(Check out my "Triathlon run down w/ photos v 1.0" before reading this! I added new photos to that post this weekend!) Picking up right where I left off...
I followed my fellow bikers into the set up area in the Timon parking lot and was overwhelmed by the number and the energy of those there. It was a nervous energy, but it was also coupled with adrenaline and a "team spirit" environment (though the race was every woman for herself). I had trouble finding a place to rack my bike, even though I was early! I found a place to set up and did what I had been instructed to the night before - walked from the ending of the swimming leg to my bike, then from my bike to the begining of the bike leg, and then from the finishing of the bike leg to my bike rack again, and finally from the bike rack to the running start. I didn't want to waste valuable time in my transition area looking for the bike (yes, you are timed on your transitions).
We were cleared out of the transition area by 5:40am. This photo only shows about 1/2 of the transition area.
And we were off to the swimming leg! The smell of port-a-potties lingered in the air as women made their last minute trips before hitting the water. Having not been to DCA the day before, I wasn't sure what to expect from the water itself. In the past, it had been pretty clear - like this:
However, by the time we hit the water, it looked like this:
We started off right by the tracks of California Screamin'. We came out from backastage under the farthest point on this photograph:
My friend insisted on waiting until the final wave of people to get in. That was our BIG mistake.... They were releasing (many first timers) into the water at a rate of roughly 100 women/2 minutes. Though it was less than a 1/2 mile swim, the sheer number of inexperienced swimmers overwhelmed the lagoon. You could barely take 3 clear freestyle strokes. I'm a very experienced swimmer and started to panic when, in the first 2 minutes, I was grabbed and shoved against the concrete "rocks", scraping my shin by. Panicing in water is bad. You can't catch your breath. And there were so many other bodies, it was impossible to get a freestyle rythm going. All you could see were swim caps and dark choppy water. Thankfully, I was able to calm down and switch it up. Obviously freestyle wasn't working and I couldn't see anything underwater, so I switched it up to a side stroke. That was efficient! I was able to go around some of the more grabby or large bunches of swimmers. About 1/2 way around, many were exhuasted (no doubt from fighting the crowds) and were hanging on to the "Swim Angels". "Swim Angels" were voulenteers who were in the water from 30-60 minutes at a time, offering floaties and encouraging those that were panicing. This was a WONDERFUL windfall for me. I was finally able to make some head way! I made up some time before I was trapped behind a WALL of women all going to same pace. (sigh) What should have taken me 10 minutes MAX took me 13... But boy, was I happy to have completed that nightmare ALIVE! :sohappy:
I thought the asphalt would be hard on my bare feet, but I found I had PLENTY of energy to run to my bike and start my transition to the next event: The 10 (rumored 11) mile bike ride around the resort. My mom grabbed these photos in the transition area:
Now, from the track I had seen, I already knew I'd be in for a couple little hills. They seemed small and gradual. I knew if I kicked it into a lower gear, I would be okay. This was not my strongest event, but I was far more concerned about the running (my flat feet, weak ankels and long distances never go along well!!). I was wrong. I should have been FAR MORE concerned about this event!
I rounded the corner heading out on my bike and the first thing I see is a fire truck, lights blarring, pulled off to the side of the course. A woman wiped out hard and was laying on the other side of the course. I rode in between them and tried to put that out of my mind as I went one.
I topped the first hill. No problem. There was another one? Okay, I could handle that one. Of course, at the top of that hill was a voulenteer shouting encouragement, "Ladies! Come on! This is not a hill! THIS IS NOT A HILL!!! At least it's not THE HILL!" Uh oh...
I enjoyed the down hill and rounded the corner and met EXACTLY what he was talking about... 6 women were walking their bikes up the hill. One chain lay on the ground half way up it... This was not a good sign! Walking up this hill would have been taxing, much less riding! And now I found I was at the ultimate disadvantage. Since this was my first triathlon, I didn't want to spend a lot of money and time... so I had bought a bike that was more akin to a mountain bike than a street bike. I knew that I was NOT going to get off the bike or stop and take a breather. I had to power on though. I'm sure I was going 2 MPH, but I forced my way through it, chanting "Almost there. Almost there. Almost there." through my gritted teeth.
