Pre-Race:
The Boulder Peak Triathlon actually starts on Saturday. My pre-race hydration and mental preparation is underway. The excitement mounts at “Packet Pickup” where you pick up your race numbers… just being in the energy of the event... seeing competitors and friends that you haven't seen for a long time and feeling "welcomed" into the event by the volunteers.
So I drove to Boulder and arrived on the grounds of the Boulder Reservoir. Located my name on the race roster and proceeded to get my packet. Identification was required and to my surprise there was no timing "Chip" in my bag. In the past I have been accustomed to receiving a timing chip, which is worn around the ankle to record your time as you cross the timing mats. This year the chip was "missing" so I went home puzzled about how chips would be distributed in the morning.
My race evening was spent picking up those last minute items needed to make race day perfect! I went to purchase an extra water bottle cage for my bike and to buy an inexpensive pair of sun glasses to wear on my run. I bought two bottles of sports drink just to have "disposable bottles". I drank part of the contents before discarding it and replacing it with the Hammer product Perpeteum I planned to use race day.
I also had my traditional dinner of "Lasagna" at a local Italian Restaurant. I enjoyed a calm dinner continuing to hydrate by sipping "Lemon water", consuming good Italian bread and pasta.
My bike rested comfortably on the back of my car... ready for its ride to the 17th Annual Boulder Peak Triathlon. My bike pump was placed in the back of the car to top off my tires just before race start.
I took my time affixing my race number on my bike helmet and bike. I secured the helmet number with clear packing tape and with the predicted high temperatures I planned to use my race belt which would hold my race number around my waist so that I did not have to pin it to a separate shirt to be worn during the run.
I laid out my swim goggles, Lime Green Color cap for Wave 9 and finally my wetsuit. I also gathered my Polar and GPS wrist watches, running and cycling shoes. I went over my mental check list again and again to prevent the subtle oversights I made during my previous race rehearsals. Once I felt comfortable with everything I packed my Triathlon Backpack/bag and placed it in my car to minimize my efforts for the morning.
The sky was still light… I could still hear the children playing outside. My neighbors were hosting friends for a BBQ... I had planned to wake at 3am, so I turned in early to allow myself time to rest. I closed my eyes and eventually fell asleep in hopes of a restful night.
Race Day:
Sunday July 20, 2008 @ 7:35am * Boulder, Colorado
I woke on time at 3am... fed the dogs and made my morning meal replacement shake that I would drink 1.5 hours before race start. The Perpeteum bottle that I mixed last night waited for me in the refrigerator and I remembered to take the partially frozen bottle of water I placed in the freezer. I grabbed my camera and off I went... traveling into the darkness of the dawn.
I felt like I had the world all to myself... relaxed and calm... on schedule to arrive at Boulder Res at 5:00am sharp. During the commute I listened to a Motivational Speaker named Lisa Nichols... I attended her lecture/workshop on Friday night and enjoyed her animated yet poignant stories of inspiration, courage and personal accomplishment. I felt centered and ready for my day... ready to face the Boulder Peak Olympic Distance Triathlon.
My commute is almost one hour from "door to door". I glanced at the other cars that were on the road... wondering where they were traveling so early in the morning. Where they heading to work? Coming home from a late night out? The questions raced through my mind... as I got closer to Boulder I began to see cars with bikes mounted on them... the caravan began. We all stacked one behind each other following each others lane changes and turns until we ended up at the Boulder Reservoir. We were directed to our parking spaces by a volunteer waving a flash light in the direction that we were supposed to travel. We had arrived.
The Olympic Distance Triathlon is:
* Swim: 1500 meters
* Bike: 42K or 26 miles
* Run: 10K or 6.2 miles
Race day temperatures were expected to be over one hundred degrees. I continued my hydration effort knowing that it would become most critical for my body to pull from during the Run leg. A wonderful volunteer drew on my race number in permanent marker on the front of each arm and my age on the back of my calf. I was then pointed in the direction of a table with neoprene ankle bands with the race chip already attached! Ah-ha!! So THAT is how they are distributing chips this year!! I was excited now and ready to race!
