(Photo note: The end before the start)
I’m terrible about spending money on myself and was going to take a pass because of the cost of entry and Kira went ahead and signed me up anyway! At that point I was committed.
I took it seriously (surprise) – went on youtube to study transition strategies, how to put on a wetsuit to maximize shoulder mobility, etcetera.
He ran next to me to transition. Here again watching the youtube videos and practicing really helped. Take off rest of wetsuit (stomp on opposite leg and use arms to pull it out), put on jersey, sock, shoes, shock shoe, tie shoes. Sunglasses, helmet, buckle and go. I did it in a minute or so and was very happy.
I’d rented a trek, 2.1 (I think) for $40 for the day. To me, it seemed light as a feather. I’d practiced the shifting briefly the day before and had no trouble getting going. As I approached the first hill I pulled one of my water bottles because I was so thirsty from the swim. However, I was still shakey and confused and dropped it when I tried to recage it.
Once I was going up on a flat, straight part I had my first “Gu.” It’s fairly gross
Somewhat glue like substance. Mine, recommended by the triathlon guy at “Fleet Feet” was pineapple flavored ‘Rocktane.’ 100 calories that get digested almost instantly. Anyway, based on yet another tip I had taped a couple of these to my handle bars for easy access and so they didn’t get lost. I had also filled my water bottle with 160 calorie crisp apple cliff bar shot – or something like that. Anyway, the Rocktane was sort of like toothpaste but easy to swallow – and it really worked.
Through almost 2 straight hours of cardio I never got tired.
The bike went well, I was really pleased. Transition to run was easy, all I had to do was clip on a little belt with my number on it and take off. As I started, I felt very good. My legs were a little strange – this always happens when you are using running muscles while your biking muscles are pumped with blood. Anyway, I felt smooth. Usually, my hips get a little tight, but not that day. In fact, I can say I don’t remember ever feeling better running. The first aid station was at the mile mark and I did the whole ‘grap a cup of water and down it’ while running thing. It was kinda fun. Once I got to the turn around point, where I knew I only had 1.5 miles left I decided to pick up my pace. My intent being to increase speed till 1 mile left, increase again, and so on until I’m sprinting the last ¼ mile. Again, props to the rocktane (I had some just as I rounded the last turn around point on the bike, figuring 10 or so minutes later I’d be running). Though I went beyond lactate threshold, then into low anaerobic, and finally into seriously anaerobic I felt strong the whole way. I didn’t really know I was in pain.
Until I went under the finish line and stopped running. I went super hard on the final 100 yards and was surprised when I was finished. My momentum carried me forward as I stopped. When I stopped running my body was engulfed in a sea of pain. I was panting and pacing, with a wince and ‘uh, uh, uh’ of pain with every breath. I found myself pacing. My son was the first to find me – he ran up and threw his arms around me. His eyes were shining with a pride I’d never seen in my life. I was overwhelmed with wonder and gratitude. “Dad, you’re a Beast.’ He said.
(Photo note: My group launched 10 minutes after the start so my time is ten minutes less than shown)
Overall place: 220 Paul O'Donnell, 45. M, Clydesdale (this is my category, men over 205lbs.) swim: 0:22:13. place 250, bike 0:58:32, place 216, Run 0:28:03, place 225, overall time 1:48:48
So, I've been training very hard for months. At first, I was just trying to get stronger and improve my overall fitness. As time progressed, I realized that I was doing a substantial amount of work: My typical workouts were an hour of weights followed by an hour of cardio. I’d break the cardio up into 3 or 4 different exercises to avoid boredom etcetera. So, about 8 weeks ago I realized that if I tried I could likely complete a triathlon. I’d wanted to do one for a long time, but the bone spur in my heel made running to painful. Thanks to Nike’s Max Air shoes, I can run without pain.
In the course of working on my fitness I lost 30 pounds of fat and put on about 5 pounds of muscle. Running with less weight must make a difference as well.
In the course of working on my fitness I lost 30 pounds of fat and put on about 5 pounds of muscle. Running with less weight must make a difference as well.
I’m terrible about spending money on myself and was going to take a pass because of the cost of entry and Kira went ahead and signed me up anyway! At that point I was committed.
I took it seriously (surprise) – went on youtube to study transition strategies, how to put on a wetsuit to maximize shoulder mobility, etcetera.
It really helped.
(Photo note: Not my racing set up - just got there)
In the course of my training I got to the point where I was training at race distances. For example, I’d do a 15 mile bike ride followed by a 3 mile run – just like the race. This gave me a lot of confidence.
