Splash N Dash - My first Multi-Sport Event

[MINIskirt]

Distances:
Swim - 400m
Run - 5k

Times:
Swim - 10:51 minutes
Transition - 1:59 minutes
Run - 33:48 minutes
Total - 46:38 minutes

Well this story starts the day before the race. I ate more junk that I probably should have and had a little trouble with my blood sugar crashing. I also didn't eat nearly enough dinner and then got some bad news. I didn't sleep very well that night.

For my first multi-sport event, I was pretty nervous, but mostly I was dead tired and starving. We got to the start line and I staked out my square for transition. I yanked, pulled and shimmied my way into my wetsuit and decided to eat an energy Shot Blok.

We started in the water, and Aaron counted down for the start. I took everyone's advice and started way off to the side. I didn't get kicked or anything. In fact, the swim actually went pretty smoothly!! I had to flip over and do backstroke a couple of times to catch my breath but the swim went really fast!

I got out of the water and started to trying to pull down the top of my wetsuit. Race officials asked us to make sure the numbers on our shoulders showed as we left the swim.


I definitely need to work on getting the wetsuit off quickly. Struggling to get it off cost me a couple of minutes, which was added to my swim time, since I hadn't made it to the transition area yet.


Once I got the top of the wetsuit off, I walked the LONG walk up the boat ramp to the transition area. The rest of the wetsuit came off easily, I put on my socks, shoes and hat and off I went!!

Wow, that was a hard 5k run. About a mile of the run was on a trail that followed the road, somewhat. The trail wasn't paved and very hilly. It also had lots of rocks. Some of the hills were pretty steep, both uphill and downhill. I couldn't imagine running this entire section. Some of those downhill sections would have been really scary if I'd been carrying any speed. Loose dirt, lots of rocks, etc. As it was, I kept tripping and was just waiting to fall. Then they dumped us back out onto the road and we started back towards the boat ramp. I tried to run as much as possible to make up for walking the trail. I ate another Shot Block at this point because my hunger had returned. This felt like the never ending 5k. When I passed the 2 mile mark, I couldn't believe it had ONLY been two miles.

Finally the Finish line was in sight.


I crossed the finish line, and they handed me a water bottle and I had officially completed my first multi-sport event.

The Good - The Swim! It was awesome, it felt great and went really fast. It was a major boost to my confidence in open water. And I set a new PR for a 5k!!!

The Bad - That was a hard 5k, lots of hills and lots of walking for me. I also need to work on taking off my wetsuit in a hurry.

The Ugly - About 3 minutes after I crossed the finish line, I got hit with the urge to vomit and/or pass out. It was really bad for about 10 minutes, then it had subsided enough for me to go pack up my stuff. My husband & I packed up my stuff and we took off. About half way home the nausea was finally gone. I need to figure out what to do to keep the Post-Race nausea away.

[Tri Girl]

CONGRATULATIONS, JEN!!!!

Sounds like it was a great race for you overall- and I'm so happy that you left the event feeling pleased with yourself!! Congrats on great swim and run times (and getting out of the wetsuit will get easier the more you do it). Fantastic finish- you look so happy!!!!

I'm (we're) really happy for you!! Thanks for posting the pics- it's great to see you in action!

Perhaps the post-race nausea was a result of your lack of sleep/hunger before the event. Also, if it's a sprint race when I'm pushing really hard, I get the urge to empty my stomach after a race (don't know if that's your cause).

Congrats again!!!

[KSH]

WOW! Great race report! I love the pictures too.

The wetsuit... the swim... happy to hear it went great.

The run... that was a hard run for you? You were SO FAST! I couldn't have gone that fast with walking... shoot, I wouldn't go that fast running the entire way.

I'm sorry to hear your sleep and nutrition weren't as they should have been. Oh well, you will do better next time, right?

Thanks for sharing your report! It's great!

[MINIskirt]

Thanks girls. Nausea aside, it was a great race and I'm really looking forward to my first triathlon later this year!

[rocknrollgirl]

EXCELLENT JOB.....

I practiced, practiced, practiced wetsuit removal. Also, try putting body glide on your arms from wrist to elbow and on your legs from ankle to calf. It helped me tons.

Congrats.

[HappyAnika]

Congrats! Sounds like you did really well despite the lack of sleep and nutrition. You look great running to the finish, you'd never know you had a tough run. You're smiling and your form looks fantastic! Can't wait to hear how the tri goes.

[Cindyloo]

Congrats! Great job on the swim!