So I love the multisport lifestyle- competing, training, planning, reliving the experience. Those of you who compete in Triathlons know what I am talking about. The nervous energy dancing around in your stomach as you wait for the start horn. Knowing you have several hours or more in the pain box. What's the pain box you ask? Swimming, Biking and Running all at race pace until you finish.
How did I get started on this crazy journey? Well it started playing laser tag with my son on his 13th birthday. I ended up herniating 2 disks in my back- which if you have had sciatic pain, you know what a discomfort that can be. So after getting a few shots in my back and being told surgery might be a good idea (an opting for a natural approach) I started walking on our treadmill. Well I first had to move the laundry from the deck, but walking turned to jogging and then I rediscovered my mountain bike. Jogging became running, mountain biking became longer, faster and guess what- the back stopped hurting (as much- yeah it still hurts every day, but it does not slow me down.) Over the winter I decided the mtn bike needed a faster brother- a road bike. So in early Feb, the new bike was part of my daily training program and it occurred to me- I should try a Tri.
So I found an event in mid June and registered for the SBR series #1 in Harriman NY. And then I decided I should do one before the SBR to get some practice in- yeah Tri's are addictive. So in mid May, I loaded the new bike, my brand new wetsuit and my running gear along with my partner in this adventure- the son, and drove down to Clinton NJ and the Jersey Man Tri.
As the rain began to fall, there was a bit of sanity checking- like what the heck was I doing out here, but soon it was time to get the new wet suit on and get a warm up swim. I had spent the previous week at a training session for work and had gotten a lot of pool time- guess what the pool is not open water and it was a bit different experience.
After getting out of water from the practice swim, it was time to line up on the beach for my first start. Oh yeah it was go time- and then the air horn sounded, into the water go go go- oof. Taking a kick in the gut was not part of the plan, but hey this is a Triathlon so swim through it. Soon I settled into a routine, stroke breathe, stroke breath, where the hell is the turn buoy, stroke breathe and on and on. However after a while the shoreline seemed to get closer and before too long I was able to stand on the sand and begin my journey into T1. As I started to take my wetsuit off, my strategically placed GU's fell out of their pockets- should I stop- nah, just keep going. Hey I have just completed my first leg in a real Tri- dude keep going, oh crap I gotta breathe again.
As I ran up the hill to the Transition area I started to repeat the mantra of Helmet and glasses, helmet and glasses. Before I knew it my wetsuit was off (it was a bit of pain to get it over the timing chip, but it got it clear and grabbed the bike. As I got to the mount line, my Transition practice paid off- I felt like I really had rocked the second part of a Tri- the dreaded T1. On the bike, I felt good, but started to get passed by some studs on their Aero Bikes and disk wheels. I said to myself- ride your race and don't loose too much time, catch them on the run.
The bike was tough, rainy but I felt like I had done pretty well for my first time and now it was time for the run. Oh boy was I ready. Get to T2, get the shoes on, race visor and number belt and go. I got out of the trans area and uh oh, my legs felt dead. So left right left right, breathe and find your pace- I must be going so slow, oh well just finish and keep going. However over the first mile my pace got stronger, I remembered how to breathe and felt stronger.
Before long I was taking the last turn to the finish. 200 Meters to go, I am gonna be a triathlete, hey there are my kids cheering me on. Finish, David Smith congratulations. Wow I just became a triathlete- this is freakin awesome, oh breathe and that medal is cool, breathe again. Wow. WOW I love this sport!
That race rocked for me- and as I type this a few months later, I have had some great success. A couple of top ten overall finishes, gotten some "hardware on the podium" and continue to get stronger, but that first race was awesome and has turned me into a multisport lunatic.
Stay tuned for more details...
