Today I raced the Bethel Island Olympic Distance (sort of ) Triathlon. It was a day of firsts.
If I did the standard race report it would read:
Swim – too long and sort of hard – water had weird stuff in it that stained my cap and the letters on my wet suit
T1 – comical. I really wish someone had filmed me wobbling around trying to get my shoes on
Ride – flat but windy – great scenery
T2 – uneventful and probably too slow
Run – I ran, I finished – yay!
But I’m not going to do that. Instead, I will recount the ‘firsts’ that this day included.
1). First event I went to with my friend Melia, We go way back to when I first started running. I’ll tell you the whole story some other time but for now I’ll just tell you that years ago we ran together for many months and then our little group separated for some reason and then, a couple years later when I saw another woman we ran with she told me Melia was doing Ironman. She has done 4, to date.
2). First little panic attack in the water – It was a deep water, mass start. I was not to the side an in the back where I belong. I was smack dab in the middle of things and had no time to reposition. When the gun went off I started swimming with the washing machine and soon found myself puffing shallow little breaths. Oh NO! I thought I was suffering an anxiety attack. But then I realized I was suffering a sprinting attack – swimming way too fast. I decided to just breaststroke for a bit and let people go by. Then I started swimming at a comfortable pace and all was well. Everything except for the fact that they had exactly 2 buoys on this course – 1 at the start and 1 somewhere waaaaay far away that I could hardly see. I just kept going and eventually found it. It was also my first time drafting off a breaststroker. That guy was really good at it.
3). First ever snot rocket experience – I have never blown snot out of my nose on the bike. It just seemed too gross. But the snorfeling and no oxygen getting into my system thing was not working out for me at all. So I finally tried it. There was a Clydesdale guy coming up the road in the opposite direction who saw the whole thing. I swear I saw a thought bubble pop out of his helmet that said “That’s hot”. I’m hooked now because it’s really a wonder what all that extra air does for your stamina. Next thing you know I’ll be peeing on my bike (NOT!)
4). First time having my bottle cage and pump holder fly off my bike – nice. The bottom screw had come out of my bottle cage on the vertical bar below the seat. I did not have a bottle in it until the 1/2 way point of the ride when I was given a 2nd bottle. I put it in the cage and 500 feet later the entire assembly flew off the bike. Oh well. I’ll have to have the hole re-threaded and get a new cage and probably a whole new pump. sigh….
5). First time on a 2 loop run where you have to run past the finish and do another loop – I have but one word for this CRUELTY!! Cannot even fathom the pain of that when you are 13.1 miles from finishing an Ironman.
6). First time placing in my age group – YES! I took 2nd. Woo Hoo!! Now there is some possibility that there were only 2 women in my age group but based on the past history of this event I doubt it. I’ll find out in a few days. Be that as it may I have a 2nd place medal and I’m quite happy about that.
I theoretically PR’d except this race was short at least 3 miles. 1 or 2 on the bike and about 3/4 on the run. My finish time was 3:10.22 which is better than FIT but I’m not sure it was my best time ever. It was a good effort though so I declare success!!
21st-century-mom.com 
I really like the way you presented your race report. Full of juicy stuff — much of it even instructive — and then we find out it’s coming from an age-group winner(!). Well done, all around.
Sounds like not only that you had a great race but you learned alot. Amazing how much there is to master.
Cool report. Congratulations! 😀
snot rockets and hardware – you know how to write a race report, my friend! good job on placing second in your ag!!
and what exactly was in the water that could have stained your wetsuit? that does NOT sound healthy. at all.
Yeah for firsts! The snot-rocket cracked me up! Now you are a “real” cyclist!
Congratulations!!! (Pix of hardware please!??)
Congrats! Great report and we need a pic of the bling!
way to go on all your 1sts. Maybe your next first’s will be signing up for Ironman
way to go on all your 1sts. Maybe your next first’s will be signing up for Ironman
Great race. Love the snot rockets…can’t do ’em, so I’m jealous:)
Snotting be warned it is addictive , just remember it is cool during training or racing , but not out at a dinner party . Congrats on your new PR . Come on admit it you want deep down to get the I man Tattoo … don’t you LOL
Keep on tri’ing
Mal
Oh congrats on blowiing snot our your nose. In these parts we call that a “farmer blow”. Likely it is called that in other parts as well but I like to feel special. Did I ever tell you we call water fountains “bubblers” around here. Try asking for the location of a “bubbler” anywhere but in Wisconsin. But I digress, great job on your race and PR. Whoot
I declare success too!
You and I HAVE to do a race together. Start to finish. We are the beautiful people and we have a responsibility to run smiling and waving… What about it??? Which should we do?
Total success! Bling, friends and – Snot Rocket First! Snot Rockets are the bomb. You should make sure there’s no one behind you before you do it though – especially if they’re someone you care about. Don’t ask, I just know.
Congrats on an awesome race!!!!
Congrats on the snot rocket. You never forget your first time.
I loved this report – especially hearing the final part where you placed so high! Great job.
you need a neti pot!
i have a neti pot. you need a neti pot. let’s all say it together: NETI POT!
Drafting off Breaststroking , you give me new ideas everyday
Thanks
mal
Rock on! That was a great race
A PR is a PR – you are awesome!
Congrats on the AG Place and a super race! Sounds like it was an adventure. Way to go! 🙂
holy cow how did i miss this!!! Congrats on PLACING!!! I’d take out an ad in the newspaper! We want PHOTOS!