And then, the blessed down hill. :sohappy:
I was able to make some jokes with the ladies on the bike path with me like - "We have to do that again?! Do you think they'd notice if we went in after the first lap?" I'd stand up on my bike and groan, "Ow! My butt! Doesn't it look like I should have enough padding?! " (Bike seats, even with cushions are NOT that comfortable!) or "Don't you think they should make these things outta' easy chairs?" When I entered the tunnel, I would sing, "Come on hear the noise! Girls ROCK the boys!" at the top of my lungs. That always got a laugh- since it was a women's only event.
A few cops entertained themselves by "clocking" us with their radar guns and saying we were going too fast. That always got a laugh.
By the way, if you've never done one of these before, I should note, you DO NOT have time to change between events. I pulled shorts over my tankini bottoms, stripped the top off (wearing a sports bra underneath), threw on my race shirt, socks, and shoes and went. So not only are you tired - but wet too! I didn't realize this would be the case until the Friday before the event.
I ended up convincing myself, "Well, I did that hill once, I can do it again!"
All in all, my bike time was the bulk of my time. When the photos for this finally came out, I was surprised that they caught me either laughing, smiling, or singing at any given part of the track!
Of course, by the time I made the dismount, my legs didn't quite work right anymore.
Once in the transition area, I guzzled some water (there were no gatorade or water stops along the biking course and I had counted on them, so that was EXTRA incentive to hurry my fat rear end up and get to my water bottle), doused myself in it, and racked my bike. As I was putting my bike away, a few women said "I'm not running!" and ducked out of the race. Then it was off to the running! My mom caught this shot in transition.
By this time, my butt was SOOooooo sore that the prospect of standing and running was terribly appealing! My legs were thankfully numb from riding the bike so long (the longest I had been able to train for was 3 miles with 1 really steep hill and a long gradual incline - the rest of my training had been on a stationary bike on a hill program which is a COMPLETELY different work out) so I don't think I even felt the first 1/2 mile.
Then my calves started to cramp up, so I conceeded to a quick walk. I met up with racer # 688 and we became buddies, challenging each other to interval runs/walks for the next 1/2 mile or so. Mr Potato head was up and running and I had wished they had programmed him with some race encouragement! lol
Then, we met the final hill... it's the one in the starting photo for the swim - the course took us OVER the place we had started swimming UNDER! When we saw that hill, there was no question. "Race ya to the end of the peir!" And we were off!
By this time, several of my toes had started to go numb (did I mention I hate having flat feet?!), but I knew we had to be close. As we rounded the peir a voulenteer shouted, "THE FINISH LINE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!"
This is what we had been waiting for. Turning on the afterburners, we sprinted to the finish line!
(BTW - those are not weights in my hands. I had not wanted to waste time peeling off my gloves in the transition area so I took them off and carried them as I ran).
Now, I don't have photos of me finishing.
Instead, I have another magical moment. My mom, who has always had a bit of a strained relationship with me - one that often lacked support and understanding - stopped taking pictures and ran to the finish line to see me - crying. Usually a woman who is very "appropriate" in her appearance - she didn't hesitate to hug me for a VERY long time regardless of my no doubt smelly and soaking wet shirt. When I got to see her face through her sunglasses, she was crying. So was I. I don't remember exactly what was said, but I think I said something like, "I did it. I finished." in disbeliefe and joy. I remember her getting out, "You did it. I'm so proud of you. OMG you did it! I love you! OMG" over and over again. I almost wish there was a camera there for that... Even though I'm an adult, the child in me had longed for that moment for a long, long time...
I later was introduced the my running pal (Kristen? I think it started with a K), and we thanked each other for getting through the run together and went our seperate ways. I met up with my friend and her team (which had finished 10-20 minutes before me) and we enjoyed the sweet taste of victory.
Later on that day, (yes, I still hung around DCA for a few hours) Pluto noticed my medal and asked (via sign language) if I had run. I said "No. I ran, swam, AND biked!" He looked tired and gave me a hug, a high five and this picture.
Like Sally said... I didn't crawl over the finish line... I didn't puke.... I ran over with my arms up screaming "Yeah! I did it!"
