I survived my first Tri. Parris Island
Hey Everyone,
I made it!
I woke up at 3am couldnt sleep, we left at 5:15 for the almost 2 hr. drive. The weather was cold, damp & gloomy but the rain held of***** there picked up our packets & got that all sorted out, then found my transition area & got that all ready & then just waited back inside at the pool where it was warm. My friend/mentor/coach & 2 other buddies from the gym were there doing their first tri too. I wasnt really nervous by that time & knew if I could get through the swim I would be fine. I was seeded close to the end so we didnt get to start until almost 11:00. Finally it was my time to start and I was as calm as I could be & decided I was going to take my time with my swim which I did ,after the first lap I let the 2 guys behind me pass me because they were really fast then I ended up passing a few people too. I got a cramp in my side about the halfway mark but I tried not to focus on it & kept going, finally I was on the last lap & was so happy to reach that exit ladder, I ended up exiting right behind the lady who started in front of me, as I was exiting I heard this chick yelling behind me to MOVE IT, my first instinct was to turn around & blast her but I didnt have time for that & I didnt want to get kicked off the course. She looked to be an experienced triathlete so I'm wondering if she was late & they seeded her at the very end because I remember seeing her running around earlier like a decapitated chicken. Ran outside & wa**** with the cold air, dried off a bit, threw a shirt on, shoes/socks, helmet & was off. The bike ride was great, I ended up passing a few people which boosted my ego. Finally finished the bike ride & went to rack my bike, grab my race belt & was off. I started off slow then walked for a minute or 2 while I downed a gu then started running again & didnt stop until I got to a water stand, the lady told me I was halfway done so I kept on going, I saw a lady in front of me cheat a little by cutting a corner but I wasnt going to do that. I knew I was getting close I could hear the crowds & there were people cheering me on here & there which was a boost, finally I could hear my friend/coach & Robert cuz he finished before me cheering me on as I crossed that finish line.
Great experience for me & I will definitely be doing more. I'm pleased with my times too. My first goal was to finish second goal was to finish under 2 hours I made both of those.
Swim 16:26 T1 3:41 Bike 44:10 T2 1:44 Run 33:48 Total 1:39:48
On a side note I met some really nice people before & afterwards, I must say the Tri community is very welcoming to newcomers like myself. I also had a great nights sleep Saturday night after I came down off of that wonderful high! Thanks everyone here for all of the tips, support, inspriration, encouragement, etc. The only thing I saw people do that I didnt know about was bringing their stuff in a bucket so they could use it as a stool, I thought that was a neat idea.
Vicki
290/253/200/175
Highest/Surgery/Current/GOAL
Dan Benintendi - OH Support Group Leader
www.trimywill.com
www.swimfromobesity.com
www.trimywill.blogspot.com
Support Group: www.obesityhelp.com/group/Post_Op_PRs/
You certainly surpassed your goals for your first Tri. Way to go!
Cassie