70.3: my first triathlon!

 Last Sunday I did Rev3's "Half Rev" in Williamsburg. It was my first triathlon and it was a success! (Mostly. You'll see.)

(I was in one of the last waves so that's not really my time.)

I arrived Saturday in the early afternoon. I checked in at the expo and picked up my race packet, and then I got back in the car to drive to the first transition (T1), where I checked in my bike and scoped out the swim course in the James River. (Unfortunately I didn't understand the swim course, so I remained really confused until the next morning when I asked someone else waiting to start on the beach.) The water was moving pretty swiftly, which didn't help my nerves. I breathed a huge sigh of relief, however, when I learned they decided to switch the direction of the swim from last year so that we'd be swimming with the current rather than against it. After walking along the beach for a while I left and drove downtown for a sandwich. Then I checked into the hotel and rested briefly before heading back to the expo for the pre-race briefing and to find my second transition (T2) spot. There are so many logistics in this sport.

T1, where the bikes go.

My bike, checked in the day before the race. I love how they had our names marking our spots.

The river the day before the race. You can see a red turn buoy on the left and some yellow sighting buoys in the distance on the right.

Since I was still nervous about the swim I decided to drive back to the river again, just for kicks. Plus I didn't have anything else to be doing, so it helped fill in the time. Finally I decided I'd spent enough time on my legs and in the sun, so I headed back into town to find dinner. Later that night in the hotel I laid out all my things (I had a whole suitcase packed just for race stuff) and chatted with a friend on the phone who has done triathlons to help get all my last-minute questions answered and calm my nerves. Then I hit the hay.

Sunday morning my alarm went off at 4:00, and I got up to eat breakfast. I had a bagel with peanut butter and honey, a banana, a cup of Greek yogurt, orange juice, and coffee. I also had to apply all my race tattoos (one on each upper arm, one on my hand, and some on the back of my calf). I verified that I had all the things I needed in my various transition bags, and then I finally left around 5:30. I drove to the expo/finish line to set up my T2, and then they shuttled us to T1. There I set up my stuff, used the bathroom, and then handed over my dry clothes bag and shoes. The water temperature was 80.9 degrees and hardly anyone was wearing wetsuits, so I decided not to wear mine (well, the one I'd borrowed from a friend) either. Then there was nothing left to do but head down to the water and wait for my wave to start.

There were three lagoons at the beach. The race started in the third and ended in the first, so we used the second to warm up. I was relieved to see the water looked pretty calm. I got in and swam around a little, then just hung out in the water because it was warmer than standing on the beach. Before too long it was my turn. I went through the starting line and joined my 7:25 wave wading in the water, waiting for the horn. I knew I'd be slow and awkward, so I hung out in the back. And then we were off.

As you know, I was nervous about the swim. And turns out I was right to be nervous. It was kind of a disaster.

I waded out a good ways because others were still doing it too, and then I started swimming. But very quickly I needed a breathing break. And then I tried to swim some more, but I needed more breathing breaks. I just couldn't get into a calm smooth groove. I knew I'd never make it in time if I kept standing around taking breathing breaks. The only thing to do was turn onto my back.

You guys, I did the backstroke for approximately 90% of the swim. Seriously. It was nice because I could breath and move forward, but it was bad because I couldn't see where I was going. So I'd do ten or fifteen strong strokes and then stop and look around. And usually I'd find that I was not in a good position. I kept getting farther and farther away from the stream of swimmers I could see off in the distance. Ugh. There were some kayakers and paddle boarders out there monitoring us, and they kept trying to point me in the right direction. Then I swam into the police boat, and the man looming over my head gently said I should be on the other side of the boat. It was embarrassing. I can only imagine what those volunteers and policemen must have thought about my crazy self, backstroking and weaving in a half iron race. But I finally neared the end and walked through a good length of shallow water before exiting. There were still a few people behind me and no one was telling me to stop, so I decided I must have made it under the 70-minute cutoff point.

