| Danskin Triathlon Fort Devens, MA Sunday, July 28, 2002 ½ 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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