Race Report (my 1st!):Toronto Island Triathlon

My thoughts are all over the place right now. This is why I didn't write earlier.
So here's an account of my first triathlon competition, at the Toronto Island Triathlon on August 18, 2007.

The day started really well. Of course I didn't get enough sleep, but I was up in no time. I didn't feel too tired, but I knew it could have been better.

It was a sunny, crisp morning, or I should say a chilly 10C (50F) at 5:30am. My gear was ready, I packed, reviewed and double-checked all that was needed. If you know about my story, you already know that I can't run. So at least I didn't have to pack the running gear. I have a friend who started running last year, and I asked him if he would do the relay with me. I would do the swimming (750M) and biking (30km), he would do the running (7.5km).
He jumped in, even though at the time we registered, which is about 3 weeks before the race, the furthest he ever ran was 5km. Two total newbies having no clue what they're getting into. Sounds like a fun day! :)

Because we had to take a ferry to the island , we didn't know how long it would take, how the line-up would be, and how quickly they would "process" the athletes. We waited about 45 minutes in the line for the ferry. The ferry ride was about 10 minutes. The walk to the race kit pickup, bib pickup, marking, chip pickup was another 10 minutes, the wait to all of these was close to 30 minutes. All the extra time we thought we had didn't seem much now.

While we were waiting in line, a race volunteer started to tell everybody that the winds turned and the water was really cold (56F). Now that is cold. I swam in the lake before at that temperature in June, and it was far from being comfortable, and after 20-25 minutes I had to get out of the water. But I knew I could do it. The race officials strongly suggested all triathletes should change their registration to Duathlon. The juniors were racing earlier today, and 2 of the athletes had to be pulled off the water. I still wanted to swim.

Further in the line, an announcement comes up: the swim is cancelled!! ARGGGG! At that point I was really disappointed. My mind was set on experiencing the transition between the swim and bike, and I also wanted that swim badly, probably more than the biking part. But the worst part is that my partner would have to do most of the work now! And he was not prepared for it, in his mind it was one run and done.

I have to give him tons of credits, he didn't seem to hesitate and decided to go for it! Two 5km in the same day would be an awesome accomplishment! There was no time for disappointments anymore. Just get ready, setup my bike in transition, wait in line (another one) for the portapotties.

Our start was at 9:30, and I was able to look at my teammate go and come back from the turn around. After that it was my turn to get ready. I went to transition and put my gear on. And started to stress a little bit. I realized that if he did a smokin' time I wouldn't have much time to be ready. My heart rate was at 134 already, and I was just waiting!! I took a power gel (now I know it's too sweet for me), some water, and was ready to go.

I decided to use my camelbak for water, as I don't feel comfortable reaching for bottles just yet. I didn't fill it too much, to make sure it wouldn't weight too much on my back. It ended being good for me, I couldn't even feel it during the ride.

So, having all my gear on, I waited about 2 minutes for my partner to arrive in transition. He did great, but I didn't really have time to find out how he felt, as I grabbed the chip, put it around my ankle and ran out of transition.

Running in the grass with a bike and biking shoes was something new for me. I think I did ok. At least I didn't trip, fall or both. I've seen a couple of people having difficulties at the mount/dismount lines, and I was a bit scared of that part, especially because I'm still not used to the clipless! I ended up doing just fine, and from that moment, I kept smiling and enjoying the day!

The first loop, for me was really to get used to people all over, passing (many, many of them passing), and me passing 1 or 2 bikers (on MTB) I averaged 28km/h, and I was a bit disappointed, as I was expecting 30km/h. There was some wind, but I don't think it affected me that much. I just didn't seem to have much fuel.

I also tested the aero bars for the first time! I hear you, it's kinda weird, to try aero bars for the first time ever in a race environment...For my defense, I didn't ride my bike a lot (not enough) before, and it was a course without cars, so I went for it. I saw the difference in speed. I was now around or above 30km/h.

The second loop was about adaptation and pain. At that point I realized that you have to get used to the aero position. My back was really fine, it seems my core is strong enough for the position. Fortunately, the adjustments I did to my bike earlier last week seem to have solved a nerve problem I had in my right hand. I didn't feel any tingling, or numbness.
The problem was my private parts! It was really painful. I think I will have to bring my seat back a bit downwards, to alleviate the pressure. Every bump was torture. So I started getting out of aero every 5 minutes to get out of the saddle for temporary relief.

By that time, I was also starting to breathe hard, and felt like I needed more energy. So I had another power gel, about 45 minutes after the 1st one. Immediately I started burping and didn't feel quite good for about 5 minutes. It seemed to settle down as I started my third-and last-loop.

My last lap was definitely the best. I felt (and was) fast, strong and powerful. Still nothing compared to all the people passing my at 34km/h or more, but I passed maybe 10 bikers on that lap. Of course they were most likely doing the duathlon on their own, but for me it's still a victory. :oP

I arrived at the dismount line, unclipped one foot, stopped (I can't do the bike still rolling thing), and dismounted. The guy next to me was not so successful and crashed. I ran through transition with very wobbly legs, it was the first time I experienced that, not running, I don't do bricks! I gave the chip to my teammate, and off he went.

He did great and finished on his two feet! :o) Congrats to him!

We knew we were far from being competitive, we both just started to exercise seriously last year, and weren't necessarily consistent throughout the year. Nonetheless, we are not last in our group! 7/9, which was enough to make both of us really happy! All the credit goes to my partner, as he charged into the challenge and did something he wouldn't have imagined doing the day just before.

The good news is, I think he's hooked. And that's from one of the first who told me I was crazy to get into the world of triathlons :oD As for me, well, I asked him if he would do another one before the end of the season, so I can put my swimming and biking together :o) It might be on September 1st, I'll get the confirmation later on this week.

I have to say that even though we're at the back of the pack, I feel like I won a million. Only a couple of years ago, I would never have imagined even doing a 30km ride without crying from pain in my joints. Just the waiting in line before the event would have killed me! Now, two full days after the race is over, I can tell that my joints have decided to collaborate with me, and that I'm in much more control of my body than ever before. I take this as a very important victory, and I'm determined to keep it that way!

I suppose you want to know how long it took us. Here it is, but let me warn you, if you are anything above the back of the pack, it will look awfully slow! But I don't mind, it's just going to be a definite PR next year! :oP

Run1: 30:01
T1: 0:48
Bike: 1:00:35
T2: 0:53
Run2: 32:58 (includes a stop at portapotties, and stretching)

Here is what I learned:
-Powergel is not good for me. Find another one that is less sweet
-The aero position should be practiced.
-I still have some adjustments to do on the bike
-I need to do speed work. My legs are fine, but my lungs and heart were out of sync (avg HR 164, for an avg speed of 29.7 didn't seem very good).
-Keep smiling! (which I did!)

In conclusion, I had a blast, and even though it wasn't as it was supposed to be, I want to do it again, and I want to plan for next year!!

Here are a couple of pics:
The team

Getting my first body marking

The Start

Getting ready in transition

Out of T1

Smiling after my successful mounting


Last Lap!

The finish