When I first started running I was so excited. I signed up for as many races as I could. I ran 3-5 days a week. After running a marathon I never really took time off. I may have had a easy walk/run day after the race but then it was back to training for the next big race. I met with a running coach after my first or second marathon. I was obsessed with getting faster, and wanted to stay injury free. She looked at all my races, and asked how long I had been running. I told her about 2 years. She said that I do too much. She told me I needed to slow down, and recover. Well I didn’t listen to her, and she actually fired me. She was not the first one either. I had another coach who fired me, and it was for the same reason.
Well, maybe I should have listened. Three marathon in three months literally took me out. I tore my meniscus and had to have surgery. It took me two years to get back to running marathons.
Fast forward to now. This is my second year of doing triathlons. I train 5-7 days a week, sometimes with two to three workout in one day. I have learned the hard way that recovery is part of the whole process. It prevents overuse injury. I have had plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, iliotibial friction band syndrome, runner’s knee, metataralgia, tarsal tunnel syndrome to name a few. Those in addition to my meniscus tear as mentioned above. I know overuse injuries too well. Also recovery helps take you mind off of the intense pressure to perform. It can sometimes be overwhelming especially with long course triathlons as they usually have a time limit. Also the swim adds another leave of stress for me. Recovery day helps me to step back, and realize this is supposed to be fun, and I am doing it for my overall health.
So my fitness friends please take my advice, and don’t keep people like me busy. I am an orthopaedic surgeon who treats my fair share of overuse injuries. This not only applies to fitness, but other high pressure pursuits. Sometimes we have to step back and smell the roses.
This thing called life is a struggle. Some days are more so than others. Life can beat you down, but we have to dust ourselves off and keep moving. Everyone has goals and aspirations whether it be professional, personal, or relational. Well, sports mirrors life in so many ways. That is the reason I love my sports hobbies, and love being a spectator especially for my favorite spectator sport football.
Last weekend I was literally knocked down, but I had to get back up. I did not have the outcome I desired but I learned valuable lessons that will ultimately help me reach my goal. Last Saturday my goal was to ride 100 miles in the Michigan Mountain Mayhem organized ride. I completed the metric or 63 miles last year, so my goal was to do more this year. While the ride is challenging and honestly can be quite painful. I knew the experience would be me a better cyclist. That is the goal of training to get better. Well, my day started with getting rained on riding five miles to the official start. I heard a noise while riding to the start and was concerned so I had someone look at my bike before my journey. He stated it was only sand and it could make noise, but nothing to worry about. I started before the rest of my crew because I was doing century and other were completing the metric. My plan was to try to finish at the same time as they did. Five miles into the ride I hear a loud noise. I looked down and realized I had a flat. This was the first flat I ever had riding. I pull over. I grabbed my tools, and inner tube. I proceeded to change it, but was slow again as I never had a flat. SAG (support and gear) truck came and helped me. I discovered there was a nail in my tire. They had a pump so I could save my CO2 cartilages. I proceeded to take off and noticed my front wheel was flat. I saw two tacks in the wheel. So, I attempted to take my tools out. I figured this should be easier. Another SAG truck came to help, and help was needed as because I had the tube all twisted. We finally finished the second flat, and I was off. I didn’t even look at the time, but my Garmin had stopped and saved the first five. I thought no I wanted to see 100 miles after I finished. The rain has stopped and I was rolling along. I made a few friends along the way. I passed the first rest time, but stopped at the second around mile 28. I filled my water bottles. I added electrolytes in one and fuel in the other after grabbing a peanut butter sandwich.