I proceeded to the transition area where I set up my bike, helmet, running shoes, visor and new glasses, cycling shoes, socks and sunscreen spray. I grabbed my wetsuit, swim cap and goggled to head down toward the lake.
I saw my Tri Coach Ellen Campbell and greeted my old team members for a while. I visited with the CWW Tri Team members as they all gathered around the tent to commune before race start.
Pictures were taken and hugs exchanged to encourage good luck for the race. I bonded most with those who were in my actual wave... Wave 9 was comprised of Women 24 and Under, Women 45-49 & Athena Division... I raced in the Athena division which is a "weight class" category for Triathlon's.
Definition of Athena: Athena is the Greek goddess of skill and wisdom, who was depicted with a thick, strong body and revered in mythology and art. The Athena-division is an attempt to level the playing field grouping women who are in a different "weight class" together for competition. Athletes who meet the weight requirements and wish to be scored against other athletes in the Athena division are invited to sign up for this category.
There were several women from CWW Tri Team in my wave and others were from Colorado Athletic Club Tri Team. We hugged and high five'ed each other knowing that we would face our challenges together when the air horn went off.
Swim Start:
At 7:35am, after a 15 min delay due to parking challenges and congestion Wave 9 ran under the Swim Start arch and jumped head first into the water. -- The water temperature was 76
degrees. I opted to wear my wetsuit for buoyancy instead of warmth. More than six buoys’s lined the almost one mile swim course that went counter clock wise across the lake.
I choose to start in the back left of the swim pack... I did this to avoid getting kicked in the face by the feet of those "faster swimmers". -- I had a great seal on my goggles... the sun was bright and it was difficult to see the six foot buoys until I got relatively close to them, but all was well until I passed the second buoy.
My Polar wrist watch was on my left arm and was set to a max heart rate of 170 beats per minute... as I continued to swim, I could feel my heart racing and hear my watch beeping! The pounding thundered in my chest... and I had considered for the first time in ten years alerting one of the emergency Kayakers for help.
Many thoughts filled my head... "My chest hurts!." "Just keep swimming... " "...roll on your back..." "...I can't breathe!" I continued to exclaim to myself… For many the those would be a normal internal responses to the Swim leg, but for me, the swim is my favorite part... I was not anxious or worried so this response was *VERY* unusual!
I decided to do my best to relax and finish the swim and see how I felt once I got to shore. I came through the "CLIFF" Swim Finishers arch and started to run up the hill. The hill was sandy and I continued to run toward the timing mat that would register my split for the Swim Leg. I felt terribly light headed. I slowed to a walk... still slightly unstable...
I noticed that I wasn't able to respond to the clapping crowd that received each swimmer exiting the water. "Good job!!" "Way to go" they yelled... usually I smile and accept their encouragements gratefully! Instead I staggered up the hill feeling uncertain that I would make it...
I managed to unzip my wetsuit... pulling it down to my waist to allow my upper body more mobility... I kept looking for a banister to steady myself in some way... as you might suspect, none were found.
I finally made it to the "Swim Finish" mat and I did not even hear my favorite sound... the electronic sound that is made when one's chip crosses the mat... I wondered forward.
T1 - The transition from Swim to Bike:
"Find your bike" I thought to myself... "Find your transition area"... disoriented... I staggered through the maze... uncertain where to go. The transition area logistics have made great progress since I competed in this race four years ago. They now have the wave numbers on "high poles" so it is easy to find the lanes which are reserved for one’s specific wave without having to rely on it's relative position from fixed objects. The glaring sign did not seem to help me... I still wondered more than was necessary considering the clear signs that were provided.
"I don't feel good" I kept thinking to myself... heart still racing... Polar Heart Rate Monitor still beeping... I eventually found my bike and sat down...
"Put your bike shoes on" I thought to myself... unable to imagine how I would now face the twenty-six mile bike ride that lie ahead... I sat there hoping & praying that my heart rate would return to normal soon.
"Are you alright?" Others questioned... I am sure my facial expression suggested that something was "off"...
