A little history. I have not swum more than 50 meters in probably 10 years. Let alone wear my bicycle patched wetsuit. My mountain biking this year has consisted of introducing my wife and friends to the sport on relatively flat trails. Haven’t even gotten pedals on my road bike yet this year. Running history, well let’s just say I hate running. I ran 7 km 3 years ago, that’s it since high school.
I went into this race NAKED. That’s right no watch, bike computer, HR monitor, Garmin, nothing!!!
I don my wetsuit, surprised that it still fit, as I never even tried it on before going to the race. Start at the back of the pack, but still managed to tap toes. After a few start stops because of the crowd, I lost my rhythm, not that I really had any to begin with.
Ended up doing a blend of crawl, sidestroke, back flutter, and breast stroke to get me through the swim. I was surprised to not be the last person out of the water, but I was close. I also managed to somehow break my middle toe on something in the swim. Not sure what, but it sure is puffy and a pretty rainbow of colours.
After a long hike to the t-zone (which was nice for trying to get my breathing under control), I finally get to the bike, my strongest leg. Start off great then jam my chain in my frame at the base of the 800 m climb. Get it out, but have no momentum. I walk all the way up, and then some. I had no lungs or legs to bike. It took probably 3 km before I could actually ride.
Everything goes smooth, I’m having fun. I see a panther (actually just a kitty cat) on the trail, then BAM. Chain suck again. Over the 15 km course I had to break and reattach my chain 3 times as it jammed between my cranks and frame. All the time thinking, I should have replaced that c-ring a long time ago. Now I get to replace my frame as it has a nice gouge missing out of it. Over all it was a great bike ride.
Moving onto the run, I feel great. 200 m into the run was a different story. My legs seized right up, I could barely walk. I forced myself to a small pace then got a bit faster. Every time I tried to run my legs would cramp. I ended up walking pretty much the whole course. I thought I was doing well because the two people ahead of me were not getting way and they were running. At the turn around they were gone, I had slowed.
After a 7 km walk I managed to kind of run the last 500 m into the chute.
DEAD F*%#IN’ LAST. Haven’t even checked my times yet.
I didn’t care. I finished my first Triathlon feeling strong and great. That’s right my first race. I have been to several races and have set many people up to have successful races, but have never raced myself.
In the end I realized that I make a better Sherpa and volunteer. As for competition, I’m sticking with fishing.
See you at the bike mount for the Canadian this weekend in Ottawa.
