Alright, so not really, but I did complete my first Tri this past Sunday and I was so happy I about cried. I know, it sounds silly but the pride and satisfaction in completing the whole thing had me brimming. What now? I want to do another, definately before the end of the Summer. I wish they weren't so darn expensive!
So about the tri- They say you never forget your first and I think that they are right.
We woke up and left the house just after 5 am to begin our drive to Mission Bay up by Seaworld in San Diego. Once we got there the parking lot was already a buzz with all of the athletes unloading their bikes and getting their gear situated. There were a ton of people all ready to hit the water, bike and run. My wonderful husband put together my bike and helped get all of the kids unloaded (whom he actually sat with the entire tri carting them from transition to transition.) I carted my things off to the transition area where I racked my bike and laid out my gear in the same ceremonious manner that the other triathletes did. I laid out the towel, the different pairs of shoes (cycling and running) tossed some GU gel (AMAZING STUFF!) in each pair and my change of clothing was carefully set out for maximum convenience.
After engaging in this ritual I went on to be "body marked" it is exactly what it sounds like, they take a giant permanent marker and write on your person. The teenage girl wrote my number (901) on my arm and a T for triathlon and age on my left calf. At least if I drowned I'd be identifiable right? I rejoined my family and waited until it got closer to my wave start (7:45am) to hop into my wetsuit. As the time neared I got changed and waited near the water with my family. I swear I thought I would either vomit or wet myself with how anxious I was. It didn't help that I was in my wetsuit, where despite what my husband says I feel it is inappropriate to pee! Somehow just knowing that you can't go makes you need to go all that much more.
When the wave before mine started their swim we treaded out 50 ft in front of the boat ramp to tread water for 5 minutes while we waited for our start. When it came we were off. There was a random guy in the mix of us women who started with the wrong group... still wonder what happened to him. The kicking and movements were insane. I didn't fight too much to get through the crowd since they would likely be fighting to pass me in a few minutes anyhow. Someone told me that they had been practicing with their sister swimming in front of and next to her... I told her to have her kick in her face... a lot. If I hadn't been under water with the slightest bit of visibility I am pretty sure I would have got a bloody nose and/or black eye.
I was one of the slowest swimmers but from someone who started the year barely being able to do 50m without stopping and was scared to put her face in the water I think I did pretty damn good. I didn't even have to flip over to my backstroke (this was to be my fallback stroke if I freaked out, got tired, took in too much water etc) I freestyled the whole 1/4 mile and was stoked that I wasn't the last swimmer in.
The ride was nice and leisurely which is perhaps why I was one of the slower riders in my division. I decided starting this that my goal was to finish with a smile and damnit it was not worth it to me to hurt myself or tire myself out before the run. The run was the one thing I could do easily prior to this event and I'd be damned if I was going to walk any of it. So I probably was a little too relaxed on the bike (not to say I didn't exert myself). Pulling in I changed again into run appropriate attire and began my 5k. I kept a steady 11 minute mile which wasn't great but could have been a lot worse after the whole biking and swimming bit.
During the run I came across Paula, a woman who had teenagers, was a divorcee, and was doing her first tri. She was not as strong of a runner but I think that it helped that I was there to pace her (with my forerunner of course) She finished not long after me (she didn't sprint the end) and I was glad to see the smile on her face. Afterwards she thanked me for finishing it out with her and it made me feel good. I miss the camaradarie amid runners/bikers etc in the South. You know, that weird place where we nod, wave, and sometimes emit a breathless "hello" to one another? To be honest, I missed Claire, my running buddy, my half-marathoner (that's right, she finished her half-marathon last month... WOOHOO!)
I sprinted across the finish line and the day was great, I was so appreciative of my supportive husband and family. The girls were there to give me a high five and cheer me on at each transition... I love my family.
So what is next... another tri... and I think I am going to start training for a half-marathon of my own!
WOOHOOO!!!!!
So, there you have it, my first experience, how about you try a threesome too!?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment