Picking the race was a challenge. I wanted a pool start, which would be logistically simpler, and the bike course had to be relatively flat. My summer consists of two conferences, a family vacation, a son's graduation and then going off to college and another son's camps. This made for a logistical challenge. I didn't want to commit to IronGirl, the race to which I was emotionally attached, because my son was going off to college around that time and I wasn't sure there would be a time conflict. And before I could figure out my schedule, the race sold out. Total bummer!! After researching just about every race in the vicinity, I picked 3Sports Triathlon in Richmond, VA because it met all of my criteria. But I fretted that doing a major race after a vacation and just days before a business conference was unwise.
In the weeks leading up to the race, I couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Unlike the disappointing injury before what would have been my first half marathon, I wasn't injured. True, I woke up one morning on vacation with the outside of my knee hurting, but I'd done a big brick, run, and bike ride in the preceding days. It was a week from the race and I decided that I was done training and would do a major taper. All I did was go to one swim practice. I was ready to go.
About 1.5 weeks prior to the race, I took a tip from a member of the swim team, and did a bike-run brick the approximate length of the race course. This simulated the fatigue of the run and boosted my confidence.
I made the race into a mother-son trip with my 18-year-old son who has been pestering me to drive the car all summer and let him drive. Of course, I put up with him fiddling with the radio before every major exit and playing the music loud. But the simple overnight trip gave us the chance to talk. I found out that he wants to be a beach lifeguard, as he thinks it's the perfect, easy summer job. But I enjoyed listening to him sing, and discussing the lyrics to his favorite songs, and just talking with him. He doesn't want to do a triathlon, but even more important, he thanked me for brining him and had a good time.
I was so VERY nervous about the race. I did not think that I could do this. I worried that I hadn't trained enough. I had a lot of ambivalence and even thought of backing out of the race. I thought that I'd lost my mind to think that I could do a triathlon. What was I thinking when I got this big idea a year ago to do a triathlon??
Before the race, I visualized each part of the race and strategies I could use. I also researched some positive affirmations to tell myself throughout the race, which was a great strategy.
Here's the transition area. I got there later than I wanted to and had to move quickly to set up. I really liked the way the bike and run exits were market. That made it really easy.
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
Soon, I was waiting nevrously outside the pool area for the race to begin.
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
Swim - sharks rule
300 meters - 6:58
I seeded myself too fast. I gave them an honest time, but this psyched me out completely. If I do another pool start race, I'll add a minute or two to my estimated time. I tried to be courteous and let the faster people pass me. Knowing that the two toughest events are coming up, I tend to look at the swim as a refreshing warmup.
Exiting the pool...
T1 - 2:47
I'd actually practiced my transition the night before, working on assembling myself from head to toe. However, in the heat of the moment, I worked from toe to head. Someone gave me a great tip on how to roll up your socks and stick them in your shoe and this helped, as did having speed laces for my bike shoes. I decided to wear the bike shoes because I wanted to reduce the numb foot problem, which still bothers me.
Bike - going it alone
12 miles - 46:13
I had envisioned riding in a group, but my biggest surprise was that for most of the bike course, I didn't see many people. I drove the course the night before and I could see that it was relatively flat, with a few very gently rolling hills and some incline-type hills. This was much easier terrain than I'd been practicing on, which was a major confidence booster.
T2 - 2:30
Run - splat!
5K - 34:02
This was an out and back course. I was tired by this time and the run seemed to go on forever. My goal was to run to the turnaround point before walking, but I began walking and running before then. As I ran back, I suddenly went SPLAT as I tripped and fell on the sidewalk. I don't know whether I tripped on the sidewalk - or just my own feet! This gave me skinned knees and hands, an embarrassing moment, and a pesky injury. I'll have to remember to pick up my feet while running, even if I'm tired.
Finally at the finish line!
Photo courtesy of Citadel1980 on Flickr
My goal for the race was to finish and come in with a respectable time. I came in at 1:32:28, and while happy, I felt that I could have been faster. This race was the perfect first-timer event.
I have the urge to sign up for another triathlon. In 2009, it will be IronGirl or bust!
