My First Tri

Last weekend, I did my first sprint triathlon. I was so nervous...I had no idea what I was supposed to do once I arrived. I picked up my race packet, and it had all these stickers in it. I had no idea where all the stickers were supposed to go??? It was so nerve racking just being sure I was where I was supposed to be in the appropriate attire. But, at any rate, with a little help from other contestants, I finally got my stickers on my bike, on my helmet, and on my running shirt. And, I was all set.

The event took place at Lake Tobesofkee, and it included a 750 meter swim, a 15 mile bike, and a 5K. So, around 8:15, off we went into Lake Tobesofkee for the swim. I HATED it. So many people trying to swim. People kept touching me...it was awful, but once we got going, everyone spread out, and I was able to settle down. We swam out from the shore around 3 buoys and back to the shore. Well, somewhere after rounding buoy number 3 and before reaching the shore, I veered off course. I sort of zoned out and just started swimming as hard as I could. When I looked up to see how much farther I had, I was looking at a completely different shore. When I swiveled my head to the right, I saw the finish line at about a 45 degree angle from the direction I was swimming. So, I had to swim like a mad woman to get back on course, and as a result, I think I lost about 5 minutes on the swim...not to mention, swimming is hard and I didn't want to swim 1 second longer than absolutely necessary. But, I made it either way!

After the swim, we had to sprint up a big hill to the "transition area" where our bikes were stored. We threw on our helmets, jumped on our bikes, and we were off. I was riding a mountain bike with slick tires, which put me at a pretty big disadvantage. Bikes like mine are just not built for speed, and I got passed by quite a few girls on bikes specifically made for triathlons. That was frustrating, but there's not much you can do about it. I finished the bike, with my legs feeling great. I jumped off my bike, ditched it in the transition area, and headed out for my run.

Now, there's not much to a 5K. I am able to handle 5Ks pretty easily; however, this is not after swimming about half a mile and cycling 15. I started to feel like I was going to throw up. I was shuffling along at a snail's pace, and it didn't help that the run course was entirely uphill on the way out. I had to stop a couple of times and walk for 30 seconds just to get my breathing under control. The good news about the course being entirely uphill on the way out is that it's entirely downhill on the way home...literally, all I had to do was keep my feet moving. There was one pretty steep hill to climb just before the finish line. I made it over that, and ran as fast as I could (which wasn't very) across the finish line.

Gasping for breath, I was said to myself, "What the hell was I thinking??? That was hard!" My time was 1 hr 50 minutes, by no means a great time. I finished right around the middle of the pack. Exhaustion was starting to set it. I was starving because it had been 5 hours since I ate breakfast, but about 30 seconds after I finished, I was thinking about how soon I could be ready for another one. Someone told me it was addictive, and they were right. There's something exhilirating about being around so many people in such good shape (I'm not including myself in that group, mind you!). I think I may be hooked.

Oh, the other fun thing is that most people compete in the age group division where you're competing again other women within you age group...mine was 25-29. They mark all over your body with permanent marker, which I am NOT a fan of...I don't see how it's really all that necessary. But they write your number on both upper arms and above both knees. The best mark, however, is saved for the back of the calf...your AGE! I was obsessed with looking at people's ages. And there were some that blew me away. 50 year old women that didn't look at day over 35. Women in there 60's still competing. It was boggling my mind. And, it doesn't hurt your motivation when someone who's older than your parents passes you and leaves you in the dust. So, if anyone out there is interested, come on out...I'd love to have some company!