"No," I replied... "No... I am not alright!" My socks and cycling shoes were on now... I stood up then sat again... more and more people from the wave were finishing their swim, transitioning and heading out on the bike. Some seemed to feel awkward leaving me there... "Go... have a good ride"... I remember telling one teammate, "I just want to wait until my heart rate comes down!" She reluctantly ran toward the bike start.
By now, fifteen minutes had passed... while my transitions are relatively slow, I have never taken this long.
"Drink water" others yelled... but soon my bike was the only one left for Wave 9... and I still sat there.. heart racing and head swooning.
Thoughts of my first "DNF" raced through my mind... tears filled my eyes... "NO... I can still ride..." I thought to myself... fearful that may not be wise under these conditions.
A man from the Medical tent came over to ask if I needed assistance... "No... “ I blurted… “I'm just waiting for my heart rate to come down..."I didn't want to accept medical attention for fear of being pulled from the race... he stood there for a while… patient… attentive... "Just come to the Medical Tent so that we can look at you"...
"If I come to the Medical tent, can I still ride?" I asked through tearful eyes... ...the man was kind... "Yes... you can still ride if we check you out..." knowing that once I received medical attention I could not continue.
The Boulder Peak Triathlon actually starts on Saturday. My pre-race hydration and mental preparation is underway. The excitement mounts at “Packet Pickup” where you pick up your race numbers… just being in the energy of the event... seeing competitors and friends that you haven't seen for a long time and feeling "welcomed" into the event by the volunteers.
So I drove to Boulder and arrived on the grounds of the Boulder Reservoir. Located my name on the race roster and proceeded to get my packet. Identification was required and to my surprise there was no timing "Chip" in my bag. In the past I have been accustomed to receiving a timing chip, which is worn around the ankle to record your time as you cross the timing mats. This year the chip was "missing" so I went home puzzled about how chips would be distributed in the morning.
My race evening was spent picking up those last minute items needed to make race day perfect! I went to purchase an extra water bottle cage for my bike and to buy an inexpensive pair of sun glasses to wear on my run. I bought two bottles of sports drink just to have "disposable bottles". I drank part of the contents before discarding it and replacing it with the Hammer product Perpeteum I planned to use race day.
I also had my traditional dinner of "Lasagna" at a local Italian Restaurant. I enjoyed a calm dinner continuing to hydrate by sipping "Lemon water", consuming good Italian bread and pasta.
My bike rested comfortably on the back of my car... ready for its ride to the 17th Annual Boulder Peak Triathlon. My bike pump was placed in the back of the car to top off my tires just before race start.
I took my time affixing my race number on my bike helmet and bike. I secured the helmet number with clear packing tape and with the predicted high temperatures I planned to use my race belt which would hold my race number around my waist so that I did not have to pin it to a separate shirt to be worn during the run.
I laid out my swim goggles, Lime Green Color cap for Wave 9 and finally my wetsuit. I also gathered my Polar and GPS wrist watches, running and cycling shoes. I went over my mental check list again and again to prevent the subtle oversights I made during my previous race rehearsals. Once I felt comfortable with everything I packed my Triathlon Backpack/bag and placed it in my car to minimize my efforts for the morning.
The sky was still light… I could still hear the children playing outside. My neighbors were hosting friends for a BBQ... I had planned to wake at 3am, so I turned in early to allow myself time to rest. I closed my eyes and eventually fell asleep in hopes of a restful night.
Race Day:
Sunday July 20, 2008 @ 7:35am * Boulder, Colorado
I woke on time at 3am... fed the dogs and made my morning meal replacement shake that I would drink 1.5 hours before race start. The Perpeteum bottle that I mixed last night waited for me in the refrigerator and I remembered to take the partially frozen bottle of water I placed in the freezer. I grabbed my camera and off I went... traveling into the darkness of the dawn.
I felt like I had the world all to myself... relaxed and calm... on schedule to arrive at Boulder Res at 5:00am sharp. During the commute I listened to a Motivational Speaker named Lisa Nichols... I attended her lecture/workshop on Friday night and enjoyed her animated yet poignant stories of inspiration, courage and personal accomplishment. I felt centered and ready for my day... ready to face the Boulder Peak Olympic Distance Triathlon.
