THE INAUGURAL WASHINGTON DC SPRINT TRIATHLON
June 20, 2010 (Sunday)
TRIATHLON: 800 meter swim ( Potomac River ), 12.4m bike, 4.2m run
Washington DC @ West Potomac Park
This was my second attempt at a sprint triathlon. My attempt last summer, I didn’t complete the swim course.
Saturday, my friend Debi and I went to packet pick up, the expo, rack my bike in transition and get body marked. Debi wasn’t competing but she was lending her morale support for which I really needed. Packet pick up was well organized, the volunteers were cheerful but the expo was tiny.
PRE-RACE: After 3 hours of sleep two nights in a row, I was up by 3 am, out the door and in DC by 4:40am. Parked a mile from transition instead of the convention parking lot the race officials suggested. The thought of riding thru DC traffic to get back to my car after the race if I parked at the convention parking lot was not comforting. On the way down I ate my usual PB sandwich and water as I prayed really hard. I walked the mile to transition getting there at 5:00am; it closes at 5:15am. Someone switched my bike around and I didn’t have any space on my side. I hurried up and switched it back, laid out my stuff and went to get my timing chip. I realized I left the Gu I was going to eat before the swim in transition. It was about to close so I hopped the barrier and grabbed it in time. There were not that many porta-potties so I got in line twice. They were running behind and started about 30 minutes late. My stomach was in knots and I was feeling very scared. All I kept thinking about was being pulled out of the water.
SWIM: 45:38 The water temp was 81 degrees so we had of choice of going with our wave or use the wetsuit but go to the last wave. Being a weak, slow swimmer, I thought it advantageous to swim earlier with my wave than wait until the end. The swim was my biggest obstacle and I was so nervous. I kept telling myself to swim buoy to buoy. It was an in water start and I had a little panic attack when I jumped in and held on to the dock. The lady next to me talked me into calmness. After that, I scanned the buoys and decided not to stop at each one. I planned to swim freestyle to each buoy, breaststroke a few strokes to rest then switch back to freestyle until the next buoy. Horn went off, I swam. I could tell everyone was gone but I kept at it. The buoys were so huge that it made it easier to sight them. I followed my strategy until the second turn where I stopped at the kayak. I got really nervous thinking I missed another turn and didn’t see the 400 meter mark. He assured me I didn’t miss a turn and I was way past 400 meter. Right before the last turn, the kayak lady was yelling turn. I looked up and I could see the end. Wow! I made it!! I SURVIVED the swim!! As I exit, I was a little off balance and realized I forgot to eat my Gu, it was still in my pocket. Glad I chose not to wear the wetsuit.
T1: 5:53 I walked to transition as I tried to find my balance. I grabbed my helmet, dropped my shades (didn’t notice), put on my socks and bike shoes before heading out. Not quickly, I wasn’t going for a record but I will work on this for next time.
BIKE: 1:03:28: I hydrated and ate a Gu as I headed out on the course. It was a nice course with some inclines and declines and four 180 degree turns. I didn’t have any technical problems except for something getting caught on my tire a few miles in. I had to stop to get it off, no damage and since I wasn’t good at drinking and riding, I thought it was a perfect time to hydrate as well. Thankful that there was no sun in my eyes seeing that I didn’t have my shades. I really liked the course and enjoyed my ride.
T2: 5:05
I dismounted with heavy legs to head down the transition chute and stopped at the porta-potty on the way. I had to move a rack mate’s bike over so I could get m bike on. Took off the shoes, helmet, sprayed on more sunscreen, drank some more, put on running shoes, hat, grabbed a gel and headed out.
RUN: 1:08:35
As I was heading out, there was another woman (Michelle) heading out too. We jogged/ walked 3/2 for the first two miles. Then on the next run segment, I decided to keep running ahead. I ran (walked Constitution Ave hill) the rest of the way. The spectators and course volunteers were awesome and I pretended they were all cheering for me. It was great running past the monuments and seeing the view from Capitol Hill. The announcer said my name as I crossed the finish with a smile. I grabbed an ice cold towel, water, my medal, and waited for Michelle to finish. I thanked her for her company on the first 2 miles and then went to grab some food and more fluids before taking the shuttle back to transition.
POST RACE: I got my gear bag, packed up my stuff and was thankful I only parked a mile away at the police station. I rode my bike slow and easy feeling really good and very proud of myself. Now to focus on Iron Girl.
TOTAL TIME: 3:08:39
Lovey
2013 Goals:
- lose 50lbs
-stay consistent in my workouts
-strengthen my recently broken ankle
2012 Accomplishments:
-cosistent training after healing from a stress fracture in my foot
-completed a 10 miler, 10K and a half marathon
-sorry my year ended in Maym 2 weeks after my half marathon when I crash on my bike shattering my ankle. I had surgery and ortho put in 8 screws and a plate.
| Pounds lost: 9.6 |
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