I love this quote!
Today, I'd like to take my pen and change Try to Tri.
Today was Rage Triathlon, I had chosen to run the Olympic distance.
Last year the Rage Sprint distance was my first ever triathlon.
My goal today was to cut 45 minutes off my first attempt at the Oly distance.
I always love being at a race start during sunrise.
We arrived a little early for the 8am start and I had plenty of time to setup and check out the scenery and swim course.
I look way too serious!
But really, keep this buoy on your left and that buoy on your right is scary for someone who almost flunked their drivers test after turning left when the tester said turn right.
It was time to get into the water.
Water temp was reported as 61 degrees. Wetsuits recommended.
All good, until I ripped my wetsuit putting it on. Not bad, a small hole near my hip. I sent the hubby after some duct tape (isn't that the cure for any damage?) and jumped in to see how the hole would affect my swim. During my warmup it didn't seem to be a problem, the duct tape didn't hold, (unbelievable), so off to the start I went.
The horn went off, I struck out with the lead group of swimmers. I felt strong and was navigating the mugging that is so typical of swim starts when I got my goggles ripped right of my head. I had forgotten the basic rule.
Goggles first, swim cap second.
No problem, had them back on almost as quickly as they were removed. A few minutes later, I suddenly felt like someone was holding my feet and I was slowing at a severe rate. At first I couldn't figure out was happening, a little panic took hold until I regained my composure. I stopped for a second. Usually my wetsuit will assist with some buoyancy. I DROPPED LIKE A ROCK. i quickly ascertained that the hole WAS an issue. Okay, do I quit, call a kayaker?
Not an option.
I gained some forward motion, flipped over on my back, grabbed the zipper pull, flipped back over, and in no time time was out of the upper portion of the wetsuit. At that point I was pretty much upright and ducked quickly under water to remove one leg. At this point I noticed a kayaker moving in my direction. The left leg proved more of a challenge. (pesky timing chip). This time it took a deep breath and a little longer under water. Once removed I popped up to find the kayakers closing in. I threw them my wetsuit with a cheery "Hey, can you guys do something with this?" and off I went.
I now refer to this a T .5
I'm guessing I lost about 5 or 6 minutes off the front of the pack. The rest of the swim was uneventful, Thankfully, the 61 degree temp was fine and I didn't miss the wetsuit. The next 25 or so minutes were spent just trying to pick off swimmers one at a time.
I exited the water, ready to move onto the bike, after the typically long Lake Mead transition. With a quick holler to my hubby to see how much time I'd lost,
I set out to bike my plan.
Bike hard, harder than I think i can. Try not blow myself out by the turnaround and ROCK the return trip.
Basically it went as planned. I made the turn around just ahead of schedule. (I think).
Nutrition and Hydration were treating me well. I didn't even realize the temps had risen into the 90's. I was cruising along and feeling good. Picking off a biker here and there and being picked off by a few myself.
With about 8 miles to go my bike computer gave out on me. At this point I only needed it to help me know when to eat or drink and it didn't cost me any time so I got over quickly.
THEN>> on a nice little uphill I dropped my chain. Okay just another little time break in today"s event.
As I entered T2, I laughingly told my husband if anything went wrong on the run I was quitting this sport.
The run is the weakest of the 3 disciplines for me.
I had a good plan. I felt good about it.
My bike seemed like it had been good enough to make up for lost time in the swim and Hubby reported I was still in the hunt for my time goal.
Coach told me earlier this week to
"run like your winning"
I repeated it to myself over and over this week. In fact I even wrote it on the inside of my run visor.
A nice downhill to start, oh wait, that was only the length of transition, a quick right onto a mile of rocky dirt.
Rubber legs and rocky ground, that slowed me down in a hurry.
I ran until the first aid station, where I stopped to pour water on my head, down my back, down my front and down my throat.
A ritual I was to repeat at each aid station.
95 degrees,
I wasn't ready for that yet.
I ending up walking from mile 2 to 3. After that I got back into the swing. The last mile was back to rocky gravel, but i was determined that I wasn't going to walk. I was going to cross the finish line running.
I don't have exact time yet....
but with the swim wardrobe malfunction....
and the early season heat....
I did drop close to 37 minutes off my time from last fall.
For an event that took over 3 hours....
I'm Thrilled and Tired!
