Rage 5 Triathlon
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
April 19, 2008
1500 meter swim
25 mile bike
6.2 mile run
Pre Race
I was uncharacteristically calm the day before this race.
But when I was also calm the morning of, I knew this race would be "different." I was about to erase last season for good.
Glenn was still a bit under the weather from the bug we caught in New York and he had a race of his own (the yacht club Silver Cup Regatta) to do later in the morning. So, he had a complete pass from coming with me. It would be the first time I went to a race without him.
The ½ Iron athletes were starting at 6:00, and the Olympic athletes were starting at 7:00. I left the house at 5:45 and was down in the park, waiting impatiently for the booth operator to move my line of traffic (while watching the line next to me move through seamlessly) at 5:55. Reached the race site and was unloading my bike by about 6:05. I heard the announcer say something about transition only being open for another 20 minutes.
OH hell I thought transition was open until 6:40!
Momentary panic ensued, and then vanished. I knew I had plenty of time.
I grabbed my bags and my bike and carried everything over two parking lots that consisted of dirt, sagebrush and stone. The transition area looked impossibly long and I wondered how I was going to find a spot quickly while lugging all of my gear. Noticed that the racks were marked with numbers so I looked for numbers that were close to mine, found my rack, hoisted my bike and gear over the barricade and climbed over myself.
There was plenty of room on the rack and I got the spot next to the barricade. I liked it because it gave me a bit of extra room between the bike and the barricade. It took me no time at all to set up my transition area (I had practiced the night before) and I was starting to get excited! Before long I was ready to head down to the water.
The Sprint athletes were starting at 6:40, and I was there among everyone watching them start. From shore it was hard to tell what our course was so I asked a volunteer. She explained that we needed to swim out to the second green buoy and turn right, swim to the far orange buoy, and then come in. Sounded simple enough but I couldn't exactly see the orange buoys and the second green buoy looked very small in the distance. Guess I would figure it out when I got out there. J
I got in the water, warmed up and could not believe how great the water felt. Perfect really. Nice and cool, calm, perfect for a long swim. I had no issues whatsoever with the warm up – swam out pretty far, then came back, got out, and waited.
The Swim
After the gun went off I took three deep breaths and started. I was perfectly seeded, at the back of the pack. There were people around me, but virtually no contact. I was able to get into a rhythm right away and relax and breathe. I even breathed BILATERALLY every third stroke! YES I DID! I probably did that for over half the swim. It is so advantageous . . . I would look right, see the mountains, maybe a cap or two, look to the left, see more caps, the other set of mountains. Occasionally I would see one of the kayaks.
Sighting was a chore at first and it was hard to see the buoys because of the sun. So at first I sighted on the main group ahead and used the caps on my left as indicators I was on the right track. The further I swam the easier and more natural my sighting became and I got more comfortable with it.
The most fun part of the swim (of the whole race really) came when I realized I could no longer see the bottom. I teared up a little at that point as I realized I had never ever been out that far. All of the anguish of last season and the hard work of this season were worth it, right there, in that moment when the bottom disappeared from view.
When I reached the second green buoy and made the right turn the swim groups seemed to have stretched out. The main group had distanced itself further out in front, there were some others scattered behind the main group, and the group I was swimming with was a bit smaller. Once I reached the orange buoy and turned to swim toward shore I saw that there was a neat line of orange buoys leading straight in. SWEET!!
I swam until my hand hit the bottom and stood up. Swayed a little, got my bearings, and then made my way out of the water and up to transition.
T1
The walk up to my bike was long. Transition was one big long rectangle that was very, well . . . long. About halfway up I ran into Form, who was on his way out to do his run! Yay Form! He did the Sprint, and was looking strong off the bike. After a quick hug and some screeching on my part, I was at my bike. Transition was smooth.
The Bike
Getting on the bike I felt tentative, and a little wobbly. Not an unsafe, not sure I can continue kind of wobbly, but wobbly nonetheless. There was a slight incline right out of transition and, believe me, I felt that incline in my granny gear! Once out on the course I got into my groove and followed my plan. Stayed in what felt like zone 2 and took in my nutrition according to plan.
