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July 24, 2005

Triathlon Day

I feel like a truck hit me right now. Well, not quite that badly. But I’m tired. The sun, the three sports, the cumulative lack of sleep, and today’s 4 AM wake up have done me in.

I went to bed at 10 AM and dragged myself out of bed at 4 AM. Instead of being nervous and not being able to sleep I was so tired that I passed out as soon as I crawled into bed which was actually kind of nice. At 4 I ate half a bagel and a container of yogurt and got dressed. Then I collected all of my stuff for the race. First I brought my bike downstairs and put it on my car. A lot of people in the hotel were doing the race-there were empty bike racks on cars all over the parking lot. I put most of my numbers on my equipment last night and I was also mostly packed in two bags (items for the race and clothes to change into after the race) so I grabbed those on a second trip. Then I left for the race at about 4:45 AM. I knew I would be early but I was ready to go and thought it would be a better use of time to head to the race than sit in my hotel room.

I was the fourth athlete to arrive-the third woman. One woman had clearly done a lot of tris before and was answering questions for the other woman who was also new. I picked a good spot on my assigned rack (on the end) but I wasn’t sure how to rack my bike since I don’t have handlebars that lend itself to that. The experienced woman showed me how I could rack my bike using my seat. I then set up all the rest of my transition equipment on a towel and went to the body marking area. They used a permanent marker to put my number on my body, including my age on my right calf. I hadn’t realized they included that number so that was interesting. I attached my timing chip to my ankle. Somewhere along the line one of the volunteers (who was also participating in the race) gave me safety pins that she always keeps in her transition bag since I had forgotten them. I guess the race doesn’t provide them since a lot of competitors have a strap they attach their number to. The other people at this race and the race staff were all really nice.

I took some pictures of the transition area before and after it got filled. It was actually cool out temperature-wise at that hour. I made a couple of trips to my car (which was close to the transition area) as I got organized. The other competitors and I also determined we could wear flip-flops, sandals, or whatever other shoe we wanted from the pool to the transition area since the path was a tad rocky so I left my flip-flops outside the pool.

The swim was intense. I definitely let some people pass me at the end of one of the lanes b/c the guy who started behind me was tapping my foot (code for please let me pass at the next wall). I am not really sure how fast I swam but it was definitely over 6 minutes. I was freaking out everyone behind me was going to hate me b/c I was slowing them down but I think “hate” might be too strong of a word and I was not the only one who had to be passed so I have come to peace with it. There was some congestion in the pool overall though just b/c of the nature of the race. I was also having a tough swim b/c of a wardrobe malfunction. I never swam in my sports bra before and, in short, there was definitely some exposure happening. At first I tried to recover myself each time the bra came out of place, but since it KEPT happening I made the game time decision that there was slim to none chance anyone was looking since everyone was super concentrated on their own race and that I should just swim on without worrying about it. After I decided to just go with it I only made one more adjustment-right before I got of the pool to make sure everything was covered. I put on my flip-flops and ran to the transition area where I put on my shorts, shirt, sunglasses, helmet, socks, and sneakers.

The bike ride was not too bad. About six guys with later starts than me passed me. I passed two women who had earlier starts than me and got passed by two other women with later starts than me. I tried to push it for most of the ride. The course was not too hilly at all. I was in a hurry to get the bike ride over b/c it was a race, and getting that part of the race over faster would mean, simply, I was going faster, but while I was doing it I kind of liked the biking portion. It wasn’t too taxing (which means I wasn’t pushing hard enough?) and I actually used my brain as I tried to guess which gears would be the best choice for each section. The guy who was one number later than me, which means he started ten seconds after me, passed me during the ride. After he passed me in the pool I guess I must have gotten ahead of him in the transition area.

I was SO happy to get to the run area and since I don't have cycling shoes and already had my sneakers on I had a really quick transition. I just felt like it would be "all good” from that point on. I have confidence in that sport, I know I can run 5K on any day of the week at any time, knew how it would feel (unlike the other sports where I am still a complete “newbie”), thought my time would be decent at that sport, and just really like running. Well…it was hot on the course by this point. I passed a few people, including the guy who started just behind me. A couple of guys and one woman did pass me. I definitely wasn’t setting any speed records. At one point I thought, “Oh my god, am I cold?? I am definitely cold!!” That was weird and I know that wasn’t a good sign but I was close to the end so I wasn’t particularly worried. I felt like the time I spent running the 5K passed quickly, but even though I have no idea what my split times are for the individual events I am pretty sure it was a very slow 5K. I don’t care. I still felt the least lost running and it was my favorite sport!

When I finished I wasn’t dead to the world. I had a short kick, which leads me to believe I probably could have pushed a bit harder throughout the race, especially at the run since that is my strongest event. I felt really good afterwards. I took some ibuprofen. I haven’t been taking it recently but I figured I should take it for the knee. I stretched, grabbed some food, and took my stuff back to the car. I preventatively iced my knees with some ice from the coolers the post-race beverages were in. I got a free post-race massage and stayed for the awards ceremony.

I went back to the hotel and showered and packed in under 30 minutes and hit the road. I fielded phone calls from my sister (did I have fun and make my goal times?), my parents (they wanted to know how I placed), and my brother (how did the bike ride go-he bikes himself and we discussed bikes last night-and how is the knee feeling-he has knee issues too) and once I got in my bedroom I passed out for an hour. I could definitely sleep more but I want to be able to sleep tonight so I am forcing myself awake.

My thoughts on it all: While I was waiting this morning I could not believe how many hours of training everyone there had put in for this one hour plus of racing. It takes A LOT (in terms of training, equipment, and logistics) to get ready for a race and race day is only the tip of the iceberg. That’s obvious I guess. But it really hit me this morning how being able to race was the by-product and reward for waking up at 5:30 in the morning to go swimming or running. I really really enjoyed the triathlon. I can’t believe I can swim!! I want to do another one! I think it would be fun to do a race with another competitor I knew. Anyone interested? I also asked my Dad but he thinks the swim would do him in. He just needs to train (and maybe a swimming lesson)! A health girl wants to do one so maybe this fall. Next time I would also definitely buy some appropriate tri clothing so I don’t break the nudity rule. On the way home I also figured out why it seemed like so much work logistically to get to this race-it is the first race I have traveled to in over a year. I mostly race local races or the big races that happen to be local to me (Marine Corps or Cherry Blossom). I guess it wasn’t that much hassle to go to the tri, I just wasn’t used to it. Finally, it was really cool having the experience of doing something new. I was excited to just be there and do a triathlon. There was no pressure to go a certain speed (except for the swim!) so I knew I would pretty much be a happy athlete with a brand new accomplishment at the end of the day. I did want to do well b/c I am a competitive person, but as long as I finished with some semblance of at least average times I knew that would leave me feeling like I was putting my training to use. (As for final time and official placing: 1 hour, 16 minutes, and change: I think I was just barely top 1/2 overall and maybe top 1/3 among women. Official results still to be posted).

It was fun. I am a triathlete. I recommend the experience to anyone. I just need a short break from putting my bike on and off of my car.

And finally, go LANCE!!!!!

Posted by Audrey at July 24, 2005 05:45 PM

Comments

Posted by: Steve S. at July 25, 2005 09:26 AM

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