weird USAT reason I forgot about. I'm ok with that too. I just wanted to know.

Granted my email today was bitchier than I normally would be. There's other factors in play that are wrecking havoc on my mood, but it's a sore spot, so I decided to check this off my list.

Moving on.

I love this pic.

I love this picture. To me, it represents the best moment of the Triathlon (well, the best two).

After the swim I struggled with, I was on my bike, struggling up a hill and struggling to keep my cramp at bay. About the time I was wondering why the hell I was keeping going, I get to the top of the hill and I hear, "GOOOOOOO MOMMMMMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" really loud.

My brother, future SIL, and my daughter were at this intersection. Fortuitously they were late and unable to enter the park and the Sheriff had stopped them at an intersection. The first intersection at the top of the first hill of my 12 mile ride.

It was meant to be.

At that moment, the race was no longer about protecting my ego and simply finishing to avoid the embarrassment of a DNF. Now, it became something much bigger and much more important. It was about showing my daughter the results of those workouts I had sacrificed some of my precious time with her for (as a single parent, I feel so much of our time is eaten away by "have tos"). I needed to show her that you don't quit.

Most importantly, I couldn't let my 7 year old down.

This hug post race meant the world to me, and I'm so glad my friend captured this picture, because to me, it emodies the spirit of my race.

(if the moment on my bike was the best moment, finishing was the 2nd best!)

Midwest Mayhem Part 1 - The Swim

I'm not sure what to write here. When recapping this part of the Tri to a friend on Sunday, I ended up crying. It was not what I expected and while everyone keeps patting me on the back saying, "at least you finished", I'm not one to just finish, I want to excel at it.

But panic set in.

Then a cramp.

And unfortunately that set the tone for the rest of the day.

*thinks she should immediately register for another sprint to get this behind her*

First, everyone was talking that the swim was 600m, not 500m. Still not sure if this is true, but still freaks a person out.

Another surprise is that it was a treading water start, which actually was ok with me. The treading for 2-3 minutes was a little more of a warm up. At race time, they announced the water was 82, but outside temps at 75. Perfect day really, especially for Kansas in mid-summer.

*jump off the dock with 39 other people and wait the 5 minutes in between heats*

I did ok with the start, stayed towards the back and outside. Then it hit.

*white flash of lights in my head*

Pure panic.

I realized the water was so dark I couldn't see my hand when pulling under me.

*crap! I've only gone 50 yards*

I treaded water for an eternity (or approximately 60 seconds to the observers) trying to fight the urge to call it quits then. Luckily, my stubborn nature prevailed, and I started forward... with my head out of the water.

At this point, I'm swimming at the angle of a teeter totter with one person rather than flat. I am guessing this is what caused the best part of the swim.

The cramp. (insert doomsday music here)

About the 300m mark, I felt it. It was sudden. It was painful. As I wrote yesterday, my first reactions were: 1. yelling, "cramp" and 2. rolling on my back, float, with my knee pulled to my chest and try to keep my pain-induced obscenities to a indoor decibel level.

* Oh my &$*(&#$(* leg! OMG! (*$&#)(*&% NO! I can finish on my own! ($#*$&(#*$& I'm ok! No, don't help me! (*#&(FUOI#%&#*

At this point, I swim approximately 75-100 yards and stop to treat water and give my cramp a break. It hurts. I stop 4 more times before I reach the beach. To give the water rescue people credit, they stayed by me the whole time.

Another swimmer was also having trouble, and I told her after the race when we were the only 2 left in the water with 200 yards to go, that she was my inspiration to keep going.

*have to catch that other yellow cap*

Because if I had been alone out there, I would have quit I think. I hurt and the distance seem insurmountable to a beginner swimmer (I took lessons 5 months ago in Feb) who had never swam (swum? swimmed? stupid verb) more than 1000 yards in a session.

When I finally made it to the beach, there was a small run up the sandy hill and the cheer from the crowd was both awesome and embarrassing. I was happy for the support, but knew they were cheering because most probably thought I wouldn't finish.

I almost forgot to step on the mat for my chip timer. Thank you volunteers for yelling at me.

I almost forgot to put on my helmet before grabbing my bike I was so flustered. Thank you husband of woman near me who reminded me and also told me to slow down, take a Cliff shot, drink some water, and gather myself. You're awesome. I was flustered for being last out of the water and in pain. Can't believe I almost forgot to drink and get my helmet!

*facepalm*

I hopped on my bike and the swim and T1 were finished. Tri 1 Jen 0.

Next time? I won't let a defeated attitude get me so early in the race.

Yes, I said next time! I'm not done with Triathlons yet!



Triathlon Mistake #1 of the Day:
Underestimating the open water swim. Why can't the water in a lake be as still clear as the indoor pool? Life would be easier. I still can't figure out why the murkiness caused such a panic. Maybe because I couldn't see the bottom? Any ideas?

Funny Triathlon Moment #1 of the Day:
Women who wore makeup for the tri, and obviously were not wearing waterproof mascara as the infamous racoon look proves later in the day.

