My first Tri 4 Real
Sunday I competed in my first tri. Actually that isn't completely true if you count Eppies (run, bike, kayak), which I did last year. I trained for a mere four month period before Eppies. After Eppies I continued training through the year biking, running, and kayaking. I set my sites on the Tri 4 Real series as my goal first race. I took a couple weeks off from training at the end of Dec and started back up in Jan. I thought about starting my swim training then but true to form I procrastinated. The weekend before the race I realized I better get some swim time in to see if I can make it. Went up to Lake Berryessa and mapped out a mile swim with a GPS. I did the mile on Sunday and Monday. On Thursday I swam a half. I could complete the mile but none too swiftly. Found some muscles that hadn't been used in a while as well.
Saturday night I got all my stuff together. My wife and I needed to make some travel arrangements that had to be made that night. Do to a cranky computer I ended up staying up till the wee hours of the morning. Race morning the alarm sounded just a couple hours after getting to bed. So much for a good night sleep. Eat some oatmeal, drink some juice, load my stuff and I'm on my way.
Arrived at the Race site in plenty of time to register and warm up. Got in the water and waited for my wave call. I was in the third wave. At the sound of go off we went. In the first couple hundred yards I feel like I'm going to drown. Not really that bad but a couple gulps of water, running into people, getting ran into, trying to go too fast for my ability all added up to a very uncomfortable feeling. I had a hard time getting into my planned rhythm. I finally reverted to the backstroke to get my breathing regulated. About half way around the buoys things were feeling better. At the end of the swim I was quite happy to get out of the water and up to the bike. Lesson learned: Triathlon means three sports not two (and one aint a kayak). I'll be at the next swim clinic for sure! I took my time in the transition (I wear socks) and down the road I went. I entire bike felt good with a decent pace close to goal.
About mile 22-23 I get a flat. I pull over and fumble around with the over stuffed seat bag. I decided that instead of changing the tube I would just refill with air and hope for the best. Four minutes later I'm back in the game and the air held to T2. I took the time at T2 to stretch out my calves, which had started to tighten up a bit. The run felt good as well but I did notice my heart rate was up a bit high for the pace I was going. The run was nice because you have the opportunity to encourage others along the way.
The finish line came none too soon but IT band held up and I was greeted by a heard of cheering COWS. Largely due to the encouragement I received from all you folks that make up the Mad Cows the monkey is off my back. From Steve Larson telling me "sure you can finish a triathlon" to all the advice regarding IT problems and many other subtle helps from the group. One of the stated goals from Steve's letter (whom I was happy to meet on Sunday) is to bring new calves into the herd. You all can consider me one successful convert.
Thanks, I mean Moooooo!