Triathlon: Miles & Miscues

Well I did it and felt pretty good at the end of it.

I finished better than I thought. I thought I would be at the 7 hr mark but I was able to finish at 6h22m12s.

The swim was fine and straight forward but I had some trouble with sighting, at least thats where I think I went wrong. I kept turning towards the inside making it a longer swim than I needed. The first 2K down.

T1 was fine and I was nice and calm, I even chatted with my wife and kids for a few moments before heading out.

The bike was awsome. It was awsome because I got to race alongside the pros for the first time. Pros have been races I was at but were always seeded much later. I got to see the male pros (most at least twice) on the bike. Lori Bowden passed me on the bike shortly after I started it and I had 10 min on her. I guess thats why they're the pros and I just Tri. I stopped at the aid station for a portapotty visit twice. The volunteers remarked how calm I was and were asking how I could be so calm, to which I replied "I'm just not a competitive guy."

Volunteers rock.

Triathlon is the only sport where even those there to make some money encourage you as they pass. Cheering you on. Genuinely happy that you are doing their sport.

T2 was another calm time. Everything bike off (or so I thought) socks and shoes on. I don't normally wear socks on the run but I didn't want to take the chance of a DNF because of blisters. As I started out of T2 my wife yelled to take my helmet off. With a giggle and a shuffle back it went and off I went.

The run was good until the 4k mark where cramped so bad in both legs I couldn't even walk. I tried to stretch and walk but nothing was going. After about 10 min or so I was able to begin skipping, yes skippping. This took the cramps away quite nicely and I continued where I came across a nice woman named Natalie. We struck up a winded conversation and paced one another until the end. It was easier to run with someone.

We walked the aid stations and I believe this also helped. The tiny bit of rest seemed to invigorate at every station.

Rounding the last bend for the finish everyone is shouting your name (its on the race number) and cheering you on. It's an awsome feeling. Coming over the line I spotted my wife and smiled and pressed through.

Even though I was in serious pain afterwards all I want to do now is another and then an even longer, full Ironman race next.

One last thought. Triathlon is a better builder of sportsmanship, perseverence and humility than any team sport I have ever been a part of. Thanks.