Since I was one of the last out of the water, I did wonder how far behind I was, and whether I was last, but was able to keep focused and not dwell on it. When I found myself thinking negatively I would immediately replace the negative thought with something else, like getting more nutrition in, checking my cadence, or marveling at the beautiful scenery. Evil thoughts were kept at bay through focusing on the ride, staying in the moment, and enjoying the course in a way I never have before! There was a nice breeze and the weather was perfect!!
The wind kicked up in earnest at around mile 5. It was not too bad going out, but coming back it made for a pretty stiff headwind most of the way. The first turnaround was just after mile 10. Returning was easier than going out except for one 8% grade hill that goes on for awhile. Once I was up that (the wind notwithstanding) it was not so bad, until the final climb of the course. It was at mile 22, straight into the wind, on another substantial grade (not sure of the exact measurement), past the transition, up past the park guard gate – it was BRUTAL. And the wind WAS NOT HELPING.
I saw a girl ahead of me walking her bike up the hill and was tempted to do the same. Had to really talk myself into powering up that hill – but I did it. Out of the saddle, no walking allowed! It was so hard, and I was SO RELIEVED to reach that second turnaround! The last two miles were screaming downhill during which I spent a good bit of time catching my breath, braking, and concentrating on riding smooth – tried not to brake too much, but hey, I'm still a tentative descender! Additional skill and bravery will come with time and practice.
T2
Form and Kelly were sitting with some other spectators on a shady corner as I rode past. SO glad to see them there, SO glad to hear my name shouted and SO glad to be done with the bike! T2 was smooth.
The Run
I started the run wearing my fuel belt and running at a toddler's pace. Within the first half mile I was walking. I drank water from the fuel belt, and also had my salt tabs and gel in there. But the belt was annoying me so much that (after taking the salt and the gel) I ditched it at the mile 1 marker. Decided I do not want to wear it for Olympic distance races in the future. I can carry salt tabs and a spare gel in a pocket and rely on the course for fuel.
A quick assessment revealed that I was feeling a bit intimidated by the heat, the wind, and the fact that I had just biked 25 miles and had five more to run. Physically I felt pretty decent, which means my nutrition plan worked and I am well trained. My legs were heavy, they were uncomfortable, and they didn't want to run but they could have run had I made them. My mental game was starting to unravel.
I would estimate I walked at least half the course, including the brutal, sandy, silty, gravelly hill around mile 2-3 that seemed to go on forever! It was in a "canyon" of sorts where there was no wind, so the heat, even though it was only the low 80s, felt oppressive. Reaching the turnaround at the top of that hill was such a relief! I spent entirely too much time wondering when I was going to get there, as I was walking and not running! I ran down that hill, walked up, and then ran down the other hill, and jogged through about half of the flat section.
So, the run was slow, and there was some mental unraveling. But you know what, I was SO EXCITED TO BE THERE, SO EXCITED TO FINISH, that I still found myself tearing up with tears of joy, and enjoyed watching the sailboats, (with my husband on one of them) racing out on the windy water. I also enjoyed the words of encouragement from many of the ½ iron athletes that passed me. Most of them said "good job," which was awesome, and that level and distance of racing is definitely something I aspire to! Not too fond of being constantly passed, but it's all part of the game. We are all out there on the same course, doing the same sport, but running our own race.
When the finish line came into view I picked up the pace to a jog. Stopped to retrieve my fuel belt and jogged in, finishing a few seconds behind a ½ iron athlete. Form and Kelly were there! It was so great to see them, to hear my name cheered AGAIN, get my FIRST OLYMPIC DISTANCE FINISHERS MEDAL, and immediately fill them in on how BRUTAL that hill at mile 2-3 was (LOL). J
The results are not yet posted (at least not that I can find) so I can't post my splits here. When the results do go up I may post them later and anyone who really wants to know can look them up and easily get the information. My unofficial finishing time was slower than I anticipated, but it doesn't matter.
This race was a breakthrough. I DID IT!!! It was truly "The One." Things came together for me in this race in a way that simply never happened last season. From the moment that the gun went off, I knew this race would be different. And sure enough, it WAS!!! For that I am so happy and grateful and excited!! Last season is erased with finality now and I cannot wait to take what I have learned here and improve my game for the SG Tri on May 10.
Have a great week everyone!!