And I'm dying to go back and do it next year.
I followed my fellow bikers into the set up area in the Timon parking lot and was overwhelmed by the number and the energy of those there. It was a nervous energy, but it was also coupled with adrenaline and a "team spirit" environment (though the race was every woman for herself). I had trouble finding a place to rack my bike, even though I was early! I found a place to set up and did what I had been instructed to the night before - walked from the ending of the swimming leg to my bike, then from my bike to the begining of the bike leg, and then from the finishing of the bike leg to my bike rack again, and finally from the bike rack to the running start. I didn't want to waste valuable time in my transition area looking for the bike (yes, you are timed on your transitions).
We were cleared out of the transition area by 5:40am. This photo only shows about 1/2 of the transition area.
And we were off to the swimming leg! The smell of port-a-potties lingered in the air as women made their last minute trips before hitting the water. Having not been to DCA the day before, I wasn't sure what to expect from the water itself. In the past, it had been pretty clear - like this:
However, by the time we hit the water, it looked like this:
We started off right by the tracks of California Screamin'. We came out from backastage under the farthest point on this photograph:
My friend insisted on waiting until the final wave of people to get in. That was our BIG mistake.... They were releasing (many first timers) into the water at a rate of roughly 100 women/2 minutes. Though it was less than a 1/2 mile swim, the sheer number of inexperienced swimmers overwhelmed the lagoon. You could barely take 3 clear freestyle strokes. I'm a very experienced swimmer and started to panic when, in the first 2 minutes, I was grabbed and shoved against the concrete "rocks", scraping my shin by. Panicing in water is bad. You can't catch your breath. And there were so many other bodies, it was impossible to get a freestyle rythm going. All you could see were swim caps and dark choppy water. Thankfully, I was able to calm down and switch it up. Obviously freestyle wasn't working and I couldn't see anything underwater, so I switched it up to a side stroke. That was efficient! I was able to go around some of the more grabby or large bunches of swimmers. About 1/2 way around, many were exhuasted (no doubt from fighting the crowds) and were hanging on to the "Swim Angels". "Swim Angels" were voulenteers who were in the water from 30-60 minutes at a time, offering floaties and encouraging those that were panicing. This was a WONDERFUL windfall for me. I was finally able to make some head way! I made up some time before I was trapped behind a WALL of women all going to same pace. (sigh) What should have taken me 10 minutes MAX took me 13... But boy, was I happy to have completed that nightmare ALIVE! :sohappy:
I thought the asphalt would be hard on my bare feet, but I found I had PLENTY of energy to run to my bike and start my transition to the next event: The 10 (rumored 11) mile bike ride around the resort. My mom grabbed these photos in the transition area:
Now, from the track I had seen, I already knew I'd be in for a couple little hills. They seemed small and gradual. I knew if I kicked it into a lower gear, I would be okay. This was not my strongest event, but I was far more concerned about the running (my flat feet, weak ankels and long distances never go along well!!). I was wrong. I should have been FAR MORE concerned about this event!
I rounded the corner heading out on my bike and the first thing I see is a fire truck, lights blarring, pulled off to the side of the course. A woman wiped out hard and was laying on the other side of the course. I rode in between them and tried to put that out of my mind as I went one.
I topped the first hill. No problem. There was another one? Okay, I could handle that one. Of course, at the top of that hill was a voulenteer shouting encouragement, "Ladies! Come on! This is not a hill! THIS IS NOT A HILL!!! At least it's not THE HILL!" Uh oh...
I enjoyed the down hill and rounded the corner and met EXACTLY what he was talking about... 6 women were walking their bikes up the hill. One chain lay on the ground half way up it... This was not a good sign! Walking up this hill would have been taxing, much less riding! And now I found I was at the ultimate disadvantage. Since this was my first triathlon, I didn't want to spend a lot of money and time... so I had bought a bike that was more akin to a mountain bike than a street bike. I knew that I was NOT going to get off the bike or stop and take a breather. I had to power on though. I'm sure I was going 2 MPH, but I forced my way through it, chanting "Almost there. Almost there. Almost there." through my gritted teeth.
