Baby Steps

Almost 2 years ago on June 21, 2009 I took a plunge into the 3-sport world. Waking up at 4am and driving into our Nation's Capital to race in The Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship Series ITU 2009 amateur event. Looking back on that nervous morning I still remember the happenings quite vividly. Scared out of my mind I figured out that I my bike and my running shoes go in the same place where I would re-group after both the swim and the bike. Fortunately I was comforted by many older and more experienced triathletes who took me under their wing and explained to me the intricacies of a triathlon and the transition area. Walking around before the race in my swim jammer I tried my hardest to give off the appearance that I actually had some sort of idea as to what I was doing. This was however, completely and totally false.

Eventually the eternity of waiting was over and the other athletes adorning the same age group red caps and I made our way to the dock. Nervously gripping the side of the dock a million and a half-thoughts came rushing through my mind. One of which was the realization that I had in fact never actually swam 750m straight without touching the bottom or at least, without have the opportunity to touch the bottom. Fantastic. The horn sounded and the athletes tore away from the dock head. I was immediately surrounded by a sea of frantically kicking arms and legs. How was I supposed to see where I was going if I was swimming freestyle. Shit, another unresolved issue. I decided to swim breaststroke to find my target, then swim free again till I thought I had veered off course enough to warrant some more breaststroke. Finally the shore came, and I couldn't have been more happy to see it! The amount of Potomac River I drunk that day will probably mess me up forever, and if my children have 3 eyes, Im going to blame it on this race. My swim time: 14:39.

The rest of the race unfolded before me and quickly on the bike I realized how much stronger I was then those who got out of the water around me. I flew by probably 50 or so people during the course of the bike and the run went somewhat smoothly, minus the feeling like I was going to throw up from the combination of the chocolate GU I ate + Potomac River Water. I still have not had a chocolate GU till this day.

The remainder of this race is a side note however. Yesterday in my masters swim practice we were given a 300 swim, 200 pull, and 200 kick. As I kicked that last 50 my mind wandered to this race. I realized that I had begun the workout promptly at 12, and that I was going to finish up my warm-up somewhere under 12:14. 2 years ago it took me 14 minutes and 39 seconds to race 750meters! Today I had beaten that in a warm-up taking short breaks in between the swim, pull, and kick, almost effortlessly. I realize that I am far from getting out of the water with the top pack of guys, but I am proud of how far I have come AND even more excited to see where I will get to.