Passion- Reignited!
I have run over 150 races (153 after Saturday, to be exact). 3 have been full marathons; 13 have been halfs. I've done countless 5 and 10Ks; a 48 hour relay -no sleep, no food adventure (Ragnar), I've run Tough Mudder, Spartan Sprints, Super Spartans, Rugged Maniac, Primal Mud Run, and dozens of other nameless adventure races. I've run events in the mountains, in the extreme cold, and horrible heat. I've placed within my age group at least a dozen times... The point is I am no novice runner.
When I was presented with the opportunity to run a Triathlon, I didn't think twice about it. If I could do all that, what was the big deal with adding a swim and bike ride into the mix?
Ah, inexperience. It's fun to be naive.
This was absolutely one of the most exhausting events I've ever done. Maybe because I've never swam more than 2 laps in a pool in my life, or maybe because I haven't ridden a bike more than 2 miles in roughly 20 years. It could also partly be that I drank my ass off for the 4 days leading up to the event. Always plan an athletic event at the beginning of your vacation.
The Jacksonville Tri- Series
I only signed up for the Sprint version, while my counsin's husband, Julian, signed up for the Olympic (he is a biking/swimming pro). The sprint consists of:
.25 mile swim
16 mile bike ride
5k run
I barely acknowledged the swim. .25 miles? Please. Any idiot could do that... (except I was the idiot that almost couldn't...). I didn't even think about the 5K run; I'd do that blindfolded. And everyone knows biking is a stroll in the park. I won't even research it. Surely there is a bike rental place on the island...
Pre-race Day
I went to small little shack-like place on the island to get my bike rental, Beach Rentals and More. I explained (after a full on mimosa breakfast) that I needed a bike for the triathlon down the road the next morning. The man who ran the shop looked at me as if I had a second head, and asked if I was joking. Of course not- what was the issue?The issue was a bright green beach cruiser, equipped with a bell and hand basket. The man kindly explained that this was the best option, and he didn't recommend road racing with it. Pffft. I paid the $18 rental fee, got a helmet, and even declined buying googles for the swim (even tho my husband, the sales guy, and even other store patrons encouraged me to reconsider. Naw).
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| I obviously know everything |
Race Day
I tossed and turned all night. Nerves got the better of me, and around 4:30 AM I gave up. I made some coffee and a started chugging coconut water. Julian asked me what I was bringing for fuel. Fuel? I don't even bring fuel to full marathons; weren't there aid stations for that? Julian laughed at me and asked if I expected a snack bar in the ocean or a biker bar on the highway. He then proceeded to make breakfast. Eat before a race? Never! I declined and said I'd wait till after. He just smiled and shook his head.
Dumbfounded, I asked him why he was bringing a bag. Apparently it is common knowledge you leave your belongings at the 'transition site', along with your bike and all your changes of clothes. Changes of clothes? Did I wear a sports bra under my swim suit and strip down? I was planning on a bikini for the swim and changing at the station. Apparently this transition station was out in the open - in plain site of everyone. Julian explained that most women that go to these events own a special triathlon suit. Not me. Looks like I was rocking the one piece from start to finish.
Check In
This is so much more complex than a regular race check in. You must get the appropriate swim cap color for your wave; number to pin to your race outfit, and stickers for your bike and helmet. Then, it is mandatory they write your race number all over your body, along with your age group, wave start, and whatever else the guy wrote down the back of my legs. Once I got through the check in process all of my ignorant confidence had left the building - I was terrified. The waves roared heavy onto the shore as the race director explained the hazards on the bike route (and how two people were hit during previous events). I contemplated just being a spectator for Julian; maybe I'd train and 'tri' again next year. But here I was, silly pink swim cap on, covered in permanent marker. No turning back now.
Swim
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| Right before take off
Let me say this - this .25 miles of swimming was the hardest leg of the race.
I jumped into the water with so much fear, determination, and blissful ignorance that it's difficult to believe I even did it now. I quickly fell behind the other women within my wave; less than 100 yards out I began to feel sheer panic. My chest, back, and arms were burning in pain. I was too far out to touch the bottom. All I could do was float and try to steady my breathing. Once I turned around the first buoy I had obviously caught the lifeguards attention. Several volunteers started shouting at me " are you OK?" "are you gonna make it?". I gave the OK symbol- but I was far from OK. Every few feet waves would crash over my head. I was the only idiot without googles (literally, the only one) so my eyes burned with the painful feeling of battery acid (salt water). I thought about having them take me out of the water. I thought I might drown. But I was too stubborn for my own good, and I slowly made my way around the 2nd buoy and started riding the waves back out to the shore.
  Bike Ride
I want to apologize to everyone I said 'biking is easy' to. To people who I disrespecting because 'biking isn't like running'. I think I found religion on the 16 mile loop I followed around the island. It could have been because my ass went numb after 4 miles, or because the bike got stuck in 2nd gear and I literally got passed 80 times (while peddling my ass off). My knees ached, my back ached, my ass was on fire. But then there was euphoria.
Less than a mile in I passed by my cousin's house. Dana was sitting on the front porch drinking coffee when I rolled by. I screamed "AHHHH DANA!!!" and she started shouting for me and waving. That was pretty cool.
2 miles later I passed by the bike rental shop. As I approached the building the owner and 2 other guys were out front. They began yelling "hey it's her - it's mimosa girl". "You're kickin ass on that cruiser girl" "doin' great"! I smiled ear to ear. It was the boost I needed. Everyone who passed me was so cheerful - everyone said good morning, or great job. I've never had friendlier racing companions. At one point a paraplegic passed me in a hand-cycle. She said " hey there -you're doing great!" A rush of humility and gratitude gripped my core; the racing community is so amazing.
Aside from the bike refusing to switch gears, every time I went through a round-about it was a miracle that I didn't tip over. That bike was not meant for racing.
At about mile 8 I became ravenous. Starving doesn't describe it; this was mind numbing hunger. I now understood why people bring fuel to a less than 2 hour event.
Transition #2... my knees felt like water balloons, I was hungry, it was hot, and I was far from done...
5K
Running was impossible. I made my legs go, but my knees felt like there was no traction in my bones. My hips and back were stiff; I ached all over. I may as well had just ran 16 miles rather than biked; it felt the same or worse But I was determined to do it.
I had been at the back of the pack all event long. I was last in swimming and was passed by every one on the road that had a real bike. But the run was my time. Almost everyone this far behind in the event was walking the 5k- not me. I passed around 15 people before I stopped counting. Someone called out as I ran by "where was this endurance earlier?" Whatever. I don't bike and I don't swim, but I would not fail at this too.
They finally had aid stations along the race route. I walked through one about a mile in for some water. It was hot. My shorts were soaked and refused to stay on. I'm usually modest, but not that day. I ripped them off and began running with them in hand. When I saw the mile 2 marker, and realized how close I was to being done, euphoria took over again. I sprinted the last mile. I was panting loudly and talking to myself, at one point I began high-fiving spectators along the final stretch. This was really it. I did it. I completed a goddamn triathlon bitches.
 
I could have cried I was so happy to cross that finish line. I felt like a rock star. New accomplishment in the books.
Post Race
I have a new energy for life since Saturday. I feel like I could do anything! I am blessed to have the family and friends I do. I am so grateful for my wonderful life- where I can run and dance and even sign up for another triathlon if I want to :) I took a great vacation that eased my stress and allowed me to take on new challenges at the same time - how often does that happen? The best is yet to come, and I have so much to look forward to.
Cheers and happy running (or whatever it is you do) my friends!
India
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