Then I headed off, more hills, and more hills. I get to around mile 40, and while I was struggling climbing and trying not to veal too much in the road I looked down and I had another flat in the front tire. I attempted to clip out of my pedals but I could not fast enough and hit the ground. Some random person stopped and asks if I was okay. I told them yes I just have a flat. I got another inner tube from SAG that morning as I had used my two. I grabbed my tools once again, but SAG came quick. They take over but there was a problem the tube I got from SAG was not long enough for my race wheels. None of the ones they had were long enough either. So they packed me up and I though were going to take me to the next rest stop at mile 50. They had a certain territory so they went back to my previous stop and then took me to the last rest stop. I saw some of my crew and someone has a long stem. We changed that flat, and I headed back on the road. I figured I could get at least a metric in. My leg were hurting from the fall, and I had sat too long in that car. The hills or the one hill seems harder. I was climbing again, and I looked down and yet another flat. I called SAG as I had no inner tube. Some nice cyclist stoped and gave me his long stem tube, and used his CO2 cartrige. I attempted to ride off but SAG truck comes before I could. He was the person who helped me with my first flat. He told me he can take me back or I could finish. My mind was not right after the fourth flat. It seemed like it deflated my spirit was afraid of the next flat and my knee was huring and the end hills are worse then the beginning, so I rode back with SAG. I was so hurt, and disappointed. I hate starting something and not finishing. I had rode more miles the year before. I felt like such a failure. The SAG guy was nice and actually dropped my back at my hotel. I had a brick scheduled so I said at least I can do my run, so I ran five miles then crashed. I learned that a farmer in the area did not like cyclists taking up the road se he intentionally put tacks on the course. They had at least 150 to 200 flats that day.
10 lessons I learned from my experience than apply to other areas of my life.
In the journey called life, you may upset a few people and they may try to sabotage your success. Tack man
Don’t be quick to quit, just because the road is hard. I could have given up after the first two, but I carried on to mile forty and tried to continue on until flat four.
Although things/life/bike courses are hard, there are people always willing to lend a helping hand. After my fourth flat, a cyclist gave me his only tube.Not to mention all of the SAG support
Although you may think you are prepared for something, events happen that prove you may not be. I thought I knew how to change a flat, and had my two inner tubes. I had no idea that a tube extender would need to be a vital part of my saddle bag or quality patch kit.
Don’t think you are all that- I am never too proud to ask for help or take advice of those who know more than me. I got great advice from my cycling family/crew after my incident so I will be prepared if I get another series of flats
Take each training day as they come. There are always variables outside of our control. Concentrate on those you can, have a plan B, C, etc but realize that certain things may just happen.
Even in failure there are an opportunity for future success . We must take time and analyze to be better.
Time on wheels is better than no time at all. While I didn’t ride 100 hilly miles. I rode 40 hilly miles and I could tell the difference when I got back home. My legs were stronger, and I felt faster.
That which does not kill you makes you stronger- As my coach said character building moment
Sand not only make noise but can get in your cleats and cause problems clipping in and out of your pedals- new experience for me. Something that you thing maybe benign can be a potential hazard. The reason I fell and hurt my knee which is better, but have a small lingering wrist injury.
So no matter what you are “Tri-ing” take this lesson to heart and you will ultimately have what you desire. My motto– verse when all hell break loose Romans 8:28 “ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and to them who are called according to his purpose”
My coach recommended an early 70.3 to my race schedule in order to prepare me for my “A” race IronMan Louisville 140.6. Grand Rapids was close and a few of the people in my triathlon group had completed it in the past.
I arrived in Grand Rapids on Friday evening. My plan was to get there early to ride the bike course in my vehicle. I was so tired so I ended up sleeping later than I anticipated. It was 8pm by the time I arrived and checked into my hotel.
I woke up early and and drove to the beginning of the run course. I ran about thirty minutes of the course. Then I drove the cycling course in my vehicle. Then I headed over to pick up my packet. I ran into our team Zoot Great Lakes team captain. After attending the athlete briefing, I rode about forty minutes of the bike course. The road was bumpy, and had some road kill. I was not quite comfortable with aero, so I was mainly on bull horns. Following my test ride, I went to a local YMCA for a 30 minute swim. I usually carb load with Asian pasta prior to big races- marathon, half Iron Man distance, etc. Pad Thai is meal of course.