My commute is almost one hour from "door to door". I glanced at the other cars that were on the road... wondering where they were traveling so early in the morning. Where they heading to work? Coming home from a late night out? The questions raced through my mind... as I got closer to Boulder I began to see cars with bikes mounted on them... the caravan began. We all stacked one behind each other following each others lane changes and turns until we ended up at the Boulder Reservoir. We were directed to our parking spaces by a volunteer waving a flash light in the direction that we were supposed to travel. We had arrived.
The Olympic Distance Triathlon is:
* Swim: 1500 meters
* Bike: 42K or 26 miles
* Run: 10K or 6.2 miles
Race day temperatures were expected to be over one hundred degrees. I continued my hydration effort knowing that it would become most critical for my body to pull from during the Run leg. A wonderful volunteer drew on my race number in permanent marker on the front of each arm and my age on the back of my calf. I was then pointed in the direction of a table with neoprene ankle bands with the race chip already attached! Ah-ha!! So THAT is how they are distributing chips this year!! I was excited now and ready to race!
I proceeded to the transition area where I set up my bike, helmet, running shoes, visor and new glasses, cycling shoes, socks and sunscreen spray. I grabbed my wetsuit, swim cap and goggled to head down toward the lake.
I saw my Tri Coach Ellen Campbell and greeted my old team members for a while. I visited with the CWW Tri Team members as they all gathered around the tent to commune before race start.
Pictures were taken and hugs exchanged to encourage good luck for the race. I bonded most with those who were in my actual wave... Wave 9 was comprised of Women 24 and Under, Women 45-49 & Athena Division... I raced in the Athena division which is a "weight class" category for Triathlon's.
Definition of Athena: Athena is the Greek goddess of skill and wisdom, who was depicted with a thick, strong body and revered in mythology and art. The Athena-division is an attempt to level the playing field grouping women who are in a different "weight class" together for competition. Athletes who meet the weight requirements and wish to be scored against other athletes in the Athena division are invited to sign up for this category.
There were several women from CWW Tri Team in my wave and others were from Colorado Athletic Club Tri Team. We hugged and high five'ed each other knowing that we would face our challenges together when the air horn went off.
Swim Start:
At 7:35am, after a 15 min delay due to parking challenges and congestion Wave 9 ran under the Swim Start arch and jumped head first into the water. -- The water temperature was 76
degrees. I opted to wear my wetsuit for buoyancy instead of warmth. More than six buoys’s lined the almost one mile swim course that went counter clock wise across the lake.I choose to start in the back left of the swim pack... I did this to avoid getting kicked in the face by the feet of those "faster swimmers". -- I had a great seal on my goggles... the sun was bright and it was difficult to see the six foot buoys until I got relatively close to them, but all was well until I passed the second buoy.
My Polar wrist watch was on my left arm and was set to a max heart rate of 170 beats per minute... as I continued to swim, I could feel my heart racing and hear my watch beeping! The pounding thundered in my chest... and I had considered for the first time in ten years alerting one of the emergency Kayakers for help.
Many thoughts filled my head... "My chest hurts!." "Just keep swimming... " "...roll on your back..." "...I can't breathe!" I continued to exclaim to myself… For many the those would be a normal internal responses to the Swim leg, but for me, the swim is my favorite part... I was not anxious or worried so this response was *VERY* unusual!
I decided to do my best to relax and finish the swim and see how I felt once I got to shore. I came through the "CLIFF" Swim Finishers arch and started to run up the hill. The hill was sandy and I continued to run toward the timing mat that would register my split for the Swim Leg. I felt terribly light headed. I slowed to a walk... still slightly unstable...
I noticed that I wasn't able to respond to the clapping crowd that received each swimmer exiting the water. "Good job!!" "Way to go" they yelled... usually I smile and accept their encouragements gratefully! Instead I staggered up the hill feeling uncertain that I would make it...
