The comments on yesterdays post were great to read... Klutzymama - it took me about twelve minutes to finish the 500 meters. To give you an idea of my speed, my mom's teammate (an amazing swimmer) finished her 500 in just under 10 minutes and she was the 6th fastest swimmer in the WHOLE RACE. If she would have had open water & not been caught behind people once or twice, she'd have been even faster. Even though 78% of the racers had a faster swim time than me, I am still actually quite happy with 12 minutes. As far as Deb's comment about the hills goes, I had to giggle (for those of you who don't know, Deb is my mom).
Anyway, back to the story... I was climbing out of the pool and walking to the transition area when I heard Beth (my sister) tell me to run & not to slack off - so I picked up the pace. I couldn't help it, I was nervous about running onto the gravel / concrete barefoot! When I got to my bike I was still soaking wet and proceeded to run through my mental checklist... goggles & cap off (check), dry my feet, socks & shoes, sunscreen (why won't the bottle work?!), drink some water, HELMET, and finally bike (duh).
Prior to the race, I had attended a seminar at a local running store on beginner's triathlons - that's where I got the tip to bring a bucket to use as a seat to help get my shoes on. It also doubled as a convenient way to carry all my gear. This was probably the best advice I got because I didn't have to try to balance on one leg while I was drying my feet and tying my shoes!
After wrestling with the spray-on sunscreen cap for a good thirty seconds (it felt like an eternity!), I was ready to get my bike off the rack and head out!
You have to walk your bike to the edge of the transition area before mounting (it's a safety precaution). I really couldn't even tell you how long my transition took - probably less than two or three minutes. I was trying to be speedy without forgetting something crucial that would make my life more difficult over the next few hours (leaving a pebble in my sock or skipping the sunscreen, for example). It felt surreal as I smiled at Mitch and my sisters and headed onto the course.
Right away, I noticed I was riding significantly faster than my goal pace - even uphill. I had been training on a gravel trail (the Katy trail) for months and while I knew the road would be faster, I didn't realize how MUCH faster. My goal was an average of 5 minute miles, and right off the bat I was riding 3:30, 3:45 - all without a race bike! Yep, Mitch and I have road bikes - they're reasonably priced commuter bikes. Not exactly ideal for a triathlon, but it's not like I was in it to win it or anything. Um yeah - next time I'll be borrowing my mom's racing bike! People were FLYING by me and I know I could cut a huge amount of time if I was on a faster bike.
Once I hit the flat portion of the route (miles 3 to 18), I settled into a routine and stayed at a pace of around 4 minute miles. I was pushing hard and a bit nervous that I'd be out of steam for the five mile run ahead. Another idea passed on by my mom turned out to be a life saver... I had tied a bandana around my handlebar post and used it to dry my hands off as they got sweaty or wet from my water bottle. (I don't wear biking gloves). There's really no other way to describe the weather other than: it was hot. Vedy vedy hot. I was thanking my lucky stars that I had spent the last three weeks acclimating my body to the heat because that's really what got me through.
Seemingly before I knew it, I was heading back into town - coming up on the biggest hill of the race. I knew my training had prepared me for hills, but I was still nervous about tackling that giant - it was practically a mile long (and steep too). Right as I approached the base, another rider pulled up alongside me & made some small talk. That was one thing I noticed about this race compared to any others (5Ks, etc) I had done - there's really not a lot of spectators out on the route, so the other participants become your cheerleaders. Nearly EVERY person who passed me on the bike route said something encouraging as they went by. It was so motivating!
After chugging my way up the hill, I was within a third of a mile of the transition area and it was almost an HOUR earlier than anticipated.
I had to shout at my sister as I approached so she would be ready to run. (Even though my mom, her teammate, had finished an hour earlier, she had decided not to start her run until I got back. It was the nicest possible thing she could have done. Completely selfless). I fought back "the choke" as I walked my bike into the transition area - it was the first time I really let myself think I'd finish, and finish well. For months I had been convinced I would be the last one crossing the finish lines and had pleaded with my husband to make them keep the finish line up until I crossed. I couldn't believe there was only one obstacle in my way.
Well, five actually... five long miles in the soaring heat...
Oh my gosh, this is so inspirational!! I'm so proud of you and can't wait to read the last installment :)
Posted by: Angela Noelle | June 24, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Becky, you'll have to consider the Wood River, IL Triathlon.
Pool swim, but the bike ride and run is a 2 mile loop. So every 2 miles of a 12 mile bike ride and 4 mile run you pass you're family again. Plus it is ALL flat. This is a great race.
Posted by: nancy | June 24, 2009 at 12:23 PM
You are so inspiring! I am amazed by you right now!
Posted by: klutzymama | June 24, 2009 at 03:33 PM
You've almost inspired me to want to do something crazy like this :) Can't wait to hear about the rest!
Posted by: Teresa | June 25, 2009 at 05:05 AM