NYC PANASONIC
TRIATHLON
JULY 24, 2016
This past weekend I completed my first triathlon, another
race checked off my 2016 Race Goals. This triathlon consisted of swim
(1500meters-bike40k-run8k), and I’m still in awe and disbelief that I did this.
One of my favorite quotes, “Nothing is
Impossible, the word itself says I’m Possible”- Audrey Hepburn.
I remember when I
decided to do this race was last year when I volunteered for the event and
signed up in November, right away I hit the pool which was my weakness although
I was consistently swimming I was still learning technique, breathing, gliding,
sighting all new words I learned while training. I was still using nose plugs
while I was training and practicing and it wasn’t until about 2-3 months before
the race I finally got rid of them. Within those 2-3 months I bought a road
bike, I met my coach from TriHuracan and the amazing athletes that are part of
that team and from there I grew as a an athlete and became a triathlete. Biking
was also my weakness, learned how to ride a bike a few years ago and still
didn’t have the confidence riding for a while I would go ride with my friend and relied on him on
looking back for me and taking me through easy routes. The speed gave me fear
of not stopping in time and getting hit by a car or flying off my bike. My
running the last month of training became minimal when I rolled my ankle when I
fell off my bike and still not 100% but with Physical Therapy and some rest
(hard for me to just rest) I’m getting better day by day.
So my experience for my first triathlon was amazing and I
impressed myself with my time of 3hour35min and my goal was to finish within 4
hours. Race morning I got there at 4 am with only about 4.5 hours of sleep. I
set up my bike and gear and walked to the swim start with my wetsuit and it was
a nice calming walk which I needed watching the sun rise above the water that I
was going to swim in.
Swim, well still a bit of my weakness
but within time I will build up endurance, better breathing and overall become
a better swimmer. Jumping in the Hudson, I’m sure a lot of people are asking,
what was that like? Well I couldn’t see anything as soon as I jumped in, just
brown water , I started swimming with the group I went out with about 15 woman
and think about 500 meters or so in I started slowing down then it became a
little mental for me thinking ugh not even half way done, am I there yet. I
started swimming freestyle, head above water, back stroke even floating at one
point just to get to the finish which felt never ending. At one point I stopped
at one of the surfboards where they had people watching you to make sure
everyone is ok and I took a breather since I was feeling my wetsuit
constricting my chest. When I finally
reached the finish of the swim, I didn’t feel my legs for a bit was a little
off balance then was able to walk after that, had to walk/run for about 600
yards barefoot to get to the bike transition area. I walked with someone that I had met from Riverbank
Park where I trained which was a nice walk to have some company with. Took my
time during my transition, I went to restroom looked at my list, yes I made
little post it notes for my swim, bike, run so I didn’t forget anything lol.
Bike- I
hopped on my bike and I felt ok took it slow because I knew there was a sharp
turn coming and a steep hill, in my head was thinking I’m going to get stuck,
not going to go fast enough, will collide with someone in that narrow turn. I
know I need to get that negativity out of my head, but I made that turn and it
was all clear of bikers and I saw a friend and she cheered me on and I went for
it and got up that hill nice and smooth. I then continued on a bumpy turn to
get to the west side highway which I didn’t know what to expect but there
weren’t a lot of bikers when I got on and felt at ease. I was expecting a 2
hour bike time and finished 1 hour 53 minutes.
Run- Well
my legs felt like jello when I started to run and they gave us another steep
hill to run, we were starting in Riverside Park so to get out of that park
everything was uphill. I felt good until about 2 miles in and the heat started
to get to me, I was pouring water on my head my neck, jumping the sprinklers
all I wanted was it to end. Once I crossed that finish line was so relieved and
happy and sense of accomplishment in reaching a goal I have wanted for quite
some time.
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| TRIHURACAN TEAMMATES |
So now that I am done with my first triathlon I will be
doing one more for the summer and continue my running goal of running 50
states, Chicago Marathon in 10 weeks.
Until next time, Happy Running, Swimming, Biking!