Turns out I'd made the 1.2 mile swim in 48:30! (I keep thinking "if only I'd committed to the backstroke sooner I could have been faster." Ha.) Age group place: 27 (of 30). Gender: 103 (of 114). Total: 318 (of 353).

Glad that part's over!

After the swim I had to run barefoot almost half a mile to T1. There was even a water stop along the way.

Part of the looong way between the beach and my bike.

In T1 I dried my feet and put on socks and my cycling shoes, sprayed on some more sunscreen, lowered my bun, put on a watch and gloves and sunglasses and helmet, drank a small bottle of Gatorade, and ate half a Cliff bar. Then I ran out of the transition with my bike, hopped on, and headed off. All that transition time took 9:01. Yikes.

The biking portion was better, but still not without incident. Since I was so far in the back of the pack it wasn't too hard to pass the few people I came upon. But before long I started to get cramps (of the monthly variety...) and feared it was going to be a long and miserable race ahead. Luckily when I stopped at the first aid station at mile 17 I was able to enlist the help of a nice female volunteer who ran to her car to get me some special supplies, including Advil. It made for a really long break (I ate a gel, finished off my first bottle of Nuun, and used the porta potty in the meantime), but she was a lifesaver and made the rest of my race much more bearable.

Look that's me! On my blue bike!

 I continued biking, and enjoyed myself. It was pretty country. I wasn't terribly fast but I felt good and confident. I stayed on top of eating my chews. I took regular drinks. I averaged 16.28 mph. During the second half the seat got uncomfortable, which always happens to me, so I took a short break at the 47 mile aid station just to stand on my feet (and eat a gel and take a salt tablet). The 56 miles took me 3:26:25. Age group: 25 (of 30). Gender: 94 (of 114). Total: 306 (of 353).

In T2 I racked my bike, took off my helmet and gloves, got my Garmin (well, a friend's Garmin since mine died the weekend before the race) going, changed into my running shoes, put on more sunscreen and my visor and my IT band strap, stuffed some food in my pockets, and grabbed my little bottle of Gatorade. I ran out of transition but then stopped right away for another quick porta potty visit, and then I was off running. That transition took 5:49. (Too long.)

My T2

The 13.1-mile run was four loops, and I was surprised how hilly and "trail-y" half of the loop was. But that half was shaded and I'm plenty familiar with hills. I found a good pace and felt pretty strong through the whole run, which was nice since I'd been nervous about how running a half marathon would go after hours of swimming and biking. I also spent the entire run passing people, which boosted my confidence. (Since I was still toward the back of the pack most of the people I was passing were actually much farther ahead of me on later laps, but still. I kept up my pace and passed people on all four of my laps.) I ate a few gels throughout the run, sipped on the Gatorade I carried (and refilled with more at aid stations), ate another salt tablet at one station, and poured water on my head every chance I got.

Focused. And hydrated.

I knew my Grandpa and Aunt Judy were coming to my race that morning, so I looked for them on my run. I didn't see them on the first loop, and on the second loop I actually saw them driving away. I waved them down though, so Grandpa got to see me that once. (It was warm out and there wasn't a lot of shade for spectators, so she was taking him to the hotel. Then she came back.) Finally that fourth loop neared its end, and I tried to pick up the pace just a tiny bit. Getting to turn right toward the finish line, instead of left for another loop, felt great. I finished the run in 2:03:21. Age group: 20 (of 30). Gender: 67 (of 114). Total 255 (of 353).

Coming down the chute!

Total time: 6:33:07.

I saw Aunt Judy right away at the finish, which was really nice. As soon as I crossed the line they put a cold towel on me and my awesome medal. It took a while to catch my breath and relax, but I was very happy.

Finisher visor and medal

Aunt Judy and I moved to a shady spot so I could rest a little and rehydrate. They had a full spaghetti meal available but I wasn't hungry at all. All those chews and gels and a ton of sports drink left me feeling plenty full. Then we went back to the finish line for photos.

Leaving with all my gear. Mission accomplished!

I feel good about the whole thing, other than the backstroking fiasco. I also know I can shave more time off in several places. I have a lot of swimming work to do, but I'm ready and already looking forward to my next triathlon!