Triathlon #2

A couple of weeks ago I finally completed my sprint triathlon.  It was a 400 yard swim, a 16.8 mile bike ride, and a 5k run.  I've been working towards the goal since my super sprint in May, but trained for that since November, so really it's been a 9 month road.  Yes, I trained for it longer than some people train for Ninja Warrior or, say, a baby.  So you can understand why my fists clench when I talk to people who minimize it or point out that they don't train much for that distance.  "Really?! That's so GREAT for you!"

It was about an hour away in a city called Clarksville, which is near Toccoa.  My nerves were pretty calm as I woke up early that morning and made the drive up there.  That is, until I exited the interstate and drove up and down some pretty massive hills on the way to the aquatic center.  I kept reminding myself that they were simply "rolling hills"...nothing to fear.  

Thankfully the heat wasn't nearly as terrible as I feared it might be, though it was humid.  I checked in, got body marked (still so cool), and started setting up my transition area.  I chose a spot next to a friendly looking lady and struck up a conversation with her as we laid everything out.  As I kneeled down to lay out my socks on top of my shoes, the entire back rack came crashing down, nearly missing taking my head off.  Within seconds, there were about five guys at our aid, pulling my bike up and resetting the bars.  It hadn't hurt us or any of our equipment thank the Lord, but it was definitely a close call!  Man would I have been mad if I'd had to bow out due to a concussion I suffered BEFORE the race!

With everything set, I did a final bathroom stop and then hit the pool deck.  These races that this particular company puts on are pretty small and informal.  As such, they don't take silly things like published start times too seriously, so those of us doing the sprint (there was also a super sprint and a kids' tri event) lingered in a line and chatted.  There were about 15-20 men and only 5 women doing the sprint.  (I'm not going to lie - that felt pretty cool.)  We listened to the race director outline the bike route and remind us that we had to do two loops around it for the sprint distance (in case the giant "2" they wrote on our hands wasn't reminder enough.)  Finally, at 8:15, he said it was time to begin.  I was near the back of the line with about four people behind me (all of whom I checked with at least three times to make sure they didn't want to go before me.)  The director staggered everyone one lap behind each other and it wasn't long before it was my turn to get in to pool.  

I took a few deep breaths and then as soon as he gave the signal, I pushed off the wall.  About 3/4 of the way through, I was gaining on the woman in front of me pretty quickly.  I didn't want to pass her, though, because I'd been insistent that she go first.  (It was the exact opposite of my first race, when the lady behind me was gaining on me and it pushed me to go faster!)  I took the opportunity to pace myself and attempt to simultaneously remember my technique while also not thinking too hard about it and relaxing.  I finished just behind her, climbed out, and ran to the transition area which was very close by.  As I got ready I reminded myself to slow down and take some extra time.  My first transition at the super sprint had been a hurried mess, so between the experience and my new bike bag for my phone, this one went a lot more smoothly.  I pedaled out and was on my way.

This bike route only involved two turns, so it was a lot easier than the first race.  The hills were indeed rolling, but not bad.  The only one that was really monstrous was right after we turned around to come back, which was tough because you were doing it from a dead stop.  There were a good many racers already on their way back in and I shouted "Good job!" as I kept my eyes peeled for David and the kids.  Like so many other situations in life, I've learned that you can distract yourself from your own issues if you reach out and encourage others.  I spotted my crew just pulling into a church parking lot and David jumped out to wave to me.  He got back in and they drove past me on the route and shouted encouragement as they went to another spot to wait.  It turns out they didn't realize I was only on lap one of the route due to our late start, so they got to see me several more times than they expected.  At one point I shouted that I needed water and David had some waiting for me when I returned from my loop.  It was so special to have them there as my cheerleaders...and not to nearly die in front of them like I did last time when I missed my turn!  

After finishing the bike ride (all in all it was okay, though it did get a little boring doing an out and back two times), I pulled into the transition area to rack my bike.  The kids and David were waiting and were able to come right over to say hello.  As soon as I stepped off, my knees nearly buckled and I felt that "jelly" feeling that triathletes always refer to.  It was unexpected, because I never got it during training.  Then again, this was the first time since May that I'd gone swimming and then biking, plus the hills were small but more numerous on this course, so maybe that made a difference.  As I picked up my hydration belt to clip-on, I let out a small "Ugggg" at the thought of the 5k I was about to do.  Later Luke asked me "Mommy?  Why did you make that noise when you picked up that thingy with your water on it?"  Because I was dog-tired, son, and about to run three more miles.  That's cuz why.  

I set out, gave the kids high-fives as I passed them again, and tried to ignore the cramp in my side.  The running course was all inside of the park/baseball complex, so I didn't have to worry about watching for cars, which was nice because I'm not sure I would've had the presence of mind at that point.  I nearly turned too soon when one of the course directors thought I was already on my second lap, but I figured it out and got back on track quickly.  I cranked up my music and played all of the mentally distracting games I could think of, but it was getting hard to ignore that I was tired, it was hot, and my legs were shot.  Finally, after what seemed like forever, I turned to do the final stretch to the finish line.  Of course it was uphill and took a LOT of mental coaxing to talk myself out of crawling.  I remember plodding up it, looking over and seeing David and the kids cheering, and taking out an earbud so I could hear them because I knew it would be what I needed to push me over the line.  I crossed it (wasn't able to sprint though) and the volunteer at the end hung the finisher's medal over my neck.  Glory be, I'd made it.  Thank you Lord!

I walked around, trying to get my heart rate to slow, while chatting with my number one fans.  They were so proud of me and it made me feel like the biggest superstar in the world.  As my mind cleared, I knew two things without a doubt:  1)  That I hadn't left anything on the course (meaning, I pushed myself as hard as I could, which is a good thing) and 2) That I would've stopped and walked some of the run if I hadn't had those two little pairs of eyes watching me and cheering me on.  

I changed clothes and we stuck around to see the results.  Turns out I finished first in my age group!  ...What's that?  How many people were there, you ask?  Well...let's just say I didn't wait around for the awards ceremony and medal because I didn't quite feel like I earned it.  :)

We headed home and celebrated a lot the rest of the day, mostly with food and sleep.  On the way back home from our nice dinner that evening, I turned to David and said, "Dude. I did a TRIATHLON today."  He laughed and said, "I know!  That's crazy!"  

It was and still is so surreal.  I had trained so hard and so long.  I thought back to all those early winter mornings driving 40 minutes roundtrip in the dark to the indoor pool.  All those Saturday mornings doing brick workouts.  All those days on vacation I got up and drove somewhere to get in my swimming or biking workouts.  All the bargaining with God to keep me alive and then the profuse thankfulness I'd whisper breathlessly after finishing another workout without dying.  All the time and the planning and the sweat invested.  And now it was over.  I'd given it my best and I'd finished.  It may have been slow and ugly, but God carried me through and now I feel like I have officially earned the title of triathlete.  We'll see if it ever happens again, but for now, I'm going to rest with a week off and a lot of chocolate.  A LOT of chocolate.  I think I've earned it.