A beginner's first tri / bi (Let it snow, let it...)

[e.e.cummings]

I did my first tri (well, sort of - it ended up being a bi, unintentionally). It was snowing. So badly that they cancelled the cycle portion of the competition (my strongest area, nuts). The snow was not sticking to the ground, no accumulation, but they did not want to take chances, I guess.

This is a tri that I considered not doing because I had been ill for almost three weeks, and I am still on meds, so I have not been able to train properly. I checked with my doctor on Friday if it was okay to do it, he said yes (then again, he is a very sporty guy). My illness steals my energy, and limits my full breathing capacity - definitely not 100%. I sooooo wanted to do this tri, I was registered, I had all my gear (I'm good at getting gear, one of my favorite parts!). I decided that if the only value was just to find out what the madness is all about, I would go along.

This was all so new to me so I felt a bit lost going in. I had heard about swag bags, all that stuff, I did not see any of that. I went to the table, picked up my number, and if I had not asked about attachment devices, I never would have known there was a table with a little bowl of pins available (once I got to the pool, the lady next to me did not have pins - a nice boy gave her one of his). I felt my way around, it was not clearly indicated if or where to pick up the chip or get numbered, but I figured that out on my own. At this stage I should mention that this triathlon was being run for the first time. I could sense that. Just as I was leaving that area, the announcement was made that the cycling portion was cancelled because of the snow (bummer.....)

Because of the snow, the transition area was moved to the bleachers section next to the pool. I got all my gear in place. I watched the 600 metre swimmers go, I was in envy, so many of them were so good. There was a guy who was last who solidiered on and the organizers egged us on to cheer him to the finish - that was nice. Then came our turn, the 300 metre, and I put myself almost at the end - I think I had three people behind me. Well, I was the pigtail. And my stroke ran home to mamma - I had been practicing my freestyle crawl, but I was feeling exhausted very quickly, I felt there was a tight cord around my chest limiting my breathing - even when I went over to my side stroke, which is my 'just get me to the other side' stroke. But I could feel myself really running out of breath and almost in panic mode, and I switched to a back stroke which is a stroke that I used to do when I was young when I would swim out to the middle of a big pond, get tired, and that would get me back to shore. It got me to the finish, but I was last - they were ready to roll up the lane markers. I think I did it in 10:14 minutes. The 'pin' lady was transitioning at the same time as me, at least I had someone to share jokes with at the end. I did not whether to hang my head or not, using a backstroke when everyone else I saw was doing a crawl (the majority), the scattered breast stroke. But at least almost everyone had left the pool area by then. I started to wonder if I should have bowed out because I was ill, but I so wanted to do it.

One note: I had asked the organizers about changing out of our wet swim wear to go outside (since it was snowing and COLD). There was no encouragement to do this, he said - you are going to be sweating anyway. I was wearing a tri-suit and a tri bra - I shed the tri-suit with a towel wrapped around me, removed the tri-suit (left the bra) and put on my long running tights. I was grateful for doing this, I felt much more comfortable. Being wet on the inside and getting wet on the outside from the wet snow is not that comfortable.

Many participants were confused about where and when to go next. I asked an official when the 3 k started - she said, it is starting now! I raced to my bike, dropped my knapsack, and crossed the start line. However, I got to the 3 k mark, where it said to turn around, and the volunteers did not seem to know what I was talking about (they were quite young girls). I saw an organizer coming towards me on the bike and I asked her - she said yes, you turn around at the 3 km mark. So I made it to the finish line. However, I was told that the 3ks start later at 9:30am (their schedule stated that the medals were given out at that time, what the...) So I went to the head organizer and told them what happened, and they took note of it so I would not be disqualified and my time would be included. I did my run in an okay time I think (my time was not bad, but would have been better if I had not wasted time going a little further than I should have because of the young volunteers).

So it was a very jumbled experience for me, but I was glad that I tried it. Too bad about the cycling. Probably just as well, not feeling that well. I would say that the organizers could be better organized - I know it is their first try at this, so there has to be some forgiveness. Not a good combination - my first time, their first time, bad weather, illness. But I did my distance! My husband and my 9 year old son are taking me out to my favorite Italian restaurant for a Mother's Day lunch. I will be very happy to be in a warm, cozy environment. I am just happy to have done it! When I fully recover, I need to work on my swimming...

[HillSlugger]

Too bad it was so disorganized. Congrats for getting out there and doing your best through difficult conditions!

(I think I saw you posting on Beginner Triathlete, under the same username, right? I'm also there as MDHillSlug)

[e.e.cummings]

Yes, that's me! They have quite a template for posting reports! I will have to check it out.

[colby]

Well, you got your first one out of the way - even if it was only 2/3 of one and you weren't feeling well. There's always a benefit to getting past your first. Congrats!

You could try sending the race director your comments - sometimes you'll find an e-mail address that you can at least ask questions or send comments to. They may or may not know the impression they gave, though it's possible with all the scrambling due to the weather their organisation all went out the window.

[Alex]

Congratulations!

[Iris616]

The first race is a little chaotic, no matter how well organized it is.
Congrats for getting out there and getting it done!