Ok, my turn, First tri, . . . and some news . . .

[HappyAnika]

(This is really long, sorry!)

So . . . I am 11 weeks pregnant! The discovery of this news at the end of May raised the question of whether or not I should still plan to participate in the sprint tri I had already signed up for. Current medical wisdom goes along the lines that in most cases if a woman is already exercising before pregnancy, then it is ok to continue that regimen. My doctor and my best friend who is a doctor both seemed to think it would be fine to do the tri, as long as I took it easy. So that was my plan. However, severe lightheadedness kept me off my bike for a couple of weeks due to balance issues. Then morning sickness and unbelievable fatigue set it and made it extremely difficult to keep any sort of regular training schedule. I went from exercising 5 – 8 x/week down to 2 – 3. I cut out intervals and speed work since I didn’t want to put my body through that kind of stress. Two weeks out I was seriously doubting my ability to participate, I felt so horrible with the morning sickness (which is really all-day sickness) and fatigue. Then 1 week out DH and I went and rode the bike course and I felt great. My confidence was restored and I was ready to go. So my goals for the race were a little unusual, I was trying to approach it more as an extended workout, just for the experience, rather than a race:

1. Start the race.
2. Not throw up.
3. Not get competitive.
4. Not overheat.
5. Keep hydrated.
6. Have fun!

Notice how “finish” isn’t in the list? I gave myself permission to quit if I didn’t feel up to it.

Ok, now for the report:

Pre-race
Friday evening I went down to pick up my packet and attend the mandatory race meeting. Chaos! Chaos everywhere. The “meeting” started 15 minutes late and was not organized or helpful. I then had to wait 45 minutes in line to pick up my packet, only to find out that there were no packets to be picked up. I just had to turn in my USAT form and get my T-shirt. Numbers and chips would not be available until race morning. I was not alone in being mad about the waiting and the lack of organization. This really made me worry about how race day would go.

Race day
We were supposed to get there by 8 to get our numbers and chips, even though my wave didn’t start until 9. There had been a shooting nearby the previous night, the police had closed the park that the run was supposed to go through, so they had to re-route the run and as a result everything was running an hour behind. Grrr. (It was a nice enough neighborhood, it’s not like we were running through the ghetto . . .) The race was based out of a YMCA, DH scouted out a lounge area with a comfy couch and a tv that was showing Le Tour, so at least I had something to keep me occupied for a while and keep my mind off the fact that every minute it was getting hotter and hotter outside. Finally I got up to go for a quick ride and warm up a bit. I just rode the neighborhood streets for about 10 min, up and down the grade the neighborhood was set on. Came back, got everything set up in transition. Went back inside to watch some more of the tour and stretch. Then it was finally time to head to the pool.

Swim: 500 m pool swim, 14:34
No one in the pool area seemed to be in charge or know what was going on. Kept having to ask around what wave was in the pool. Finally it was time for mine. Two other women in my lane, I told them I’d be swimming at 14 min, the time I put down. One said she would swim in 10 (she put down 14 ), and the other said 13. I told them just to tap my foot or ankle and I would gladly wait at the end, I was not in a hurry. They had pulled the lap counters and put them on the changed run course, so you could have your own personal lap counter if you wanted. DH sat right at the edge of the pool to count my laps and cheer me on, yay! I felt like I was swimming too hard and got out of my rhythm a couple of times. I was getting tired around 8 laps and glad to be almost done. Finally I finished, and I was not the only one still in the pool! There were about 6 more ladies still in. I had a hard time getting out of the pool, I have to have my back to the wall to get out, and I didn’t see the diving platform behind me, so I had to scootch over and try again. I had 14 min on my hrm when I hit the wall, timing mat was outside, so 14:34 was my official time.

T1: 2:31
Went fine, toweled off my feet, got my socks on no problem, threw on my shoes, helmet, glasses, and gloves, swigged some water, and I was off. I know a lot of people don’t bother with gloves, but I really don’t like riding without them. I don’t feel like I have as good of control unless I have them on.

Bike: 12 mile out and back, 300 ft. gain, 5840 ft. at highest point (turn around) with some ups and downs on the way, 45:38
I’m so glad I’d ridden the course the week before, so I knew about this hill. This mean, nasty, short but very steep hill all of a quarter mile into the course. You just get on your bike, get settled in, and then boom! I’m estimating a 10 – 11% grade for a short pitch at the top. My plan was to get over the thing as quickly as possible, recover, and then settle in for the gradual climb to the turn around. However, there was a woman on the hill going very slowly, so I passed her. Then I was afraid she’d catch me, so I kept up my pace. D’OH! I violated goal #3. I wasn’t recovering, then I started feeling bad. Really bad, worried about violating goal #2. So then I talked myself down, had to remind myself I was not out there to prove anything to anyone. I slowed way down, had some water and some electrolyte drink and started feeling better immediately. Then I took it easy the rest of the way up to the turn around. On the last uphill stretch that woman passed me, but I let her go. I figured I’d catch her on the downhill, but I didn’t since I was still taking it easy. Oh well, I was feeling good now and enjoying myself. Nearing the end of the route, you must then go back up the other side of that mean little hill, although from this side it was not as long, nor as steep. I stood for the climb to get my weight on my legs in preparation for the run. I cruised down the mean hill w/o pedaling to rest my lungs. Then I had a slight uphill back to transition where I stood some more. Course was well marked, although I already knew the route.

T2: 2:09 (really? I thought I was faster) . . .
Changed helmet for running cap, changed cycling shoes for running shoes (equipped with the spring thingies so you don’t have to tie laces), strapped on number belt, had some more water, then I was off. As I jogged out of transition, I took my gloves off and put them in my back pocket. I knew it would take me a few moments to get them off, so I decided to just take them with me running.

