Triathlon (1 of 5) Prologue
To say I was nervous before this weekend was an understatement. Unsettled, anxious, jumpy, frayed are also words that spring to mind.
I made a list and checked it twice. I spent 2 days packing. Worried about what to do and what to eat, I tapered and carbo-loaded, neither with tremendous success. I was going to only do a 2 day taper, but crap weather all week made it difficult to even get out for any type of exercise. After a full week of inactivity, I broke down on Friday morning and ran around the block twice (only 0.6 miles, but there is a mondo hill) which was enough to take the edge off. When did I turn into an exercise junkie?
Finally realized: This is like Opening Night Jitters. My family are all gigantic Theatre Nerds. We've all been to multiple shows, my sister has a degree in Music: Vocal Performance, my father was in a community theater group when I was younger, I directed plays in college...you get the pictures. So I know what Opening Night feels like. Once I understood it was the same emotion, I was actually able to harness the energy and channel in a productive manner. Or at least not let it rule me. I cannot be broken by simple stage fright.
This was my packing list:
Swim: Wetsuit, swimsuit, Goggles
Bike: Bike, Helmet, Shorts, Tshirt, bike bottle, socks, sneakers
Run: Hmm. No special equip, here
Etc: Big towel*, Small towel*, Dishpan, Big waterbottle, gatorade, racing belt, Bra, camera, parking pass, Chair for my sister/support team, hairbands.
My sister/ support team decided to stay locally the night before, so I also need personal items: toiletries, pjs, etc.
*I'm such a hoopy frood, I always knows where my towel is.
What I should have brought: Sweatshirt. Mornings are cold.
It doesnt sound like much, but I had 2 additional lists, following the Tri was a Saturday night birthday party at a relative's house so I need additional clothing for myself and Child. Logistics and planning were key for getting through this weekend.
Friday night was the Athlete's Dinner and Meeting. The event is much smaller and lower key than anticipated. I mindfully consume lasagna, vegetables and salad.
For those of you up on the new nutritional guidelines, note how beautifully I divided my plate.
The Race Director welcomed all the triathletes (about 60 of us there) and asked for a show of hands for 1st timers. About half the crowd, which makes me feel better. He reviews the course and we toddle off to go look at the transition area and the lake. I dipped a toe in, it doesnt feel too bad.
I left this pic big so I could scare you (but not on purpose). Do you see the big orange thing on the beach? That's where we started. Look out in the distance, That's 250m, the first leg of my 750m triangle. It looks intimidating, but as you'll see in the next chapter, looks are deceiving.
Mad props: this man scooped every scrap of goose poop off the beach for us.
We got back to the B&B by 8:30 and relax with some drinks on the patio. Seltzer for me, beer for sister. Bed by 9:30 and lights out at 10. The alarm is set for 5.
I could still chicken out...