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Discussion: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon!
Subject: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon! By: dawn marie h. Written on: 2006-06-04 14:16:22 Message: Good news and bad news: Bad news first: Wow...I really stink at swimming. I had to surrender my timechip b/c I could not complete the swim. I went out too fast (I was sort of buddying up with another girl) and couldn't keep up with her. Then I swallowed some icky lake water. Then I flipped to try backstroking, which was ok....untill I saw the Man. Yes...the Man in the Boat. I said, "You know what? I can't freaking do this." He said I still could complete the race and all, but the swim time would be all messed up. Only did about 200 yards, and the course is 600. Crap. And you know what? The water temp was great- some even went w/o wetsuits. I kept mine on.PS- I didn't need to use Pam cooking spray before the wetsuit- It went right on and off Most of the time, people say the wetsuit removal is their biggest challenge, LOL. I think it didn't help that I didn't eat breakfast....only a few "Munchos" chips Sienna gave me, and two bites of a scone. Had two coffees though. Had no appetite. I did well on the bike and the run, (you can't drown on land) ...although my bike chain rattled some and I had to stop & fix it. The granny gears are giving me real trouble and Chris said we need to take it to Bikeway. The rain was intermittent, but when it poured, it really did. Why did I bother wearing my glasses? Next time it rains, I will not. I was a bit nervous on the bike but only on the downhills... the one is a bit scary even when it's completely dry. Even passed some people I followed "Pinky" (without drafting, of course...I nicknamed her, and have no idea who she is! Just know her by her pink Tri top!) Anything- and I mean ANYTHING is better than the open water swim. IMHO, cleaning prison toilets, or Hell is probably better. The run was not even an effort for me after that. And I didn't push myself- I know I could have run faster. Ended up even chatting with another runner. I just think I needed to go through the motions for my very first triathlon. And now I have some serious goals. I HAVE to lose weight (my midsection) and HAVE to do open water swims this summer (Freedom Lake or Pawling) to remove my daunting fears and deal with breathing and sighting. How totally different open water is compared to the pool. BUT am not giving up Triathlon is addictive. The rest of the Tri was awesome, the people were awesome, great volunteers and participants alike. Chris later told me he began to worry when everyone in my wave (I was third wave- they do it by race #) go out on the left, (I was coming back on the right) and he didn't see me. When he saw my bike was gone, he thought I must've been really fast and got out of the water before he could catch me. Yeah. He was so sweet to think that! I also saw Georgia and she cheered me on. Her hubby raced too. I have to say this: Even though I am definitely going to do another Tri, (maybe even the next Pawling) I am a runner at heart. I absolutely love to bike too...but I am a runner. Always have been, always will be. So I will run forever, even if I don't Tri again. But I will Tri again and it'll be OK next time.
Subject: RE: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon! By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-04 14:46:21 Message: Dawn Marie, Very fun and interesting post. Good job turning a difficult start into a fun experience. That takes a lot of good character. Keep triing Ron
Subject: RE: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon! By: Dan W. Written on: 2006-06-04 17:08:07 Message: Dawn Marie, It's great that you kept going into the bike and run - many would not. Odds are you don't really stink at swimming; open water is a different game altogether. Some practice will likely work wonders... I just had a "mock" (think "scrimmage" sprint tri - my first tri of any kind - and struggled in the water as well. It was only my second open water swim and I personally swam a line reminicent of that stripe on Charlie Brown's t-shirt (or the sine curve). It took more energy than it should have and I got frustrated. In fact, I swam into one of those tall pilons they keep near the shore (fortunately, with my hand, not head), which meant I was a good 25 feet off-course. Not cool. This morning, I got up early, grabbed my wetsuit, and went back to the same lake. It was windy and raining, but I put in a little over a mile, working mainly on sighting and getting a feel for how my body responds differently in a wetsuit than without one in the pool. My point is that it made a big difference and I feel a whole lot more confident going into my first "real" tri (another sprint) this coming weekend. As you can see, you are definitely not alone. Keep at it - definitely tri again! Let us know how it goes - I'm sure it will be good news indeed! dan
Subject: RE: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon! By: Leo d. Written on: 2006-06-05 00:39:54 Message: dawn Marie, Congrats on your tri. I am sure with a little more practice your outside swim will improve. Good luck and happy tri-ing! Leo D.
Subject: RE: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon! By: Marty D. Written on: 2006-06-05 10:23:14 Message: Way to keep going, Dawn Marie! I think a lot of people just would have cashed it in after the swim, but you kept on going. Looks as if you had a very good time! I'm looking forward to my first Tri coming up on Saturday. I'm not too nervous rigth now, but I know that I will come Friday. MartyD
Subject: RE: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon! By: Jael A. Written on: 2006-06-05 11:19:04 Message: Dawn Marie, I totally understand what you mean with the whole open water experience.... But, KUDDOS to you for finishing the race and keeping a great spirit! Like Dan said, the more you get out there and practice those open water swims the better and the more comfortable you will get. I had a similar experience at an Olympic race in April of this year and I DNFed (my experience was actually, alot worse), I could not regain my compusure back and decided to call it quits altogether- I was very upset about it and upset with myself for giving up. I was able to conquer my fears, went and did some open water swims before my next race and just did my first 1/2 IM last week! So, you can do it! Congratulations on your finish...your next swim will be better. Jael
Subject: RE: My first: Pawling Sprint Triathlon! By: Teresa S. Written on: 2006-06-05 11:49:08 Message: Wow, scary report about the swim. I feel your pain. I too have to train in open water and am afraid. I suck in the pool so I am sure I will panic if I don't train in open water soon. But.... great job on finishing. It is really the test of the Ironman to finish. Everything else if gravy. Look at how many people didn't finish and give yourself a pat on the back. Look at how many people you know that think you are a hero for simply training like you do. I get inspiration from that. Yes, I would love to be competitive and pass a few people here and there, but the truth is, we are doing something that very few people in the world endeavor and that makes us special. good luck in your future races. Teresa
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