Tonight I did my very first triathlon. I finished and I did great! I was really nervous about it all day, not just because I was nervous about it, but because we were getting storms. I knew that would make the water choppy. I figured I'd have enough trouble with flat and glassy waters. I didn't want to deal with rough waters.
I got to the check in and my helmet and ID were inspected and my race number (5) was written on my arms. From there I went to rack my bike in transition and get my gear laid out. Everyone around me seemed very friendly and I chatted with a few folks.
Coach Mark had told me when I first arrived that he wanted me to do an interview with Channel 3 when they got there. Sure enough, he came and found me. I think Steve Nissom was thrown for a loop when I told him that I took my first swimming lesson last month! Of course the camera guy had to follow me around all race. It was a little disconcerting, but I tried to ignore him. I know he had to get footage for the story and he did keep his distance, so he "didn't throw off my mojo". My story is a good one. I just hope they don't butcher it!
So anyway, we got a quick briefing and then headed down to the water. I took a little dip to get used to the temperature and get ready. We had another brief and then the national anthem. Then we all lined up in the water and the starting horn went off. I lagged back a little, walking in rather than starting to swim right away. After a few seconds I started my swim. I knew I was at the back of the pack, but I didn't care. The lifeguard on the kayak pretty much stayed with me for most of the swim. Not because I looked like I'd need help, but because I was last. He was very encouraging and cheered me on. So did Coach John from the shore. I could hear him yelling encouragement to me, letting me know I was doing well. Finally I reached a point where I could stand up and so I ran the rest of the way in. Coach and I fist-bumped and I headed up the path to the transition area.
I wore my ironman watch, but I messed up the timing on it. However, I think my swim time was fairly accurate, and that was 8:58. T1 took a while because I had to put on my socks, shoes, and helmet, but I think I did it in less than two minutes. It was very easy to find my bike on the rack. It was the only one left!
I headed out on the bike course. The wind was pretty fierce. I really pushed it on the bike and ended up passing five people. I passed a sixth right before the turn into Portofino, but she left T2 before I did and I didn't catch her on the run. I was afraid that I was using all my leg muscles for the bike and I wouldn't have any left for the run. That wasn't the case.
After the bike I got into T2, took off my bike shoes, switched to my running shoes, and took off my helmet. From there it was out and onto the run course. I was feeling exhausted at this point. Not in my legs, but in my lungs. I was breathing a lot heavier than I thought I would be. I made the turnaround and the wind was at my back for the last leg. That was great. I passed a lady just before coming into Portofino. I was cooking. Then I saw the finish line! Coach John was there to high-five me on the way across and Coach Mark came over and gave me a big hug. I didn't realize there was a clock there, so I didn't see my finish time. I stopped my watch at 53:37 (which I didn't realize until later). When I saw the clock it was at 56:23. Holy cow! I totally beat my anticipated one hour time.
The official times will be posted tomorrow and submitted to USAT. I can't believe I did that well! I am so stoked!
I am so grateful to Coach John for teaching me to swim. I won't say that I'm a good swimmer yet, but I am picking it up and gaining more confidence and more comfort every day. This was really good for me. I can't wait for the next one!
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