Run: 3.3 miles, 2 loops through neighborhood course, about 80 ft. gain with a hill to the finish, 46:10
There was a water station immediately out of transition, so had some to drink, then poured the rest on my head and neck. My legs didn’t feel bad, but I was very concerned about my heart rate getting too high, so I jogged very slowly, it felt more like a trudge. I felt pretty good, I just wanted to make sure I took it easy. Turns out the course was well marked, I was worried because the organizers had said they would “try” to mark the course. I walked the next water station, dousing myself again, then continued to trudge. Made it up the hill to start the second lap just fine, walked the next water station, doused again. My core felt nice and cool, it was just my arms that were hot. By now I was feeling really good, so I picked up the pace. I walked a 15 yard stretch of the last hill in the shade, then ran into the finish, no sprinting for me today.

Post race:
It was 89 when I finished, bleh, but I didn’t feel hot until I stopped running and was walking on the newly paved dark parking lot. Went inside the Y to air conditioned comfort for some water and pretzels. I was surprised to see what my max hr was on my monitor, it had to have been on that first bike climb. However my average was right where I’d wanted it, in zone 3. I felt good for most of the race, it was just that few minutes on the bike where I had to force myself to really let up. Luckily I’d brought a change of clothes, I was soaked from dousing myself. So I changed, got my stuff, then we were off to Rubio’s for fish tacos!

Summary:
Swim: 14:34.3, 23/23 in AG
Bike: 45:38.8, 16.3 mph, 13/23 in AG
Run: 46:10.6, 14 min/mi., (lap 1: 15.5 min/mi, lap 2: 12.4 min/mi), 21/23 in AG
Total: 1:51:03 (I had 1:50:45), 249/261 overall

So my overall placing was pretty bad, but I’m ok with that. I have the best excuse in the world. If you look at my placings in AG, it’s obvious I have a ways to go with my swimming and running. But I just started learning how to swim in January (or Feb?), and I just started running regularly in March. So on top of being pregnant, I think its not so bad for a first triathlon. I had lots of fun and I’ll definitely do another one next year.

Last random notes: I was so glad I had the tri top and shorts and didn’t have to worry about changing clothes in transition. I had intended to do a couple of transition practice sessions, but could not muster the energy in the last few weeks. The day before, as I was laying down to nap, I visualized moving through the transitions, and I think this really helped. As a new swimmer, I can still get anxious putting my face in the water if it has been more than a few days since I was last in the pool. I went for a short easy swim on Friday, and I think this really helped me get going on race day without any breathing anxiety. I was not sore at all the day after, which means I didn’t push too hard, which in my case is a good thing!

If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading!
Thanks to all of you ladies for participating in this forum and making it such a great source of information and inspiration!

[eclectic]

WOW, WOW, TRIPLE WOW

Not only for completing your first tri but for the excitment of your little bambino (is this #1 for you ? ? ? )

Arrrrrrrgh I couldn't even imagine training and completing a tri in my first trimester of pregnancy, I can remember the fatigue and queeziness a little too vividly and my last "baby" just turned 20 (Oh yea at that time I didn't even know what a triathlon was

You did super great on the swim for being a beginner!
The bike course sounds tough - but you got back to your original plan and attitude - way to go.

And to finish the run w/ the 2nd lap faster in the heat is incredible.
AND way to go for not stopping and throwing up that in and of itself deserves a medal.

Great report and whoohoo again re the baby. So very exciting !

[Wahine]

congrats Anika on the finish and the baby.

[anakiwa]

Congratulations!!!!!

[Tri Girl]

Hooray for HappyA!!!! You did it- you're officially a triathlete (and a mom, too- congrats on your baby!!!).

Not only are you incredibly tough for getting out there and doing a tri in your first trimester, but you did really well!!! For your first one, you couldn't ask for much more. You finished strong and upright- that's a good race in my book any day. You look so happy in all the pictures- whoever took them did a great job at capturing your spirit!

Congrats again!!!

[KSH]

WOW! That is one impressive story there!

You are pregnant... and you kept training and still raced. AMAZING! Simply amazing.

Good job on racing your race. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and lose focus. You stayed focused.

I'm sure the visulization helped with your transitions. Many athletes use this as a part of training for their events. I had nightmares about my transitions before my race this weekend... and oddly my transitions played out that way.

Congratulations on completing your first tri. I'm guessing this will be your first and last for awhile... eh?

[wildstreaktn]

WTG Anika!!!!
That's awesome!!You fulfilled all your goals while carrying the wee one along for the ride.I don't have kids and can't imagine trying to complete a tri while pregnant! You should be very proud of yourself,we are.A big^5 to ya!!

[HappyAnika]

Wow, thanks everyone! Both for the kind words and for reading my entire novella!

Mimi, AG is age group (mine would be 30 - 34).

Yes, this will be our first child, and yes, it will be a while until I do another tri. I'm due early Feb, so I hope I will be in shape for another sprint by next June. Meanwhile I plan to keep up the exercising, modifying as I go along. I'm glad I've learned how to swim since that will be a great activity when I'm too big to be on the bike.

They say that women who keep exercising have fewer complaints of symptoms, like fatigue and nausea. I'm not so sure I agree with that!

[Reesha]

Yeah Anika! You're not the only one who isn't a speed demon starting out! We'll have to get faster... but I suppose maybe we'll have to wait til after the baby is born?

That's great though! I am too wimpy to look at my official times on the website for our mini-tris here (sprint distance) but my unofficial times make me happy for sure especially since it dropped 3 minutes from last time.

Wow, you must be so proud 8') Isn't it a great feeling to have done one? I feel like part superhero now, and you should too!