Loosing my Trivirginity: ;)

Sat July 30th, 2005
Federal Escape Triathlon
Federal Way, WA
Sprint distance
¼ mile swim, 12 mile bike, 5k run

Friday night I set the alarm for 0500 than asked my husband Steve to change it to 0530. Knowing full well that I had to be there around 630-7am
I must have slept a bit because I woke up very excited and feeling rested. Stretched and grabbed some coffee and banana. We packed up the car and did a double check to make sure I packed everything. Steve checked my bike tires and said they were ok. We headed out to federal way and stop for gas. I was getting nervous. Wondering if we were going to make it on time and noticing a cramp in my Lt. calf. Tried to massage it out. Took some ibuprofen, sipped water and Gatorade. Started eating my ppj at 0630 and decided against eating cup of yogurt.

The closer we got to federal way the more excited I got. I kept going over in my head the transition area stuff and imagining the swim.
We finally arrived and all the parking lots were filled up so had to park pretty far away. I’m glad there was a shuttle to take us to the event. We loaded up my bike and bags and we were off again.

Got to the event. It was crowded, sunny and warm. The officials said only athletes in the transition area but they made an exception and let Steve in with me to help me with all my stuff.
It was packed with athletes of all ages, sizes and heights and not too much variety in weights. I found a spot, the middle of row #9 next to an older man who looked like an elite level. Said by to Steve and kissed him. He took off with the camera snapping pictures.

Started setting up my transition area by laying down my bright towel. I put my running shoes and socks, water bottle, hat, race belt on it. Put my helmet, glasses and gloves on my bike. Took out my pam spray and set it next to my wetsuit. I asked the elite about the timing chip. Where do I put it. Is it waterproof? He told me it was and to put in on my ankle. I then went over to the officials to get marked with my number 265. They put it on my left arm, lt. calf and lt. hand. They then put my age on my rt. calf.
I groaned when she asked me my age. I said 45 and felt like the oldest, fattest non-triathlete there.

I went back to my spot, sprayed my legs with pam and started putting on my wetsuit, grabbed my goggles and cap and asked someone to help me zipper up my suit. Ran over to the swim area and found Steve. Looking around I were hundreds of athletes all looking professional and then there was me…I think there was about 500 but Steve thinks there was just under 800.

The officials were announcing the course and who was going to start in what wave. It was decided that the sprints were to go first. So instead of being in wave 4 I was moved up to wave 2. The sprint men went first. They looked strong and fast. The sprint women lined up. It was a land start. I got in the back on the left side. Heard the count down and the horn go off. Everyone ran into the water. I got in and started swimming the crawl. The water was warm, it wasn’t choppy, the sun was out, and I was feeling really good. No one kicked me and I was swimming, doing my thing then all of a sudden I noticed my breathing was shallow and I could not take a deep breath. So I slowed down and did the side stroke. Catching my breath and switching to the backstroke and then back to the crawl. Told myself to make it to the yellow buoy. Finally made it to the buoy and I was half way there. Kept doing my variety of strokes and chatted with a few women along the way and before I knew it I saw land. I was almost there. I remembered to swim until I felt the ground because my coach Sara told me to. I heard clapping and way to go’s. Stood up and took my goggles and cap of and walked to get my bearings. Unzipped my wetsuit and jogged over to the wetsuit strippers. They stripped me.

And then I ran into transition. Dried my feet and sat to put my socks and shoes on. Saw my gloves and picked them up. I remembered what my coach said you don’t need to wear gloves. So I threw them down. Put my helmet on drank some water/Gatorade and grabbed my bike. Someone told me I could get onto my bike. I was off again. I was feeling so good about what I was doing. Omg I am really doing this. Omg!!!omg!!!! I’ve worked so hard to get here and here I am. I’m feeling good. No pain. I’m not exhausted but my breathing is still a bit shallow. It must be from excitement. I’m riding well. 10-13 pace. Changing gears like I was taught. Trying to keep my cadence up. Oh no a hill. Its ok I can do this. Make it up the hill and now I’m going down really fast and theres a corner I have to make the turn. I’m not going to look at my speed. Remember to drink Gatorade. People passing me on my left. People saying good job, keep it up. I see the same people passing me again. I see my friend Suzanne along the side of the road cheering me on. I wave to her and give her the thumbs up. I tell people good job too.
I see more of the same people passing me again. And remember that the Olympic distance is 4 loops. I start my second loop and still feeling good. Telling myself that I can do this and I’m not going to bonk. I remember the hill parts and the turns. I see Suzanne again. More cheering and thumbs up. I am so happy.
I don’t know my time and don’t really care. I am doing this and I am 2/3 the way done. Omg I am going do it!

I jump off my bike and run it back into transition. Take off my helmet and put my running hat and race belt on. My shoes feel loose but I don’t stop. I will do that later. As I grab some more fluids. I’m not hungry at all so I don’t eat the bar I have I’m my shirt pocket.

I take off again stopping to fix my shoes. I’m smiling. I walk, run walk. Can’t help from running even though I said I was going to walk the course. I see Suzanne and I stop and hug her. She says keep going. I’m doing well. So I catch up to another participant and we talk. We decide to run together. We walk run walk and chat about our experience level, our training, the other races we’ve been in and our bad shins, knees and feet. Talking really makes the distance and time go by quickly. Before I knew it we’ve gone 1 ½ miles. Halfway there. Omg I’m so close. I am really doing this triathlon thing!

My new friend and I decide to split up because she wanted to beat her previous time. So she runs and I do my run walk. I run to a stop sign and then I walk to a mailbox, run to a street sign walk to a tree so on and so forth I am feeling good even though my left foot is a bit numb I am feeling no pain. I am directed towards the park and someone tells me I am almost there. I am running on a gravel path and see the finish line. I decide to run the rest of the way in. I hear clapping and way to go balance bar and good job Robin. Suzanne tells me I look strong. Steve tells me I’m doing great. I feel emotional. I have tears in my eyes ready to drop. I am elated. I am so happy I have crossed the finish line. I’ve made it. I feel like a won a trip to Disney world. Someone takes the timing chip off of my ankle. I get handed a bottle of water. A medal is placed around my neck.
Feel like I’m on top of the world. I did it in less than 2 hours.
The rest of the morning I talked with a few people. Met up with some balance bar team members. Cheered for more finishers. Steve and I packed up and went home. I wore my medal the rest of the day and relaxed.
I felt complete. I’ve found my athletic nitch. :D
I can’t wait for my next event:
sept 11, Reebok triathlon, sprint distance.

Swim 12:28 Tran1 3:07 Bike 53:18 Tran2 1:13 Run 42:40 Finish 1:52:45