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Race Day
I woke up at 4am, and headed to the bike drop off spot. Grand Rapids has no parking near the transition. So they have volunteers who will hold your bike at the designated spot unless athletes have some one drop them off. After bike drop off there are three parking lots that have buses that will bring athletes back the drop off spot to get bike and walk to transition. I was so early there were parking spots by drop off. I then walked half of a mile to transition The half distance was way in the back. I set up my items like I always, do after I inflated my tires. I also put my items in plastic as it has already started to rain. There was seventy percent chance of rain that morning. I grabbed my wet suit, googles, and swim cap. I am latex allergic so I purchased silicone caps in a number of colors that way if they don’t have any non-latex I will have the same color cap as my wave. There was a practice swim at 6:15 am. I warmed up and realized I could not see with the polarized lenses. I headed back and grabbed my clear goggles. I did some additional practice strokes. Then it was time to line up.
Swim
The swim continues to makes me nervous, but each race is better than the one before. The start was in waves. All of the relay, swim only, aqua-bike, and men age 39 and younger were in wave one. Wave two was men age 40 and over. Then it was our turn. I made a few friends while we were waiting to start. There was plenty of space between everyone in my wave. We had to swim pass the green, orange buoys to the yellow bouy. Bouys were in triangle configuration and we swam counterclockwise. The green was for sprint, orange for Olympic, and yellow for half distance. My mantra for the day were “I can swim”, “Jesus is Lord”. I kept swimming and felt like I was the only one out there. I would occasionally see a purple cap so I knew I was not the last person out there. I got to the orange buoy and someone with a purple cap cut in front of me. I thought” She is going the wrong way”. I don’t see the yellow bouy so I stopped for a second. I finally saw it, and it looked far. I kept swimming and finally make it. I turned left, and kept stroking. One more left, and I would be headed back to the swim finish. I saw another purple cap, and I thought yes I am not alone. The sprint waves had started so I saw sea of pink hats. Allot of people make me nervous. There was supposed to be a big pink dancing prop at the finish and I could not see it. So I followed the pink caps. I got a little uncomfortable as people were touching my legs. I just kicked more. Someone kicked me in the head. I kept moving but my pace was slower, and I am sure I was not swimming a straight line. I finally see the end. One of the volunteers pulled me up and I thought”praise God I made it” Wet suit strippers were wonderful. I ran to transition. It seemed like I would never make it back to my bike.
Goal Time: 51:57 minutes Actual Time: 63 minutes
Garmin had me at 2763 yards, versus 2112– my pace was 2:19 sec/100 yards. My goal was 2:30/100yards. I always do additional yards, need to work on sighting and being comfortable in a crowd of swimmers and should meet my swim goals.
Transition 1
I ran to my bike. I put on my sock, cycling shoes, helmet, and cycling glasses. Although I had my plastic bag some of my stuff still got wet I grabbed my almond butter/waffle to eat on course. I headed out to the course.
Goal Time– 7 minutes
Actual Time– 7:13 minutes
Bike Course
The course was flat initially but I am still was not too comfortable with aero. There were also so many people due to the multiple distances until I passed the Olympic turn around. I was going slower than I liked, but I was scared to be aggressive with wet streets, and aero. I keep going, as hard as could for conditions. I felt like I was the only person on the course after the Olympic turn around. I finally saw a few people that were coming back for half distance. The rain continued. I had a bottle of fuel. I recently started using Glyco-durance- all fluid fuel. I also ate my almond butter. I saw more people and passed a few people. There were some rolling hills at the end of the course. I finally make it to turn around. On the way back it seemed like it was easier. I was able to stay in aero for longer, and I was picking up speed. The second hour I used an electrolyte drink. I use an Ultima, Hydro-durance combination. I also ate a honey-stinger waffle. I continued to pass people. It was pouring but I was rolling. I even starting signing “Blame It On the Rain”. Might as well have fun. Third hour I went back to my Glyco-durance bottle. I had three bottles and a speed fill so I did not need the water bottle stops. I passed a large group and they informed me they are end of the race. If I did not stay ahead of them I would be pulled. I thought no problem. I envisioned them like the Grim Reaper. I passed a few more people. I had to seriously use the bathroom, and there were no porta potties. I thought about peeing on my bike but I just could not. I stopped in some weeds where no one was around. I just placed my bike down, dropped a squat and pissed. Hurried back on my bike and took off. Had to stay in front of the Grim Reaper Crew. My legs felt great. I thought that maybe this expensive TT bike maybe worth it. I make it back to transition in one piece and more comfortable with my OG- TT bike.
