2 years, 2 babies, 1 big goal...
My sister and I have wanted to try a triathlon for a long time. A lot of triathletes begin as runners or bikers. We are swimmers. Always have been (always will be?). We have each done some running races and at least know how to ride a bike, so we decided to go ahead and try tri!
The weekend of Connor's birthday was one week before the race we signed up for. We attempted to go out to the race site to practice, but were stopped by a disgruntled park worker, a $4 parking fee, and a lack of time. Instead, we drove the bike route (scary, no shoulders, plenty hilly) and took pics with a foot in each state - which Laura had always wanted to do!
Don't worry, we did get some practice in later in the afternoon.
This past Saturday was the big day. Not going to lie...I felt horrible all week and went to the doc Friday - he thought I had strep but I did not (some sort of virus) and I decided to still go for it. This was a sprint triathlon...1/2mile swim, 14 mile bike, 5k run.
Jonathan had the big job of taking care of both kids in the morning and getting out to the race to cheer a little. He made it with perfect timing...right as we were coming in from the bike!
We arrived early but it took us forever to get our bikes ready (I was using Jonathan's and Laura's bike is new to her) and set up at the transition area. We will definitely know how to better prepare if we do another one! We barely made it down to the swim start on time, wished we had done a little more stretching, and were thankful to see our friend Brenda who took Laura's earrings last minute!
The swim was fine - plenty warm, a beautiful clear day (easy to see the buoys), and by far the shortest/easiest segment of the triathlon. Before we started I told Laura, "See you later, good luck!" because I knew she would be way ahead of me. Indeed, the lake was murky and I got a few kicks in the face, but made it through just fine. Then the first rough part came...the 300 meter "run" UP hill to the transition area...yikes. I had tried not to kick through the entire swim to save leg strength, but my lungs were already hurting...
When I arrived at my bike, Laura had her helmet on and was on her way out. We gave a quick wave and I proceeded to do my (practiced) shirt change and puff my inhaler. I dried my feet and put on my socks and shoes (sitting on my overturned bucket, thank you Carey!) and strapped on my helmet (you can get a penalty for not having your helmet buckled on when you mount your bike!!!). I then stuck one gel packet in my shorts and ripped open another with my teeth for some quick energy. Wow. I had never tried one before...rookie mistake! DIS-GUSTING. Could have vomited right then and there. Started swigging water so I wouldn't throw up. Took the time to ask the lady next to me if her whole family was racing because I had overheard their conversation. Indeed they were. After all that, my transition time was 4:02...whoops! Hahaha.
Off I went on my bike. Didn't think it was too bad to start with - except for giant trucks with horse trailers flying by! On my most recent training ride, my chain had fallen off during some gear-shifting and made me fear going out of the middle 7 speeds. Not good. It was super hilly. A beautiful area, but I ended up being totally alone til someone would whir up and pass me. Sigh. I passed a person here and there but got passed a LOT. About halfway through I started to feel like I wasn't going to make it...my quads were burning, my lungs were burning, every part of my back hurt (to be blunt, partially because the bike was too big and partially because of being a nursing mom and needing a LOT more support than I had!) and my elbows were frozen in place from stretching to reach the handlebars. As I would crest a hill and see another looming ahead, I wanted to cry and told myself, "Lindsay! Don't cry! That will make your breathing worse! Just. Keep. Going." Then sometimes I would say (out loud), "Oh Lord! Help me make it up that hill!" Ha! That was pretty embarrassing when I would exasperate something of that sort and 5 seconds later someone would be passing me - one time including a 73 year old woman!
Finally, I made it to the transition area (without stopping, at least!) and heard my husband and babies cheering me on. I almost really did break down and cry then! There was literally almost no one in the transition area except for a few of the men who had already finished the entire race. I threw my bike on the rack, puffed my inhaler again, took a swig of water and off I went (much faster, but no fancy bike shoes to change out of and I couldn't bring myself to gulp down another gel pack). I was totally bummed when I realized that I forgot to slide my headband on to keep my bangs out of my face, but there was no way I was going back!
Go Laura! Strong finish.
As I did the last 1/4 of the run, I started counting the people behind me (very few)...I knew that my goal was just to finish and that it didn't matter where I placed, but anyone who knows me knows that I have
Phew! That is not my time, by the way. :)
The night before the race, Laura said her goal was to finish under 2 hours and I said I just wanted to finish. We both finished in under two hours! Laura even placed 3rd in her age group and got this sweet trivet to show for it!
Here are my times, just so I can remember and work on some improvement if we do another one:
Swim: 14:44, T1: 4:02, Bike: 1:03:16, T2: 1:07, Run: 34:02
Did I mention that we wore matching shirts for the bike and run? It was an early birthday present from Laura to me, and she had a matching one for herself...which happened to be in the laundry she brought to our house to do...ha! Not sure I can handle (training for) another tri yet, but excited for our next adventure!
