| Danskin Triathlon Fort Devens, MA Sunday, July 28, 2002 � mile swim * 12 mile bike * 5K run Pre-Race The night before the race I'm invited to go out for Greek food with friends. Fun, tasty, but I have a 12-hour rule. Better to avoid foods that may compete with lactic acid buildup on race day. Decide Greek food fits the category of forbidden foods. Settle for some home-cooked whole wheat pasta. Check bike mechanics, pack, repack the race bag several times (are my sneakers really in there?) Hit the sack early- there's a 5:30 wake up. Worry that I won't hear my alarm for the first time in years. Race morning I pick up Pablo who has graciously arisen before noon on a Sunday (!) to join me for the day. I am thrilled to have company for the car ride up to Fort Devens, a friend to cheer me on at every transition, and an ear to squelch some of the pre-race jitters. I eat my typical pre-race breakfast en route: soy nut butter and banana on a bagel, leaving three hours to digest. It's overcast and I'm thrilled-it's been hot and humid for days now! It's just past 7:00 when we arrive at Fort Devens. I am an early bird! The race doesn't start until 9:00, and my swim wave doesn't head out until 9:49! A few minutes to set up the transition and down to the water to test out the temperature�which is not quite as warm as bath water. Get some last good luck wishes from Pablo, and start the waiting process with Sue. We both have a long wait before it's our time to jump in the water! I'm feeling confident, looking around me at the first-timers, and decide to forego the wetsuit, it's too warm and I have too long to stand around. The Swim It's finally a countdown to my swim. I get to cheer on the elite athletes, who by the time I head out for my swim, are already coming through the finish chute! I look around at my competitors, and realize that I'm really an old pro at this. No need to hyperventilate this time! I hear the whistle blare, and I'm off. I experience a moment's hesitation, as I start breathing rapidly, but calm myself to avoid the hyperventilation that has plagued me during swim races. A lot of swimmers seem to be content side-stroking, and I feel a wave of confidence rush over me. As I swim I watch as people appear to be standing and jumping into the water again. I realize what this is all about as my legs get caught in something algae-like. I feel feisty and realize that I'm already almost 1/3 of the way through the course. I start passing swimmers left and right. This has never happened before, but is the beauty of a race that encourages beginner triathletes. Before I know it, I'm nearing the end of the swim course. I shoot out of the water, and start running so fast that my upper body feels like it is going to take a nosedive-my legs aren't quite ready to go so fast. The run to the transition area is uphill on pavement. I accustomed my feet to the pavement before the race, and am able to easily race to my bike. 19:38- my best race swim performance yet! The Bike I try some new techniques to save time in the transition area. Realize it's hard to put on biking gloves while running to the start with my bike, but I manage. Decide there's no time to don my socks, I'm ready to ride! Then I learn a valuable lesson. Don't forget to check out the bike immediately before the race. I'd forgotten to do this, and had dropped my chain, so I found myself fumbling to make a quick repair. A man tried to rush to my aid, and I think I actually pushed him away. I'm off. The course is a boring 2-loop, 12 mile course. Flat as can be, with a few sharp turns. I'm not going as fast as I could because there are riders all over the road. I scream "on your left" the entire time I'm on the bike. I get confused at the start of the second loop, and in my high lactic acid, high endorphin state, become slightly confused about which direction I need to go. The volunteers are not doing a good job, I pass the scene of a crash, and a few obscenities exit my mouth, as I make 2 turnarounds during which I 1) go in the right direction, 2) turn around and head in the wrong direction, and 3) realize I was correct the first time and turn around again. I am mad, and my anger is not fueling me, instead my legs start to feel zapped! Finally, transition area. I am doing some pushing to get to my transition area. A lot of riders feel the need to walk between every transition and THEY ARE IN MY WAY! I am so happy to be off the bike and to head out on a run! 41:14 (18mph) Not as speedy as I'd hoped for! The Run Now I feel slow, but still I pass a lot of walkers and joggers. The course is flat, which I appreciate, and I manage to cheer some encouragements to some of the women I pass. I am able to kick in a final sprint to the end, where I finally see and hear Pablo for the first time! Lots of Team Envision volunteers are cheering too. No way that was a 5K, but I'll pretend it was, and honor my fabulous run time. 23:21 Lessons Learned * I am not the slowest swimmer I have ever met! * I can swim in a race without hyperventilating. * The bike always needs one final check before race start! * Proper bike navigation saves time. |
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