2.4 miles = 2 laps of 1.2 miles, triangle shaped course
There were many athletes in the water getting ready for the swim, taking warm up strokes, swimming a few meters, and getting acclimated to the water. I expected the water to feel cool, but with the lack of sunlight, cool air, and light rain, the water felt warm.
The water temperature was officially measured at 6 am to be 78 degrees, so wet suits were legal. Of course anyone who had a wet suit that day was putting it on. I don't own one, which is part of why I chose to race in Florida.
I started the swim wide to the right and a little behind. This strategy has been mentioned countless times for those not planning to be in the lead pack. There can be much fevered activity at the start of the race, and many swimmers will get hit, kicked, or run over. This is going to be a 14 or so hour race for me, so there's no point in getting injured in the first 10 minutes.
I started out away from the pack. It was pretty dark out, as there was cloud cover and not a lot of sunlight yet. Most of us had on tinted goggles. It was actually a little challenging to see the buoys sometimes.
It seems that the reason for the course layout was the prevailing wind direction on the lake. Not that it was anything terrible, but I think it kept pointing me away from the course. And since I started out wide to one side I didn't need anymore help. Or maybe I just can't swim straight. The first lap seemed longer than it should have been, and I am probably to blame for that.
After the first third of the first lap (rounding the first corner buoy) I felt like I got into my rhythm. I was taking long relaxed strokes and getting as much glide as I could. I no longer had to think about getting back onto the course, and concentrated on swimming efficiently and calmly.
Since we were completing two laps for the full iron distance race, we exited the water, crossed the timing mat, and re-entered the water for the second lap. They had water and Gatorade available for us as we went back to the water. As I was getting out of the water at the end of the first lap I thought that I had had a good swim and most normal people would go on to the next event at that point. I wasn't tired yet, but it seemed like I had been out there a while and like it was time to move on. So I took my time getting back into the water and started lap two.
The second lap seemed to go a lot quicker. I ended the swim right on my projected time at about 1 hour 30 minutes. Michelle has a great picture of me getting out of the water with the clock in the frame. (click for link)
I forgot to look for the clock before the race, and I couldn't find it when I got out of the water. I had no idea my swim time until later. It is a strange thing; there was a kind of sensory overload upon exiting the water. After an hour and a half of no sound but the water around me and my own splashing, I was challenged by suddenly being on land with a crowd of people, an announcer on a PA system, fans cheering for their racer, tons of cameras and pictures being taken, volunteers yelling directions, and other racers going by. If you ever have the chance or inclination, I suggest trying it! As a fan *or* a racer. :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Getting to the starting line
There was a lot of prep work involved with getting to the starting line on race day. I get really nervous before events like this so I like to be early. I was unclear about the parking, and I only saw a small lot, so I wanted to get there so we didn't have to search for parking. We arrived at about 6:05 for a 7:30 race start. I was satisfied with that.
I took my first load of gear and headed for transition. The first load consisted of bottles for the bike and a big jug of Gatorade to fill them with. Since my bike was checked in the day before, I only had to put food and water on it. There was already a line to get into the transition area. They were body marking and weighing all competitors, and the racer had to sign the waiver when they wrote down the weight. I weighed in a few pounds high for me, but I'd been drinking lots of water, eating lots on vacation, and had not visited the restroom yet.
After setting up the bottles on the bike, I headed back to the car for more gear. It occurred to me that I usually have a duffel bag with me to keep from making trips but I had left it in the condo.
In all of the triathlons I have done (about 6 or 7 before this) you have a "spot" in transition. A place where your bike is racked, and space to lay out your gear to change into bike or run shoes. A "home" if you will, to center your operations. In this race, you have no such place. There is a designated location for your bike, but your bike gear and run gear goes into a set of bags. When you come out of the water you grab your "bike gear" bag, and head into the changing tent, where you have the opportunity to completely change clothes. Some people may wear a wet suit for the swim, and they can change out into fresh bike clothes. After the bike you grab your "run gear" bag and head into the changing tent for the opportunity to change into your running clothes. After a change, you can drop your bag and a volunteer will return your bags to the designated hook. These bags were new to me and I fretted about them quite a lot.
After getting my gear setup as best I thought I could I headed out of transition. I was able to visit the restroom, which is always a good thing on race morning (see Bingham's race day scenarios). Michelle and my Mom were hanging around and taking it all in, ready to assist if I came up with anything they could do. There really was nothing for them to do, other than continue to support me as they had been doing. It started to rain slightly and everyone started to head for cover near the swim start.
We were all bunched under the awning of the park building as the rain started coming down. Racers were getting into their wet suits as Michelle applied waterproof sunscreen to my arms. Waterproof sunscreen will streak permanent marker, so she had to avoid the numbers on my biceps. I had white number "tan lines" from the race in July, and knew I'd have them again. I had been wearing a loose fitting shirt and shorts over my triathlon suit, which I shed as the start drew nearer. By now I was really nervous, and I think Mom & Michelle were too. Mom took a couple of last minute photos, and I gave them both a hug. Then I headed down to the water to start in my first iron distance triathlon.
I took my first load of gear and headed for transition. The first load consisted of bottles for the bike and a big jug of Gatorade to fill them with. Since my bike was checked in the day before, I only had to put food and water on it. There was already a line to get into the transition area. They were body marking and weighing all competitors, and the racer had to sign the waiver when they wrote down the weight. I weighed in a few pounds high for me, but I'd been drinking lots of water, eating lots on vacation, and had not visited the restroom yet.
