September 20, 2003, 1500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run

9.22.03 ~ Last week I was a nervous wreck in preparation for the triathlon. It started with me developing a head cold that wouldn't go away and then hurricane Isabel deciding to blow through the area on Thursday night. Friday night the hurricane subsided and the tri was on. Friday i went down to pick up my race packet. Tim went with me down to the site to check things out with me and the lake was marvelously clear, much to my relief. Friday night i slept wonderfully and woke up Friday -still with my head cold.

Saturday the weather was beautiful for the triathlon. I arrived at 8am and set up in the transition area and got my numbers all in place and then got my body markings. Slipped on my wetsuit and then headed down to the beach for the start with everyone else anxiously awaiting the start. Last minute directions were given and checking out the buoys for the swim drove home how far the swim was going to be, but i told myself many times that i had done a mile and more. The first wave started, then the next and the fifth wave was the women and the group of us headed out. It wasn't a large wave which was extremely nice. I did my normal and stayed to the back to just let them get out of the way - I also had my normal major panic attack for the first half of the race. The sun was straight aheah and so the first 2 buoys were extremely difficult to sight. I eventually got into my groove as well as i could while trying to breathe, which is difficult on a daily basis with the head cold. I saw one person having to be picked up out of the water, i continued my slow pace and i finished. Zipped off the wetsuit and proceeded to run up to the transition area.

Bike transition i put on my jersey, dried my feet and slipped on my shoes, helmet and gloves. Headed out of the transition area and got on my bike and started the bike course. The bike ride was great - initially the legs and arms were rebelling at having to be forced into activity, but they settled down and i got in the pace of it. The bike ride was beautiful and i enjoyed it, i did my pace so i was able to enjoy it, probably not the thing to do normally when competiting in a triathlon, but i am not your normal triathlete.

I finished the bike ride and transitioned into the run - the time at this point was coming on high noon and the sun beaming down, it was hot. I started off on the run - after blowing my nose for all it was worth so i could get some clearance. The legs were the normal sack of cement that didn't want to respond and the calves were so tight that i was concerned they wouldn't release, but they did. The run devastated me - i had to walk a lot more of it then i wanted to and i don't know if that was due completely to me being sick or the heat of the day. I also had the weirdest sensation during the run of having chill bumps while being extremely hot - talking with a friend he says that sounds like dehydration. All i know is it was freaky. I finished though and i know i made noises of exertion that i have never made before and i am pretty sure i will make again if i keep this up.

What i learned in the race though is that even with all the training you do - you can't prepare for all the things that are going to happen the day of the race, such as being sick, swimming towards the sun and not seeing buoys and running when it is so hot. It was an experience i won't forget and i am not quite sure i am wanting to repeat it anytime soon.