As I described in my last post, I was pretty nervous about it and it got worse with each passing day. On top of it I was taking it easy the last week, so I felt like a caged animal not being able to release the pent up energy. Needless to say I didn't get a whole lot of sleep on Saturday...Oddly, though, I woke up feeling rested. Still nervous a little, but ready. We got there in plenty of time [of course] so I got my stuff all set up in the transition area. At that point I was still feeling good.
Shortly after, it was time for the race briefing. Nothing new there from what I read on the event website, except that there's a bunch of people around me this time....Started to feel the butterflies. So I went to check the water temperature, 71F so no wetsuit. I felt it would be one more thing to deal with trying to get the thing off. Turned out to be a good decision. Ok so after that it's go time. I'm focused now, and butterflies are out in full force.
8:00, off we go! It's actually me on the left edge of the picture at the bottom of the group [Great job Liza for getting me in there]
If I didn't [obviously] know I was in water, I could have sworn it was quicksand. I think the adrenaline and the nerves got to me. I couldn't find my rhythm, I couldn't get the breaths right...I felt like I was swimming backwards. But I didn't panic, I knew it was a quick swim [1/2 mile], so I just went into grinding mode. I started to calm down a bit, and more when I got in sight of the shore. I knew to expect to feel out of sorts after the swim. I had practiced. But this was, as Emerill says, another notch! As I ran out of the water, I saw Liza shortly after she took the picture. I had only 2 words: "Oh Shit"
She later said that she was really concerned as I really looked out of sorts.
Get to the transition, put on the bike shirt and shoes, grab a drink, put on helmet, grab the bike, all good, go go go. That's all I thought. I heard Liza encouraging me. Her voice, like a beacon. So nice to hear. Go go go.
I knew the first part of the bike course would give me a chance to center. Nothing too steep, nice and straight. A couple of miles into it, I was good. I had a good cadence, I felt good. As the course got off the main road and into a loop around a small lake, the hills came. I drove the course on Saturday, so I knew what was coming. It was tough, lots of short, steep hills. Up and down, shift the front, shift the back, again, again. Out of the saddle, back down, again. Again. I only made one mistake: I thought I was in first gear but I was still in second on the steepest hill. No biggie, I still made it, just realized at the top and laughed it off. Back on the main road, only about 5 or so miles to go. People passed me, I passed people. I felt good about that, not just being passed. Saw the leaders, man are they fast! Gave them a shout out. Back at the park, I felt good still. Focused. 16 miles, Not tired. 2 down, 1 to go.
Park the bike, take off the helmet, sit, take bike shoes off, socks, running shoes, take off shirt, running shirt, grab a drink, another, look around, here they are, smile, say something silly, go go go. Off to the 5K.
I really should have walked the run course on Saturday. I swear it was the Grandpa special: uphill both ways! First mile I didn't feel anything. I knew I wouldn't, so I just had to keep going until it came. And it did. After about a mile, I started to get into it. Lots of hills, up, down, up, up. But I felt good. Bring it. Caught glimpses of the people on their way back, a smile, a nod, maybe a high five [yes I know]. On the way back, Feeling better even. I started to pick up the pace a little bit. Now I could hear the PA system at the finish line. Now I could see the finish line. Wait that's my name he's saying. I was there. I did it. Big smile at that moment, and Liza caught it.
Yes the dude passed me right at the end. I heard him catch up to me, but he was too fast. Next time, friend.
So I stepped on the blue timing mat and looked at the clock.
So that's it. It was over. In the end I came in 89th overall, 8th in the 40-44 age group. Total time 1:41:13. swim time: 17:16, bike time: 52:24, run time 26:59. The swim was about 2 minutes slower than my regular pace. The bike time was better than normal by a little bit and the run time was way faster than normal, almost 30 seconds a mile faster! So now I know what to expect. I'm so happy to have done it. Almost one year of training. I did it.
I love my family for cheering me on, I heard them and it really really helped!
So on to Ocean Shores in 3 weeks. It'll be even more fun, a bigger challenge. BRING IT!
Until next time,
Oliver P.
