A few weeks ago, I asked you TErs if you thought I should try a du this year, despite being a pretty, ok very, bad runner. To be fair I've only been running for about 6 weeks or something (and the fact that I could even run at all a testament to what biking's done for me this year). It's was a 3mi/11mi/2mi format.
A bunch of you said I should go for it, and I signed up.
Since then I was pretty faithful to doing combo bike/run workouts, and even in just that time my 5k times started to improve (not dramatically, but I'll take it).
The forecast for this weekend was for cold & very high winds and torrential downpours on Saturday, and dry but continued wind Sunday with cool temps. The NWS even issued a wind advisory for all weekend, and I was maybe just a little hoping it would get cancelled. What if I would be freezing? What if I wore too much and would be hot? What if one of those 50+ mph wind gusts knocked me over? What if I am last? What if a tree limb flew down in front of me, or the cars wouldn't stop or or or???? Why aren't they cancelling, it would make it so much easier?
I was getting nervous about the situation, needless to say. Saturday delivered true to form with a huge rainstorm and local flooding, and no posted messages of cancellation... so reluctantly I engaged my faithful crewman (DH) who helped me go through my pack list and prep everything for Sunday.
Now in narrative style...
This morning the alarm goes off at 6:10 and I groggily look at him and say 'Maybe I should just stay in bed!' He looks back at me and says something like 'You'll be fine, you can do it! Now get up!'
So I get dressed in bike shorts, cycling shirt, wind pants, and wind jacket, which I thought I would wear during the run along with a hat and thin gloves. When we arrive, I run over to the registration table to pick up my packet.
I was about a half hour or so early, enough time to take care of everything pre race, at least in this smaller venue (about 150? people).
By the time I get back to the car I was freezing, already thinking uh oh, I think I might need to run in my arm and leg warmers. My husband, seeing me getting a little flustered says, you should -wear your full finger bike gloves for the run -wear your cycling jacket for the run -wear your hat. The less stuff you have to deal with the better. So I do just that. He has not done this before either, but has good common sense. ;)
Change in the car, and pulled on my windpants again. Then I make sure the bike was secured with my helmet and shoes, and right about then they told everyone to go to the start line, and just like that we are off. The crowd shuffles off, and I glance over at my HRM - no beats yet, not breaking a sweat... run some more, look again: 214! Uh oh, that kind of pace will kill me, slow down and get back on your usual upper max pace (which seems to be between 160-180). Ah, much better. By now I am one of the last runners and the police cruiser follows me for a bit but I don't mind. It's a beautiful fall day despite the wind and cold, and I am not gasping for air. As I keep running I am starting to warm up, so I pull the hat and gloves off and stuff them in my cycle jacket pocket. One mile down. Good, just keep moving your feet - no need to go faster but no excuses to go slower, ok? (I am bargaining with myself here). Two miles down. Ah, gulp down two swigs off water, toss cup and keep going. Pass very big guy running/walking and I tell him to keep it up! Turn right again - wow isn't it great that each turn is being marked by cones and people to stop traffic? Hope they do this for the bike!
Oh! I can see the bikes... pick up your speed, push it to get back to the transition. 'Beeeep!' as I run by the timer station. Get to the bike and have a moment of 'now what? Oh, yes, take shoes off. Put on your cycling shoes. Breathe, you're definitely freaking out a little here. Pull off the windpants, you don't need them. Eat your gu! Put on the helmet. Alright bike, let's get going.' This part I am all set for, and I head out at a good clip.
Oh good, they're stopping traffic along the route intersections too. Makes it much better. Begin to get comfortable (though it's usually 5-7 miles before I settle in on a bike ride anyway, and this isn't much longer than that), at least as much as one can when dealing with swirling gusts. At times they are so strong I almost stop momentum, or move over a foot or two, but it's manageable at least if I stay attentive. Pass several cyclists, coming from the very end of the run pack. Well, at least now I am not last (even though I would have accepted it if I were). Keep moving the feet. OOOOOhhhhh long hill. Yes, I really am standing on a hill, but whatever, I can see it's useful if well managed. I usually prefer to stay seated but this is a race after all.
Staying focused on the course, watching for sticks and tree parts in addition to the usual potholes, cars etc. Hey, what's this - runners! I see, these are the people who've already finished their bike and are on the last run. How slow am I going???
No matter, just keep riding your pace, and now I am coming in from my bike at the same time as many finishers, but I still have another run to go. Deal with it, you're doing fine. You may be slow but you're managing everything just fine.
'Beeeeep' again. Hang bike, swap shoes, swig three sips of Gatorjuice. Alright here we gooooo. Last run. Wow my calves are NOT happy. Yeah, I need to walk a minute or two. Ok, let's try to run. Ah, that's alright. Now we can keep going. Hey, we're already turning - this seems too easy! Get passed by someone I overtook in the bike, oh well. There is the water station again! One more turn, and I think I can see the start area again. Cool! I am going to make it after all! Just keep going....
I see my husband who I tell 'Run along with me to the finish.' He runs on the other side telling me to keep it up! Then I see the time clock - hey I am going to be at ~1:52, under two hours! yeah! [I know, you veterans will conclude this isn't a great time, but I am very happy with it]
'Beeeeep again' and I run into a big hug with my husband. 'I did it!!!' I say. 'You did, that's awesome!' he says back.
All in all, I met *all* of my goals for my first attempt - be under 2 hours, run the full first run, bike hard, and do what I could on the last run, which turns out I was able to run for almost all of it. I didn't kill myself but I pushed myself. And, I wasn't last either! The woman who was last though, did get a rousing applause and she looked delighted just the same.
The weather was an added challenge, but not an insurmountable one. I have also gotten my first event out of the way, and have some definite target ideas to work on over the winter. I am pretty sure by spring I might be able to at least be in the main pack by running improvments (this particular race is run once in spring and again in fall). I also can see a bit about how transitions work, but I think that's a bit of an art form that will come with time.
My bike was awesome, she always is (decided today she is a she, and I think she's hinting her name is Esmerelda of all things).
All in all a blast and I'd encourage anyone to try it sooner rather than later - we all have to start somewhere, anyway. I am glad you all, and my husband, encouraged me to see it through. He has some pictures but I haven't seen them yet. I will post if any of them are decent.
