First, I would like to thank all the coolrunners who gave me some pieces of advice with regards to triathlon... It proved to be very helpful.
I had just signed up for the Canberra Sri Chinmoy Sprint Triathlon... There were 2 weeks to go and I got a very bad cold/flu that kept me away from training for a good week. I was quite disappointed as it was my last chance to practice swimming in open water, etc. In the end, I did not swim at all before the race, but I was at least able to do a couple of runs and one bike ride. I went to Canberra with the hope of having fun... and not being last ;)
On the morning of the race, I was quite nervous... I still had a bit of a cough, but I felt OK physically. The weather could not have been better. The water from the lake was at 24 degrees - no wetsuit allowed (good for me since I don't own one). While I was putting my gear in the transition area, I became increasingly nervous, seeing all the "high tech" gear some people seemed to have. However, I was happy to see that there seems to be people of different fitness levels.
As a female, I was in the first wave for the swim. I thought I would wait for all the legs to stop kicking me to start doing free style. But, call it nervosity, or surprise at the fact that there were no lines on the bottom of the lake, I decided to breast stroke (my head out of the water). I felt ridiculous (despite not being the only one), but all I was thinking was... "I am not the last one, I am not the last one". I thought, if the swim can be over with, I will be happy and I will push it more in the cycling and running.
I came out of the water... not last, but very close, as there were only 4 other females behind me. But I was very happy it was done and over with. I grabbed my bicycle. Just outside the transition area, I tried to clip and pedal, but I realised that my mini-pump had not been fixed properly - it was preventing me from pedaling. (Yes, next time I will check that prior to the race!) I played with it a little but then realised that I would need to take a few minutes to reorganise it... so I decide to leave it on the side of the road, where people - not far from where people were watching. Not the best decision I guess, as I could have easily gotten a flat... I felt good in the cycling leg. I managed to pass at least 15 other women, but I found myself constantly slowing down because there were a lot of women in a file and not many chances of passing. I guess I still have a lot to learn. I was also trying to avoid drafting, but I had the impression that a lot of them were doing it?
I got off my bike without falling over... which made me quite happy, but my legs did feel a bit like jelly! I started running, but it felt more like I was walking... I managed to pass some women in that leg too, and I finished like I wanted... with a smile!
From that first triathlon, I learnt (among other things), that I need:
- to check all equipment (including pedalling with the bike) prior to the race
- to practice open water swimming
- to practice the transitions (+ running after cycling)
- to smile when people take pictures
- not to leave a pump along the road (someone must have taken it, because it was impossible to find after the race!)
Did I like the experience? Yes!
In fact, I convinced two friends to do a relay with me this weekend. I am very happy not to have to do the swim.
Thanks again to everyone for advice and support.