If this is your first triathlon. Congratulations! You are probably a little nervous and wondering if you've made the right choice. You may not know anyone that has raced a triathlon before or you do know someone and a little peer pressure motivated you to register. You probably have run 5Ks and 10Ks. Maybe some recreational biking. But a racing a triathlon, that's a little different. Keep in mind, that you have accepted a challenge that most people haven't. Great Job!
 
Every triathlete has a first race story. Some of the more talented traithletes forget that a large majority of racers in this sport are not racing to win an award. (Just watch them at the awards ceremonies acting like it was so easy.) Well...I'm not one of them. I may never be one of them. But, that's not the reason I race, nor the reason many of us do triathlons every year. The real reason I continue to race every year, (going on my 17th year) is the feeling of accomplishment I get after every race. Even as I get older, when other people my age are slowing down, taking blood pressure medicine and cholesterol medicine...I'm still doing triathlons.

Anyway, if you've read this far, you're either curious or first time triathlete. As a first timer, I can't imagine that my experience will be too much different than your. I thought I would share my story with you so you can see it is.

I began doing triathlons at the age of 30. Not really intentionally. I was never a big runner. I really only went for an occasional jog to keep my weight down. I owned a bike that sat around collecting dust. (A 40 pound Schwinn Varsity 10 speed that I got when I was 12.) I also wasn't a great swimmer either, but I knew how to swim. I was actually on the diving team because I hated swimming laps.

I remember seeing an add for a triathlon in Salisbury, MD.1/2 mil swim, 15 mile bike,3 miles run. It was being held on the the first weekend in May, 1992. Only a 1/2 mile swim. What's a 1/2 mile right, I know how to swim. A 15 mile bike, no problem, I had been using the stationary bike in the gym for 45-60 minute periods. I would get the final readout showing that I completed 12-15 miles. I can do that. Then a 3 mile run. Heck, I've jogged that far...I think. (Remember when running was called "jogging"?) I remember driving down the highway, measuring distances between telephone poles then trying to guess how far I needed to swim and run. A 1/2 mile didn't look very far, so...how bad could this triathlon thing be.

My friends and co-workers thought I was a little ridiculous. They would say, with some doubt in their voice, "hey that's cool," and wished me luck. (They were very curious on the Monday after the race to see how I did. Maybe they expected to hear some lame excuse for not doing the race.

My parents were very supportive....um kind of. "A triathlon, what's that? Why do you want to do something like that, you're 30 years old, your too old for that stuff." Always the "rebellious" son, that just provided more motivation.

 

I woke up on race day way before the alarm. I didn't sleep well before the race anyway (I still don't). I was nervous that the alarm wouldn't go off. I wasn't really hungry, so I started to get ready. I still had over an hour drive to the race but I got to the race very early. It was still dark.

I remember pulling into the parking lot and pulling up next to other cars. I had to give myself enough room to slide my 40 pound Schwinn bike out of the car. I didn't have a bike rack like everyone else. I didn't have any idea what I needed to do or where I needed to go. So, I just followed everyone else.

I followed everyone to the registration table, then the transition area. I watched everyone set up their bikes. I had no idea if I just put my bike anywhere or if I had my own spot so...I asked. "Nope, put it anywhere," was their answer. I looked around. Should I even be here? Everyone was in such great shape. I noticed everyone "hanging" their bikes on the rack. I could do that but  I didn't need to...NO, not me, I had a kickstand. Almost everyone had these nice lightweight bikes that looked nothing like my 1974, light blue Schwinn Varsity Sport, original cost: $122.95. Given to me by Mom and Dad for Christmas

I figured out the "wave" thing for the swim and I followed everyone. Are these people wearing wetsuits? I know it's May but the water can't be that cold. Oh yeah, the water was cold. It didn't matter. I was so nervous, my heart was racing so fast and I was shaking from the nerves. The cold water only added to it.

