The TriDeltathon - A novice no more.
March 27, 2003
by Robin Raines Elliott
First of all, it was a lot of fun in a sick way. . .
I learned two important details:
ONE: 50 yards does NOT equal 50 meters,
and TWO: running on loose rocks does NOT equal running on pavement. . .
I didn't suck nearly as bad as I had envisioned, though. I
got 4th in my age group, not sure how many, there were 8 on Wednesday, so
more maybe???? But, Jennifer Russ, who I talked into doing it, got 3rd. . .
beat me by a minute.
The swim SUCKED! I had estimated my time according to 6
laps at the Y. . . well, 50 yards is about 10% short of 50 meters.
After the 1st lap, it was taking so much longer for me to finish a lap that
I started freaking out. . . I couldn't breathe, and concentration was
blown. The time I had given was way to quick for the REAL length, so
people were passing me. . . it was kinda miserable. . .
But, then I got on the bike, and got really happy. I
passed about 4 people in the first 2 miles. It is a gradual climb for the
first 9 miles (16 in all), so I felt really confident. I feel like I
even did OK on the downhill. It really felt good to pass some of the
people who had passed me in the swim. ahhhh, relief. . .
Then onto the run, I almost left the transition area still
wearing my helmet - duh, but i figured that one out. hee.
The run started out OK, but I haven't done any practice on
trail runs, my OWN stupid fault. After a VERY steep uphill which
everyone walked, it was really loose rocks and roots, and I kept
tripping and turning my ankle. So I didn't finish as strongly on the
run as I had hoped. My heart rate was at 92% on the ENTIRE RUN!!!!
But, I do feel like I gave it my best shot. . . and I would do it again,
so there!!!
I am sore today, surprise. . .
And Allison, thanks for the pointers. . . Shane said I didn't
really look like a first timer, one guy came riding into the
transition area after the bike, and had lost his shoe and sock somewhere
during the route.
- Robin