Goal Time: 3:22
Actual time: 3:40:17
Transition 2
Goal Time: 5 minutes
Actual Time– 4:46 minutes
I headed to my rack my bike, took off my helmet, cycling shoes. I put on my running shoes. I grabbed my visor, running glasses, water mixed with Ultima and hydro-durance, and my dates. I was soaking wet and so was some of my stuff. I did not care anymore. I ran out of transition as fast as I could. People who were finishing were screaming running up give her space. I see some of my team who had completed the Olympic distance.
Running Course
I head out to the course. The plan was to do my usually five minute run, with a one minute walk. I continued this pattern. My pace was good, although I was feeling it. I kept moving. I see some of my triathlete team who were finishing the run for the Olympic distance. I then sprained my ankle. My foot got caught in a pot hole. I screamed. Someone yelled keep moving don’t let the pain set in. I listened, said a prayer and kept running. It was wonderful as my ankle did not start hurting. Toward the end of the first loop there were some hills. I walked the inclines and tried to get back in my usually intervals. I make it back and see volunteer she stated first loop to turn on trail, and 2nd keep straight. I see the Grim Reaper Crew they yell, awesome we knew you would make it. I wanted to keep straight but I kept on going. I had to talk to myself to pay attention to puddles, and holes. I zone out running. This is the reason that I sprained my ankle and have several times in the past. I continued my running pace was slowing, and my running intervals increments became more of a long walk with an occasional sprint. The cut- off for the race was 3:15 pm, no matter time the wave started. So my total time could not be over 8:05. I thought unfair as Iron-Man branded races allow 8:30. Also the men get 10 more minutes. I had to keep moving to make it. My time for Iron Man Augusta 70.3 was 8:02 and that was my “A” race at the end of the season. Doubt creeped into my head, but I kept going. I made a friend and we encouraged each other to make it. We made it, and I shed a few tears prior to crossing the finish line. I crossed the finish line at 8:01, smiling and lips popping. and that was a PR for me.
Goal Time: 2:50
Actual Time–3:05:14
Overall goal time: 7:22
Actual time: 8:01:25
I enjoyed Grand Rapids Triathlon. It pushed me. I did not make my bike or run goal. If I would have been aggressive at start of bike I know I would. Also maybe if I did not sprain my ankle and the course was truly flat I would have. I know have more work to do with biking and running. My schedule called for Michigan Mountain Mayhem the following week and it ended up being quite the adventure. Swim is coming along- sighting and being more comfortable with the masses and I know I will be okay. Training continues, next triathlon is Ohio 70.3.
Well, the title lived up to it’s name. I did not originally have this race on my calendar. I wanted to go home to see the family early before training got too crazy, and before it got too hot in Mississippi. My Goddaughter dance recital was the same weekend of the race so it was perfect. I could kill two birds in one stone. I could see my family and race.
I knew about this race originally from my Godson. He texted me the following: ” There is a race this weekend- swim, bike run in Jackson. They give you four hours. That is plenty of time for you.”
I asked if he wanted me to come home. He said yes. This was the Wednesday and the race was on Sunday. He knew that I biked leisurely and ran. He didn’t know that I really did not know how to swim. I told him I would do it next year. So I signed up for swim lessons, bought a road bike, and joined Major Taylor cycling club. This was two years ago. Last year I did travel to Mississippi. I completed my second triathlon in Mississippi a year later but decided to do Sunfish in Meridian to give me more time to get used to open water as Heatwave is early in season. So this would be the year to do the Heatwave.
I arrived in Mississippi on Thursday evening. I decided to rent a bike because I did not want to ship my bike. I had a race the following weekend and it would have been too much to ship my bike down and have it back to race my 70.3 race the following weekend. I did take my pedals, and my saddle.
