On the bike leg of the race
Just a few weeks ago I completed my first-ever triathlon at one of the country’s largest triathlon events, the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon. After my Europe trip fell through, I needed a personal goal to keep me focused through the summer. So I signed up for the epic tri event of the year. Here I was–just a little ol’ tri-newbie–but I’m always down for adventure so I thought, why not.
Training was rough at first. I’m no stranger to biking or running, but the water scared me silly. I was so frightened of swimming as a kid that I sat by the side of the pool for 8 weeks as the rest of the kids splashed around at swim school. And even now, 23 years later, I felt that familiar knot twist my stomach when I toed the pool water for the first time. But in I bravely went. And I swam. And I swam. And I swam. I struggled like crazy at first. I hated the sharp scent of chlorine that invaded my nostrils and cold slap of water against the tiles. I splashed helplessly and grabbed the side more times than I can count. At times I literally felt like throwing in the towel.
But on my third lake swim in mid-June, I had a total epiphany. “Lori,” I told myself, “You just need to breathe.” It was so simple, yet so true. So I did–I started to breathe. And with that simple switch, I was able to let go of any doubt or worry. I brushed aside fear (and seaweed), breathed deep and pushed forward, effortlessly and evenly. I conquered my swim demons.
Fast-forward a few weeks, and it is the morning of the race. July 10 dawned sunny and warm. By 6:30 a.m., I had already gotten body marked, (there’s something thrilling about getting body marked for the first time) and set up my bike, running shoes and dunk bucket at the transition station. I was way too wired to be tired despite being awake at 3:30 a.m. At 82 degrees, the lovely Lake Nokomis was a shade close to uncomfortable at the start of my wave at 8:45 a.m.
I followed the line of swimmers down the sandy gauntlet to the edge of the lake. Every three seconds another athlete pushed off in a spitfire of water and waves. When it was my turn, I poked at my ear plugs one final time, took a deep breath, and jumped in. Swimming was crowded, but it wasn’t the shark frenzy that I had feared. I rounded each turn, encouraged by the swimmers I managed to pass.
Finishing up the swim
My strokes were defined by every breath. I could feel swimmers churning the water behind me, many passing me in the mad sprint to the finish. One guy kicked me in the shoulder, I yanked his foot. There’s no crying in baseball.
Out of the water I emerged like some dripping wet sea monster. Friends and family cheered me on the 100 yard stretch up the beach into T1. I quickly stripped off my swim cap and goggles, wiped my feet, chugged Gatoraide, and off I zoomed on my second leg.
The bike course was gorgeous. We zipped along Minnehaha Parkway (one of the best running routes in Minneapolis) and up and down the West and East River Parkway by the Mississippi River. My 15-year-old bike was slow so it was usually a race of cat-and-mouse. I’d win on uphills and lose on downhills.
The 15-mile bike ride went by in a flash. I took in the sights around me with an eye on the potholes to avoid taking a digger. Less than an hour later I was back where I started. Here I quickly switched into running mode with legs feeling a bit rubberish.
The run was, by far, the hardest leg of the race. Yet oddly, my most triumphant. I passed close to 100 runners along the way, invigorated by the cheering crowds. I was dripping hot but focused. I kept my eyes forward and kicked in the last stretch to the finish. What an amazing feeling! I grabbed my medal and an ice-cold towel to drape over my neck. I just couldn’t wipe the sh*t eatin’ grin off my face as family and friends quickly found me. I learned later that I placed 13th in my age group!
Completing a triathlon was a milestone of a lifetime, and I can’t wait until the next one. I’m officially hooked!
Kicking it to the finish
Post-race glow at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon
I used Runners World for my 12-week training guide. They have one of the most comprehensive guides to dealing with injuries, etc. I also used Triathanewbie.com, another fantastic guide with news, tips, and an expert board for all those questions you have but feel dumb to ask. Trust me, I asked them all!
I really like how you wrote about the tri… it sounds like I want to come and cheer you on next year. Your writing is fun to read. Keep up the wonderful writing.
[...] my bike workout training for my summer triathlon, I enjoyed a very cool side of the city that would have been pretty easy to miss otherwise. My [...]