White Lake Sprint Triathlon

Sunday, April 7 was the White Lake Sprint Triathlon - 750m lake swim, 14 mi bike ride, 5K run (3.1 miles). I signed up for this tri because through my mom's "fellow" we could get a house there free; it's a nice, flat course; and I thought it would be great for my first sprint tri. My coach, Lea, had me training hard (for me anyway). I was running 50 minutes at a time, swimming 1600 m, and biking 1hr 15 minutes and running right after the bike (brick workout because your legs feel like bricks after you get off the bike). I was as prepared as I could have been.

Then a cold snap hit us. White Lake is only 9 feet deep and therefore has quite drastic temperature changes. We started receiving emails the week before stating the water temps were in the 60s, and wetsuits were highly recommended. AAAGGGHHH - wetsuit? Imaging trying to stuff this flabby, icky body into neoprene...not a pretty picture. There's also not many places around me to try on wetsuits. I came across a great website in my research, triwetsuitrentals.com, and called them. They asked my height (5'3"), my weight (225#), and where did I carry my weight (stomach, butt, legs). Well, luckily they had one that they thought may work.

The package arrives, and they shipped me two to try:  both Zoot, both men's, both XXL. Way too long. One sleeveless, one long-sleeved. Tried on the sleeveless and it fit. And I could get it on by myself - a big bonus...who wants to ask a complete stranger in the transition area to help you shimmy into this wetsuit? Not this chick! So I bring them both to White Lake.

White Lake hosts a half Ironman tri as well, which was the day before (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run). The officials announced that the swim was optional due to the water temps (56) and that wetsuits were required if the athlete chose to swim. Well, I started freaking out! What should I do? If that option was available for the sprint, should I swim? Should I not? My husband said, "You're crazy if you swim." I contacted Lea in a tizzy, texting and asking what I should do. She calmed me down and asked if there was any way I could get in the water today (Saturday). I had never done an open swim (lake swim); all my training had been in a pool. Never swam in a wetsuit. I had read lots and discovered that many people, fit people, panic in open water swims. Well, I decided to give it a shot...put on the long sleeve wetsuit, swim cap and goggles, and went for a swim. Talk about COLD, but after a few strokes, I couldn't feel my hands or feet any more, so it didn't bother me. The only problem I had was the long sleeve wetsuit made me feel like Randy, Ralphie's little brother on A Christmas Story...I couldn't put my arms down, which made swimming a little challenging, but not impossible. I felt so much more relaxed after that cold swim...I knew I could do this!

The next day dawned beautiful, no wind, with just a slight case of nerves. I didn't bring my Keurig coffee machine (I'm somewhat of a snob when it comes to my coffee) but my mom made a pot of whatever was there in the house we were borrowing, but I couldn't drink it - yuck. Ate my protein bar, made sure I had everything packed in my transition bag, and off I went...with Scott and the kids along for support. Finally found a parking place, and Scott carried my bag while Carson pushed Brigid, the bike. Made it to transition, got everything set up, met some great people, struggled into my sleeveless wetsuit (because I could get it on by myself) and made my way down to the pier. I knew there were 6 Athenas registered (women over 150#) but I couldn't really tell who they were. I was definitely the biggest one there, men or women. But that 's OK. I was out there, ready to do it.

Next thing I knew, it was time for my wave...all royal blue swim caps in the water (grouped by age - women over 35 and all Athenas). The countdown began and then the whistle blew...and I was off. The course was a triangle, 250 yards each leg. After my feet and arms went numb from the cold (water temp was 58), it felt really good. Much different than the pool! Next thing I knew, I was climbing the ladder and walking to the transition area for the bike ride; I'm a bit clumsy so I didn't want to run and fall in front of everyone. Get the wetsuit off, bike shoes on, helmet on, gloves and sunglasses on, and away I go. Forgot my race number belt with my jelly beans in it, but oh well.

The bike ride was 2 7-mile loops of flat, flat road, which means you have to pedal the whole time. There's no coasting for a break. Which was OK; I was used to that when I rode on the trainer. However, the lack of caffeine gave me a whopping headache. Every bump on that road, I hit, and I felt. The road our house was on was close to the end of the loop...when I got close I was looking to see if my family was there - and they were...all cheering me on. Gave me a huge smile! OK, one more time. Oh I forgot to mention that when I was trying to put my water bottle back in its cage I almost wrecked - knee hit the water bottle, I swerved, hit some pine cones on the side of the road, almost took out a bystander, but straightened up, got back on course, and got the stupid water bottle back in the cage, with much cheering from the bystanders. Did I mention I was clumsy?

Got the 2nd loop done; Larry, my mom's fellow said it was 27 minutes. I rode the loop the day before and it took me 30 minutes, so I was pleased with the time. Scott promised to take me to Carrabba's if I finished the race in under 2hrs 22minutes (cut off time was 2.5 hours) so that was my goal. Made it back to transition, unclipped and got off the bike without falling (a major accomplishment)! Changed to running shoes, put on my race belt and number, my visor/sweatband, and I was off for the run. Well the legs were definitely bricks. I probably ran 0.5 miles and then started walking. Looking at my watch, I knew if I walked the whole 5K, I would make it under 2:22, so that's what I did. My head pounded with every step I took, and it was much worse when running. Everyone that passed me on thier way back to the finish line or passed me going the same direction was so encouraging. When I saw my race pictures I know why...I looked like some kind of freaky whale out there. I told you I was the biggest one there. But I don't care, and didn't care then. I thanked everyone for their encouragement, had a huge grin on my face, and kept going until I walked across that finish line!

Looking at the results, I was 1st in the swim, 1st in transition 1, 3rd in the bike, transition 2, and run, so I know what I need to work on. But I'm proud I did it and that I finished 3rd of 6 Athenas, even if 3 didn't finish or were disqualified. I may have come in close to the bottom of everyone racing, but I did it.

There are several things I learned - I must have coffee, good coffee, before a race. I can swim in the cold. I need a bucket in transition to sit on. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TRIATHLONS!

That's all for now.
TTT