Arriving in Austin and Pre-Race Stuff One word: HOT! A couple of weeks ago I visited my mom in Texas so I knew it was going to be hot. We (Angela and I) landed on Thursday, stepped off the plane and it was 98 degrees. That is kind of like a smack you in the face and take your breath away kind of hot. The entire trip the heat was just relentless, very uncomfortable, physically draining, and mentally debilitating. This is why I immediately began focusing on hydration. I drank SO much water and Gatorade I thought I was float down the river. Thursday and Friday the family lounged around Mom’s house and played around in her new pool. Friday night we all went out to an all you can eat BBQ, called the Salt Lick. Yummy! We’ve been there before and love it every time.
Saturday was a pretty full day. I checked in to the hotel where the Team in Training team was staying. Met up with the team to go for a short run midday. I thought it would be better for me to check out the race course and acclimate under less stressful conditions….i.e. walking around outside. I walked part of the bike course for about 20 minutes, after which I was drenched in sweat. Afterwards, the team met up again to walk to the bike shop about a mile away (yup, still in the heat) to pick up our bikes that had been driven down for us, and then we rode them back to the hotel. Saturday was another busy day. We got up to ride over to Barton Springs (a really great swimming area – natural pool) to do our practice open water swim. It was already warm in the morning, so putting on the wet suit was not a lot of fun. But once we got in the water, it was all worth it. (How can it be so hot outside, and the water be SO COLD??) Since I missed the last training with the team, this was my first (and only) open water swim before the race. It went well, I felt strong, and it calmed my nerves a bit knowing that swimming in open water wasn’t too difficult.
In the afternoon we picked up our race packet (bid number, timing chip, etc). This process sucked. The lines were way too long, took too much time, and very frustrating. Unlike other races, where people are encouraged to pick up their race packets in “waves” or groups of people this race was more of a free-for-all.
After the expo, we had to go put our bikes into the transition area. An easy enough task, but still kind of interesting. Normally, (this is my first race, but I have watched others) each athlete has numbered space (like a parking space) to place their bike and all their racing needs/stuff. Oh no, not the case here. This was again a free-for-all. Athletes were allowed to just throw their stuff anywhere, but space was limited so it became a problem. I was more concerned about losing my bike within the masses. Remember there are about 1500 athletes so; I was more focused on placing my bike in a place where I could easily find it. My bike tends to stick out a little bit (because it is red) so that wasn’t too much of an issue; I just counted how many rows it was from the end (9th row in my case) and knew I would have to remember that. It worked out. Our coaches warned us that due to the extreme heat bike tires were likely to expand and pop! I heard it did happen to some athletes. To reduce the likeliness of this happening, we reduced the air pressure in the tires to pump them up again on race day. With all this preparation I was beginning to feel the moment.
Soon after, we all went to the TNT pasta party. The pasta party was in a different hotel then where we were staying, but TNT arranged buses to take us there. However, my family was being difficult. Several of them went out during the day (borrowing Mom’s car) and they ran late, but since the people at the house didn’t have a car they couldn’t go anywhere. URGH! Not the stress I need before the race. Anyway, some of my family showed up about 30 minutes late, we embarrassing walked into the banquet, found a table and sat down. I pretty much just wanted to put a bag over my head and hide. About another 20 minutes later the rest of my family showed up. Talk about ruining the moment. I just had to think, just stay positive and move on. The banquet was nice. The speaker talked about all the great things the monies we raised were supporting. BTW, we raised over $900,000 from this race alone to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s programs. ROCK ON!! The guest speaker was an author, motivational speaker, and cancer survivor…Meg Brown. Great speaker and she ran the triathlon the next day.
After the meeting, I went up to the room to make sure everything was ready to take to my transition area. My roomie and I kept reading our list to each other, making sure neither was forgetting anything. Thanks, Rich! And then I went to bed. No surprise, I didn't sleep well that night either.Race Day! Alarm sounded promptly at 4:00am. UGH! I am a morning person, but this is crazy. I was stressing out because I didn’t know if I had everything I needed or not! I gathered my stuff and went down to the hotel lobby to meet the team, hoping I didn’t forget anything. We all went over to the transition area, where we first got our bodies marked. Kind of weird in an “about to go into battle sort of way”. People writing numbers, age, event, etc. on your legs and arms. And others taking pictures of it. Then over to my transition area where I set everything up. Everyone talks about the transition area and how important it is for a good race. Ooops, I forgot to practice this aspect of the race. It was a little nerve-racking: people were talking about how they moved things around a few inches to make it more efficient – shaving seconds off of their time. Meanwhile, I am thinking an extra 10 seconds is not going to bother me one bit.
