Spring Migration Triathlon - Triathlon

Each swimmer started 20 seconds after the one before. We were seeded based on the estimated times we submitted, and I was 99 out of about 210. I didn't know if I would pass anyone, but I sure didn't want to be caught.

The first 3.25 laps were great, other than I felt a little sluggish, which I blame mostly on my lack of sleep. Yet, I was calm and under control, and my pace was just where I planned. Everything changed when I caught the rather large (heavy) guy swimming in front of me. At first I slowed way down, not sure if I should pass or not, but when an opening came I decided to go for it. This ended up being a big mistake, because it took longer to pass than I anticipated and I almost had a head-on collision with a swimmer coming the other direction. By the time I got around, my heart rate was through the roof and my breathing was off.

In my training, I always breathe every 3rd stroke, alternating sides, even when I swim fast. However, I was so out of sorts I was forced to breath left each stroke. By the end of the next length I was really hurting for air. I kept going one more length OK, but on the return my pace was really slowing and I got passed by the guy who started behind me! Then, I was so tired when I got to the wall, I let the heavy guy (who had now caught me) go ahead. Terrible!

From then on, it was just a matter of getting through the last couple laps. I caught a girl but just didn't have the energy to pass her so I just slowed down and stayed behind for the last 1.5 laps. At last I got to the end and jumped out. As I was running to T1 my only thought was, "that sucked!"

I was obviously not prepared for the passing, nor the increased level of activity that comes with this style of lap race. I also showed my inexperience by not being able to recover after passing the big guy, and letting my breathing get out of hand. More practice and experience will hopefully help all of these things.

T1 = 5:17. Yes, you read that right. I don't know for sure, but I estimate I spent a whopping 5:17 in T1. My potential world record for longest ever T1 was primarily for two reasons: 1) The cold weather; 2) Inexperience.

The run from the pool, even to the far side of the rack, wasn't too bad, but I had decided I would take the time to dry off and put on warmer clothes rather than freeze to death. Unbelievably to me, some of the lead guys actually did the whole race in just their shorts, but I hate being cold so I took some extra steps.

Upon arrival to my station, I dried off, then put on my long sleeve racing shirt plus a thermal over that. I also put on socks and my cycling gloves (not sure if its normal to wear gloves in triathlons???). At the last moment, I also took my running gloves and put them over my cycling gloves. Clearly my desire not to be cold influenced my decision making, but standing wet and half-naked in a 20mph north wind can be a strong influence!

After getting dressed I put on my helmet and bike shoes and grabbed my bike. More inexperience shows here - I forgot to practice starting with my shoes already clipped in, and out of fear of crashing by making my first ever attempt in the heat of a race, I decided against this time saver. I can't walk very fast with my clunky bike shoes, but put them on at my station because I didn't want the red athletic track to stain my $6 triathlon socks. LOL! I know that is absurd, but for some reason that was my logic at the time. Finally, instead of going around the racks where I could have moved more freely, I went straight down between two racks, and even waited politely for a guy to move while he was putting on his shoes.

Despite my many follies, I still didn't think I was taking too long, and was shocked when I looked at my watch after mounting and it was about 13 and a half minutes (don't remember precisely). Needless to say, it was a VERY amature and laughable T1. In fact, looking back on it now, I think I actually forgot T1 was part of the race. :-)

Thankfully, I think most of my mistakes were the "learn the hard way" type which I can easily avoid next time. Warmer weather will obviously eliminate the need for drying off, putting on socks, gloves, and two shirts. Overall I am not too worried about T1, I just need more practice, experience, and advice from the veterans.

It was a relief to get on the bike and away from the frenzy of the pool. We went out into the wind then made a turnaround and came back the same route. The wind was fairly strong, and some of the gusts pushed my bike a good bit. To be honest, going straight into the north wind was pretty brutal at times. Going into the wind is never fun anyway, but going into a freezing wind really sucks.

I just kept driving while trying to keep a decent cadence. Around mile 5 I got passed by two guys, but mostly I was passing other people. Needless to say after the turnaround I was flying back. In the first mile after the turnaround my calves got a little crampy, but I stretched them a little and they were fine after that. I passed a few more people and then increased cadence and stretched my calves as I neared the finish.

