Results of a Beginners Triathlon

I thought I had the adrenaline under control.  I’ve raced many times in my life, and two of those races have involved swimming.  In one race I even swam 1/2 mile.  Nevertheless, something was working on me peculiarly this time.  It may be that I had higher expectations for myself; it could be that I had been sick for the two days prior; or it could have been that my husband and two youngest daughters were racing “against” me this time.  My rational self kept telling me that I needed to concentrate on just finishing.  My competitive self was struggling with the goal of being off of the track before the second, and faster heat, arrived there.  That would at least give me the illusion of finishing well.

Fortunately, we have been learning some new swimming techniques that enabled me to keep swimming my 4 and 1/2 laps in spite of my cramping foot and constricted breathing.  I managed to minimally kick with one leg and breath on both sides, still making decent time. I am told I looked impressive, with my smooth form and lack of splashing.  That’s got to count for something!

I am always fairly dizzy after getting out of the water; it’s probably due to the same things that predispose me to motion sickness.  The adrenaline rush was still in force, but more manageable with my head above water.  Still, the combined effects of those two things lost me my advantage of being third out of the pool in my heat.  Three people passed me in the transition, but I, the tortoise, kept my cool.

In the past month I have completed the whole triathlon course two times in preparation.  I knew my limits.  I also knew that I would cause myself trouble if I triggered heart palpatations, a common occurrence for me in the past 20 years.  By common, I mean several times a week.  It’s not dangerous, but I have to stop whatever I am doing and go through certain exercises to get my heart beat back to normal.  Any stamina I want, I have to work up to gradually, getting my heart used to each level of effort.  The middle of a race is not the time to push myself to extreme limits.  However, I comfortably took the stairs two at a time and got on the stationary bike.

Riding a stationary bike has different challenges than riding a regular bike.  Sure, you can ride without hands, get drinks easily, and don’t have to look where you are going, but you HAVE to pedal the whole time.  There is no coasting and still making progress.  Besides being against triathlon rules, a cessation of pedaling introduces the risk that the electronic controls will think you are gone and reset everything.  Then I would have to start over.  So I pedaled hard for 4 miles.  As usual, I had my iPod on and sang for a spell.  It’s normal for me.  The bike ride would be much more boring without that, and although my coach/husband questions my tactics, it brings a lightheartedness to the  contest.

The racers in the second  heat do not begin the race until everyone in the first heat is off of the bikes.  I was one of the few, last riders.  Greg and the girls had encouraged me for a while, but were now down by the pool waiting.  My margin to get off of the track in time was slipping away while they were posing for pictures like star athletes.

(left to right:  Natalie, Greg, Carlie)

Now do you see what I’m up against?  I forged on, completing the biking portion with a little bit of letting up, then easing into the run so that my legs could adjust.  Imagine my satisfaction to find myself easily passing people who had gotten off of the bike before me.  My patient pacing was paying off.

There were many people there to cheer us on, three of whom took these photos.  It was energizing to go around a corner and have a dear friend who is an excellent photographer taking a picture of me, so I smiled, when I could, and maybe because I was still on my feet and finishing within a time similar to my best trial time.

Counting down the 7 and 1/2 laps, which is 1 and 1/2 miles, the sprinter in me looked forward to the last lap in a unique way.  I had been practicing my final sprint.  I apparently inspired the young lady running behind me, because she just barely caught up to me and passed me by a hair at the finish line.  I like to inspire people; and I can’t be too disappointed to be racing a 20something athletic-looking young lady at the very end.  The crowd liked the show and I finished with flair BEFORE the second heat was on the track!

But this is where the REAL race begins.  Natalie was soon out of the pool, swimming her laps in 3 and 1/2 minutes.  She was the first woman to get to the bikes, second overall.   Carlie is not as comfortable in the water, but she is extremely strong on the bike, quickly passing Natalie’s mileage.  Greg only began really learning to swim a couple of months ago and thought he might drown, but he made it to the bikes, too, and soon gained distinction in the race.

(Natalie exiting pool)

(Carlie heading for the stairs)

(Greg getting out of pool)

(Greg happy to be on a bike)

Greg was the first of our three off of the bike and on to the running track, but he was still behind the young man in the lead, who had gotten off over 2 minutes before.  Greg would lap the fellow soon enough, keeping a 6:02 minutes/mile pace.  Carlie was off and running soon after that, but would find herself dealing with an exercise induced asthma attack.  She persevered anyway, but looked much more stressed than the other runners.  Natalie was off the bike momentarily and fell into her easy glide of a run.

(Natalie gliding)

(Greg making sure NO girls beat him)

Even though Greg lapped the leader, he finished about 30 seconds behind him, taking a strong second place.  It is certain the first place man ran faster than he otherwise would have due to Greg catching up to him fast.  Both of them beat the times of last year’s winners.

Natalie was the women’s first place winner and Carlie took second with a screaming finish, literally.  She thought the lady slightly ahead on her on the lap was also finishing, but this lady had one more lap and then took third place.

(Carlie finishing)

With Blodgetts taking first and second places for women, then second for the men, I was famous by default.  The young lady who had sprinted against me at the end came up to express to me how “Blodgetts had dominated,” and we enjoyed discussing the race and how old I am.

Mary, on the left took many of the great photos.  My mom and dad were also indispensable with the camera.

I’m glad to be done with this triathlon, but am still being coached on the BBP.  There is also a longer indoor triathlon in February that my insane self is contemplating.  Bwahahahahah-