The adrenalin at the start of the swim pushed me about 100 yards into the swim before I realized I wasn't really breathing. I had to stop to catch my breath but other swimmers were running over me. I was treading water at first then switched to a slow breast stroke so I could move with the crowd. Then it was a side stroke, followed by a breast stroke, then a back stroke and sometimes a freestyle stroke. Anything to finish. This 1/2 mile swim was a little farther than I expected. NOW, I'm thinking that training may have been a good idea. Eventually, I made it through the swim. Compared to the swim, the bike and the run should be easy.

 

Once out of the water, I was happy to get to my bike. I have been riding this bike for 18 years. I put on my running shoes and helmet and followed everyone else out of the transition area. The bike ride was fun. It was an out and back ride, very simple. I received many "compliments" on my bike from other racers. I also got a great deal of pleasure every time I passed one of the "high tech" bikes that obviously cost more than the hard earned $122.95 my father spent for my bike.

At the end of the bike leg, I didn't even need to change my shoes like the other racers. I just put down my kickstand and I was off. I wasn't even sure where to go, I just followed everyone else.

I thought the run would be so easy. I was an athlete in High School but nothing prepared me for this. Different muscles, different terrain. My legs for like concrete, they could hardly move. The other racers were very supportive. Some struggled like I did, others would pass me saying "hang in there," "your almost there," "you can do it." I just kept thinking, I can run 3 miles AND I only have 3 miles, then 2 miles, then 1 mile left. I didn't have the strength in my legs to do anything but run straight. It seemed like there was no end to the race. I would pick out objects a few hundred feet in front of me and run to them just to keep going. Then, finally, as I turned the last corner, I couldn't believe it, I could see the finish line. My adrenaline picked up and I could feel my energy level build. I sprinted to the finish line. Unbelievable. I have finished my first triathlon.

Wow, so I guess that makes me a triathlete? What a feeling. You can't imagine the high I had and the feeling of accomplishment I had from finishing my first triathlon. I was completely exhausted. I tried to step over a log and I almost fell because I was so weak. But, I didn't care. I just ran a triathlon. None of my friends can do this, but I can. I was hooked.

The next day, I immediately began looking for another race. I registered for another race that was in 1 month. This time I trained and one month later, I completed my 1st Olympic distance triathlon, then another and another. I think I did 7 races that year, 8 the following year. I have never placed in any event or won a prize but I enjoy triathlons.  

 

When I turned 40, a friend challenged me to the "Escape from Alcatraz" race in San Francisco. This race was longer than anything I have ever done, what was I thinking. But now, I know what I need to do. I went from "just knowing how to swim" to swimming from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco. It wasn't as hard as I expected and I actually did well in the swim. (and I beat my friend). It's amazing what you can do with the right attitude.

 

Now, at 47 year of age, I still feel I need to complete a least one triathlon a year. Although my training time is limited because of work and family, I can usually find just enough time to train.

As long as I am physically able, I'll keep racing so that I can again get that feeling you get after finishing a race.

 

By entering the race, you've taken the first step to the completion of your first triathlon. There are no short cuts. I've looked hard for them. But, they way I approach is that swimming uses different muscles than you are probably used to and 33 laps (1/2 mile) sounds like a lot. But, like running or biking, break it down into smaller, achievable distances. Add a little distance each time. 10 laps, then 15, etc. I think you'll find that you reach 33 laps sooner then you expect. 

A triathlon is NOT an easy race. But keep in mind, this IS something you can do. Take a look at the race results and see how many people are over 50, or even 60 that do the race. Look at the slowest times and find someone around your own age. See how fast they swim or bike or run and use that as a reference.

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination."                                               --- TOMMY LASORDA

 

Feel free to ask me or Ava any other questions you may have. Keep a positive attitude and keep focused on your goal and most important, know that you can do this. I'll see you at the finish line! (with a beer in my hand).

 

(Remember. SMILE and say "Hello" when you pass the 47 year old guy, he's having a great time.)

 

Good Luck,

 

Randy

E-mail me: randolphL1@verizon.net
(the views in this story are in no way professional recommendations and I am not in any way, a professional triathlete)