And then, the blessed down hill. :sohappy:
I was able to make some jokes with the ladies on the bike path with me like - "We have to do that again?! Do you think they'd notice if we went in after the first lap?" I'd stand up on my bike and groan, "Ow! My butt! Doesn't it look like I should have enough padding?! " (Bike seats, even with cushions are NOT that comfortable!) or "Don't you think they should make these things outta' easy chairs?" When I entered the tunnel, I would sing, "Come on hear the noise! Girls ROCK the boys!" at the top of my lungs. That always got a laugh- since it was a women's only event.
A few cops entertained themselves by "clocking" us with their radar guns and saying we were going too fast. That always got a laugh.
By the way, if you've never done one of these before, I should note, you DO NOT have time to change between events. I pulled shorts over my tankini bottoms, stripped the top off (wearing a sports bra underneath), threw on my race shirt, socks, and shoes and went. So not only are you tired - but wet too! I didn't realize this would be the case until the Friday before the event.
I ended up convincing myself, "Well, I did that hill once, I can do it again!"
All in all, my bike time was the bulk of my time. When the photos for this finally came out, I was surprised that they caught me either laughing, smiling, or singing at any given part of the track!
Of course, by the time I made the dismount, my legs didn't quite work right anymore.
Once in the transition area, I guzzled some water (there were no gatorade or water stops along the biking course and I had counted on them, so that was EXTRA incentive to hurry my fat rear end up and get to my water bottle), doused myself in it, and racked my bike. As I was putting my bike away, a few women said "I'm not running!" and ducked out of the race. Then it was off to the running! My mom caught this shot in transition.
By this time, my butt was SOOooooo sore that the prospect of standing and running was terribly appealing! My legs were thankfully numb from riding the bike so long (the longest I had been able to train for was 3 miles with 1 really steep hill and a long gradual incline - the rest of my training had been on a stationary bike on a hill program which is a COMPLETELY different work out) so I don't think I even felt the first 1/2 mile.
Then my calves started to cramp up, so I conceeded to a quick walk. I met up with racer # 688 and we became buddies, challenging each other to interval runs/walks for the next 1/2 mile or so. Mr Potato head was up and running and I had wished they had programmed him with some race encouragement! lol
Then, we met the final hill... it's the one in the starting photo for the swim - the course took us OVER the place we had started swimming UNDER! When we saw that hill, there was no question. "Race ya to the end of the peir!" And we were off!
By this time, several of my toes had started to go numb (did I mention I hate having flat feet?!), but I knew we had to be close. As we rounded the peir a voulenteer shouted, "THE FINISH LINE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!"
This is what we had been waiting for. Turning on the afterburners, we sprinted to the finish line!
(BTW - those are not weights in my hands. I had not wanted to waste time peeling off my gloves in the transition area so I took them off and carried them as I ran).
Now, I don't have photos of me finishing.
Instead, I have another magical moment. My mom, who has always had a bit of a strained relationship with me - one that often lacked support and understanding - stopped taking pictures and ran to the finish line to see me - crying. Usually a woman who is very "appropriate" in her appearance - she didn't hesitate to hug me for a VERY long time regardless of my no doubt smelly and soaking wet shirt. When I got to see her face through her sunglasses, she was crying. So was I. I don't remember exactly what was said, but I think I said something like, "I did it. I finished." in disbeliefe and joy. I remember her getting out, "You did it. I'm so proud of you. OMG you did it! I love you! OMG" over and over again. I almost wish there was a camera there for that... Even though I'm an adult, the child in me had longed for that moment for a long, long time...
I later was introduced the my running pal (Kristen? I think it started with a K), and we thanked each other for getting through the run together and went our seperate ways. I met up with my friend and her team (which had finished 10-20 minutes before me) and we enjoyed the sweet taste of victory.
Later on that day, (yes, I still hung around DCA for a few hours) Pluto noticed my medal and asked (via sign language) if I had run. I said "No. I ran, swam, AND biked!" He looked tired and gave me a hug, a high five and this picture.
Like Sally said... I didn't crawl over the finish line... I didn't puke.... I ran over with my arms up screaming "Yeah! I did it!"
And I'm dying to go back and do it next year.
