Tri, Tri Again (The Triathlon, Part 2)

For Part 1, check out last Thursday’s “Might As Well Tri”

I woke before the alarm went off at 4am and headed into the bathroom to get dressed. Mr. Andi emerged shortly thereafter and assured me that he was better and we would be doing the triathlon. I applied my tri-tats and headed to the kitchen. Mr. Andi loaded my bike into his truck while I packed snacks for the kids and roused Sarah Kate.

Things went down hill from there. I broke a glass jar, sending shards everywhere and delaying our departure. We discovered Mr. Andi’s race-issued swim cap wasn’t in his packet, so that meant an extra step in the race morning prep. After we got into the truck, Mr. Andi informed me that since he thought we’d be taking my car he hadn’t gassed up, so we’d have to make an unscheduled stop. I HATE being late anywhere, but especially on race mornings (multiply that by new event jitters).

As it turned out, we made it with plenty of time to rack the bike, pick up our timing chip, and obtain Mr. Andi’s swim cap. We found a spot for the kids to hang out just over the fence from the bike rack and began to wait. Mr. Andi then confessed that he had lied and really didn’t feel any better at all. We also learned that the water temperature was wetsuit-legal, which caused me to panic a little because of Mr. Andi’s malady and the knowledge that he has issues with asthma if he exercises cold.

Awesome.

The team swimmers started in the back, so it was awhile before Mr. Andi appeared in transition. When he did, I got scared. He was moving slowly and staggered sideways like he was drunk. I asked him if he was okay (yes) or needed help (no). Not reassured, I asked a lady standing nearby to keep an eye on him, and headed out.

I made it out of transition, very nearly grazing a woman struggling more than I had to get on her bike. Many people passed me (no surprise) and then I heard someone approaching on my right. A friendly-but-clearly-a-newbie guy pulled alongside me and started chatting. Rule-follower that I am, this action drove me INSANE because it’s drafting and USTA illegal. After a few minutes of trying to blow him off I finally resigned myself to the fact that he was not going to leave me alone and slowed down.

The course was an out-and-back that headed east, then north, with one uphill before the halfway point. The wind was from the northeast, so I expected to make up some time on the return trip. After I hit the turnaround, I was relieved to discover that there were some bikers behind me. As anticipated, I picked up speed. Things were going well and I planned to take my single Gu at the mile 7 marker.

I opened the mint chocolate Gu package and consumed it without incident. I folded it up – proud that I hadn’t dropped the tear off tag – and slid it back into my skirt pocket. I was still moving at a good clip and was pleased with myself for pulling it off. I grabbed my water bottle and drank, then took a few more sips so I wouldn’t have to pull it out again. As I leaned over to replace it in its holster, I glanced down to ensure it was really going in, then gave it a solid shove.

Ka-thunk.

#$@! The bottle bounced on the asphalt and rolled into the street. Rule-follower that I am, I threw on the brakes, climbed off, and walked my bike back to get it (USTA doesn’t allow you to leave equipment anywhere on the course – bottles included). When I got back on the bike, I’d lost a lot of my rhythm and never quite got it back. So much for making up that time on the back side.

Back at transition, I got off my bike a little early (mostly because I was afraid of getting off too late). Mr. Andi was waiting for me with a camera and my hat, and tried to take the bike from me to rack it. I waved him off and did it myself, then headed out for my two mile run.

The run was uneventful, as what I perceived to be the hard parts – the transitions and the bike – were over. I struggled to hold back from running too fast. The run course was also an out-and-back so I was greeted by Chatty Drafting Dude again. Still too fast, I decided to walk through the water stop in an effort to “reset” my pace.

As I made the turn into the finish chute, the volunteer waving us in looked me in the eye and called out “Finish Strong!” I don’t know if she said it to everyone or just to me, but I teared up because that’s what I always tell Sarah Kate at her races. Without fail, I remind her that it’s not about winning, but about challenging yourself and finishing strong.

As I approached the finish line, I heard my name called over the loudspeaker, but I didn’t see my family. Just after crossing, however, I saw Mr. Andi with the camera – I had run the two mile leg a lot quicker than he expected, so he hadn’t been ready for me.

Will I do it again? Absolutely! I still fear the swim, but hope that spending the fall and winter months in the pool will help me get over that. I really don’t feel like I can say I’ve completed a triathlon when I’ve only done two-thirds of the event (but it is one-third more than I’d ever done a few months ago). And of course…Sarah Kate, fearless child that she is, wants to try a kids triathlon next year, as well.

So…IronGirl New Orleans 2012, here I come! Who wants to join me?