Finally here -- Milton Women's Olympic Race report

For the few days leading up to the race, I had my fingers crossed, and a little chant going through my head. Please, no injuries. Please, no family emergencies or deaths. Just please.  As I arrived in the parking lot, my eyes scanned familiar surroundings, this time as a participant.


While at the registration table, waiting patiently for the end of a conversation, the race director looks up and said I looked familiar! It had been 2 years earlier that I registered for my first multisport event, on a whim, as something fun to do on my 31st (on the 31st) birthday. I smiled, and briefly explained that it was my 3rd time paying for his race, but my first time participating. I intended to get my money's worth from the day.


I was there, having that conversation. I was already one step ahead.


My goal at the end of last year, after really getting hooked on triathlon, was to work my way up to an Olympic distance tri this year, then a half Ironman the following year. Yes, I take baby steps, and have learned that this works best for me.


I set up my transition, twice, because of a little mix up with the racks, and quickly found the rest of my team! It was the girls that seemed to stick it out this year... seemed fitting that most of us signed up for this women's only race to close the season, including a 62 year old first timer! I heard it was a race to the end as well! So proud of her!


Lavender swim caps all headed down to the water, 21 of us registered for the Olympic. I was among them. Awesome.


SWIM: 
After gingerly navigating the rocky bottom, I did a quick warm up to assess the water. 1500m, a 2 loop course, with a quick run through a few pylons on the beach, before starting the second.


Two ladies quickly led out the small group, myself a short distance behind. 
I was passed once, but kept the leaders all within my sight, I was feeling good. 4th out of the water... I was doing the race!


BIKE:
I was happy that the race was on the Sunday, and not the previous day. A few local triathlons had turned into duathlons due to very choppy water caused by high winds, unsafe for the swimmers, as well as the kayakers. It even grounded the air show! While nowhere near as bad on Sunday, the headwind seemed ever present for the climbs, making the descents with a tail wind, fast! I felt ok on the bike, but it definitely wasn't my best effort. Some km's passed by fast at 1:24/km, one at 3:15/km... ouch. Overall, only 2 minutes slower than the bike portion of my Olympic aquabike in June. . but I'll take it, considering this time I was following it with a 10k run. 


RUN: 
Oh, the run. Sigh. It's all starting to make a little more sense to me.


I decided to go with the compression calf sleeves while in transition. Lately I hadn't needed them, having great runs off the bike, but I listened to my gut, and slid them on while in T2.  4 loop hilly course. I remembered those hills from when I volunteered a few years ago.


Not even the sleeves helped.


First loop was brutal. I felt the sting in my eyes, I was near tears. I walked. Most of it. I stopped to stretch. Walking hurt. Wow, 9.5 more kilometres of this. I was there. I was trying to remember that. A runner passed me on one of the outs, and asked if I needed a gel. I thanked her, declined, but asked if she had shins that wouldn't burn. She didn't have a spare set.


I finally made it to the turn around, 3 more to go. This time I was able to muster more of a run. This time at the turn around, my swim coach, who had come to cheer us all on was there, and asked if I was ok. I shook my head, and carried on.


Third loop was feeling a little more comfortable, finally smiling a little. I was here.


Not hard to have a negative split type of run, when the beginning sucks so bad. My final loop was, of course, better. Had the whole run been that way, I would have finished much sooner. I may even have been in time for a finishers medal! Seems that there was a problem with the ordering, they were short on medals, so I'll be getting mine in the mail.


3:09:33, a little longer than I had hoped, but I fought for it. I met my goal for the year, completing the Olympic distance... and am still moving forward. It's been quite the year for me where triathlon is concerned. I'm looking forward to new goals for next year!


This weekend will be marking a 'special' anniversary, which to me, is far bigger than my birthday. I will celebrate, by living life, and doing something I never thought I would! Post to follow.