As mentioned, I did rent a wetsuit, and at the last minute a bike as well. The $40 I spent on the bike saved me about 15 minutes compared to my mountain bike.
On race day, I got there pretty early – no lines for body marking, and I got an aisle for the bike and to set up my transition area. Though I didn’t feel nervous, I clearly was as evidenced by the 3 trips to the porta poties.
I waited until 30 minutes before the start to put on my wetsuit. Kira did a great job helping me and when I got down to the river to swim across to the starting area I felt really good.
As I swam I was focusing on what it was like being in open water – I hadn’t trained for that. The novelty of seeing the weeds under the water, and trying to figure out how often to raise my head to sight where to go (I’d been advised and practiced every 6 strokes).
However, there was some chop, the water was very cold, and by the time I got across I felt woozy. I asked some of the others around me and one suggested that maybe I was seasick. I’d never been motion sick before and didn’t think that was it. Anyway, I had plenty of time to calm down as we waited 15 or so minutes. The first group went off at 9:00 and my wave went off at 9:10. I had aimed to be on the side but ended up kind of in the middle towards the back. They counted down and we were off. I went out at what I thought was a solid but relaxed pace. Problem was I was immediately swimming on top of the person in front of me. So too, I had to raise my head because there was so much commotion. After about 100 yards my chest started to tighten and I had a hard time breathing. I started to panic and swam over to the side, rolled on my back and let everyone pass while I hyperventilated. I was very afraid that my race was over before it had begun. I asked the kayak guy (there to save us) , ‘what is going on? I swim this in 16 minutes?’ He didn’t know, but suggested that I swim to the support structure under the bridge, take a hold and rest for a minute to calm myself. I did and was soon going again, but I couldn’t get myself to stop hyperventilating.
I swam primarily side stroke for the rest of the race. Often going onto my back for a breather. The current was strong against me, and it took some determination. But once I’d figured out how to make progress without increasing my hyperventilating I knew I’d get there eventually.
When I went past the pylon in the middle of the river and started downstream I realized how profound the current was. Basically I could have done nothing and just floated in the wetsuit, getting there eventually. As the end approached I tried again to swim freestyle with minor success. Still, my breathing was overly labored, I was pretty miserable, and couldn’t wait to touch ground. As I did, I immediately went through my transition routine (reach back, undo Velcro, pull cord, pull out arms leaving cap and goggles inside one arm) all while running. As I got to the top of the steps my son was there to cheer me on and after the hardship of the water I was inspired and deeply moved.
(Photo note: Not my racing set up - just got there)
In the course of my training I got to the point where I was training at race distances. For example, I’d do a 15 mile bike ride followed by a 3 mile run – just like the race. This gave me a lot of confidence.
As mentioned, I did rent a wetsuit, and at the last minute a bike as well. The $40 I spent on the bike saved me about 15 minutes compared to my mountain bike.
On race day, I got there pretty early – no lines for body marking, and I got an aisle for the bike and to set up my transition area. Though I didn’t feel nervous, I clearly was as evidenced by the 3 trips to the porta poties.
I waited until 30 minutes before the start to put on my wetsuit. Kira did a great job helping me and when I got down to the river to swim across to the starting area I felt really good.
As I swam I was focusing on what it was like being in open water – I hadn’t trained for that. The novelty of seeing the weeds under the water, and trying to figure out how often to raise my head to sight where to go (I’d been advised and practiced every 6 strokes).
However, there was some chop, the water was very cold, and by the time I got across I felt woozy. I asked some of the others around me and one suggested that maybe I was seasick. I’d never been motion sick before and didn’t think that was it. Anyway, I had plenty of time to calm down as we waited 15 or so minutes. The first group went off at 9:00 and my wave went off at 9:10. I had aimed to be on the side but ended up kind of in the middle towards the back. They counted down and we were off. I went out at what I thought was a solid but relaxed pace. Problem was I was immediately swimming on top of the person in front of me. So too, I had to raise my head because there was so much commotion. After about 100 yards my chest started to tighten and I had a hard time breathing. I started to panic and swam over to the side, rolled on my back and let everyone pass while I hyperventilated. I was very afraid that my race was over before it had begun. I asked the kayak guy (there to save us) , ‘what is going on? I swim this in 16 minutes?’ He didn’t know, but suggested that I swim to the support structure under the bridge, take a hold and rest for a minute to calm myself. I did and was soon going again, but I couldn’t get myself to stop hyperventilating.