I picked up my bike on Friday. I had the numbers from my bike fit emailed to the shop. They gave me a Cannondale Synapse. The first thing I noticed was it was heavier than my CC (my bike). I thought well I can’t have the luxury of my light Trek. I grabbed the bike, and headed to packet pick up. I was meeting a friend from Black Triathlete Association (BTA) that was going to do a quick practice swim with me. I had met him last year in Meridian. After packet pick up I rode the bike course in my vehicle. It was pretty flat, mostly the Natchez Trace. I grabbed the bike and completed a practice ride on the run course. I noticed I had no power when I was in the big ring. I also noticed a loud noise. I thought “I can’t deal with this”. I called the bike shop, and took it back. I asked for another bike. I asked for a lighter carbon one too. They have another Cannondale Synapse that was much lighter. It looked similar to my (B bike) Cannondale Evo. I headed back and met David for a brief practice swim. The water was brown. The temperature was nice though. The swim was in a reservoir. After passing a dock, there was a small current and it startled me a bit. I thought I am so glad I brought my motion sickness patches. Current, waves sometime makes me nauseous so my coach recommended patches. It works in Lake Michigan I knew it would be great in that little current. David explained the course, as he had done the race before. Although they changed the course I would find out the following day. We don’t swim far as there were boats in the area. I then headed to rest and get ready for race the next day.
Race Day
Swim
I was so nervous I could not eat breakfast. I get a nervous stomach before races-especially triathlons. The swim makes me nervous. I tried to remind myself it was the same distance that I swam two weeks ago at my race in Terre Haute. My brother came to watch. My best friend with my God children could not come as they were getting ready for my Goddaughter’s weekend recital of events. Also I had a friend that I had met in 2012 while running Marine Corp Marathon, and her daughter was actually racing. It was great to see some familar faces. I also met a fellow member of Team Zoot. Zoot is one of my sponsors and there are teams all over. The start was a rolling start. They lined athletes up by number. I was 100, my time came up. I run in to the deep part, and started swimming. I could feel my heart rate go up. It was not too bad. I had gotten in the water earlier to warm up. I have learned that calms me a great deal. I start with my mantra. These are key for my swim. It keeps all those fears, and bad thoughts out of my mind. Today my mantra were “I can swim” and “Jesus is Lord”. I do three stroke repeat my mantra, three more and my other mantra. Then I sighted to make sure I was headed in the correct direction. The course was set up like a rectangle. The first buoy was orange and at the end of a dock. It was just a sighting buoy. I passed it on my right. I saw the big orange buoy, and swam to it and made a right. I kept swimming. I was calm. I sew the next orange buoy, and turned. I see the last orange buoy. I kept concentrating on my mantra Jesus in Lord. It calmed me, knowing that he has control and while was in this reservoir that he had me. Next I had this tickle in my throat. I felt like I needed to cough. No, I thought, and tried suppress the feeling. It did not go away. So I treaded, and coughed. One of the safety crew was near and asked was I okay. I say yes, he told me to grab the kayak if I needed to. I grabbed and finished my cough spell. I then got right back to it. The last turn buoy was in sight. I turned right. I could not see the next sighting buoy or the finish area. I just swam between the kayaks and followed the other swimmers. I eventually saw the buoy on the other end of the dock. I kept swimming. I then saw the volunteers at the finish line waving. I was almost there. A few more strokes and I was done. I saw my brother and my marathon friend with her husband.
Goal Time: 23 minutes Actual Time: 33.48 minutes Garmin states I swam yards almost 1202 yards. This was way more than course was supposed to be– 880 yards. I believe it was do to poor set up as was difficult to sight.
Transition 1
I ran to my bike, and took off my swim skin. I put on my sock, cycling shoes, helmet, and cycling glasses. I grabbed my almond butter to eat on course. I headed out on the course.
Goal Time– 5 minutes
Actual Time–3.30 minutes
Bike Course
The course was flat, but there was a head wind. I was going slower than I liked, but I felt like I was working hard. I did not have my power meter to gauge my effort. So I just keep going, as hard as I could. I passed a few people, and a few people passed me. The temperature was actually good for Mississippi during the bike. I had a bottle of fuel. I recently started using Glyco-durance. I also eat my almond butter. I continued pedaling until I got to the turn-around spot. On the way back it seemed like it was easier. I continue to give it my all. I could see runners on the course so I knew I was near. The second hour I used an electrolyte drink. I use an Ultima, Hydro-durance. I finally made it back to my bike.
Goal Time: 1:35
Actual time: 1:49:38
Bike usually my best, but I was not close to my goal. I need to get my bike legs back.
