Posted by Helena | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 10-05-2010
I’ve wanted to do a sprint triathlon for a few years. I finally signed up for one about three months ago and began training. I did a trial swim in they bay a few weeks before the race and realized that my swimming wasn’t up to par for the sprint. I downgraded to the super sprint but I was still nervous! I knew I could do the bike and run pretty easily, I was actually ready for the sprint distances. The swim scared me though. I didn’t want to be kicked and hit while trying to breathe and not drink too much nasty bay water. I would say on a scale of 1-10 my confidence was at about 2 going into the swim. Here’s my recap of the race day.
5:20AM ½ cup coffee down and a quick freshening up have made the nerves kick in.
5:30AM Get into the pre-loaded car thankful that Erik is driving. I started feeling nauseous half way there.
5:45AM Arrive. More nervous than I’ve ever been in my whole life! Cheerleading competitions and power lifting meets were minor compared to this.
6:00AM Start setting up my tiny transition area next to my bike. Scope out what everyone else is doing. Feeling good and starting to relax a bit.
6:15AM Walk around with Erik to check out the race “track”.
6:55AM Standing in line to use the porta potty (ew). My plan was to get into my wetsuit after a quick potty break and then watch the first few waves start.
7:00AM Erik calls me from near the transition area to tell me it is closing and they won’t let anyone back in. WHAT? I thought they said it would close to people without a bib number, not completely close. Uh oh!
7:03AM The security guy won’t let me in but he can’t tell me when he would be able to either. I realize it won’t re-open again because it is now “live” with people making transitions. I notice a guy with a bike walking up…security gets distracted and we both rush through!
7:10AM Wetsuit on! Phew! Grabbed everything I needed for the swim and left the area without getting in anyone’s way. Started warming up but still freezing cold. Lesson: wear socks to the dock and leave them with Erik right before the swim. Ahhh-ha!
7:55AM T minus 10 minutes! I gave Erik a big hug and kiss and went down to the water line.
8:00AM In the water, mostly dog paddling trying to get warm. Convincing myself I can do this and shocked that it’s finally about to begin.
8:05AM GO!!!! My competitive spirit kicked in and I was trying not to let anyone pass me. I started off in the middle of the pack but ended up towards the back. I continually repeated “you can do this” in my head.
I'm somewhere in the middle of the pack.
8:15AM I made it! Walking up the boat ramp and spotting Erik was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I almost cried! I was really proud of myself for finishing the swim in one piece.
Swim. Check.
8:20 to about 9:15 I biked and ran without any problems. I think being on a man’s mountain bike probably made me a little slower. I also think I could have pushed myself harder on the run but overall it went well. Erik was standing near my transition area both times and it felt really wonderful to have his support the whole time. I’m a lucky woman.
Enjoying the bike ride!
9:15AM With the finish line in sight I ran faster than I ever have in my entire life! What an incredible feeling to say I am a triathlete!
Laser focused on that finish line!
After crossing I gave Erik a big hug and the tears started flowing! I’ve never felt that accomplished. I’m not one to easily admit that I’ve done something good, met a goal or made a big accomplishment but this was different. The fact that I have never had a swim lesson, running coach or bike lesson and did this all on my own made me feel pretty darn proud!
I went in with the goal of simply finishing but when I heard I was 11th out of 14 in my age group I was disappointed. But now I have motivation to push harder in training and crush it next time!
I challenge you, my dear blog readers, to go out of your comfort zone and do something you have always wanted to do!