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Done and dusted!Posted on Sunday 20 January 2008 at 08:04 - Post Comment
My first (mini) triathlon - what can I say but 'wow'! We went out for a few bevvies last night to a friend of a friend's, and I stuck to the water and we had a relatively early night in preparation for this morning. The alarm woke us at 5.45, and despite the late night we were up and out by 6.30. We got to the collection area in Sumner Bay about 10 minutes later, and got the bike and my kit into the transition area - laying everything out in order so that once I was in from the swim it would be easy to get ready for the cycle. the format was to be a 250m swim, followed by a 20km cycle and then a 4km run to finish it off.
Once sorted we then went and had a look at the sea, and it didn't look friendly. A strong onshore wind had blown all night long and there was a real swell running, making it look doubtful that we'd do the swim section at all - replacing it with a run instead. In light of this I didn't bother getting ready for it - a decision I was to rue.
As we'd forgotten the camera, T headed back home to get it and my wetsuit (it being a bloody cold morning!) just in case we did do the swim bit. Meanwhile I did my usual thing of talking to random people and in the process I met a great couple. They had both done a few triathlon/ half iron man/ cycle type thingies, and filled me in on how to get my kit laid out, what to expect at each stage, and just how things ran. It was all pretty straightforward, and by the time T arrived back we were just about to start the briefing. It was fairly simple, and just told us the rules of the road when cycling as the roads weren't closed to normal traffic, as well as the swim route. Yep - we were doing the swim. Oh dear - I was still in jeans and a t-shirt! It was wound up with the organiser saying 'so, can I see all swimmers on the beach now!' Bugger. I scampered off and slung on my wetsuit, swimming hat and goggles, and arrived along with all the others on the beach - having just a couple of minutes to get wet and used to the water.
Those with a sensitive disposition, look away now.
So - this was it. It was really happening and I was pretty nervous, feeling just like I used to on the starting grid when I raced motorbikes in the UK. It felt good! We were to head off in waves of 10 competitors every 1 minute. I was in the second wave, and watched the first wave head out into the sea. They didn't seem to struggle too much in the steep swells, and so my confidence rose.
Then - it was time for me to go!
Our wave all headed off as a group, and we gradually stung out as se swam towards the first buoy. I gradually lost a bit of momentum, and was soon struggling in an awkward front crawl, making heavy work of the big breaking swells. After swallowing what felt like half the ocean, I was through the worst of it and headed towards the beach. Then it was a quick sprint towards the transition area, stripping off the wetsuit on the way, and giving a wave to T and Hayden & Raewyn (who had just come to watch - complete with hangovers!) as I went by.
Transition went well, and I was soon up and on the bike, headed out for 10kms with the strong wind behind me. Even though I was on a heavy old mountain bike, I wasn't too embarrassed by the big boys on their shiny expensive racer toys, and managed to keep witha little gaggle for most of the way. It was actually my bike's gearing that was a problem, as it just wasn't long enough for the tail wind. The posh racer bikes had a much higher top gear and could use it to their advantage. This con soon turned into a pro though, as when we came to the turnaround point that lovely tailwind turned into a real bitch of a headwind and my low mountain bike gearing really came into its own. I put a bit of effort in, and overtook the group I had done the first half with, then got my head down and really just got on with it. Expecting to be passed at any minute, I didn't bother looking behind, but when I did about 2k's later there was no one in sight. Yeah! On the run back to transition I only got passed by three other people, and managed to re-take them again on the way into the transition proper.
Just the run to go then. I started the run feeling OK, but within just a hundred yards or so I strted to get a terrible stitch. I just kept running and after the first 2k's managed to get rid of it - T helping out at this point by running alongide me for a few metres, spurring me on. I ended up running the second 2k's alongside an old chap (must have been late 60's!) who was running at my pace and who encouraged me along as I was starting to really struggle. Respect to the veterans! Then - there it was - the finish line was in sight and I powered my way towards it. Or what I felt like powering was. I think floundering was probably more acurate. I crossed the line in 1 hour, 11 minutes and 55 seconds, and was absolutely knackered and thrilled at the same time. I'd done it - my first triathlon!
Obligatory ugly photo alert:
So, will I be doing another? Erm... ask me again in a week.
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