Triathlete! I like the sound of that!

I cannot express to you all how excited I am to finally have another race report to write up, one where I actually cross the finish line instead of getting a ride to it via race paramedics. What a crazy few months it's been!

My alarm rang at 5am, even though I had been watching the clock most of the night. If I did get any sleep, they were filled with dreams of being involved in a bike crash, getting tangled in seaweed, or getting DQ'd for drafting. I had packed up everything last night, brought most of my gear out to the car after going over and over the checklist to ensure I wouldn't forget anything, so all that was left for me to do this morning was get dressed, fluids out of the fridge, and bike to the car. Let's go!

Got to the race site plenty early as I wanted to see off some of the Sprint triathletes from my group, which I'm thankful I did. Having a one-piece tri-suit on with a sweatshirt overtop required more time during the frequent porta-pottie visits. I also discovered what happens when you forget to slide the plastic piece to the lock position, someone opened the door as I was just about to unzip the tri-suit. He got totally embarrassed and apologized profusely,

but I assured him it was totally my fault, and that I'd learned my lesson. lol

Once the Sprinters off, I was able to get my registration process started, get my bib, swim cap, t-shirt and body marked -- I think that's when it started to feel real!

**31 until next monday! phew, snuck the triathlon in before adding another year to my age :D

Next step was setting up my transition, which at this point was still pretty much empty, so I was able to get a spot closer to the bike/run exits. As more of our group started arriving, the excitement continued to grow...

Wetsuits on, we headed to the water to warm up a bit, and once again, glad I did. The water was more choppy than where we've doing our OWS, clearer and more weedy; knowing what to expect allowed my nerves settled down. Before I knew it, we were called out of the water, 2 minutes before the first wave was to start, I was in the second, with 3 minutes between the two.

Swim

I'm not a very claustrophobic person, but swimming with that many people was definitely an experience. I lined myself up towards the back of the pack for the run into the water, not knowing what to expect from both myself or the field. I reached the first buoy at the same time as a lot of others... and we seemed to be stuck there for a few seconds. Finally navigating around it, heading to the second one, and WHAT! Green caps! I had caught up to a few remaining of the previous wave, huh! I went a little wider of the second buoy, and now had a bit of a push back to shore with the wind and waves. Finally I was able to stand, so I ran out of the water. What I thought to be the most difficult part of the race was done!

375m swim 10:06 min 2:42/100m 71/321 overall!!!

Bike

Transition times seem to be included in the bike and run portions, and not broken out. I know I have room for improvement on the transition, especially from swim to bike, but I really wanted to make sure I did everything right, including not touching my bike before my helmet was on, but wanted to put on my team jersey on first. Having rode the bike course last weekend, I knew exactly what to expect, and once again, was really thankful. I stayed in a low gear as I knew that once I got to the bike mount line, it would be a short distance until we turned a corner, and climbed our first hill. This is the first time I've ridden with so many other cyclists, and in any sort of race; I was cautious. I found myself passing quite a few riders, and what's that ahead, a guy on a unicycle! Yes, I'm serious! Once I reached the turn around point, I was a little more at ease and turned it up a notch, but still rode a lot slower than I did during our clinic rides. Nice long downhill just before the bike dismount, phew, ride was completed without incident!

10k bike 26:14min 22.9 kph 90/321 overall (including transition)

Run

This transition could have been faster if I didn't need to switch shoes from bike to run, but knowing it was a bit of a hilly course, I still chose to use my clipless pedals even if it was a try-a-tri distance. I do love the iBungee laces though, as I'm quite sure my fine motor skills at this point wouldn't have been to good for tying my laces. I was pleased that I remembered to take off my helmet, grabbed a bottle of water to take a drink, but forgot to put it down... i hate running with things in my hands, but what a waste to throw out an almost full bottle of water, which I may later need, so I just held onto it, until I finally saw someone from our group and threw it to him :) My legs didn't hurt, but my lungs did. I just couldn't get my breath, so even though it was only a 2.5k run, I stopped to walk for a few short seconds here and there just to try to get my breathing under control. I know I could have pushed a lot more on the run, but truth be told, I'm still scared. I have a history of needing injury recovery time after races... I took it really really easy (I haven't been training 'fast', so not gonna risk injury by testing it out today). Funny how running (and injuries) have eventually led me to this day, and is now my worst discipline.

2.5k run 17:27 min 6:59/km 220/321 overall (including transition)

A few of our Sprinters/spectators and Du-athletes were there cheering me on as I rounded the corner to the finish line, which of course provoked a smile for the race photographers. Out of all the races I've done, this is the first time I actually remembered to raise my arms crossing the line! I was done, I am now a triathlete!

Overall stats

53:46

115/321

10/60 AG!!!! Ya baby!! :D

I have such a newfound respect for multi-sport athletes, and triathlon! I LOVE IT!!! The bug bit hard.