Transition 2
Goal Time: 5 minutes
Actual Time– 2:30 minutes
I headed to my rack my bike, took off my helmet, cycling shoes. I put on my running shoes. I grabbed my visor, running glasses, water mixed with Ultima and hydro-durance, and my dates.
Running Course
I head out to the Multipurpose trail. It was hot by now and I was feeling it. I walked about 2 minutes then the plan was to do my usually five minute run, with a one minute walk. I continued this pattern for about 1.5 miles. I then feel lightheaded. I decided to do three minute run with a 2 minute walk. I continued to drink. I also grabbed more water at the aid stations. I felt better, but I still was hot, and had no energy. I kept moving, but my I just ran for awhile then walked. I have no energy. There was a person in from of me in sight. When she disappeared I ran. It gave me some extra motivation to keep moving. I make it to the last aid stop. I had less than a mile left. I see a lady who was training for an IronMan so she was doing extra miles. She talked to me and encouraged me. I then saw my brother and my friend David from BTA with his family at near finish line . I made the last turn and I saw the finish line. I was finally finished. Finish line I was not met with a medal I was met with a person asking about my time chip.
Goal Time: 1:21
Actual Time–1:35:12
Overall goal time: 3:29
Actual time: 4:04:37
Heatwave Olympic Triathlon was a decent race. It was not my best as I don’t like heat. I also like medals. Although I don’t race for medals, I like to receive one after I run, bike, and swim. My swim time would have been close to my goal if I did not swim all the extra yards. Transition time were good. My bike was slower than I liked. Part of it was different bike, and have not ridden outside much due to weather. Heat was also played a role in my run. I walked a good deal of it. What made my trip awesome was time with family. Although race kicked my butt, it did help to prepare me for my next race the following week. Race report to follow next week.
This was my first race of the season. Last year, I traveled to Atlanta to get some early open water swimming training. This year I decided to complete an early race instead. I was nervous because the race would be my first time in open water this year.
We arrived the day before the race. I wanted to ride the bike course. While I had been training all of off-season on trainer I had not had a chance to ride outside due to the crazy Chicago weather. I rode half of the course, because I ran out of time and did not want to miss the race course overview and practice swim. I was so happy to be riding outside. I rode about 6 miles of the course I made all of the turns minus going to the turn-around.
I made it back in time to grab my wet suit, and walk over to the course talk. After the talk, we had a chance to do a practice swim. The temperature was 68 degrees. I was nervous, but the water felt good. The temperature in Terri Haute had dropped highs were in the 50s and the lows were in the high 40s. The temperature was 56 at the time of the practice swim. The race director was awesome. He said he would swim with anyone who was nervous and he would be willing to give us tips. I started with him, but I was surprisingly calm so I just kept swimming. I was sighting without stopping. In all my races last year I stopped and treaded water to sight. I looked over my numbers from last year and my slowest time was 4:00 min/100 yards because I stopped so much. Don’t get me wrong I am still not a fast swimmer. I could not see the orange buoy where we were supposed to turn was so I used the yellow sighting buoys. I even used someone yellow swim cap that I thought was a buoy. I made the first turn, then I saw the next orange buoy. I kept swimming. After the second orange buoy, I made a turn to head back to the end. The buoys were set up in a triangle configuration. I could not see the last buoy, but there was a green building by the exit point and I used it. I made it back and I did not stop other than talking to a few people – race director and the women with the yellow cap that I thought was a buoy.
Race Day
Transition set up was at 6:00am. I always like to get there early so I can get an end spot. One, it is easier to find my bike, and there is always more room. I set up my items in order. It was cold 45 degrees so my plan was to dry off, but on my dry triathlete top, and then my triathlete jacket so I would not be cold on bike. So I had a towel, my top/jacket, shoes and had socks with baby powder in them. Powder help with the smell. I had my helmet and glasses on the handle bars. I then set up everything for the run. I had my visor, shoes, with elastic laces, race belt with number, dates, and collapsible water bottle for run.