Buying a trainer would make the biggest difference. The weather has not given me many opportunities to ride (at least when I had the time) during the past few weeks, and consequently I didn't get much training done. Going with the wind might not have made much difference, but I could definitely feel a lack of strength and endurance driving into the wind. This is primarily from a lack of training, which I could do much more of if I had a trainer.

The time in T2 is again an estimate because I didn't really keep track, but my inexperience again proved costly. Similar to the mount, I hadn't practiced taking my feet out and finishing the ride with my feet on top of the shoes, so I decided not to risk this in the race. As such, my dismount was my normal, but slower, unclip and dismount. Unfortunately, as I approached the dismount, I heard the guy yelling "dismount" and thought he was talking to me. Consequently, I proceeded to dismount at least 20 feet or so from where everyone else was dismounting. Only then did the "dismount guy" tell me, "you are supposed to dismount in the dismount area." I knew that, of course, but just didn't take note of exactly where that was supposed to be. Perhaps they should just stamp "rookie" on my forehead and get it over with!

After walking my bike to my station the rest of T2 was fine, and I was out and running pretty quick.

Practice my dismount and dismount in the correct place.

As you will soon see, the run was a bad ending to a disappointing race, but not all of the run was bad. It actually felt good to be running after the bike. Starting out with a good size hill was tough, and my legs felt pretty heavy for the first half mile. Things gradually started to loosen up and I picked up my pace by the end of mile 1. Most of mile 2 was pretty good and my pace continued to increase. In fact, around 1.75 miles into the run my legs were actually feeling quite strong, and I think I started running around 6:45/mile pace.

Then, during a downhill around the 2.25 mile point, my knee (that has had IT band issues) started getting cranky. I instantly went from being excited to finish the race strong to concern over whether or not my knee would be able to finish. If you have ever experienced an IT band problem, you know that once it starts hurting there is nothing you can do to help it during the run, and with each step it only gets worse. Yet, I held out hope that if I increased my pace further it just might hold off the pain until the end. This hope was quickly dashed, however, as within another 30 seconds the pain elevated signifcantly. By 2.5 miles I had severe pain, basically as if a knife was sticking into my knee with each step. I briefly flirted with walking but decided there was no way I was going to finish the race walking. For the last half mile I basically "limp-jogged" and all hopes for a decent run split were long gone.

Let me tell you, there is no worse feeling than limping across the finish line, not even breathing hard, after watching a 50+ guy you blew past a mile ago pass you in the last 50 feet. That is exactly what happened to me today. What a bunch of crap.

Up until the IT band problem, which was likely brought on by the downhills (which are notorious for inflamming the IT band), it actually wasn't too bad of a run for my first tri. As such, including the IT band I give myself a "below average" grade.

Practice more hill running and practice more bike/run bricks in training. Find a solution for the IT band.

The limp-jog was basically my warm down. Limped around the track once as well to get away from the crowd.


Primarily injuries (which both slowed me down and caused a loss of training before the race) and inexperience. I really need to get healthy to seriously pursue triathlons, and that will start on April 30 when I have my first appointment with a great sports doctor.


On This Particular Event:

I did not like the serpentine swim, and there were basically no after race activities at all. Most people left right away, and it took a long time before the award ceremony. My disappointing race aside, I am not sure if I would do this event again. It is also risky doing an outdoor tri in Kansas in April, so I'm not sure I would do that again either.

On My First Tri:

Yes, I did complete my first triathlon today, but I do not find satisfaction in that. Completing a triathlon which I start is something I expect of myself, not a goal. As such, more important than finishing the race, to me, is the manner in which it was run. That does not mean simply whether I won or lost, but whether I peformed and conducted myself in the best possible way. It is in that regard, that I am rather disappointed today.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, triathlon is an incredible sport, and it is an honor to join the ranks of that remarkable group of people known as triathletes. Much like the late Payne Stewart said of the game of golf, "But in the end it's still a game of golf, and if at the end of the day you can't shake the hand of your opponents and still be friends, then you've missed the point," I realize it was a tremendous blessing today to finish my first triathlon, and I am grateful.

So here's to laughable transitions, passing and getting passed by the same big guy in the pool, near head-on collisions, limping across the finish line, and red-stained socks. It can only get better from here!