If this is your first triathlon. Congratulations! If not, congrats on staying with the sport. I am sure you are little nervous and wondering if this was a good idea. Especially since you don't any one or many people that have done one. 5Ks, 10Ks, we all know people that run them. But a triathlon, that's a little different. You have accepted a challenge that most people won't. Great Job!
 
Every triathlete has a first race story. Some of the more talented racers forget that the majority of racers in this sport aren't winning awards.  (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 either. But, that's not the reason I race, nor the reason many of us do triathlons every year. The real reason I refuse to quit, is the feeling I get, even as I get older, while others my age are slowing down, taking blood pressure medicine and cholesterol medicine...I'm still doing triathlons.

Anyway, I thought I would share my story with you.

I completed my first triathlon at the "ripe old" age of 30. I was never a runner. I owned a bike. A 40 pound Schwinn 10 speed I got when I was 12. I knew how to swim. How difficult could this be. It was a sprint triathlon in Salisbury, MD. the first week in May, 1992. 1/2 mile swim, piece of cake since I know how to swim. 15 mile bike, no problem, I had been using a stationary bike for 45-60 minute periods with a final readout showing 12-15 miles completed. I have that covered. Then a 3.1 mile run, heck, I occasionally jogged a few miles. I remember driving down the highway, measuring distances between telephone poles then trying to guess how far I needed to swim. A 1/2 mile didn't look very far, so...how bad could it be.

My friends and co-workers thought I was a little rediculous but said, with some doubt in their voice, "that's cool," and wished me luck. They were very curious to find out how I did that Monday morning. (It's very good for the ego!)

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 "teenage" son, that was just more motivation.

 

I woke up on race day way before the alarm. I couldn't sleep. I was to 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.

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. 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 didn't need to do that...NO, not me, I had a kickstand. What high tech bikes everyone had. They looked a little different from my 1974, light blue Schwinn Varsity Sport, original cost: $122.95. (see the link to Schwinn catalog below)
http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer2/1974/74ccpg17b.jpg

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. It didn't matter. My heart was racing so fast and I was shaking from the nerves.

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. Treading water at first then a slow breast stroke so I made some progress. Then it was a side stroke, followed by a breast stroke, then a back stroke and sometimes a freestyle stroke. Anything to finish. The distance 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, the part I didn't train for. 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, we're old friends. I put on my running shoes and helmet and followed everyone else. 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 $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. I kept thinking the end of this race has to be here soon. Then, as I turned this one corner, I couldn't believe it, the finish line. I could feel my energy level build again because I also saw the finish to my first triathlon! 

Unbelievable. I am now a triathlete. It is difficult to match the feeling of accomplishment I had from finishing my first triathlon. None of my friends can do this I thought. I was hooked.

The next day, I immediately registered for another race. This time I trained.  One month later, I completed an Olympic distance event, 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, who cares, I enjoy triathlons.  

 

When I turned 40, a friend challenged me to the "Escape from Alcatraz" race in San Francisco. What was I thinking. I went from "just knowing how to swim" to swimming from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco. But now, I know what I need to do. It wasn't as hard as I expected and I actually did well in the swim. (and I beat my friend), As they say "Just Do It!"

 

Now, at 45 year of age, I still feel I need to complete a least one triathlon a year. Although I'm limited with time from work and family, I find just enough time to train so I can again have that feeling I get from the finishing and achieving my goal. I never want to let that go.

 

By entering the race, you've taken the first step to the completion of your first triathlon. Most people run, and some bike. There's no "learning" involved. But swimming uses different muscles than you are probably used to and 33 laps sounds like a lot. But, like running or biking, break it down into smaller, achievable distances, slightly increasing them each time. 10 laps, then 15, etc. I think you'll find that you reach 33 laps sooner then you expect.

It's NOT an easy goal to achieve. But keep in your mind, it IS something you can do.

"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 will 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 45 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 recommendations and I am not in any way, a professional triathlete)