After setting up the bottles on the bike, I headed back to the car for more gear. It occurred to me that I usually have a duffel bag with me to keep from making trips but I had left it in the condo.
In all of the triathlons I have done (about 6 or 7 before this) you have a "spot" in transition. A place where your bike is racked, and space to lay out your gear to change into bike or run shoes. A "home" if you will, to center your operations. In this race, you have no such place. There is a designated location for your bike, but your bike gear and run gear goes into a set of bags. When you come out of the water you grab your "bike gear" bag, and head into the changing tent, where you have the opportunity to completely change clothes. Some people may wear a wet suit for the swim, and they can change out into fresh bike clothes. After the bike you grab your "run gear" bag and head into the changing tent for the opportunity to change into your running clothes. After a change, you can drop your bag and a volunteer will return your bags to the designated hook. These bags were new to me and I fretted about them quite a lot.
After getting my gear setup as best I thought I could I headed out of transition. I was able to visit the restroom, which is always a good thing on race morning (see Bingham's race day scenarios). Michelle and my Mom were hanging around and taking it all in, ready to assist if I came up with anything they could do. There really was nothing for them to do, other than continue to support me as they had been doing. It started to rain slightly and everyone started to head for cover near the swim start.
We were all bunched under the awning of the park building as the rain started coming down. Racers were getting into their wet suits as Michelle applied waterproof sunscreen to my arms. Waterproof sunscreen will streak permanent marker, so she had to avoid the numbers on my biceps. I had white number "tan lines" from the race in July, and knew I'd have them again. I had been wearing a loose fitting shirt and shorts over my triathlon suit, which I shed as the start drew nearer. By now I was really nervous, and I think Mom & Michelle were too. Mom took a couple of last minute photos, and I gave them both a hug. Then I headed down to the water to start in my first iron distance triathlon.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Official Results
SWIM: 1:30:55
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 11:24
BIKE: 7:19:39
BIKE TO RUN TRANSITION: 12:15
RUN: 6:09:14
OVERALL TIME: 15:23:23.95
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 11:24
BIKE: 7:19:39
BIKE TO RUN TRANSITION: 12:15
RUN: 6:09:14
OVERALL TIME: 15:23:23.95
Journey
"The most difficult part of any long-distance training plan isn't finishing the race. For most of us, getting to the finish line is almost a forgone conclusion. After all, if we've trained well and don't have any major mishaps, there's almost no reason not to finish.
The most difficult part of the training program is getting to the starting line. You confront so many obstacles. There are many places for things to go wrong, so many times when you can give up and quit, that, if you are there when the gun goes off, you are already a different person than when you took your first training run." -John Bingham, Marathoning for Mortals
The book Marathoning for Mortals impacted me greatly and really set me on my way for endurance sports. I carry pieces of that book with me throughout training and at each race. I chuckled to myself a few times during the iron-distance triathlon thinking of quotes from the book. He is truly one of my coaches.
When anyone asks me how I got started doing this crazy stuff, I tell them I started backpacking with Dean, and he started running and I could see the improvements he had, and I wanted them also. And I tell them to go get Marathoning for Mortals because that really got me on my way.
Thanks to everyone for all of your support through this journey!
Craig
The most difficult part of the training program is getting to the starting line. You confront so many obstacles. There are many places for things to go wrong, so many times when you can give up and quit, that, if you are there when the gun goes off, you are already a different person than when you took your first training run." -John Bingham, Marathoning for Mortals
The book Marathoning for Mortals impacted me greatly and really set me on my way for endurance sports. I carry pieces of that book with me throughout training and at each race. I chuckled to myself a few times during the iron-distance triathlon thinking of quotes from the book. He is truly one of my coaches.
When anyone asks me how I got started doing this crazy stuff, I tell them I started backpacking with Dean, and he started running and I could see the improvements he had, and I wanted them also. And I tell them to go get Marathoning for Mortals because that really got me on my way.
Thanks to everyone for all of your support through this journey!
Craig
Friday, October 19, 2007
Day before the race
Bridget, Bedie and I went to lunch and shopping today. I so rarely get to spend time with them, it was such a treat. The restaurant had misters on the fans on the patio because the temperature was in the low 90s. After lunch, we went shopping. We had a great time. I wished we lived closer.
Meanwhile, Tom and David hung out at their condo. Craig and Carol went to Clermont to drop off Craig's bike, gear and make final arrangements before the race tomorrow. Eric and Nicole are going to arrive tomorrow.
We are expecting rain in Clermont tomorrow. Tonight is going to be low-key in preparation for a 5:00 a.m. departure for the race.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Orlando before race time
Craig and I arrived in Orlando on Sunday the 14th. We are staying about an hour away from the race site in Orlando at a condo. It's been just the two of us until yesterday.
Yesterday Bridget and David arrived. We had a great time hanging out and going for Sushi. Today, Craig's mom Carol arrives as well as Bedie and Tom. Still to arrive are Eric, Nicole and Sally. It's been wonderful to see all the support heading Craig's way.
Today we drove out to see the race site and for Craig to have a look at the lake, etc. before it's a zoo tomorrow. Tomorrow we will drive back to drop off all his gear and bike. We have a convertible rental, so the drive is a blast.
Tonight is the "night before the night before" so it's critical that he get a lot of rest. He's getting a nice mix of anxious and excited! It's unseasonably hot here-still in the 90's. David is cooking us a great dinner tonight.
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