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The Triathlon |
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The Triathlon |
HistoryIn September 2002 I decided that I wanted to do a triathlon. It has to be said that this was a bit of a silly plan, because in September 2002 I couldn't run, couldn't swim, hadn't ridden my bike for about 2 years, and was just less than 17 stone.I had been saying this for about 10 years, of course, but never been silly enough to actually tell people. Well, this time was different. This time I decided that I would do it, and to ensure that I really did I told as many people as I could. I began in earnest to start training, and also to lose weight. I started to follow the "Food Optimising" diet, and to be honest this has become second nature now. Put simply, I rarely eat protein and carbohydrate (e.g. Meat and Potatoes) on the same day. I do have a well balanced diet, and I eat heaps, but following this regime I have gone from 17 stone to 12 stone 4 lbs. I began running with a gentle run/walk program which I found on the internet, and in the spirit of sharing I have put in "Useful Info" at the bottom of the page. Following this program I went from not running at all (i.e. struggling to run for a minute) to being able to run for half an hour in just over a month. This provides an excellent base for building on. When December came around, I figured I really should do something about the swimming bit - it was beginning to bother me that I couldn't swim a length. My selected Triathlon was a "Sprint" event - i.e. 400m Swim, 14 mile Bike, 5 mile Run. 400 metres is 16 lengths. I was out of breath swiming 1 length. I decided that I needed to get some lessons. Again, see "Useful Info" concerning lessons. I haven't put a lot of effort into the Bike riding bit - I used to ride it quite a bit, and I'm reasonably good on it. I did start cycling more, but still not enough. I think that's something I need to work on over the summer. Finally, when May 11th came round (the day of the Triathlon) I was easily able to swim 400m, I had no issue with Cycling 14 miles, and running 5 miles was now a regular occurence. On top of this, I was now just over 12 stone. One could say I had achieved my goals. |
On The Day |
Result
How was it for you?This was my very first Triathlon. I didn't know what to expect in terms of registration or setting up, but actually, it was all extremely easy and friendly. I arived at about 6.50am to set up and register - my start time was 7.30.I found Transition and set up my bike and kit, then went off to find registration. Found a group of people writing numbers on each other. That was registration, and before I knew it, I had been numbered too. Registration dealt with, I went to the pool and joined the other competitors who were waiting to start at the same time as me. The swim started promptly at 7.30, and most people in my start group had estimated times of 15 or 20 minutes. My swimming is my weakest discipline, having only been doing it for 5 months, so I wasn't hugely surprised when I was the last out of the pool. As I clambered out (just less than 15 minutes after jumping in), the second wave who were due to start shortly after I climbed out gave me a huge round of applause. What a confidence boost that gave me, and it was indicative of the whole attitude within the sport - everyone wants you to do well. Off to first transition, which was about 100 yards away from the pool. Across the astro turf to find my bike. I had set up my bike, shoes, towel, glasses in the way I've seen people on the television doing. I had my helmet on the aerobars, my glasses in the helmet, towell on the floor, and shoes by it. Transition took a few minutes - I probably made too much effort to be dry, but off I went on the bike section still buzzing from the fact that I had completed the swim without drowning. The bike course was basically an out and back route. Off to the bypass and up the road about 7 miles, under the road and then back, but aproaching the transition area from a different direction. Cycling is the sport I have done for the past 10 years - not competitively, but just for fun, and so I'm fairly "handy" on the bike. I was extremely pleased because I was only 10 minutes or so in when I passed 3 of the people who left the pool in front of me. A mile or so further on, and on a fairly long incline, I passed another 3, pulling back 6 of the places I lost in the pool. The cycle continued uneventfully, and I spent the last mile in a low gear to try to get my legs in a better shape for running. I got off the bike with a time of 52 minutes, which was longer than I originally estimated, but shorter than it might have been. I could have possibly knocked a couple of minutes off this, but that probably would have ruined my run. Transition 2 was extremely fast - I ran in with the bike, hung it up, changed shoes, and removed my helmet. I was off and running, and it hurt like hell. I knew it would hurt. Everyone said it would hurt. I'd even done a few sessions of cycling then running, so I have felt it hurting before. All of this being said, it didnt stop it hurting one little bit. However, having practiced it, I also knew that it would stop soon, and after about 4 minutes it did. What's more, I could see someone ahead at the end of the road that was getting gradually nearer. Before I had finished the second mile I had passed them and was well on my way through the run. The run was uneventful, save for the big (to me) hill in the middle of it all. That conquered, it was a nice flat run home, during which I could enjoy some agonized faces coming the other way, safe in the knowledge that it was nearly all over. I crossed the finish line feeling that I could do the whole thing again, and I will do the whole thing again. Very very soon.
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Photographic Evidence |
Last Update: 24/05/06 |
