I am a triathlete.
I really, really love saying that.
I learned a lot from not only the training process leading up to my first tri, but also from the experience itself. I learned how far I can push my body and that even when I think I’ve hit my limit, I can will my legs to keep moving, albeit slowly.
I learned that I cannot swim in a straight line. Practicing in the pool has the added benefit of a lovely blue line that I can follow back and forth. In the open water, there were buoys and lifeguard rafts. The buoys were fairly easy to see, the lifeguard rafts blended into the color of the water.
I learned (but was not surprised) that I am not a biker. While I finished the bike much faster than I wanted to, I never felt good about the ride. Each push and pull felt like a struggle. At first, I was disheartened that every rider I saw was passing me. I started to beat myself up that I couldn’t go faster. But then, accompanied by the traditional “On your left!” came words of encouragement.
“On your left! Keep it up girl, you got this!”
“On your left! You’re already halfway there, keep going!”
I started to smile despite the fact that my legs were already starting to ache and my ass was killing me.
I had trained for the run with my sister at a 5/2 interval pace trying to average a 12 minute/mile. By the time I got to the run, I could only muster a 3/2. Again, I started to beat myself up, pushing myself so hard I thought I was going to collapse. But then, at some point, I realized, that it didn’t matter how much I ran or walked, I just needed to get across the finish line. So, I just kept going. I smiled at the other runners and offered my own words of encouragement as I passed someone by. I finished my run in 43 minutes, which might seem slow to people, but my 5K PR is 38.38.
Am I ok with the fact that I was 5 minutes slower on this race considering I had just swam and biked for an hour before I started running? Yeah. I’m ok with that.
I learned that while I was really self conscious in my tri kit before the race (the top kept sliding up over my belly and I kept trying to hold it down), once I started going, I didn't care a single bit what I looked like. It was absolutely comfort over fashion.
I also learned that triathletes come in all shapes and sizes. I was really worried about all the super fit people that I would be competing against, but I saw women that ranges for super thin, to insanely fit and everything in between.
My goal for the race was to finish is 2:15. That was what I had trained for. I finished in 2:07. I call that a major win.
All in all, I learned that I should have trained a little harder. While all of my workouts pushed me a little, I should have incorporated a little more speed work. I was so concerned with being able to go the distance, that I didn’t think about how working on speed training could really help me. Now I know for next time.
Because there will be a next time.