I then went back to car, and took a power nap, after body marking. My race was scheduled to start at 9 . Around eight I walked to swim start to see the Olympic start and to see the two people from my triathlon group start. I had put on my wet suit to keep warm. I only had my triathlon shorts, and sports bra on under wet suit. Again, I wanted to keep my post swim clothes dry. They allowed us to warm up for the swim. My first thought was not to warm up, because I did the practice swim the day before. Then I thought let me actually warm up and tough out the few minutes of cold after the warm up. They made us get out of the water after the warm up. Only the elite athletes were allowed to stay in. So I get in and did some bobs. I tried to swim freestyle but I could not keep my face in the water. The contrast from cold to 68 water I guess was the problem. I just kept bobbing and trying to swim freestyle. I eventually got over the shock and my heart rate calmed down. It was then time to get out of the water. We lined up by our estimated swim time. I went by what I swam during the practice. Before getting in we all walked over the mat and gave them our race number. I water through the shallow muck. They I started swimming. My mantra for the day was” God is Awesome “it went with my three stokes. Three strokes breath, three more strokes sight. I kept that pattern. I did stop once. I saw a lady just treading. I asked was she okay then I went back to my routine. I passed the yellow buoy. There was space between the swimmers that helped me stay calm. I saw the orange buoy, I turned right. I kept going. I saw the orange buoy. I thought “Yes, I got this”. I kept my routine. I made it to the second orange buoy. I had gone out a little too far on the practice swim. 820 yards was the distance and I had 970 yards on my Garmin. So I made sure to veer right. I could see the green building and the last sighting yellow buoy. I saw one swimmer to my left. I stopped just to make sure he was not swimming in to me. I saw that the end was near. I kept swimming until my hand could touch the ground. I ran up the stairs. The wet suit strippers helped me get out of my suit. I then ran to transition area.
Swim Goal– 19 minutes
Swim Time–23:41 minutes
Transition 1
I only had my sport bra top, so I could put on my dry triathlete top and jacket on to warm up. This was after I made sure I dried off. I then put my sock on. I then put my cycling shoes and my helmet, and glasses. I then rushed to the mount line. My transition I knew would be longer, but it was longer than I liked .
Goal—5 minutes
Transition time—7:58 minutes
Cycling
Cycling is usually the best of the disciples although I have been running longer. The race was only the second time I had been on my bike due to Chicago crazy winter/spring weather. I did not feel in great bike shape, but it was fun to be outside riding. I like hills—rolling. Yes, I think it is because I so love descents. Well, the race started with a few hills. I had my power meter and was anazlying my efforts on the climb, descents, and when the headwinds hit me. Around mile 10 my back started bothering me. My back had never hurt before on a ride. Outside of when my saddle height was off after a cycling trip last year. I tried to do some stretches especially on descents but it did not go away. I just keep spinning. I made it to the turn around. Early in the ride I had a packet of almond butter. I also had one bottle of water with Ultima. I figured I would get a tailwind but it did not feel like it was much. I made it to the last hills and descent and was almost back to transition.
Cycling Goal– 43 minutes
Cycling Time—46:03 minutes
Transition 2
I run to my area. I quickly racked my bike, took off my shoes, and helmet. I grabbed my shoes, visor, water bottle. I was in a rush and left my dates.
Goal—5 minutes
Transition Time—5 minutes
Run
I then started my run. I walked the first two minutes to get my legs back. I continued running interval 5/1—run five minutes walk 1 minute. I was feeling good until the trail part of the run. I walked most of the trail then I got back to my usual intervals.
Running Goal—42 minutes
Running time— 41:41 minutes
Overall Time Goal 1:54 minutes
Actual Time 2:04:23
I would highly recommend Thunder in the Valley Triathlon. It is a nice small race that is well supported. It is great to get some early open water swim in especially in Mid-West. Only part I didn’t like was the trail part of the run.
After I finished the race, and was walking back to my car, I saw a man running toward the finish line. I thought he was just tired, and tried to give him some motivation. He collapsed, and I was first person to see him. I yelled out to call 911. Others came to help. First, he was breathing then he stopped and we had to do CPR. Praise God he resumed breathing and was able to walk to stretcher for the ambulance. Although I am a doctor I have never had to perform CPR on a real person. That was the scariest part of the day.
