Fast forward to September 22, and here I am, waiting to jump into a pool and swim 10 laps. Nervous as anything.
Showing off my number written on my arm.
The swim was something that I had been nervous about since the beginning. I had never swam laps in my entire life. When I first started training I would gulp and swallow water the entire time. But I kept at it and by the time the race came I was confident that I knew how to swim 10 laps without dying or drowning. What I had not accounted for was the adrenaline rush that would be happening the day of the race. After waiting for what seemed like forever, in a huge line to get into the pool, the race in official finally said "okay 577 your time starts now." I ran to the side of the pool and jumped in and from that moment on I was a ball of nerves. I could not catch my breath and my goggles started leaking and I kind of freaked out a little bit. I struggled through the 10 laps and climbed out of the pool. I was determined to do better and the rest of the race. The 9 miles on the bike seemed to fly by. I felt really good on the bike ride and even after it when coming into the transition to the run. The first half-mile of the run felt like I was running on Jell-O legs. But after I got past that I felt really good and completed the final 2 miles in really good time.
The absolute best part of this entire race was seeing the kids, Dan, and my dad while I was running or biking or swimming. I don't think I would've done as well or been as quick if I had not been able to see them and give them high-fives along the way.
I crossed the finish line pretty exhausted but so happy.
A race that started out with some serious struggling in the water finished with a great bike and run.
My goal was to finish in an hour and 15 minutes. I beat that goal by finishing in one hour and four minutes. I was so excited to have done that well and was actually kind of proud of myself.
Something that happens in triathlons that doesn't happen in regular running races is the transition. Coming out of the pool dripping wet and having to get dry clothes on your body, socks and shoes on your wet feet, and go write a bike is a little bit tricky. I didn't want to waste a lot of time in the transition area and I had practiced the transition a few times before the race. Overall I was very happy with my times in each area of the race.
Swim (250 meters): 7:16
Transition 1: 2:36
Bike (9 miles): 34:06
Transition 2: 1:11
Run (2 miles): 19:24
Total time: 1:04:32
I hope to do another race like this again in the future. It was fun to push myself to try something new even if the swimming part ended up being more of a struggle than I had anticipated it to be. Next time I will know what to expect and hopefully will be able to control my adrenaline and breathing a little better.
