First INDOOR Sprint Triathlon! RUN! ---- FINISH!

March 3, 2012
First Indoor Sprint Triathlon!  RUN!  FINISH!

Before the run, I went into the bathroom on the third floor and splashed cold water on my face to help me cool down.

The track was on the third floor and it was HOT in there.  I brought a water bottle and put it on the ledge at the start, but I didn't want to slow down during the run, so I didn't drink much.  Looking back, I wish I had carried it with me or brought a water bottle that straps to your hand.  I should have drunk lots of water during the run in that hot, humid environment, but I didn't.

When I arrived at the track, I gave my timing card to the most wonderful young lady named Anna.  She was in charge of me during the run.  She counted and recorded each of the 30 laps and as I finished a lap, she told me what lap number it was.

The run was hard, hard, hard.  I was so tired from the swim and bike, that I think I leaned too far forward in the run and the joints between my toes and my feet (metatarsals) started shooting searing pains up to my knees, but I was determined to finish without walking.

Around, around, around and around the track I ran.  The track was not closed for the event so there were walkers there too.  I'd pick out a walker and make it my goal to pass him or her.  I finally figured out that if I looked up, my toes/feet didn't hurt so much.  That helped.

The kids in the university swim club were amazing.  They knew my name (from my score card) and about 20 of them would cheer me on every time I came around the track.  "Come on Sue!  You can do it!  Only 10 more laps to go!"  I couldn't wait to see them every time I can around the turn where they were all standing.

As I started my last lap, Anna yelled, "LAST LAP!"  Oh my gosh!  I was going to make it!  I was going to finish!

As I approached the finish, my husband couldn't contain himself.  He ran down the track and gave me the biggest hug!  The only problem what that I hadn't crossed the finish line!!  So I had to kind of push him aside and keep going.  I don't think my feet ever stopped moving.  It was an "on-the-run" kind of hug.  Ha!

After I crossed the finish line, I collapsed into my husbands arms.  There were cheers from all the college kids.  I was so proud!  I could see how proud my husband was of me too. 

I DID IT!!!!!

I came in dead last.  Who cares?!  I was a winner!  I have never been so pleased with an accomplishment.  I have never been so thankful for all the people who encouraged me to exercise and eat healthy - my husband, my adult sons who texted me encouragement for walking half a block, for doing a 5K, for swimming; my colleagues at work; and the coaches at the gym who provided (and still provide) alternative exercises that I can do.  While my overall place was last, I was not last in the swim and my bike was in the middle of the pack!

After the race, I took my timing sheet to registration where they had bagels and t-shirts waiting for the finishers.  I couldn't wait go put my t-shirt on!  I wore it proudly the rest of the day, to work on Monday, and to SPIN class the following Wednesday!!   I am a triathlete!  Oh my gosh!  I AM A TRIATHLETE!

First INDOOR Sprint Triathlon! BIKE

March 3, 2012
First Sprint Triathlon!  BIKE

After I left the pool, I went to where the spin classes were always held in the facility and no one was there!  After spending a lot of energy running up and down the halls trying to figure out where I was supposed to be, I finally found a row of bikes in the hall on the third floor.

I also ate a little.  The rules said you weren't supposed to eat or drink anything but water in the facility, but psychologically I felt like I just had to have a power burst, so I ate half a protein bar hiding in the restroom!

I climbed onto a bike and spun for a minute while setting the resistance to something that I thought I could do for a long time.  Then I told the volunteer that I was ready to start.  She started her stop watch and then put it at the base of my bike.  Once again, I was sooooo nervous and sooooo excited.  The spin bike had a computer on board so I could see how many miles I had gone.

After my SPIN classes at the gym, the bike was not easy but very doable.  I just put my legs on 80 revolutions per minute and kept a steady pace.  As you an see in the photo, I was drenched with sweat.  I valued every drop!  I was working!  I was doing it!  Woohoo!

We were told to let the college-age volunteers know when we were close to 8 miles.  When I hit 7.5 miles, I got the attention of one the volunteers who called my timer over.  She watched the computer and at exactly 8.0 miles, she stopped the stopwatch. 

I did it!!!!  Two events down, one to go!

First INDOOR Sprint Triathlon! SWIM

March 3, 2012
First Sprint Triathlon!  SWIM


I am now a triathlete!  Can you believe it!?  The event that I entered was an "indoor sprint triathlon" sponsored by the swim club at a nearby university. 

I'm not sure what made me think I could do this.  I added up my average times for the race course:  1/2 mile swim, 8 mile bike and 5K.  Then I looked at the race times for the previous year's participants.  My time would put me dead last but not so far behind the person who finished last the year before.

 Just like I did in my first 5K, I called the race coordinator and told her that I thought it would take me 1 1/2 to 2 hours to finish the course.  I explained that I was an almost 60-year-old, overweight woman and didn't want to inconvenience anyone, but if she thought it would be ok for me to finish in 1 1/2 to 2 hours, I'd think about registering.  She gave me a green light and I signed up - thinking that I could always be a no-show.

I decided to pretend that I was a real athlete and I did a carb load the day before.  I'm not sure you need to do a carb load for a 2 hour event, but it was fun to pretend that I was a real athlete!  The morning before the race, I was a nervous wreck.  The swim started in heats so I got there early to watch others swim.  Then it was time for me.

I had purchased a new swim suit for the big event that did not have a skirt!  I just put a towel around me until it was time to jump in the pool. 


An official wrote a big number on my arm and thigh (embarrassing) with a marker.  I felt so athletic!  I was nervous about not being able to get out of the pool after the swim.  Luckily, the lanes were not assigned so I picked the one closest to the ladder.  I asked the young lady who would be timing me if she had brought a book because it would take me so long to finish.  She laughed.  I was afraid that I would be the only one starting in the water, but everyone did.  Phew!  The starter said over the PA, "Swimmers ready!" and then BANG!  We were off.

I have to admit I got a little choked up as I swam the first 25 meters freestyle -- not from inhaling water but because I was holding back tears.  Who would have thought that I would be doing a triathlon.  I was so proud of myself.  So grateful for all the people who had encouraged me and helped me along the way.  But . . . crying and swimming don't mix so I got down to business.

Up and down the pool I went, alternating freestyle and breaststroke.  The girl timing me was terrific.  Since I was doing breaststroke on the return lap, I was always facing her and she had something encouraging to say every time I took a breath.  Finally, she was holding a red board in the water to let me know that there were only two laps to go.  And then it was over - and I didn't come in last!  I beat a very muscular young man who didn't know how to swim!

The girl timing me gave me my time card and off I went to bike.  I looked at the card and noticed that she had written, "is a superstar!" under my name.  I still get choked up thinking about her kindness and how much it meant to me.

Then it was off to the locker room to change cloths and head to the bike.  That's the one nice thing about an indoor triathlon.  You get to change your cloths and the time you spend in transition doesn't count.