Yesterday morning was our practice triathlon in Encinitas. We arrived before sunrise to get our transition area set-up. You have to hang your bike on a rack and get your bike and run gear organized right next to the bike - your socks and shoes, bike helmet, running hat, sunglasses, water bottle, etc. Then we got in our wetsuits and took some team photos. The race started on the beach, where the team ran into the water to the 1st kayak, turned to swim parallel to the beach for 1/2 mile to the next kayak and then swam back in. Then we ran from the beach to the parking lot where our transition area was set, stripped off the wetsuit, got our bike stuff on and set out on the bike. The bike was south on the 101 for 6 miles and then back. Then the bikes were racked and we set out on the run - 2 loops of 1 1/2 miles. We each were assigned a number so every time we started and finished an event we called out our number so that we have times for each event and transition.
So here's how the event went for me...
Body Marking - Your race number is written on your hand and your arm in permanent black ink. Your age is written on your calf. This is so when a 63 year old woman passes you on the run you know you need to run faster. I scrubbed and scrubbed after the workout, but I am still branded with a huge 37 on the back of my leg. In Hawaii I am assuming this will also leave a lovely tan mark.
Swimming - I ran into the water to start the race and instantly the waves were huge. I tried to dive underneath them, but kept getting pushed back. After a few minutes, I was really frustrated. My coach came over and tried to help me get through the waves, but once I was flipped by a wave even he agreed that maybe I should skip the swim. And, by that point the first swimmer were getting out of the water. So, I ran up the beach with them to the bike transition. (I was not the only one to skip the swim due to the waves)
Bike - I did well on the bike. My new water bottle allowed me to fuel without stopping. I went faster with all gears now working. I did swallow a small bug.
Run - I felt really good on the run. The only negative was that I had to pee so bad by then that it felt like some pee might leak out if I ran hard. I kept squirting my shorts with my water bottle just in case :)
Except for the swim part, I feel like I did really well and had fun doing it. I'll post my times and photos when I have them. 2 weeks from today and I'll be doing the real thing!
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