Triathlon #2

I was as ready as I was going to be. I did not have much confidence in my training and I was nervous about the run.  But as many of us know, “if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”  The first great surprise I found out just before race day, my youngest and her team would be volunteering at the race.  I did not expect to see my daughter during the race, she thought they would be working the 5K event.  Surprise number two, they were working the transition!  It was great seeing her every time I entered and left transition. Many of the tri group members were participating in the event and having veteran triathlete support is awesome. This year I was able to put my feet in the water before the start and I had a plan that I would not rush when I started the swim portion.  I figured if I took my time getting used to the water I could control my breathing better and overall would save time.  This turned out to be a solid plan, the swim was my best ever.  I do not feel strong in the ocean swimming freestyle so I stuck with the breaststroke.  I was able to do the entire quarter-mile without needing to backstroke or float on my back to rest. This was a huge accomplishment!  Heading in I did get clobbered by a wave but I pushed through and started running to transition.  The transition area is sandy with some vegetation and some of that vegetation has those little prickly balls.  I do not like them at all.  As much as I tried to avoid them I wound up with two in my cycling shoes.  At first I figured I would just try to ignore them but within a few steps I decided to take the time to remove them.  I am so glad I did, a ten mile ride with them would have been pure torture.  The bike portion was going well until on the way back I almost collided with 2 different cyclists.  The first was visibly upset that they almost hit me and yelled sorry a couple of times.  The second almost took out a few of us and I am not sure they even knew. 

I survived the bike and entered transition to change my shoes for the run.  I was able to avoid the prickly balls and headed back to the beach to start the run. I did not set my running watch for intervals so I went by feel on how long to alternate running and walking.  When I felt good I ran, but then would pick a landmark to stop running so I wouldn’t over do it.  The run was frustrating, because I felt so slow when I walked. 

Eventually, I made it to the finish, I was happy to be done. My husband and middle daughter were waiting for me at the finish. I planned to hangout with the tri group to watch awards. I tried to stay but my ankle was not happy with me and I still had a long walk back to the car. The youngest and I headed home.  Reflecting on the race, I knew there would be a third Tri the Wildwoods in my future.  The thoughts, if I wasn’t injured, if I trained better, I could have done better rolled through my head.  And yes, less than 24 hours later when Delmo Sports offered the returning athlete discount I was signed up.