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Here’s my personal narrative of my very first triathlon, the Danskin, in San Jose,
California.
I went to bed very early last night and I watched my video of the Ironman Triathlon before
falling asleep. I slept well and woke at 3 a.m. I had packed everything the night before so
the morning went very smoothly.
I toasted a bagel and put a tablespoon of Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter (crunchy) on
top, grabbed a banana and my Gatorade bottle and was off. We left the house at 4 a.m. It
took an hour drive down to San Jose from the San Francisco Bay Area. The gates to the park
opened at 5:30.
We found a great parking space, and started to unload the bike and all the stuff. We walked
about a half-mile to the gates and stood in line with all the other triathletes. They were
late in opening up the gates, but soon enough we were in. Time to set up my transition area.
It pays to be early! I had prime real estate for my transition area. After setting
up my area I decided to go mingle and find other Connectors! Soon I was meeting up with
people left and right, exchanging hugs and high fives.
Warming scene
The weather gods smiled on me today! (It’s about damn time.) It was very cloudy and
overcast early this morning—warm, but not hot. I decided to go without my wetsuit
because I snuck my feet into the lake as soon as I arrived and discovered the water
wasn’t too cold.
I was in the seventh wave. There were 21 waves all together. We were color coded by our swim
caps. We all started heading down to the lake. We cheered each of the previous waves on. But
looking out at the lake and seeing the orange buoys, I felt myself getting anxious because
the half-mile swim looked so far! There were plenty of lifeguards on surfboards so I felt
secure. I reminded myself that I was well trained and reminded myself to breathe properly.
After all, I started taking swimming lessons in January. This was within my reach!
When the green wave was in the water, the powder blue wave (my wave) was on deck. I
couldn’t believe that I was really going to do this! I got into the water and start
getting familiar with the squishy stuff between my feet. There was lots of debris in the
lake. I didn’t care for this, but as triathletes, we have to put up with some minor
inconveniences for the big prize—the prize of finishing.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go!
I let everyone go off ahead of me to avoid being trampled and kicked. I was in no hurry.
I started my freestyle stroke, so far so good. Breathe, stroke, stroke, breathe, stroke,
stroke, looked up, spotted the orange buoy. I noted a very cute male lifeguard on his
surfboard; I gave him a high five. Stroke, stroke, and I thought, “Wow, I’m
really swimming, this is great.” Stroke, breathe, stroke, then... “May Day, May
Day! Houston, we have a problem!”
As I went to take a breath, I got some grass or weeds caught in my throat. Cough, cough,
choke, choke, gasp. I flipped over on my back to regroup and coughed some more. All
better now. OK, resumed freestyle. I was on the way back to the shore. I thought, “Hey,
this doesn’t seem too bad, I’m even passing some of the green caps.” But at
the same time, the hot pink caps (the wave after me) were passing me.
I start to get a little choked up as I approached the shore, but this time I wasn’t
choked up from swallowing God knows what from the lake. In January I couldn’t swim.
I acknowledged my courage and I felt proud. I tried not to look down at all the lake
crap clinging to my body and swimsuit. I didn’t even have time to be self-conscious
about parading around in my one-piece.
Transition time
It was time to get out of the lake and run to the transition area for the bike leg. One leg
down, two more to go! Out of the lake, I ran up onto the sand, took off my swim goggles,
when I heard lots and lots of cheering. I was very disoriented and I heard my name several
times, but I couldn’t make out the faces of these well-wishers.
I had to run about 300 to 400 yards on the pavement—which I don’t care for since
I have tender feet. Into my transition area, I rinse off my feet, put on my running shoes,
and socks, my shirt, snapped my bike helmet and I was off!
The bike portion was very humbling. Everyone was passing me. I was pedaling and
pedaling and pedaling and everyone just kept flying by. One misinformed person on the side
of the road told me “You need to pick it up, you’re going too slow and everyone
is passing you.” To which, I smiled and said, “You need to learn how to be a
cheerleader. I’m doing just fine, thanks for being out here.”
My frame bike pump kept coming off my bike so that was really distracting me. I was trying
to eat and drink during my ride but wasn’t coordinated enough. I realized I need a
lot of work on my bike-handling skills
A hill to climb
There’s one hill at the beginning of the bike course and one hill at the end. Twelve
miles was just long enough for me to be on the bike. I chugged up the last hill and cruised
into the transition area. All I had to do for the run transition was take off my helmet. Two
legs down, one to go.
My legs were not willing to run after getting off the bike. I coached my body through
the first really rough 400 yards and found some great “angels” to run with.
We introduced ourselves and began to chat. There were three aid stations for this final 5K
so it was very refreshing.
The 5K run was an out-and-back course, so on the way out, I encountered a few more
Connectors to exchange high fives with. For some reason, this really choked me up! I
was so proud of them!
With about a half-mile left, I heard the enormous cheers from all the crowd and I knew the
end was near. I thought, “Let’s go get ’em!” and I picked up the pace
(which is relative at this triathlon, but you know what I mean). I rounded the corner and
see the finish banner.
I had my timing chip removed and I was presented with my pink medal! I exited the finish
area and proudly exchanged greetings with all the other Connectors.
I’ve done a few marathons and have enjoyed the experience, but this triathlon was a
total rush—a blast! I can’t wait to do another one! I’m sure that the
fact that this is an all-women’s triathlon had a lot to do with my positive experience,
because the vibe was so supportive. During the bike leg, I actually uttered these
words to myself, “I’m such a stud.” I have never said those words. Not
even after any of my marathons. Yet, I kept thinking, “This is so awesome, I’m
a stud!”
How often in your life do you get to feel like a stud?
This victory tasted especially sweet because I had to overcome many obstacles, such as
taking swimming lessons at 4:30 a.m., three times a week, juggling my work schedule and
training for three separate sports was really tough at times. But tough times don’t
last. Tough people do.
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