I have found on numerous occasions that triathletes for the most part are really friendly people. I couldn’t find which teammate had the bike pump to re-inflate my tires and another person let me borrow his bike pump to make sure my tires were ready. VERY COOL. We didn't have a ton of time before they closed off the transition area, so as they were announcing that it was time to go, it was so hot and my start time wasn’t for another hour so I decided not to put on my wetsuit yet. It turned out to be a good decision. Somehow the race was almost an hour behind schedule so I would have been sweating in the wetsuit almost two hours.
Once I got to the waiting area, most of the team was grouped up by the lake, so I easily found them. Coach Noah told everyone that they should get into the water before their start to get used to it a bit before they start their swim. But the only way to get in without being in the way was to climb over some rocks. Several people already cut their hands or stubbed their toes – I elected not to get in. Plus it was still 1.5 hours until I had to swim.
While I was waiting by the water’s edge somehow Angela found me in the crowds. It was so nice to see her. Talking to her calmed my nerves and also gave me a reminder of exactly why I there. Thanks, Angela. As I mentioned before, the race was running way behind schedule so later my brother came over to say hi as well. It was nice to talk to him and distracted me for a few minutes….I needed that because just before that I thought I was going to throw up. Everything that I trained for was about to take place and I wasn’t sure I was ready.
THE SWIMWaiting for the start of the swim was very nerve-racking for me. It was what they call a deep water swim start. You jump in the water and tread water until the gun goes off to start the race. As were walking on the dock, my family was right there. Screaming, shouting, cheering me on – it was a great feeling. The guy behind me said, “Your family is the loudest here.” I replied with, “Yeah, it feels good to have that kind of support.”
Once I was in the water, I don’t know if I was in a zone or what but I didn’t hear one cheer, no one around me, nothing except my breathing. There is a lot of banging around that happens in the swim start so I wanted to be in the back of the pack to limit the physical nature of the swim. Then, BANG the start gun fired. Here we go!
I wanted to start the swim off slow and easy, pace myself, to ensure that I finish the event. Before I knew it, I was passing people. At the halfway point, I started seeing people in the wave that started before me and I was catching up to them. Then out of nowhere, BAM! I hit something. In the middle of that lake there was a huge rock about 3 feet below the surface and smashed my hand into it. Luckily, I just keep going. I think it was all adrenalin. Not too far from finish I picked up the pace even more and finished strong. They had volunteers at the swim exit to help people out of the water. The exit was awesome. They had a ton of volunteers on both sides of the ramp, many in the (cold) water. As I approached the ramp, I reached my hand out, and they nearly lifted me up the river bank, handing me off as they worked me up. Simply incredible. Thanks to the volunteers!!Truthfully, the swim was great! I honestly enjoyed it. As I was lifting my head up to see where I was (it's called "sighting") I realized that I need to work on that. Swimming under the bridges kind of freaked me out. I couldn’t stop thinking I was going to swim into the concrete and knock myself out. So, I know that slowed my down a little.
The swim was basically three turns: swim up, turn right to the other side of the lake, turn back down, and turn to the finish. I handled the turns well, I think. I was actually very close to the buoys each time, and there were few people around me. Overall, I loved the swim! It was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be, and it was over before I knew it. (That's not to say it was easy. I was definitely tired when I was done!)
Swim Goal: 30- 40 minutes.
Actual Time: 34:36. WOO HOO!! I was really worried about this phase of the event. Done and on to the next section.
TRANSITION I: Swim to BikeAs I came out of the water and headed to my bike, I was very disoriented. I tried to jog but that wasn’t happening, I was too dizzy. So I walked. My legs were rubbery from suddenly being upright after 40 minutes of being horizontal. I got my wetsuit off down to my waist pretty easily, and started to walk to my bike. I found my bike no problem and ripped off my wetsuit.
Transition I Goal: Didn't set one. Just don’t be the one to forget your helmet! Actual time: 5:15THE BIKEThe bike route consisted of four loops. Not ideal, but not terrible either. (It does allow for great spectator support.) The course was fairly flat with one long gradual hill.Loop 1: I tried to take it easy on the first loop. "Don't start out too fast, and just get to know the route” – I can hear the coaches shouting in my mind. But I did get a good feel for the course before it got too crowded, and I am grateful for that. I quickly learned where the hills where, how quickly all of the turns came, and how the one really downhill stretch had a strong head wind. Ugh!My biggest downfall was that I did not know how long each loop took or how fast I was going (via my bike computer). Several weeks ago I purchased a new bike computer but had yet to master the functions. During the race I didn’t think it was a big deal, but reviewing my times I see it was. During the second loop my stomach began bothering me. I was feeling nauseous. I have read that happens sometimes during a race when you drink too much Gatorade. Hoping that was the problem I began drinking only water. By the third loop my stomach was feeling better and I picked up the pace.
