i am the batman

i started the day off a bit nervous.  every time you do something for the first time, it's scary.  you're not sure what to expect.  but as we drove to the race site, i settled down a bit.  'you've completed 3 half-ironmans, this is half of that distance', 'calm down weirdo'.  even though it was a shorter distance, i was a bit concerned on timing.  presently, it's exactly two weeks away from ironman lake placid.  so, i couldn't push too hard, no sense getting hurt, you know?  however, i have a problem with competition. 

my first olympic distance triathlon, orange county triathlon, consisted of 1500 meter swim (just shy of a mile) 40 kilometer bike (24.8 miles) and finishes with a 10 kilometer run (6.2 miles).  

as i made my way through the transition area, my bike, newly named, 'da batmobile', was turning heads and getting cat(woman) calls.  i have noticed that i have quite the popular bike, but i enjoy being unique. insert, 'da batmobile'. it is stealth,  gun-barrel black to match my flo cycling wheel set. and...it. is. sexy.  the boys at action bikes, my local bike shop, dubbed it 'da batmobile' after they put it all back together for me.  perfecto!  now...

da batmobile

while i set up my transition area, numerous competitors asked what kokua meant and also about my sweet race kit.  kokua is a hawaiian word, that translates as 'extending loving, sacrificial help to others for their benefit, not for personal gain...' which led to more questions about our team and my role as an ambassador for the ironman foundation.  it was fantastic having their complete attention as i spoke about all the intricacies of the team.  i've never felt so honored and humbled.  truly thankful for the opportunity to do something great, while completing a dream.

the swim was in the hudson river.  yup, the same river that flows down through nyc, but (i hope) a bit cleaner up north by me.  they labeled each 500 meters on buoys, which is a fantastic idea.  i swam straight and strong.  in and out in 18 minutes, wonderful swim.  game on, let's push...

dang, down to 160lbs

hopped aboard 'da batmobile' and went to work.  the course was quite hilly for the first half, but i loved the climbing.  didn't want to hurt myself too much, but the engine was motoring along, so i kept pedaling along.  the final mile was straight downhill back to the river, which crosses cobblestone patches.  thought i might pee my pants, which is cool in triathlon, but thankfully, made it back in one piece and looked to tackle the run.

sweet race kit right?

the run (which i didn't check the race profile prior) was 3.1 miles uphill, 3.1 miles downhill to the finish.  laced up my newtons and hit the pavement.  making my way uphill, i figured that i would definitely have negative splits on the day, bonus.  i was so happy to see the turnaround.  and then, an angel appeared before me. (whoa, didn't see that coming did you?)  a homeowner was out cheering us on and pulled out a cooler full of ice and water bottles.  it was magical.  i was so hot and prayed for shade and ice water to dump over my head and it appeared before my eyes.  so refreshing that it boosted my final push.

crossed the line 2:29:05, placing second in my age group.  not too bad.  especially, since i wasn't supposed to push too much.  t minus two weeks, 'da batmobile' will ride again in lake placid. 

by the numbers

Lincoln Park Triathlon June 30, 2013

it's a sprint distance triathlon... 500 meter swim, 10 mile bike ride and 3.1 run.  the swim is in the community lake, shallow and warm.  the bike course is flat and fast.  it's not closed to traffic, but the people there always seem to respect bikers.  that's not the case in my town.  the volunteers are everywhere on the course, and emt are on bike cruising the roads as well.  the run is out-and-back on a flat road.  even though the event organizers are friends, i would say the same thing anyways.  well organized, fun and safe race.  applebee's serves lunch at the end too.  it's a perfect race for a first timer.

they cap the entry off at 300 people.  i would say about 1/3 were above average competitors, a 1/3 average and 1/3 newbies.  last year, i started in the bottom third and finished in the middle.  but this year, i would only be satisfied with a win, or at least, top 3 finish.  as roselle and i drove down to the race, she wanted to know: 

1. my race plan

2. how i would deal with less competitive athletes

**i think she's a bit more concerned about me since my accident; and at eagleman, hearing about kessler crashing into an amateur**

race plan

in my super cool aussie accent 'i'm going to swim hard, bike hard, and run hard.  hopefully puke at finish'.  got a laugh, but i was serious.  body felt great and wanted to push.

bottom 1/3

her concern was about etiquette.  if i was going to push 24 mph on bike and the cruisers' weren't, maneuvering through the field could be difficult on second loop.  some spots it was, but 'on your left' followed by 'thank you' certainly works.  last year, i remember hearing that swooshing sound of fancy wheelsets coming, and i would move over.  thanks to the boys at flo cycling, i'm swooshing as i fly by. but race etiquette is learned by experience.  i'm certain i was in the way last year as i was learning the sport.

race time

at the last second, i decided to put on the wetsuit. water temp was 75.  it was legal, and my thought was that i'm quick to get out of it, so it won't hurt me in transition.  they divided the swim into waves by gender and age.  it's 500 meters, so it's an all-out effort.  gun went off and so did i.  before i knew it, i was passing the wave before us (starting 3 minutes ahead) and i was on dry land again.  super fast.

last year's swim 7:38, this year's 4:24 

stripped off the wetsuit and was on the bike in no time.  the bike course is flat and fast with a few turns. there's only one road that you really need to watch for potholes and the like.  i put my head down and pedaled hard.  my bike speed has certainly increased over the past year and i wanted to get to the front asap.  on the second loop, the majority of the competitors were now riding.  when and where i could, i'd turn it up and motor on by.  last year's bike split 28:38, this year's 26:32. sweet!

back into transition, i laced up the newton's.  they fit like a glove with no need for socks.  time saving bonus.

my #1 fan and personal photographer yelled at me to smile as i left transition.

i ran by myself for just about 2 miles.  there were a few older guys (wave 1 was 35-44 male) ahead of me and flying. a few caught me too.  on my way back to the finish, i shouted encouragements to my fellow racers, received a few comments on my sweet kicks and my behind.  i don't get it, but it's not the first time.

last year's 3.1 24:03, this year's 21:49

my overall time was 56:11.  improving by almost 8 minutes off of last year's time.  i took first in my age group, had the 3rd fastest swim time overall, 17th fastest bike overall and 24th fastest run of the day.  however, i didn't vomit at the finish line.  i felt pretty good, so i guess that means i need to push harder next time.