Emily Maxie
There’s something about waking up before sunrise that fills me with excitement and anticipation. It usually means that it’s race day, and Saturday was no different.
I got up at the crack of dawn (not something I do often, trust me) for the event I’d trained months to participate in—my first duathlon. And I wasn’t the only one having a milestone that day—my husband, J, and our friend, Chris, were both competing in their first triathlon.
And of course, what race would be complete without cheerleaders? My mom and our family friend Kim (both seasoned triathletes) came along for the ride to cheer us on and make sure we didn’t get ourselves killed.
Getting ready for a race and getting to the race site is always a chaotic shuffle.
“Do you have your helmet?”
“Don’t forget your sunglasses.”
“Where’d we put the bike pump?”
There’s something about waking up before sunrise that fills me with excitement and anticipation. It usually means that it’s race day, and Saturday was no different.
I got up at the crack of dawn (not something I do often, trust me) for the event I’d trained months to participate in—my first duathlon. And I wasn’t the only one having a milestone that day—my husband, J, and our friend, Chris, were both competing in their first triathlon.
And of course, what race would be complete without cheerleaders? My mom and our family friend Kim (both seasoned triathletes) came along for the ride to cheer us on and make sure we didn’t get ourselves killed.
Getting ready for a race and getting to the race site is always a chaotic shuffle.
“Do you have your helmet?”
“Don’t forget your sunglasses.”
“Where’d we put the bike pump?”
No matter how much we prepare the night before, it seems like we’re always rushing to get out the door on time.
By the time we got to the race site and had our bikes set up in the transition area, it was almost time for the race to start. The boys headed down to the water to start their swim, and I headed to the road for the first of my two 5k (3.1 mile) runs.
Runners Ready? Go!
As I waited for the duathlon to start, I had a sense of calm that was a stark contrast to the anxiousness I’d felt the week before. I knew I’d trained for this event. I knew that no matter how fast or slow I went, I would complete it.
I was lost in thought when I heard another runner ask the official “So, how long until the race starts?” The official responded, “Fifteen seconds.”
Woah! A little more warning would’ve been nice! Before I have time for any last-minute nerves, the official yelled “Runners ready? Go!”
I started my slow, steady jog and I was immediately in last place as the other runners sprinted past the start line. My confidence started to shake, but I knew that I had to pace myself or I’d be spent before I finished the next two or three hours of exertion.
By the time we got to the race site and had our bikes set up in the transition area, it was almost time for the race to start. The boys headed down to the water to start their swim, and I headed to the road for the first of my two 5k (3.1 mile) runs.
Runners Ready? Go!
As I waited for the duathlon to start, I had a sense of calm that was a stark contrast to the anxiousness I’d felt the week before. I knew I’d trained for this event. I knew that no matter how fast or slow I went, I would complete it.
I was lost in thought when I heard another runner ask the official “So, how long until the race starts?” The official responded, “Fifteen seconds.”
Woah! A little more warning would’ve been nice! Before I have time for any last-minute nerves, the official yelled “Runners ready? Go!”
I started my slow, steady jog and I was immediately in last place as the other runners sprinted past the start line. My confidence started to shake, but I knew that I had to pace myself or I’d be spent before I finished the next two or three hours of exertion.
While I ran, I took note of the numbers written in Sharpie on each runner’s leg—a mark that showed each person’s age. 67. 54. 59. Those were the numbers of the runners I was able to catch up with.
I saw a girl with a 25 (my age) on her leg speed off into the distance and out of sight in the morning fog. My gut reaction was frustration that I couldn’t keep up with her, but I forced myself to focus on my personal goals—run all of both 5Ks and finish the bike ride without walking up any hills.
That may not sound like a very ambitious plan, but it was ambitious for me. I’d never run more than a 5k (3.1 miles) straight without stopping. And when we drove the bike route on Friday night, we were all shocked by the long, steep hills that we were going to face on the bike.
By the time I finished running the first 5k and had biked almost 19 miles, my legs were trembling with fatigue. The sun was shining down on me, and my heart rate was through the roof.
I saw a girl with a 25 (my age) on her leg speed off into the distance and out of sight in the morning fog. My gut reaction was frustration that I couldn’t keep up with her, but I forced myself to focus on my personal goals—run all of both 5Ks and finish the bike ride without walking up any hills.
That may not sound like a very ambitious plan, but it was ambitious for me. I’d never run more than a 5k (3.1 miles) straight without stopping. And when we drove the bike route on Friday night, we were all shocked by the long, steep hills that we were going to face on the bike.
By the time I finished running the first 5k and had biked almost 19 miles, my legs were trembling with fatigue. The sun was shining down on me, and my heart rate was through the roof.
Motivation for the Final Stretch
Then, in the distance, I recognized a figure with red shoes and a red shirt. J had made it to the turnaround and was on the final stretch of his run. He ran up to me, gave me a kiss and told me “You got this.” That put a huge smile on my face and reminded me to have faith in myself.
As I came to the end of the run, I saw Chris walking up the last hill. I caught up to him, and gave him the same encouragement that J had given me. “You got this,” I told him.
He ran with me up the last hill, and minutes later, Mom, Kim and J were cheering for us as we crossed the finish line.
So how did I do? I matched my all-time fastest time for the first 5k and I beat that time by a minute and a half on my second 5k! I averaged 13.7 mph on the bike (I’m no Lance Armstrong, but I was proud of that speed for a course with such intense climbs). And best of all, I didn’t have to walk up any hills.
Then, in the distance, I recognized a figure with red shoes and a red shirt. J had made it to the turnaround and was on the final stretch of his run. He ran up to me, gave me a kiss and told me “You got this.” That put a huge smile on my face and reminded me to have faith in myself.
As I came to the end of the run, I saw Chris walking up the last hill. I caught up to him, and gave him the same encouragement that J had given me. “You got this,” I told him.
He ran with me up the last hill, and minutes later, Mom, Kim and J were cheering for us as we crossed the finish line.
So how did I do? I matched my all-time fastest time for the first 5k and I beat that time by a minute and a half on my second 5k! I averaged 13.7 mph on the bike (I’m no Lance Armstrong, but I was proud of that speed for a course with such intense climbs). And best of all, I didn’t have to walk up any hills.
An Awesome Surprise
As J, Chris and I exchanged war stories over Doritos and animal crackers, my mom tapped me on the shoulder and showed me a picture on her phone. She’d snapped a picture of the race results for my age group. It read:
1st Place: Allison Alldridge
2nd Place: Emily Maxie
What!? Second place!? I gave Mom a huge hug and told J and Chris the news. (It turns out only two girls in my age group showed up for the duathlon. But I’m not letting that steal my joy!)
I got to hear them call my name during the awards ceremony. That’s never happened before, and it might not happen again. More importantly, I pushed myself and exceeded my own expectations. And that’s certainly something to be proud of.
As J, Chris and I exchanged war stories over Doritos and animal crackers, my mom tapped me on the shoulder and showed me a picture on her phone. She’d snapped a picture of the race results for my age group. It read:
1st Place: Allison Alldridge
2nd Place: Emily Maxie
What!? Second place!? I gave Mom a huge hug and told J and Chris the news. (It turns out only two girls in my age group showed up for the duathlon. But I’m not letting that steal my joy!)
I got to hear them call my name during the awards ceremony. That’s never happened before, and it might not happen again. More importantly, I pushed myself and exceeded my own expectations. And that’s certainly something to be proud of.