Pre-race-
Our drive to Texas Ski Ranch was pretty uneventful. I was extremely nervous and hence I let Charanya do the driving. We arrived a little late, we had only 30 minutes to set up our transition, take a pit stop at the bathroom and for me to get familiarized with the transitions.
Swim (300m): "10, 9, 8 ....., 4", this is when I wanted to turn back and quit as the announcer counted down to the start of my wave. I was amidst of the 29 and under wave start for the swimming part of the 2009 Rookie Triathlon, my first ever triathlon. I turned back, I saw Charanya, I think she could smell my fear. I am not a swimmer! Amit shouted out, "Find your happy place". I tried to locate it. "3, 2, 1, and horn", and I was off. I could barely put my head under the water, it was dirty, it was disgusting. Breaststroke was the order of the day. I spotted the closest lifeguard and I alerted him that I might need help. I did! I took a short break, and I was off, only to meet the next lifeguard. By this time three more waves had started, I realized that I was uber slow- but who cared. At the half way point I started feeling more comfortable, the panic had lessened and the stroke was getting more efficient. I needed more help near then end, but I made it through thanks to some shallower water :). I felt a little sick as I walked to the transition area. I must have gulped some of the nasty water. My breathing was out of control, I was gasping for air as I headed to the transition area.
T1: First thing I did was put on my helmet, then I put on my shoes, then my sunglasses and finally my gloves. The gloves took an eternity- I need to figure how to do this more efficiently. At this point a spectator shouted out that I had my helmet other way around- a rookie mistake. So here I was trying to remove it, my glasses got in the way, all a mess! Heck I was a rookie- who cares. My stomach churned, I gulped a bulk load of water as I made my way to the bike start line.
Bike (11 miles): I had no problems getting the clips on, something I was worried out. I continued hydrating, mainly to try and get my breathing under control. My stomach hurt like crazy, but I had a killer hill ahead to focus on. I pedaled hard and tried to get some momentum to get me through the hill. But I had to take a pit stop at the top of the hill, I could not breath. I felt like throwing up. I didn't though. I took a quick stop, then got on the bike and pedaled away. I somehow got my breathing under some control, but the stomach sickness continued. The course was more hilly than I expected. I tried to shake it off but I couldn't. Around the 6 mile mark I was really sick, as I slowed down I threw up off the bike. I didn't want to stop though, hence I continued pedaling. At around the 8 mile mark I started feeling a little better, still not at my best though. I shouted at myself hoping to shake off the bad stomach. I decided not to think about it anymore and I gave it a 100% effort the rest of the way. I was very happy that I finished strong, which felt really good and it also put me in a good mood for the run.
T2: I did the rookie mistake of not hydrating enough towards the end of the biking, especially when I was pushing hard. I changed shoes (had a small accident with my lace, and had to improvise), I put my race belt on and I was ready to go. But wait I was really thirsty, so I sat for a little bit and just chugged water! I was quite happy with my first ever T2!
Run (2 miles): If you asked me at the beginning of the race then I would have said that 2 mile run would have been a joke for me. But my legs felt like bricks, I could not move them after the biking, another rookie effect! :). More bad news was to follow, my stomach started churning again, I could taste the bad swim water again. I started the run well, but then I had to stop running as my stomach hurt too much. I walked for a little bit (which I couldn't fathom), then I tried to suck it up and started again. My legs started functioning again around the 0.5 mile mark after which I felt a little better. I really pushed the last mile, especially the last 200 meter which I literally sprinted. Again I finished strong, something that I was happy with.
Synopsis: The final product was a 1 hr 30 min finish, which I am told is not too bad for a rookie who can not swim :). I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, expect the stomach issues. I can't put a number on how much better I would have done if my stomach did not play up, but nonetheless I was happy to finish the race.
Lessons Learned:
- SWIM SWIM SWIM, enough said!
- Don't drink the swim water. :)
- Work on transitions, have a set plan for a transition routine and follow it.
- Hydrate while walking up and down transition, don't waste time during transition.
- Practice biking on hills, they are monstrous.
- Always think about what you are going to do next, can't change what already happened in the race.
So there- I finished my first ever triathlon- just barely. Special thanks to Charanya for making it so smooth. Thanks to Amit bhai, Sharanya, Bradford and Stephanie for the encouraging pre-race words, it sure did help. I am not a rookie anymore, but I think I still am! :)
-Me
5 comments:
It's so interesting to read a Rookie's race report...especially since a lot of the lessons learnt you identified apply to even those who have done their n-th Triathlon!
You did a fabulous job out there considering you didnt really have a consistent training plan and practically learnt how to swim in just 4 weeks, and on top of that, ventured out into an open water swim w/o an prior practice. I could see how nervous you were before the swim, and it would have been super easy to just quit then..but you went ahead and gave it a shot! That takes guts!
I am sorry you had tummy issues, but it's awesome that you could somehow overcome that and finish strongly. I am so very proud of you and look forward to doing more Tris with you! :)
Dude, you know what I'm going to say - You got guts!! I think if I had been in your shoes, I would have turned back. But you persisted, and that takes a LOT of courage because all said and done, the open water can be risky business.
I know it's tempting to look what what you did not do, but remember to also focus on what you DID RIGHT. You are a natural athlete, and you have the right attitude in the face of adversity -to persist when things get tough. And objectively speaking, inspite of your rough time on the swim course, you still performed well overall by kicking butt on the bike & run and completing the race in 1.5 hours!
With a bit more practice on the swim, you'll be in FAB shape for your next tri. You should be very proud of yourself - I am for sure! :)
Your attitude of "Always think about what you are going to do next, can't change what already happened in the race" tells me that you have your head in the right place and that we're gonna see a lot of Vishy-Washy Tri butt kicking as we're used to in the Running races :)
Let me know anytime you wanna do a Transition clinic dry run, we can set that up or just wanna chat about Nutrition/Hydration et.al!!
Nice job overall at yr first race! You have lots to be proud of so soak it all in :)
That is amazing, I love your writing style, made me want to keep reading, I almost felt I was there!
Keep running and keep writing.
Always.
Man!!! I like the Spirited person in you! It takes a lot to keep going. Well i am so tempted to use the quote " when the going gets tough the tough get going" I know its cliche....but just apt! All PROs were rookies....he he.....keep up the good work....I am a fan of your writing style too..serves as a source of inspiration.... all in all....great going!
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