I swam primarily side stroke for the rest of the race. Often going onto my back for a breather. The current was strong against me, and it took some determination. But once I’d figured out how to make progress without increasing my hyperventilating I knew I’d get there eventually.
When I went past the pylon in the middle of the river and started downstream I realized how profound the current was. Basically I could have done nothing and just floated in the wetsuit, getting there eventually. As the end approached I tried again to swim freestyle with minor success. Still, my breathing was overly labored, I was pretty miserable, and couldn’t wait to touch ground. As I did, I immediately went through my transition routine (reach back, undo Velcro, pull cord, pull out arms leaving cap and goggles inside one arm) all while running. As I got to the top of the steps my son was there to cheer me on and after the hardship of the water I was inspired and deeply moved.
He ran next to me to transition. Here again watching the youtube videos and practicing really helped. Take off rest of wetsuit (stomp on opposite leg and use arms to pull it out), put on jersey, sock, shoes, shock shoe, tie shoes. Sunglasses, helmet, buckle and go. I did it in a minute or so and was very happy.
(Photo note: Transition from swim to bike)
I’d rented a trek, 2.1 (I think) for $40 for the day. To me, it seemed light as a feather. I’d practiced the shifting briefly the day before and had no trouble getting going. As I approached the first hill I pulled one of my water bottles because I was so thirsty from the swim. However, I was still shakey and confused and dropped it when I tried to recage it.
Once I was going up on a flat, straight part I had my first “Gu.” It’s fairly gross
Somewhat glue like substance. Mine, recommended by the triathlon guy at “Fleet Feet” was pineapple flavored ‘Rocktane.’ 100 calories that get digested almost instantly. Anyway, based on yet another tip I had taped a couple of these to my handle bars for easy access and so they didn’t get lost. I had also filled my water bottle with 160 calorie crisp apple cliff bar shot – or something like that. Anyway, the Rocktane was sort of like toothpaste but easy to swallow – and it really worked.
Through almost 2 straight hours of cardio I never got tired.
The bike went well, I was really pleased. Transition to run was easy, all I had to do was clip on a little belt with my number on it and take off. As I started, I felt very good. My legs were a little strange – this always happens when you are using running muscles while your biking muscles are pumped with blood. Anyway, I felt smooth. Usually, my hips get a little tight, but not that day. In fact, I can say I don’t remember ever feeling better running. The first aid station was at the mile mark and I did the whole ‘grap a cup of water and down it’ while running thing. It was kinda fun. Once I got to the turn around point, where I knew I only had 1.5 miles left I decided to pick up my pace. My intent being to increase speed till 1 mile left, increase again, and so on until I’m sprinting the last ¼ mile. Again, props to the rocktane (I had some just as I rounded the last turn around point on the bike, figuring 10 or so minutes later I’d be running). Though I went beyond lactate threshold, then into low anaerobic, and finally into seriously anaerobic I felt strong the whole way. I didn’t really know I was in pain.
Until I went under the finish line and stopped running. I went super hard on the final 100 yards and was surprised when I was finished. My momentum carried me forward as I stopped. When I stopped running my body was engulfed in a sea of pain. I was panting and pacing, with a wince and ‘uh, uh, uh’ of pain with every breath. I found myself pacing. My son was the first to find me – he ran up and threw his arms around me. His eyes were shining with a pride I’d never seen in my life. I was overwhelmed with wonder and gratitude. “Dad, you’re a Beast.’ He said.
(Photo note: My group launched 10 minutes after the start so my time is ten minutes less than shown)
Soon, my sister, daughter, wife and finally mother gathered around me to congratulate me and ask about the race. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of caring and connection – it was awesome.
After the wind down we went our separate ways. I headed back to transition to get my bike and things and head off to my car. Then it was a shower, and my mom took us to Mexican food at Ernestos.
What an immensely magical, insanely satisfying day.
(After the race, loading up the car)After the wind down we went our separate ways. I headed back to transition to get my bike and things and head off to my car. Then it was a shower, and my mom took us to Mexican food at Ernestos.
What an immensely magical, insanely satisfying day.
Final note: Got my splits. Apparently my swim was faster than I thought. They don't separate out transitions from the bike - seem to lump it all in. Here's a link to the results:
Overall place: 220 Paul O'Donnell, 45. M, Clydesdale (this is my category, men over 205lbs.) swim: 0:22:13. place 250, bike 0:58:32, place 216, Run 0:28:03, place 225, overall time 1:48:48
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