Just Tri-ing it out

We have recently read a slue of triathlon reports on the PRR blog. Actual athletes, and Brendan, have chimed in on their experiences in the three-sport race. Having recently completed my first Tri, at the VA Run Sprint Triathlon in Centreville, I figure that I will pile on as well.

TRAINING

I gave myself plenty of time to get ready for this event. Being a complete novice at this sport, I wanted to at least get comfortable in each of the three phases. Considering myself a runner, I rarely participate in any other type of activity. Swimming and biking have only been used as a form of therapy from an injury. I knew it was going to be tough to pull all three activities together on the same day, even if they were for relatively short distances. That knowledge did not deter me from, largely, ignoring the non-running training for the tri. I set my bike up on the trainer and was getting to the pool regularly in the early preparation. During the snow storms, I was still able to get out for a run and get in some riding. The pool work suffered with the road conditions, but I still had lots of time. When the spring weather came around, the bike came off the trainer and I was able to get out for my first rides on the roads. Learning how to play with the gears was a chore, but I was getting it down. I fancied myself “dancing on the pedals” but it probably looked more like a fish flopping on dry land. Running was my only consistent sport, as I am in the midst of a (hopefully) year long streak. Managing only a couple of brick workouts, I knew that race day was going to be a day of firsts for me. And probably very painful.

RACE DAY

I could not fall asleep the night before the race, not because of nerves, but because of a poorly planned energy drink and taking my nightly multi-vitamin. Basically, I got a Vitamin B dump that kept me up until 4:15 prior to my 4:30am alarm. Not the most ideal pre-race rest. However, it did give me an opportunity to get some food at a time when I would normally have been sleeping. On the way over to the race, I popped a couple of bags of sport beans and some water. I set up my bike and transition area while trying to figure out how it would all work, and where I was to enter and exit the different competition arenas. All of the volunteers and race officials were great. Super energetic and knowledgeable about the course. I got a quick boost of confidence upon seeing Team Z head coach Ed Zerkle. He asked if I was here to burn up the run course to which I responded that I just wanted to make it that far! ☺ After reassurances that there would be a hamburger fresh off the grill upon my return, we got started.

The swim was in the chilly pool. It was a snake swim, meaning we started on one side of the pool, swam up and back in a lane, ducked under the line and did the same, repeating until the 250y was complete. By 200y, the backlog of swimmers was enough that it was easier to stand up and walk, rather than continue swimming. Fine with me, as it took me a couple of laps to catch my breath from the chilly water!
Finished up the swim and hopped out of the pool, jogging towards the transition area. I was on my way to my first big mistake.

I had swam with just a pair of tri-shorts on. Before getting on the bike, I wanted to make sure I had a top on to keep warm. The night before I pinned my bib number to my shirt so I wouldn’t have to mess with a race number belt. I thought I had left plenty of room to unzip and pop the shirt on, then get going. Nope. My shirt got wrapped up on my wet body and I ended up having to take it off before putting it back on again. Time lost. I did make one good decision in transition, that being to put on gloves. Without those gloves I would have froze on the bike.

The bike course was two 6mile loops with one humongous hill in the middle. I was conservative early on the first loop, seeing how I was feeling and trying to get in a little water. I was passing a lot of folks, which was exciting. Late in the first loop, the leader came rolling by me on his second loop. He sounded (and looked) like a motorcycle going by. I think I actually stopped pedaling for a bit and just watched. It was impressive to see someone powering through like that! I resolved to try to imitate his actions on my second lap. Soon into that lap, I resolved to just be myself and not harbor visions of glory. I was happy to hear from my cheering section a couple of times per lap. They were keeping me moving hard.

The second transition went fairly smoothly. I popped on my racing flats, grabbed a little water and headed out. Crowd support was awesome. It seemed like an unending line of cheers.

I totally underestimated how my legs would feel on the run. After redlining on the bike for little more than a half hour, they were pretty shot. In my pre-race mental imagery I had seen myself looking and feeling smooth, able to shift gears in the run and pass a lot of folks. Shoot, I had won a local 5k not one week ago! It was not to be on this run. I was a one pace pony. After a couple of attempts to change strides and unlock my legs, I decided to “play the ball as it lies” and realize that this is the pace for me on this day. At the out and back turnaround I took a cup of sports drink and proceeded to spill most of it down my face and legs. I did not realize that these drinks could be so sticky! My knees stuck together with every stride. It was amusing on the run to see a young man asking his potential date to prom. I hoped that she said yes. Finally into my last mile my legs felt a bit better and I was able to run like I felt. The downhill finish and a return to the roaring crowds helped as well.

All in all, it was an interesting experience. I’m still so new to these events that I only notice the glaring mistakes. Surely there were many that I made. I do know that the next time I attempt a tri, it will be with proper coaching and supervision. I know Team Z has a new Loudoun County program starting soon. They have fun and get results. Plus, their hamburgers are delicious after the race!