Two weeks after my Half in Maine, I completed my first Triathlon! It was in Gulf Shores, Alabama--the Alabama Coastal Triathlon. Overall, I had a great time...though I did learn that tris are a LOT different from marathons.
My sister, A, lives near me so I asked if she would ride over with me and hang out. She did, and I enjoyed spending time with her. She may think I'm a bit insane, over my fascination with endurance sports, but I think she likes seeing the different places and hearing my stories, so she's a pretty good cheerleader...as long as I don't wake her up at 0430, lol. THAT she won't do. :)
Anyway, we checked in to our hotel and went down to the expo to get the race packet. They put a paper bracelet on me--like they give people at a bar that are of age--which I promptly took off. I picked up the packet, found the tattoos and timing chips and then we headed back to the hotel. I dug through my goody bag, decided not to wear the provided swim cap and got my things ready for the next morning. I got up, put my hair up, figured out the tattoos (think the temp tattoos that kids wear...used to wear...?) and got down to the car. I was very early (early is in my nature, add in nerves and I was EARLY) and took my time getting my bike out and making certain I got everything out of my car. Then I headed to the transition area to set up...and that's were I discovered things were different.
First thing I was asked about was my paper bracelet. When I told them I had taken it off, I was looked at kind of oddly, but they gave me another one and told me to keep that one on. Oooookay...then they start the announcements. USAT (the governing body for triathlons) have a couple of rules that I, as a runner, was unaware of. Aside from the importance of the bracelet, I learned about all of the disqualifying factors--having a phone or any device that plays music while on the swim, bike or run will cause disqualification. Additionally, any GPS that announces is reason to be disqualified--having a GPS (I have a Garmin) is fine, but no voice. Your number must be displayed on your bike and not wearing your bib on the front of your body on the run is also disqualifying.
In running sports, music devices are discouraged (but no one really listens to that), placing your bib somewhere on the front of your body is preferred, though they just want everyone to have A bib, and nothing else is mandatory. We're just a bunch of happy runners.
Also, I wore my own swim cap--I like it. It's hot pink and makes me happy. I was waiting for my number to come up for swimming and someone walks up to tell me that I have to wear one of the provided swim caps. Uh...damn. I left it at the hotel. So, I ran around and looked for the tent that gave them out the evening before and one of the volunteers gave me one. I ran back to the beach and waiting for about 10 more minutes to start my swim portion.
The swim was in the Gulf of Mexico--beautiful water that day. There was a loop we (the Olympic distance peeps) had to do twice to get in our .9 mile swim. Awesome. Then...the jellyfish...oohhhhhh, the jellyfish. Having been raised near the water, I know that they're not necessarily dangerous, most have a mildly painful sting that is uncomfortable, but nothing life threatening...no Portuguese-Man-o-War, so I was okay. Until the one got into my bra. If you've never had a stinging animal climb into a very sensitive area and sting the crap out of you, I highly recommend not trying it. Seriously. Fortunately, it was just a matter of moving the band of my bra (while not drowning) and releasing my newfound "friend" and I was good to go.
After the two loops and my brief friendship with the jellyfish, I moved on to the bike ride. My absolute favorite. I always feel like an eight year old kid when I'm on my bike; I love it. I started out and enjoyed the ride immensely. I lost a water bottle at one point, but the 25 mile ride was just fun. By the time it was over, I got through my second transition and got into the run, which was a 10K (6.2 miles).
Now, running is what I do. I've been running full marathons for almost five years, so I like it. I'm not very fast, more of a comfortable/steady runner, so coming in late doesn't bother me. But, during the summer, I do try and knock out running as early as possible and it was already about 0930/1000 before I started on the run portion. And it was hot. Alabama in the summer time hot. Fortunately, this was not this group's first rodeo, so they had iced towels at all but the first (and last, because it was an out and back run) water station and that made a hell of a difference. Every time I grabbed a drink, someone was handing me a frozen towel. Awesome.
Overall, my time was not great for an Olympic distance triathlon--around 3:50. I mean I finished, and it was my first one ever, so I was pretty danged thrilled with the time but I didn't place, or even come close.
Or so I thought.
Turns out I placed third in the Athena division. Triathlons have four groups of people men under and over 220 (I think?)--the Clydesdale division--and women below and above 165--the Athena division. Now, I'm (barely) over 165, but I'll own that I am over that weight. I was pretty shocked to find out I placed, but I'm happy nonetheless. :)
Now, I'm on to that Half Ironman...
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