Journey of My First Triathalon

Yesterday was amazing, challenging and fun. Our girls were all sleeping over at their friends houses (Thanks to Sheryl & Sean and Shelly & Siva) so we were free to get up at 4:00am and run out the door with all our gear! In the dark of the night all we could see was a few other cars with bikes attached certainly going to Malibu too, and a nearly full moon. It was a beautiful sight. It reminded me how perfectly timed the event was, as the full moon is considered the best time to be in your peak power, completing things and a time to celebrate.

I went into the triathalon mentally, remembering that I have the support of so many friends and family. It started as we parked and went to put all our gear into the transition area. We didn't realize it at the time, but we had parked about as far as you can get from the main area, so it was a long walk in. Finally we got there and the place was buzzing with energy even in the dark. There were even a lot of spectators filling the stands above the transition area to catch a glimpse of us... well maybe it was the celebrity triathletes. (J-Lo & Matthew McConoughly to name a few). We hung our bikes on the rack, laid out our bike and running gear and poured a pan of water to wash our sandy feet in after the swim. If you check out the pictures you can see Sugata holding a can of pan which we sprayed on our legs to make an easy get out of the wetsuit. (It actually worked)!

Anyway, we started back to the car to get our wetsuits and realized that we were suddenly at risk of being late to the swim! So we ran a mile or so back to the car turned around with our suits and missed just a bit of the opening remarks for the race. Lesson 1: take all your gear or park closer. There goes an extra 2 miles onto our exercise for the day!

So with that start we joined the other 3,000 triathletes on the sand readying for the 1/2 mile ocean swim. Sugata helped me calm my nerves by taking me out through the breakers once to get used to the water. Then he stayed with me in my group until his was ready to go. What a great husband! I can't say enough about what a great coach and support he has been all year getting me to this day. There was this tremendously loud gun going off for each wave. First into the water were the Elite athletes and Celebrities... then the younger folks first, alternating men and women. So at 8:00 he ran off into the waves, 5 minutes before me. I went out to the far left so as to avoid being kicked and not miss the buoy due to the current movements going right that day. Perfect, I got out around it without much trouble. Honestly I have been praying for smaller waves and grace going in and out. Success! It was a very calm, overcast morning. That was so helpful! Even though I never panicked, I was still nervous and I did what I call the 'all stroke' swim. A little of breaststroke, a little backstroke, a little freestyle - until I got comfortable. Then as I rounded the last buoy I started to feel really winded and I faced one of my fears about the race. I really didn't want to get pounded by a wave on the way in. I discovered that the ocean was in a lull. No waves at all. I knew that wouldn't last for long, so I did my best to race in and I just made it before a big wave rolled in. I was so tired I just had to walk to the transition area, but I was so happy to have finished that leg without drama.

Then in transition, I may have nearly set a record for taking the longest to get on my bike.
Lesson #2: practice your transition. But my goal was to enjoy the race, so I didn't sweat it. Once out of transition I was on my bike and off to ride 18 miles to Leo Carrillo beach. The traffic was roped off, so it was a wonderful ride - for me the funnest part of the whole event. I rolled up and down the hills with only 1 hiccup. I lost my chain in a poorly timed shifting of the gears, but I stayed calm and popped it back on and rode on. I enjoyed so much riding with the other participants, seeing the abundant So California plants and at some points a gorgeous overlook of the Pacific Ocean. There were people spread out along the way there to cheer us all on, including a guy who set up a complete drum set and was playing right near the halfway point on the freeway. It was great, and I really pushed myself to bike hard the second 9 miles as I could see that I would make it without burning out. As I came back into transition, I managed a little better getting off to the run, but wow were my legs aching.

My biggest challenge was that I've spend most of my time this summer training for the swim, a some on the bike and the least on the run. To top that off, the Tri policy was - no ipods! Can you imagine running on fumes with no music to rely on!! That was where I was mentally. So given my goal of enjoying it, I allowed myself to run/walk it. Sugata and I passed each other on the run which was great. Coming into the end, naturally I pushed myself and ran across the finish line while the announcer was saying, "Here comes Laura Biswas finishing her first triathalon" then he adds, are you going to do another??? I couldn't even breathe so I gave him a thumbs up.
Sugata was right there (prompting the announcer) and waiting to hug me. I have to say, I felt so good to have completed it and to have enjoyed it with Sugata. I really didn't care if I was the last one in - I just felt great to have accomplished something that was a real stretch for me. I felt elated and like crying all at once.

One of the things that I am the most proud of is that I worked extremely hard at directing my thoughts positively. I never once went into to negativity or wanted to give up. I just kept remembering all the support I received, I constantly told myself that I could do it and I was loving with myself no matter what happened or what my performance was. Lesson #3: every thought counts - for greater ease and joy or towards discouragement and pain.

This morning we checked our times. I was very proud of my 20 minute swim, interested in what the bike took me (1hr 15 min) since I had no idea what to expect and very understanding of my 44 min run. I had to laugh that J-Lo and I were very close finishers. She finished just a couple minutes sooner than I. I guess the Paparazzi might have added a little extra motivation!

Just to add a note about Sugata - despite having numerous injuries this year he improved his time from last year by an amazing 10 minutes and completed the 4 mile run with 2 very intense muscle cramps that at first seemed might cause him to not finish the tri. And as you can see - he helped me have a great experience. He even secretly left me encouraging notes at my transition station during the race. I love that man!

Here is a link to the pictures: http://gallery.me.com/laura.biswas#100149