I Answered My Own Question on Sunday (also titled I Didn't Drown Due to My Cramp)

I jokingly asked on June 19th while mentally preparing for my tri the following:

As my first triathlon is approaching, I have so many questions.... ranging from, how do I let the kayak life guards know I'm drowning to what socks to wear to how to setup my transition station to what to do with my hair. Seems frivolous to some, but to me, it's a worry and not for aesthetic reasons either.

From my experience last Sunday (write-up coming I promise you my friends and family) I now have an answer to the question in bold. Yell, "CRAMP!".

It works.

For real.

Just in case you're wondering.

I also learned you can roll over, float on your back, and curse loudly (personally, I think KLM Marketing should give me an award for my creative string of multiple cuss words used in a single breath) until the calf cramp subsides and they will float patiently next to you.

All valuable lessons.

[side note: I may have been the last one out of the water, I came out of the water on my own to finish my first sprint tri.]

Funny Triathlon Conversation of the day!

I was asking a friend if he had ever used one of these or known anyone who had (I wanted to hold my inhaler)

His response?

" I think it'll hold it... It held my Zippo lighter and a half-pack 'O smokes during last month's Half Ironman race :)"

I about fell out of my chair laughing.

This might have been funnier for me than most, but thought I'd share.... I'm getting nervous about the race! I'm starting to think my lunchtime workouts aren't enough, and it's only 12 days away, not much I can do now.

Update on the little one

Hi Family/Friends;

You're probably looking for an update, but there's not much to share other than our plan of attack.

A little background to refresh your memory, last November, blood in the urine happened with bebe(think color of koolaid), and it was quite a bit worse. We went thru CT scans, xrays, and ultrasound and blood and urine tests each time we went to hospital. Her symptoms only lasted about 20 hours. The testing was done over a 3 week period. This Monday we were back in the ER for the same problem, but the symptoms only lasted about 5 hours and were less severe.

We've already been to several doctors this week, and luckily they all agree with the approach of the Kidney Specialist, which is outlined below.

Wednesday, when we were at the pediatrician there was still signs of protein in her urine, with a score of 2 positive. Today at the kidney specialist, of course it was gone. We have the most incredible doctor there, and since this has happened twice, they are going to move forward with a plan to see why this is happening. So, here is the plan to diagnose:

We first have to collect 24 hours of urine in a jug and take it back to them on Monday. As Bebe said, "that won't be lemonade in the fridge!" (ewwww). At that time, we have to also go get lab work done and they will use those blood tests to measure her kidney functions and compare that to the testing we had done last November.

Then in about 3 weeks we will get another ultra-sound to see if the inflammation of her bladder and kidneys has gone down any. The CT scan from Monday was negative for stones, but they will take another one the same day as the ultrasound to see if there are any changes, and also compare that ultra-sound and CT scans to the ones from last November.

After all of that, if there is still no clear reason for her problems, then we will do a biopsy of the kidney.

In the meantime, there's a few minor dietary and other changes to our routine, but it's for the most part, business as usual for her.

Thanks for all your emails and calls with concerns.

Many thanks,
Us

Tri-Swimming with Hair. Lots of it.

As my first triathlon is approaching, I have so many questions.... ranging from, how do I let the kayak life guards know I'm drowning to what socks to wear to how to setup my transition station to what to do with my hair. Seems frivolous to some, but to me, it's a worry and not for aesthetic reasons either.

I used to never go more than 6 weeks without my highlights being done and my hair being trimmed. That all went away about 2 years ago, it just seemed like a waste not to mention unnecessary chemical in my body. Lately, I've gotten real lazy bout it and have had 2 trims in 6 mos. The problem is I have this hair that the longer it gets, the curlier it gets, which makes it unruly and thick and hard to keep in check.

Obviously this hair issue is affecting my swimming. To get faster, I can decrease my drag, or increase my effort. Decreasing drag is much more efficient and easier to maintain.

So, here comes the issue...what to do to keep it out of the way? I hate to say, but pulling a Sinead is not an option, and yes, it's not an option for selfish reasons. I could get a easy-to-maintain cut, a lot like new moms and new brides do, but again, I like the long hair.

Trying to get it all in the cap? Not an easy feat.

Quick and easy bun with a hair-thingy after the swim?

A braid under the swim cap that hopefully holds thru the tri?

I know this sounds silly, but I will be seriously perturbed if my hair is in my face during the bike or run.

Ideas?

Southwest Contest

Does this apply to matters of the heart as well?

I ran across this while looking for something else.

If something anticipated arrives too late it finds us numb, wrung out from waiting, and we feel - nothing at all. The best things arrive on time.

Dorothy Gilman, A New Kind of Country, 1978

oops

so in my attempt to redo the template my blog uses today.... I think I deleted all my widgets, links, and other fun stuff in the side.

I did save the original template, but for some reason the gadgets are broke. LOL.

oops.