The Nautica Malibu Triathlon is a fantastic event and to be a part of raising over one million dollars for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was truly fantastic!
Ok, so here are my thoughts on the weekend. What a difference a bike makes! Since I started doing triathlon a few years ago I have used a mid range road bike. Until this past weekend, I had NO idea that a bike could make such a difference in my performance. I was lucky to get a Cannondale and, at one point, I had a little bit of a delay during the race due to confusion with the gears, my ride was so much easier than I remember from previous races. I really felt the difference in the hills. I am not a hills girl, to say the least, and can use all the help I can get in that area. After I got used to the gears, they were so smooth and amazing I was able to conquer the hills with ease. Thank you Cannondale for letting me ride such an amazing bike!!!
I knew the swim was going to be the area that I needed to conquer emotionally. The last time I did the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, I was pulled under and couldn’t find my way to the surface. The day of the race was so much smoother than the last time so I was confident that I would have no problems whatsoever. As I was warming up and getting used to the water temperature, I saw Heather Tom from The Bold and the Beautiful, (however I will always think of her as Victoria Newman from Young and the Restless). She usually competes in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon and to be quite honest with you, she is my inspiration because she always kills it! This year I was told that I was the only woman in my division so I was so surprised to see her. After giving her a big hug and catching up a bit she shared with me that she was doing a relay with her husband. I was so confused because as far as I knew Heather was not married; well that was true up until the night before the triathlon!!! I couldn’t believe it. She had gotten married the night before yet still decided to be a part of the race to raise money for the hospital. She is one AMAZING woman!
Heather and I stood next to each other as the start gun went off. As I started to run into the water I felt so many emotions. I always feel amazed, scared, anxious, and totally exhilarated. The swim was better than last year, thankfully, but I did struggle in the waves. Malibu is just a hard swim, but I managed to make it through without finding myself buried underneath the waves.
My main goal for this race was to complete the run without stopping. Since training for my marathon last year, I have developed a bad habit of walking through the hydration stations. This was a great strategy when I had 26.2 miles ahead of me but not necessary for only 4 miles. My feet always feel numb for the first mile after cycling but I really focused on my breathing and setting a pace for myself. As I crossed over the finish line, having ran the entire 4 miles repeating over and over again that I was strong and capable of finishing without stopping, I spotted my mom. I immediately went to her and gave her a huge hug.
My life has changed so much in the last four years. Most importantly the relationships in my life have been taken to the next level and I couldn’t be happier. Each time I complete a race I am reminded of my journey and the truth that I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to.
ali xo
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