Reesha's Triathlon and Duathlon Race Reports!

[Reesha]

Not only my first tri ever, but my first *race* ever. I played soccer for many many years, spring and fall and never managed to get myself into any kind of running or biking race.

About 3 weeks ago I had no intention of doing a triathlon. I really didn't think I could do it. When I bought my first road bike in early May, the sales guy told me I should enter the local Monday night sprint distance triathlons and then every time I saw him after that he kept mentioning it. Fine, Jeremiah, you win. I entered my first triathlon, this monday last.

So not only did I not have any intention of doing a tri 3 weeks ago, but I didn't think I could run a mile three weeks ago, let alone a 5k which is the running distance for the weekly tri. I decided "now or never" and went for it and managed to bust out a 2.8 mile run on my first attempt. I got better on the bike so fast that everything seemed possible.

OK race day. I was nervous all day. I had to wear my tri gear under my work clothes to my job as I didn't get off with time to go home and change. I registered, was given my # for the summer and drawn on. I got to lay out all my stuff and rip out grass anxiously as I waited for the call to the beach.

I had a bunch of friends who were mini-tri vets there in the water with me and they were very reassuring. I made a lot of friends out of fellow self-proclaimed slow-swimmers and we all agreed to take it easy. I was only going out to complete this one really, I didn't want to worry about actually racing it as hard as humanly possible. It was a balmy 80 degrees out that evening but the water was easily 65 degrees given all the rain we've had in Lake Placid the last couple weeks. Ugh.

The swim started and I managed to breast stroke it the entire way. Hurray! I couldn't even do that the one time I'd been swimming before that so I was pleased. I was at the back the entire way with an old woman and some other asthmatics and first timers like myself. But it felt really good... I didnt stop, I kept a nice smooth pace. Coming out of the water I felt that well-known vertigo I've heard so much about but my friends were cheering me on so I had to go go go and get my bike stuff together!

The vertigo didn't really hit me until I was on the bike. I was wobbling like crazy which was frustrating because the bike is supposedly my strong point. The first time I stood up on my pedals to climb I almost fell right over. Bad bad bad. I decided to take it easy until the vertigo wore off and after 10 minutes I started to feel better. I passed a few people and got cheered on by fly fishermen along the river. My legs were a little spaghetti-like from all the breaststroke though and I couldn't muster the energy to sprint up the big hills like I could in practice. There are a couple brutal ones that are pretty steep on this course.

I rolled in on the bike just as my friend Dave (another bike shop guy who convinced me to do it) was finishing up the entire tri! He patted me on the back and cheered me on as I got on my running shoes and set out for the 5 k. My asthma was kicking in for the first half of the run... I couldn't breathe deeply at all and I pretty much wanted to die. At the turnaround though I hit my stride and ran faster toward home where I had a bunch of friends there taking my picture and screaming my name. A bunch of people I knew who finished in the top 20 congratulated me and that felt special. Some of the top 20 were Ironman Hawaii competitors.

I came in second to last but I finished! After feeling completely out of shape a month before! I'm still in awe that I was able to do a triathlon, and having finished one I can safely say that I can't wait to do another one and be just a little bit faster!



Sadly this was the only image that came out... the rest are completely blurry. Hopefully I'll get some better ones next time!

I think I came in second to last actually.

[Tri Girl]

Yippeeeeeee Reesha!!! Congrats on your first EVERYTHING!!!! Wooo hooo!!!!

For only having 3 weeks of prep under your belt, I'm simply amazed at your performance! You should be very proud of yourself! Now you have a PR to beat the next time around. Are these races are every Monday night or just once a month? That's soooooo coool!

I love the pic that did turn out (maybe you'll have more to share next time ).

Congrats on a great first race and for finishing so strong. Doesn't matter where you placed- just that you finished!


You guys are getting ready for IMLP... pretty exciting stuff! I have a friend who's doing the race and he's soooooo excited. I've heard Lake Placid is an incredible place to race.

[Reesha]

Thanks Tri Girl! I'm pretty pleased with myself, for sure Yeah Lake Placid is amazing. It's incredible how much of the social scene revolves around athleticism of some kind or other and not in an exclusive way. Everyone is so encouraging and helpful and during the mini-tri the faster people heading back the way you're going high five you and say encouraging things. It's soooo cool. Then afterward, people kick back and drink a beer or go out for wings. It's a pretty healthy lifestyle all in all and I couldn't have asked for anything cooler.

I spent my whole young life thinking I was a terrible athlete with terrible endurance and no hope for ever being able to live my athletic dreams. Turns out I always had asthma! I was diagnosed last October and it's actually quite acute. If only I'd known back when I was a soccer player!

Doing the Triathlons is my way of sticking it to the condition. Screw you asthma! That's what I say.

I meant to do a full mini tri practice today but my swim friends cancelled and I'm not going to be stupid enough to swim alone. I did the run twice and the bike once. It's getting easier!

[csh_01]

Congrats on finishing your first tri! I'm amazed you were able to train in 3 weeks. It sounds like the beginning of a lot of tris to come!

[Wahine]

Yipppppppeeeeeee!!

Nice work. You finished and you didn't finish last after all.

The vertigo thing has to do with getting cold water in your ears. You do adapt to it after awhile.

Keep it up!! You'll just keep getting stonger.

[Starfish]

I have never done a Tri! I think you are brave and successful!!

[jesvetmed]

Hey Reesha... Congrats on your first tri, and especially in dealing with the asthma! I'm training for my first tri and you have given me inspiration!

[HillSlugger]

That is awesome! I can't believe you got yourself ready for a triathlon in 3 weeks!

[MeshLover]

Hey Reesha!

I'm about to do my first triathlon tomorrow and never got serious about training but was too stubborn to change my mind and not participate. Thanks for the inspiration to finish a Tri by willing yourself to make it!

[alpinerabbit]

Sounds like a good way to not get worked up about it too much!

Good Job!

[HappyAnika]

Congrats on finishing! I admire your "Get out there and do it" attitude. You have weekly sprints? That sounds like fun. Can't wait to hear how the next one goes.

[Reesha]

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes! Yeah I'm really proud of myself in a big way, I really wasn't expecting it at all.

I really recommend just "getting out there and doing it". It's the best way to start and the determination helps you when you get the the race day itself! I'll let you all know how Monday goes with my second one!

[RoadRaven]

Reesha... what a great first tri... and very readable race report.

Well impressed with your great attitude.
You finished and you felt good about your finish - what better way to finish than that!

[eclectic]

Reesha

Way to get out there and "JUST DO IT"

I have asthma too - not fun but you took care of it and got 'er done!

[Reesha]

Thanks guys!

Tonight is my second mini-tri! I'm scared again mostly because I know how hard it was last time and I'm worried I won't finish. Ugh. Nervous!!!