We (my husband & I) completed our first sprint triathlon on Saturday July 6th. Even though I’m not a seasoned swimmer or biker, I have to admit that, the two half-marathons we completed last summer were by far more mentally and physically challenging than this race. I don’t want to lead anyone to believe that I thought this race was a snap. If that were the case all of my times would have been much better than they were. I’m below average when it comes to my speed in all events. I gauge my personal success by the level of discomfort I feel after I perform a specific physical activity rather than how fast I performed it or how much better I did in it than everyone else. If I can finish a race and not feel like crawling into bed for the rest of the day then, in my mind, I’m becoming stronger and better (for me). Although, I still have an overactive fear of coming in last overall in every single race I enter. I also find myself admiring the times, of the winners, of each race I complete.
I admire people for all sorts of physical and mental accomplishments. But, unless these people are genetic anomalies, I also know these accomplishments come with a huge time price tag. I am willing to give what I give and my race times reflect my practice time spent. Drive and desire are also factors but those things vary from day to day and workout to workout for me.
On race day we got up at 4 am. I have to add that early time in my write-up for drama. So you’ll picture us fumbling around in the dark trying to locate our bike shorts, goggles, and running shorts! I didn’t feel nervous for this race. I only had my usual underlying fear of possibly coming in dead last!
My mother-in-law showed up at our house at 5 am to watch our son. (Thank You, Deanna!!!) At about 5:05 am we left the house and headed to Wal Mart to buy safety pins to pin on our bib race numbers (as if the numbers tattooed on our legs and arms, and pasted to our bikes, helmets, and swim caps were not sufficient). Not to mention the outlaw ankle bracelet containing a chip to record our every move during the race! I am not complaining, I love technology, and the numbers are all part of the safety and allure of the race.
We showed up at Rigby Lake at about 5:45 am. We had set up our bikes the night before. We rented bikes for this event because, I believe, good road bikes are a pretty big investment for people who are just getting into the sport and primarily train for the bike portion by taking spinning classes. There was a short meeting at 6 am and then we set up our transition areas. My transition area contained: a bike, a helmet, a camelback (my rental bike did not have a water bottle holder and there were no aid stations on the bike portion of the race), a hand towel, running shoes (I used the same shoes for the bike and the run. I have never attempted to clip into a non-stationary bike, I didn’t think it would be a very good idea to try it for the first time on race day.), a small bucket of water (to rinse the sand from my feet), running socks (I have not graduated to sockless athlete status yet), my iPod Shuffle with ear buds (for the run only), my visor, and two GUs (one after the swim and one after the bike).
At 7 am we were kicked out of the transition area and the Olympic triathlon began. We watched them for a few minutes then proceeded to get into our wetsuits applying body glide first to make the wetsuit easier to get out of. We considered buying swim socks but I am glad we didn’t. I never noticed any significant problems with my feet to warrant them and I only ever noticed one person wearing them. For the swim I wore a swim cap (mandatory and provided by the sponsor), goggles, ear plugs, a (two-piece) swimsuit top, tri shorts (with nothing underneath them), and a wet suit.
At promptly 8 am our swim kicked off (we started out about waist deep in the water). We could have been closer but hung back to let the faster people go ahead. We had to swim through two staged buoys which activated our time chips.
I thankfully wasn’t the only one doing a side-stroke and there were at least 10 people slower than me as well. The swim was OK, and pretty much what I expected. When you’re slower there are not as many people around you to contend with.
After the swim I ran up onto the beach. There were volunteers there to help you out of your wetsuit if you wanted them to. I accepted the help and my wetsuit was off in seconds! I ran to the transition area, dunked my feet and hands into my staged bucket of water, dried them off with my little hand towel (I didn’t bother trying to dry off anywhere else), put on my socks and shoes, threw on my helmet and sunglasses, choked down a GU, tossed my camelback on my back, grabbed my bike and left the transition area.
Right when we exited the transition area we were supposed to wait until we crossed a painted red line before we mounted our bikes. We were told this at least three times before the race and again by volunteers (right before the line). I was so nervous I still tried to get on my bike before the line. I was so embarrassed! The bike ride was really nice. The day was still new, semi-cool, and still. It was close to perfect! And I still was not in last place at this point! The bike portion seemed to go really quick. Suddenly we were dismounting our bikes and heading back into the transition area.
Once there I hung up my bike, replaced my helmet with a visor, took off my camelback, grabbed a GU, and headed for the bathroom (I drank too much water on the bike, and did not want to completely ruin my run). This probably tacked 2-3 minutes to my run. Once we were out on the road for the run portion my feet felt like a couple of lead bricks. It was really hard to get a good stride/pace going. And three miles is not very long so I never felt comfortable the entire run. But we finally finished without stopping and I did not come in last!!! Ben stayed with me the entire race! He probably could have finished in half the time but stayed with me instead. It was really great to have someone with me for every stroke, pedal, and step of the way in my first triathlon. Thanks, BABY!!!
Overall, it was a great experience and something I definitely want to do again. Next summer I want to complete an Olympic distance race. The number one change I will make for my next triathlon is that I will become proficient at a freestyle stroke for the swim!
Check out a few more pics from our race day at my family’s blog: The Fun F@#%ing Family
Check out a few more pics from our race day at my family’s blog: The Fun F@#%ing Family
Out with the old and on with the new. Our marathon is two weeks from this Saturday!
Congrats! I am so intimidated by the swimming I don’t think I’ll ever have the guts to do a triathlon. I”m really impressed by people who take the plunge, especially if you’re not a genetic anomaly.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I think a lot of people are intimidated by the swim. I am a super slow swimmer and I would be lying if I did not admit that it was a bit of a relief to look back and see people behind me during the swim. But, it also made me admire them as well. There was a guy that was far behind me on the swim but passed me within the first two miles of the bike portion! This sport is interesting and super unpredictable! Thanks for your comment! (I had to print it over again because I misspelled a word:)
Amazing! I am so proud of you! Also, I want to commend Ben for staying with you, that was probably motivating for you! When I did that Bataan Death March, Ian took off 3 minutes into the thing and I didn’t see him until I finished 6 hours later. He wanted to compete with himself I guess but I was bummed out about it. And happy you weren’t the last! As if….hahahaha!!! I loved the post, great work!
Did you run part of the Bataan Death March? Six hours or less is still considered a finishing time by Marathon standards and you would most likely get a recorded, printed time. So my new goal is under six hours for the marathon. It used to be 5.5 hours but the closer it gets, now I just want to get a time before the officials all pack up and go home:)