Well, my first triathlon was a success! We woke up this morning at 5 a.m. in order to make it to the transition area by 6. I set up my bike, my towel and all of my little necessities in a way that they would be accessible to me when needed. After that, LJ, Lance and I walked the 1/2 mile to the race start on the beach. We got in the water and played a bit and watched a few other waves before mine began a little after 7:30.
All of the hype about the ocean swim had me a little nervous. I saw some competitors struggling in waves before mine and was a little sorry that I had not gotten in the water before today. I started in the VERY back of my wave, (probably around 50 - 100 people) so that I wouldn't get bumped too badly at the start. At our whistle, I started my watch and ran into the ocean slowly behind most of the other swimmers. I was nervous. Once I hit the water, though, NO WORRIES! I loved it!
I enjoyed the bumps and pushes from other swimmers as we fought for our spot in the ocean. I found my way on the far outside so that I could get into a rhythm. By minute two, my 7 dollar CVS goggles were full of saltwater, so I just did my stroke and every 6 or 7 breaths I emptied one of my goggle eyes to see where my next marker was. We swam out a good distance past the surf into deeper waters, made a right angled turn to the left and swam the distance. Every once in a while, there was an orange marker to keep us in line. When we hit the yellow one, (after 5 orange), that was our cue to swim back in. The long swim parallel to the sand was wonderful! Once I found my rhythm and my space, I knew I could pass some of the swimmers in front of me. I was not swimming fast, just steady, and if someone hit trouble and stopped, I was able to pass. There were kayaks if you needed to stop, but I never had to interrupt my freestyle stroke throughout the swim. On my way in, I was shocked it was over, and I could have kicked it up a notch, but it was like a traffic jam. To my surprise, upon exiting the water, my watch read 15:05! Yay! That's about 2 minutes faster than my normal pool 1/2 mile swim. I started in the back of that huge crowd and Lance says that when I came out, I was in the top 10! Wow!! I think I found my biggest strength and joy in the triathlon...the swim.
I ran up to the bike area and cleaned my feet, put on my socks and shoes, helmet, glasses and race number. I walked my bike out of the transition and began the 16 mile bike. It was a steady incline at some parts with two steep bridges crossing the causeway. Other than that, the ride was enjoyable. I pumped it pretty good throughout the ride, passing as many people as passed me, and pretty much held my spot during the ride. I think it took me around 55 minutes, but I'm not sure, (the splits aren't posted yet), but I felt good at the finish. A little man who is about 73, I think, was on the bike and I stayed with him a lot because he was FAST! He had a prosthetic leg and when I finally passed him, I said, "You inspire me". He said, "Go get 'em, girl"...then he passed me like two minutes later. I did pass him again before the run, but he gave me and everyone else, something to aim for.
When I got off my bike, my legs were like lead. I re-racked it in the transition area, took off my helmet, put on my hat and walk/ran to the transition exit so I could begin the 5K run. My run felt SO slow, but Lance said he didn't notice. It took me about 1/2 a mile to find my legs again, and then reality set in that in a mile I'd be on the beach running the last leg. I was TIRED, but totally prepared, never thinking I would stop or even walk. When I made the turn to get on the beach, a lot of people were stopping, so I made up a little ground there. The sand was soft at first, so I pushed myself to get to the harder sand and slowed down to find my rhythm and breath there. I trotted my way towards the finish line, always seeing it, but knowing it was over a mile away. When I was able to read the words "FINISH", I relaxed and allowed my stride to get a little longer. I felt like I could "push it on in", but I didn't know if it was adrenaline or real ability. I didn't want to push it and pass out at the finish, so I maintained my speed and energy. The finish was at the top of the beach, away from the water, where I had been running. As I made the turn up the soft sand almost there, a lot of people began to slow because of the difficult terrain. I wanted to say, "You're like 200 yards from the finish, don't stop!", but I passed them and crossed the finish line 1 hour and 46 minutes, 9 seconds after I started.
I picked LJ up, gave Lance a kiss and went into the ocean for my reward. Within 5 minutes, I was breathing normal, knowing that it was ability, not adrenaline and that next time I will push it to the finish more. It was AWESOME to see how preparation met competition. No matter what kind of athlete I saw, they succeeded or failed because of their preparedness, not ability. My training schedule was not grueling, but it was essential. After doing it, I got to race day, and my body took over, knowing exactly what to do.
If this is something anyone is thinking about doing, I say "go for it!" I passed 60 year old women, 20 year old men, was passed by 73 year old bikers and 18 year old runners...it is a sport for everyone. So individual, but fun in a group as a whole. Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers - I think I'll be doing another one soon!
LJ and I in the transition area after I set up my stuff.
Before the race, LJ and I got in the water to feel out the temp and current.
Here's my wave - I'm at the very back right, out of site.
Here we are getting to the first marker - the yellow triangle. I'm in the back here...but not for long!
After my swim, getting ready to bike!
Done with the bike! Let's put it up and go run!
At the finish - the clock is set from when the first wave began -- I started about 30 minutes after them.
What a day! Thanks, Lance for documenting it :)