The loop ends with the U Turn. A lot of people there, but you really can't enjoy the support, because you're trying really hard not to crash into them. I saw Coach Noah call out my name (Thanks, Noah!!) and my entire family cheering me on. Prior to the race I was worried that with all the excitement of the race I would lose count of my bike laps so I asked my family to count for me. Every time I rode by they would yell out which loop number I was on…..thanks, guys.
Last Loop: No doubt about it, I'm tired. The hills are hard, and it seems to take forever to get up them, but once they're over, I feel a new sense of optimism and try to take the relatively flat part hard as fast as I can. The route is really crowded now, but it goes well, and it is a great feeling knowing I am almost done on the bike. It was about then, when I realized that “Hey, I am going to finish this thing.” I was overcome with emotion. I can’t explain why, but as I reflected back with thoughts of Angela’s dark and difficult times in the hospital I just started crying on the bike. Good thing I had on sunglasses.Bike Goal: 1:30:00. Actual time: 1:15:51. WOO HOO!!TRANSITION IIIt was a long run with the bike to get to my spot of the transition area. Everything was going to plan, when I could hear the coaches in my head saying “Don’t forget to put on your race belt for the run.” If you don’t have the race belt it is a penalty. When I get to my transition area I don’t see my belt. I knew I packed it, but where could it be. I open my back pack, empty it out on the ground, and finally find it. Put it on, put on my shoes, and on to the run. Later, I realized I had forgotten to put on sunscreen.
Transition II Goal: Again, didn’t have one. Actual time: 4:00.THE RUNThe run was a 2 loop course, each loop was 3.1 miles.
Yes, it was hot outside, like LAVA HOT. I was pretty tired from the bike but I had completed two awesome parts of the triathlon, and it was time for my slow portion of the race. I knew I was a very slow runner – but not snail slow. Put it this way, if they were walking I wasn’t passing them.
Throughout the run course there were many aid stations (water, ice, and Gatorade). While I was committed to not walking the course, I did allow myself to walk through the aid stations. At each one I took as much water and ice as I could.
Loop I: Just like the bike, I wanted to take the first loop nice and easy and see how the course was. For the most part it was completely flat. About 1.5 miles into the run I saw my entire family cheering me on (thanks, guys!). I needed the encouragement.
Loop II: I was really beginning to feel the full effects of the Texas heat. By now it was later in the day, the clouds had cleared, it was full sun and the heat was in full effect. Remember earlier when I said I forgot the sunscreen – this is when I realized it.
By now my little brother knew the course and waited for me ahead of the rest of my family and was able to run with me for a few minutes. Man, did that ease my mind. I was just beginning to wonder whether I could continue running the entire distance without stopping. Just talking with him inspired me to make sure I finish strong. Thanks, Bro!!
Shortly after running with my brother is where I met up with one of my teammates. The heat was really getting to him and he mentioned he was about to give up and walk. I told him that I wouldn’t allow it and I slowed the pace down (but still ran) to allow him to recover. After several minutes, he was finally able to find some energy again and before he knew it, he was running again. I lagged behind and cheered him on. After the race he thanked me for “saving him” on the run course. It was really nice knowing that I was able to help a teammate out.
Run Goal: Under one hour. Actual time: 1:04:47. The heat was just TOO much!Almost immediately after crossing the finish line, my entire family was there giving me hugs and kisses. I took a few minutes to celebrate with them, rehydrate, have some pizza, and get a short massage. Then, I felt well enough to go to back to the course and cheer the rest of the team in. So my first triathlon was completed in 3:09:32. For sure, it was an incredible experience, But none of it would have been possible without the support of so many people: Coaches Jenni, Megan, Mel, and Noah; my Team Captain Tricia; Lindsay in the TNT office; Carly as the staff person in Austin; everyone who donated to my fundraising; the entire tri team for all of the support and motivation for six months, my friends for your motivation and support; my great family for your encouragement on the course; and last but not least, to Angela who showed me what determination REALLY meant.
Thanks to everyone, and GO TEAM!!
Michael - a newbie triathlete
