I completed my first triathlon! I have been crazy busy and have not been able to keep up with my posts, but I am hoping I can change that as I continue my journey with multi-sport training.
My First Triathlon
On October 19, I woke up at 5:00 to begin my preparations for my triathlon. I had a bowl of oatmeal with strawberries, egg whites, some coffee and water to fuel my race. I was not very nervous at this point and was a little more concerned about check in and what to do with myself rather than the race itself.
I loaded my bike and my bag with all my gear ( wetsuit, shoes, socks, 2 water bottles ( one to rinse my feet and 1 to drink) , fig newtons and a towel) in the car. It was a cool foggy morning and as I headed out the moon was still bright in the sky and the streets were very quiet with little traffic.
As I entered the parking lot, people were unloading bikes and gear by the street lamps and disappearing into the fog. I unloaded my car and set off to check in starting to feel a little nervous about being late. I was SO early I really had nothing to worry about. The race was incredibly organized and I found a spot for my transition area. I was surprised to find that those with road bikes and tri-bikes were parked in a separate transition area closer to the exit. As I set up my area, I started a conversation with the gentleman next to me. It was his first triathlon as well and it was nice to talk and relax a bit before the race. As the sun came up and the fog started to dissipate, it was time to put on my wetsuit and prepare for the race.
My family soon joined me as all the entrants were gathered on the beach. My good friend Kim also came along to support me for this event. I was so grateful to have my family and friend there to talk to before the race and help keep me calm.There was a warning about sting rays in the bay but I was a little more concerned with sharks. Being a Discovery Channel Shark Week junkie, I knew that the Great Whites migrated through our area in October. One was spotted one beach down just the day prior to the race.
We moved on down the beach to the starting point. I got into the water to adjust my wetsuit and get acclimated to the water a bit. Another racer had been stung by a string ray so I made sure to shuffle me feet as I got into the water. We were lined up in heats according to our estimated swim times and I stood with my group. I was SOOOO nervous that I had to do some deep breathing exercises. My husband kept talking to me letting me know it was all good. Then I moved to the front and the race began.
I went into the water and immediately had to pass the guy in from of me. Going around took a little more effort since he was a big guy. Next race, I will know to get ahead of large dudes. Around the first bouy I had to switch to breast stroke to get my breathing under control. As I looked up I thought I just had 2 more bouys to go. The pack was also starting to string out and all I could think of was staying close to 2 other swimmers so the sharks would not get me:). I kept swimming and realized that I actually had to make it around 3 more bouys and was a little disheartened but kept switching to freestyle whenever I could to improve my time. Before I realized it was time to hit the beach. My husband greeted me out of the water and said he was surprised that I came out so fast. Now it was 300 yards up the beach and into the transition area. I jogged and started pulling off my wetsuit.
I reached the transition area and immediately removed my wetsuit. I had no difficulty doing so and was soon washing my feet putting on my shoes and socks, on to my bike and out of the area. I ate 2 fig newtons, had a drink of water and was on my way.
The bike trail was a straight shot up and back but there were 2 areas where the trail was flooded. My shoes became wet almost immediately, but that didn't really bother me. What DID bother me were all the people passing me on my bike. I did well in the water only to be passed by so many on the bikes and was determined that my next race, I will have a road bike. The bike ride really went quickly and I was back in the transition area again. I had to stop to pee and realized that this is something I should have taken care of before the race. Lesson learned.
Now it was time to hit the road or in this case the sand. Ugh! the trail was not down by the water on hard packed sand but at the top of the beach in deep soft sand. I started running and soon was completely out of breath and slowed to a walk. Man! what a torturous way to finish the race. I kept the pier in view and would run when I could, but soon my feet were aching and felt like bricks. My shoes had been wet when I started the race and now they were loaded with wet sand. Another runner and I commiserated that we would gladly take 5 miles on the street rather than this torturous 2 in the sand. As I reached the pier, I realized , again, I had farther to go than I anticipated and had to go under the pier and farther up the beach. DRAT! I kept up my run walk and turned around to head back toward the finish. I just kept thinking, go faster but my feet weren't cooperating. Finally I hit the mid point of the beach and saw the finish line. My husband once again came out to cheer me on and encourage me to run. As I was running, I saw my kids and their friends running along the sides cheering for me. That gave me a boost and.. at last, I crossed the finish line. I had done it- completed my first triathlon.
I wasn't a fast finisher, but I did finish. I received my medal, posed for a quick picture and then went to my transition station to load up. I was tired and very proud of myself. I had set my goal, worked for it and completed it. Now it was time to regroup and set my next goals and find my next race. Unfortunately, that won't be until the spring.
After the triathlon, I realized that I had put in the hours to train, but not necessarily the intensity I really needed. Going forward I will need to work on intensity and building a better aerobic base. BUT, I am no longer a couch potato. I am a runner, swimmer and biker - AGAIN!
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