What did I learn?

Hello, I made a few minor changes to the page.  Notice some of my favorite blogs and my friends' blogs to the right, along with the snazzy artwork at the top.  Enjoy.

I am happy that I completed the triathlon, but what did I learn?  Should I continue to work out?  Should I sign up for another race?  I can look back on this experience with some pride, the last time I participated in a triathlon was 6 years and 2 age brackets ago!  I was also participating in a beginning triathlon series, the Riverwood Golf and Athletic club triathlon.  Such a different atmosphere - I forgot that I live in the triathlon epicenter of the United States.  These people in San Diego are serious!  The clothes, the bikes, the attitudes.  Even the parents participating with their own children were totally competitive.  And, I forgot to mention that one of the women that I met the morning of the race pretty much only befriended me so that she would know that she was going to beat someone.

Anyhow, a few days have passed and I can now reflect on everything that happened with some clarity of mind and a satisfied stomach.  I have been starving the past 4 days and have eaten everything that I have come across, I finally feel like I have my normal appetite back.  It helps that I have now seen the results, look if you dare, they are not that exciting.  Scroll all the way down and then keep going!  Upon first glance, I was really happy with my swim, it was exactly the same time that I get in the pool and a lot faster than my first real ocean swim from a few weeks ago.  I was expecting to take about 40 minutes, since I completed it in less than 24 minutes, I was very pleased.  To my amazement (not really), I had the transition area to myself.  I was second to last out of the water, I spent a ton of time changing out of my wetsuit, more than 5 minutes.  The pros spent less than a minute, maybe they didn't wear a wetsuit, I can't remember all I know is that the transition time included running up the monster hill taking off my wetsuit, drinking a lot of water and putting on my socks, shoes, glasses and helmet.

My bike ride was super slow.  58 minutes on a basically flat course for 12 miles is terrible.  I didn't like the two loops, but it allows for maximum family and fan participation.  They get to see you twice.  In most races, the spectators only get to see the athletes during transition and at the finish line.  My second transition was much faster, I still had to put on my number, but I could do that and move at the same time.  My transition time was less that 2 minutes, phew...

My run was ok.  I wish it was faster, but I guess after 1 1/2 hours of activity, I guess I couldn't expect to run 8 minute miles.  Again, I didn't like the 2 loops, it made the 3 miles feel more like 10 miles, but it did allow for maximum community participation.  Running Skirts handed out electrolyte drinks, that were so good that  I slowed down for a sip both times past their store.  I'll do better next time.

Lessons learned include:
1. Meet people before the race.  I never realized how solitary this sport is until I tried it.  No one is the same pace as you  in all 3 events, so you are constantly passing people and getting passed.  It is nice to run into new friends on the course, especially if you don't have friends present for support.
2. Swim like you mean it.  Not too much talking and hugging.  Also, it helps if you get your goggles set before the race.
3. Get your numbers together before the race.  I probably should have one of those triathlon straps or I should have attached my running number to my suit before the swim.  I don't think it would have hurt to have it on under my wet suit.
4. Know where to exit for each stage.  I got lost between the bike and the run.  I could have saved a few seconds there.
5. Get a road bike.  I have a mountain bike now.  I think it will cut minutes off of my time easily.
6. Be happy and thankful that I was able to complete a goal.

Completed the Encinitas Sprint Triathlon!

Hello!
I finished the race!  I'll consider it a success because I am alive.
After publishing the pre-race regimen, which did include a valiant attempt at brushing all 3 dogs (they were not happy, but Loki looks good), I realized that I forgot all about putting socks in the bag.


So, the rest of the preparations for the race included:
1. Hoping I could fall asleep, there was some kind of party down the street, I wasn't sure if the noise would end at 11:00pm or 3:00am. Didn't they know that I needed to wake up at 5:10?  Somehow I fell asleep.
2. Obsessing over every little injury and pain.  I had a flossing incident last night.  Not a good excuse for poor performance, but it is something that can be focused on in times of distress.
3. Packing socks (very important)
4. Preparing a pre-race smoothie that included oranges, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, Emergen-C, and, of course, oatmeal
5. Walking to the race site.  I got a little nervous, so I rode part of the way.  

