DC Triathlon -- Almost 5 months of training and today was the big day. I woke up at 3:45am, body glided the heck out of myself, put my trisuit on, and grabbed my pre-packed transition bag as I headed out the door for the start of my first triathlon. After a police-escorted (totally fun) ride through DC from Athlete Registration to the transition area the day before, She-Ra was parked and waiting for my arrival. I inflated her tires and put all of my gear out.
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Swim
At 7:00am, it was time for the Sprint waves to start. I asked someone to zip up my "race fit" (aka: really tight) wetsuit, put my goggles on and tucked my hair into my green cap. I stood in a group with several other women wearing their green caps. We were permitted to head to the swim start by colored waves (determined according to gender/age group) and jumped off the dock two at a time. Out of fear of this being my last breath and needing someone to identify my body, I introduced myself to my jumping partner before I plunged into the murky Potomac River.
When I resurfaced, I was gleeful realizing that I wasn't getting kicked in the face by the hundred other athletes who could swim faster than me. Instead, by jumping two at a time, we could get out of the way before the next set of swimmers made their plunges as well.
I swam towards my first large orange buoy. It was as big as my urban bedroom in a town where square footage is at a premium. It didn’t matter if you broke your prescription-goggles right before the race, these were not to be missed.
After spending the past 6 weeks in a series of panic attacks whenever I hit the water, I shamelessly admit that I spent half of my swim in a calm-inducing backstroke and 30 seconds hanging off the side of one of the safety kayaks "de-fogging my goggles."
Relief brought a huge smile to my face when I scrambled back onto the dock after completing 800 meters. I banana-peeled myself out of my wetsuit and ran back to the transition area to grab She-Ra.
After spending the past 6 weeks in a series of panic attacks whenever I hit the water, I shamelessly admit that I spent half of my swim in a calm-inducing backstroke and 30 seconds hanging off the side of one of the safety kayaks "de-fogging my goggles."
Relief brought a huge smile to my face when I scrambled back onto the dock after completing 800 meters. I banana-peeled myself out of my wetsuit and ran back to the transition area to grab She-Ra.
Bike
With my helmet strapped on, I ran through the grass in my wobbly cleats towards the beginning of the start line. All of the USAT rules ran through my head while I rode down the street yelling, "On your left please." It's cyclist-polite for "Get out of my way!"
Speed demon, right? Wrong. I watched an athlete pass me while riding with no hands on his handlebars. Oh well, at least I was outriding SOME people.
I came across my first hairpin U-turn. I had to be totally controlled while hoping that everyone knew what they were doing too. I liked it! I grunted while trying to stand on my pedals to get them going quickly again. You know...because I think I'm a speed demon!
Then, the purrr of a motor came up from behind. I checked my position since I knew a race official was on the back of that motorcycle. Just like when you pass a police car on the highway, you automatically slow down even though you have no idea what your actual speed is, I automatically slid to the side to make sure it didn't even remotely look like I was drafting behind anyone. Officer, I swear I sneezed and accidentally ended up behind the other bike in perfect alignment. I was not drafting!
Run
Speed demon, right? Wrong. I watched an athlete pass me while riding with no hands on his handlebars. Oh well, at least I was outriding SOME people.
I came across my first hairpin U-turn. I had to be totally controlled while hoping that everyone knew what they were doing too. I liked it! I grunted while trying to stand on my pedals to get them going quickly again. You know...because I think I'm a speed demon!
Then, the purrr of a motor came up from behind. I checked my position since I knew a race official was on the back of that motorcycle. Just like when you pass a police car on the highway, you automatically slow down even though you have no idea what your actual speed is, I automatically slid to the side to make sure it didn't even remotely look like I was drafting behind anyone. Officer, I swear I sneezed and accidentally ended up behind the other bike in perfect alignment. I was not drafting!
Run
All of the technical hairpin U-turns on the bike were a lot of fun. However, it's just not as much fun in running. Out and back, out and back, out and back, out and back…at one point, I found myself apologizing to the runners around me for cursing after realizing there was yet another out and back to go through.
Sometimes you are faced with that imminent life-changing fork in the road of life. I came across that fork this day. Sprint or International? Sprint please! I followed the Sprint distance fork in the road as if I was sliding down the Rainbow Trail shortcut in a game of Candyland. Weeeee....
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Sometimes you are faced with that imminent life-changing fork in the road of life. I came across that fork this day. Sprint or International? Sprint please! I followed the Sprint distance fork in the road as if I was sliding down the Rainbow Trail shortcut in a game of Candyland. Weeeee....
Finish line
Friends and family greeted me at the finish line. For their patience, they each got a huge sweaty hug. I collected my medal and thought to myself...boy, I'm glad that's done!
Lifetime List of Things to Do: Complete a Triathlon. *Check!*
Just give me a few days before I decide on my next race.
Lifetime List of Things to Do: Complete a Triathlon. *Check!*
Just give me a few days before I decide on my next race.
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