The day started out strong. The light alarm clock I brought with me came in clutch with a gentle wake-up call. Did I even think about having a wake-up routine? No, and that’s something to fix next time around. All I know is eating this early is not a fun time to eat.
Dad came out of his room and stretched while I walked around in an ADHD fever dream, saying for the 20th time, “I think I have everything I need.” I was mostly right. He’s been through this plenty of times before himself. Just another day at the office. This was my first big race, my second triathlon ever, and I didn’t feel too nervous. Maybe it’s the confidence from the Olympics we just did together in Ticonderoga, or that my training has felt really solid with very minor issues the whole way through. Or maybe I just couldn’t comprehend how hard it is to do something for the first time.
It’s funny how you can understand something as true and know that it is difficult to do, but experience takes the cake. Experience gives you the rings under the tree bark. And time under the belt is always the biggest teacher.
The car ride was quiet, with the stereo playing the 80’s biggest hits lightly as I tried to force down the last bits of oatmeal. I learned that for me, a full breakfast is needed in order to not be depleted after the swim. The transition area was packed like a can of sardines. I don’t know what it was about the air, but that nervous excitement fills your lungs as the sun slowly rises. I found my breath and ran through my T1 routine one more time before heading to the bathroom. I’ve never pooped twice before 6 AM, but there’s always a first time for everything.
Wetsuit, cap, and goggles on. Don’t forget the ankle monitor too. Then into the chute we went. I was happy I was able to see Mom, Dad, Delaney, and Wyatt before heading into the swim ready area. I was ready to go. I was confident in myself and I knew my training got me where I needed to be. The electric guitar played what felt like the longest Star-Spangled Banner in history and a few minutes later, I was in the water.
The water was choppy. I tried to settle in and just work on the things I have been practicing on my own. Reach wider, accelerate through the pull, feel smooth. As we came around the last corner, I felt good. I knew I was going too hard, so I pulled back for the last 200-300 meters to try and let my HR settle. I like that strategy because we were about to go vertical and it helps prepare my body for that quick change.
When I came out of the water, I just looked for the neon yellow shirt my dad was wearing. It was the Iron Man Lake Placid volunteer shirt we got last year. He told me he would have that one on all day…even after his run because he brought his backup one too! I heard their yells, gave them a smile, and kept running. I didn’t stop. I had momentum and a mission. Hopefully, I’ll see them when I go out on the bike too.
The transition went well. I won’t bore you with details there. I was out of the water 117 out of 1500 or so… so the transition area was pretty open. Not bad for a diver. I went as fast as I could. Room for improvement there for sure. I was happy to see the family as I came out of the transition. Fran, Sam, and the Hardings were also there. Time to chase down Brian. Spoiler alert, I never caught him.
On the bike, everything went according to plan. I felt great, I pushed myself, and I thought my knee was gonna start acting up, but it held off fine. There was no hiding from the sun today. It’s so interesting to me how the swim impacts the bike. There were people flying past me and I flew past people who were better swimmers than me too. It definitely pays to be a better biker. That is going to be a huge focus for me in the next couple of years.
I passed three tire tubes as I went along the course. One person was sitting in a ditch with his bike in front of him. I felt horrible, but it is just one of those things that can happen to anybody. I was really hoping that today would not be that day for me. It was, just in a different way. The bike ride was uneventful. I kept pushing. Heart rate was mid to high the entire time. But it felt like I was in control. I came in just under 21 mph which was the goal. Biking faster is the best way to be a good triathlete. I will get there eventually.
Coming into transition, I was hoping to be ahead of Brian, but he biked really well and I never saw him. He had about a mile on me and I never caught him. He crushed it. I was proud of him for doing so well. I wish I could’ve competed more with him and caught up, but I will be there in the next couple of years. I am doing what’s right for my body and the compounding, consistent work will make me great over time. And I think that is what I want. Can’t be sure, because right now I am just having that post-race high and this is always when we are most motivated.
I felt strong still going into the run. I drank all my bottles on the bike and had plenty of energy. I started running and was holding an 8:00 – 8:30 pace easily. Then everything changed at mile 6. I started to feel lightheaded, and I knew that wall had been met. I didn’t know then, but I simply didn’t have enough electrolytes. I was hoping I could push it off and grit through it a bit more, but this was the first sign of the lesson to come. This is when I started taking on as much of their electrolyte handouts as I could at every aid station. Water, electrolyte, ice, try to run. Oh no, you’re slowing down. Oh no, you’re walking.
It was a fight to stay conscious at times. I stopped to pee and had a hard time standing up in the porta potty. I told myself one lie. I thought I wouldn’t stop running and that was a tough one to swallow. I did run up every hill. I never walked a hill, which I was happy about.
Being lightheaded and faint was an interesting experience. I’ve never had that happen to me and I’m happy I was able to push through it and stay strong. It started with a head fatigue unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. It was like everything slowed down and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. My breathing slowed considerably and my steps were constrained to more of a shuffle than any sort of run stride. It nearly broke me. The only thing that helped was focusing on my breath. I counted down from 100 probably 10 times. Deep breaths helped me get oxygen to the brain and could help me keep my eyes open. At least that was the thought process while I ran the last 4 miles. The other thing that helped was at every single aid station, I would take two cups of the electrolyte drink.
It helped for two short periods of the run. Around mile 8 and 11, I want to say. I got two bursts of life and was able to run. But it was always short-lived. I thought I was maybe kicking the issue I was having. But the dizziness would just come back again. Ultimately, I am very happy it happened to me. It’s a new level I have pushed through. I will definitely learn from it and make my nutrition better for the next one.
I think I earned another level in the mental game with this one. And that is what it’s all about. That is what I am after with all of this. I want to be a formidable person and this is a way to become just that. Push your physical boundaries and win your internal battles.
The last story from the race is just about the finish. I was toast at that point. I came around the bend and Ashleigh was there to surprise me. I didn’t know she was coming because she had her own race (Boilermaker) earlier that day in Utica. I was very surprised. Then I cramped up in the last 20 feet. I literally stopped in front of this huge crowd and stretched my hamstring so I could run the last 20 feet to the finish. The people shoved a medal in my hand, a hat, and a water, which I immediately dumped on my head and I sat gloriously in a chair. I was so delusional at the moment. I loved it. Brian came around, we hugged, and we took a pic together.
I’m happy with it overall. I know there is plenty of room for improvement and that is what I will do on the next one. Total time 5:37:xx.
The final note on this lovely day is the support I felt. I am loved and I have enough. My family is great. I felt it every step of the way and they just mean so much to me. I thought about that a lot on the ride home. Thank you Dad. Thank you Brian. Thank you Mom. Thank you Delaney. Thank you Wyatt. Thank you Kelsey. Thank you Ashleigh. Thank you Hardings. Thank you Sam. Thank you Fran. It’s a gift I am grateful for every day and I especially feel it today.
I think that is where I will leave it. See you in the next one.
– Looking at stats after the fact I had a max HR of 197…lol
– Takeaways for the next one
– Electrolytes…more electrolytes on the bike
– Morning of routine…think about it more!
– Figure out how to apply sunscreen as you leave for the run. That will cut down transition time…can I do that?
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