I've been training for this triathlon since the beginning of the year. I still don't know WHY I decided to do the triathlon, but it was something that I felt I needed to do right now. SO, I began my training for it beginning in February. I couldn't swim at that time and the triathlon included a 500yd swim. Thomas had given me a wonderful instructional DVD & book about swimming for triathlons, and I was able to teach myself to swim from those references. Before the triathlon, I had been able to swim 500m in just over 15 minutes. I figured that would be "good enough" for my first tri.
The morning of the tri was good. I woke up about 5:15 and got ready. We went to get some breakfast at 6am, thus giving me plenty of time to digest and not be sick for the race. We got to the YMCA around 6:30 or so and set up my bike & transition area. There was only one bike rack, so I didn't think there would be too many people competing. However, there were well over 200 people racing that day! We checked in, got numbered (I was #1) and waited around for the pre-race meeting & start. They started the short course & teams first and then the long course. I was racing in the long course, but would be one of the first to begin in the pool since I was #1 (I registered early - that's why I got to be #1):)
The weather was perfect for the tri. The temps were just cool enough so that I wasn't boiling, but warm enough that I wasn't freezing after being in the pool. It was overcast while I was racing so I didn't have the heat & humidity to deal with either. I am glad that I registered early and got an early start since after 10am the sun came out, it got hot & quite humid after that! I would have boiled & gotten so fried by the end of the race!
I watched several people swim 150 yards for the short course and then it was my turn. I am used to starting in the shallow end, and having the pool pretty much to myself. For the tri, we started in the deep end (YIKES) and we had to share a lane. There was much turbulence in the water. I let it freak me out at the beginning and subsequently inhaled a good lungful of chlorine water! UG! After a few laps, I finally settled in and swam. I was slower than I'd practiced, but I did make the 500 yards.
Jump out of the pool (skin my knee on the side), go grab my flip-flops & towel and scramble to my bike. Here I dried off a little, put on socks & shoes, my bike shirt & helmet and off I went.
The bike ride was 10 miles. That's not too terribly far for a flat ride, and the ride itself was okay. The course was an "out & back" meaning we rode 5 miles out and the turned around and came back. For some reason, that 5 mile trip seemed never ending - however, a friend of mine lived along the route at about the 4.5 mile mark and had put big signs in the yard for me! That made a HUGE difference to my determination when I saw the encouraging signs. I pedaled forever & finally made it back to the YMCA for the run.
The run was another "out & back" 2.5 mile run. I haven't been running much because I kept pulling my left gastroc muscle, so I knew the run wasn't going to be spectacular. I had planned to walk parts of it so that I wouldn't get injured. I ended up walking more than running, but it was still good -- I did run across the finish line!
I will say that I finished the tri. I was slower than I would have liked (I don't know my "official" time yet but my watch said 1hr40min for the whole start-finish.) I had hoped to be done in 1hr 30 min. ;( However, I will say that it was much harder than I expected. I didn't injure my leg, and I was focusing on that because I really didn't want to get injured and have to hobble the rest of the day.
Most of the people there were outstanding and very encouraging. Having #1 inked on my arms & legs made me "popular" with people because for some reason it is special to have #1 on you. The camaraderie was outstanding. Every time I felt myself struggling, there was a volunteer or another racer offering encouraging words. It was a great accomplishment for me, and I will do this race again next year - as long as my body is able! :) I will post some pics later, even though I don't like what I look like in them! Even though I am slow and fat, I can say that I'm a triathlete and I am very proud of myself. (If you don't get the slow & fat part, check out the book by Jayne Williams -- The Slow, Fat Triathlete -- it is quite inspirational!)
Here's the video that Thomas put together for me of the pics & mpegs he took of the race!
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