When I got to the transition area so many people looked totally competitive with their super fantastic looking bikes and shiny triathlon suits (even the rest of my age group).  My suit is at least 7 years old.  At my age I am wondering why the tops are not long enough to cover one's stomach.  At least I have a nice wet suit.  I met a couple of people while waiting for the start, drinking my smoothie.  Unfortunately, I forgot to throw away a peach pit and it ended up in the blender, so I was trying to discretely spit bits out until I decided to just throw it away.


When it was 3 minutes to the starting time, 7:20 for my wave, I immediately found a swim buddy.  Matthew from Down Under or somewhere.  It may amaze you, but I was unable to have a full conversation with him in 2 minutes.  I just told him that I was not afraid of the waves and that his job was to steer me in the right direction and to stay where I could see him.  He said to run to the right and then start swimming.  I told him that I can run. :)  Then a friend of his, who was also a swim buddy, said that she just got out of the water after the ungodly time of 20 minutes!  I chuckled and told him that we would be lucky to get out in 35-40 minutes.  I am sure that made his day.  Anyway, I only had to duck 2 waves and it was pretty smooth sailing, I ignored the lifeguards warily watching me and staying within a few feet of me.  When the next wave of competitors caught up to me, my buddy steered them around me.  No one even touched me!  I was mentally prepared to get kicked and hit at least once.  Actually, I hit Matthew in the face at some point in the race.  I apologized profusely.  How embarrassing!  At the end, he told me when I could touch the bottom and stand up.  Once my feet touched the sand, I gave him a hug, thanked him and started walking/jogging up the monster hill to the transition area while removing my swim cap, goggles and wet suit.  Part 1 over.


I got to the transition area and I had a very pleasant surprise.  All of the other bikes were gone, so I had all the space to myself.  No one was stepping on or around me or complaining that there is not enough space.  I drank some water, fully removed my wet suit, put my socks, shoes, sunglasses and helmet on and proceeded to the mounting area.  I have a mountain bike, so I know I am slow, but geez.  When people are whizzing past you with the velodrome bikes and Olympic speed track helmets, it's pretty intimidating. 
 I got passed by tons of people with nice bikes, no one with a mountain bike or beach cruiser (yes, there were a few participants with these) passed me, thank goodness.  I don't think any kids passed me, but I am sure they were right there.  2 loops later I finished.  Part 2 over.


Once I got back to the transition area, I still had to put on my bib number.  Amazingly, my hands were working, so it only took a couple of seconds.  I couldn't find the place to exit for the run -  Note for next time...I had to ask someone who was finished where it was.  I was able to run, usually your legs are like jelly after the bike, but this time I didn't feel weird, just slow.  I started running and it was ok, but the sun decided to come out and I could feel myself sweating.  I passed a few people (men and women) in this leg, but there were women in the 45+ age group in front of me at this stage. A couple of kids passed me, but I just assumed they were in the super sprint.  People were cheering and handing out water, which I took full advantage of in this race.  2 loops later, after the longest 5k ever, I finished!  The announcer said my name and everything.  I got a participant's medal and some water and went to my bike and sat down.  My friend Cheryl was on the way and I went down to the beach to meet her.


I want to thank everyone for the awesome support. I finished in under 2 hours, that was my goal.  The official results have not been posted yet, but I think the swim was my best leg.

Moonlight Beach - with my participant medal

I have been really tired all day, but Cheryl and I went to a bottomless Mimosa brunch that helped to replenish my energy and we walked back from town.


Overall, it was a great experience.
Next time - what I learned from this triathlon and some details of my results.

Pre-race regimen

Hello,
This is my practice blog.  I am preparing to complete a sprint triathlon on Sunday, May 20.  My first in about 6 years!  The Encinitas Triathlon has a 750m ocean swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run.  My pre-race regimen consists of:
1.  Walking down the beach to the Encinitas sport expo, picking up my packet and avoiding the waves on the walk back.
2. Brushing my beautiful dogs (boy do they need it)!

 

3. Eating a good lunch and a good dinner.  (my nutrition habits are not the best)
4. Checking out my bike
5. Packing my bag for an early start tomorrow. Goggles, towels, helmet, extra clothes and flipflops
6. Praying for safety and health