I managed to unzip my wetsuit... pulling it down to my waist to allow my upper body more mobility... I kept looking for a banister to steady myself in some way... as you might suspect, none were found.
I finally made it to the "Swim Finish" mat and I did not even hear my favorite sound... the electronic sound that is made when one's chip crosses the mat... I wondered forward.
T1 - The transition from Swim to Bike:
"Find your bike" I thought to myself... "Find your transition area"... disoriented... I staggered through the maze... uncertain where to go. The transition area logistics have made great progress since I competed in this race four years ago. They now have the wave numbers on "high poles" so it is easy to find the lanes which are reserved for one’s specific wave without having to rely on it's relative position from fixed objects. The glaring sign did not seem to help me... I still wondered more than was necessary considering the clear signs that were provided.
"I don't feel good" I kept thinking to myself... heart still racing... Polar Heart Rate Monitor still beeping... I eventually found my bike and sat down...
"Put your bike shoes on" I thought to myself... unable to imagine how I would now face the twenty-six mile bike ride that lie ahead... I sat there hoping & praying that my heart rate would return to normal soon.
"Are you alright?" Others questioned... I am sure my facial expression suggested that something was "off"...
"No," I replied... "No... I am not alright!" My socks and cycling shoes were on now... I stood up then sat again... more and more people from the wave were finishing their swim, transitioning and heading out on the bike. Some seemed to feel awkward leaving me there... "Go... have a good ride"... I remember telling one teammate, "I just want to wait until my heart rate comes down!" She reluctantly ran toward the bike start.
By now, fifteen minutes had passed... while my transitions are relatively slow, I have never taken this long.
"Drink water" others yelled... but soon my bike was the only one left for Wave 9... and I still sat there.. heart racing and head swooning.
Thoughts of my first "DNF" raced through my mind... tears filled my eyes... "NO... I can still ride..." I thought to myself... fearful that may not be wise under these conditions.
A man from the Medical tent came over to ask if I needed assistance... "No... “ I blurted… “I'm just waiting for my heart rate to come down..."I didn't want to accept medical attention for fear of being pulled from the race... he stood there for a while… patient… attentive... "Just come to the Medical Tent so that we can look at you"...
"If I come to the Medical tent, can I still ride?" I asked through tearful eyes... ...the man was kind... "Yes... you can still ride if we check you out..." knowing that once I received medical attention I could not continue.
I was equally afraid to ignore my thudding heart as I was to face my first DNF... but as I pondered the consequences of starting the bike without feeling one-hundred percent, I reluctantly agreed to get medical attention.
Medical Tent:
The medical staff was both patient and professional. They took my heart rate using their own equipment… my watch still beeping in the background. Between the two instruments it was obvious that my heart rate was still elevated. My monitor showed a max heart rate of 235 bpm. A normal heart rate for me at that time would be high 90's or low 100's.
I was asked to lay down on the table they connected me to their EKG machine. With six leads extending from my body I watched the fine, rhythmic lines that represented my heart rate spew out of the tiny console. -- They questioned my medical history in attempt to try to figure out what could be contributing to this episode. Nothing stood out as a major contributor. The longer I stayed there, the deeper I realized that I would not be continuing and that today would mark my first DNF.
In world of endurance sports, the acronym DNF stands for “Did Not Finish”… three letters that no one wants to see behind their name on a list of race results.
Tears started to stream from my eyes… The lady EMT took my hand... she knew my pain was related the realization of my DNF and not so much from my racing heart. -- "You're doing the right thing!" she said meaning that it was wise to not continue… she sat next to me and whispered her own experience about an Ironman competition that she had to pull out of... I listened through tearful eyes, a pounding head and heart.
Out of everything I feared for today, this was the last thing that crossed my mind. I continued to burst into tears pausing only intermittently to further ponder my reality...
My thoughts went back to all of the races I participated in in the past where my teammates were rushed to the hospital or laying in the Medical Tents receiving care. My compassion deepened for each and every one of them retrospectively as I now share their experience. -- So with a deep breath, I accepted the fate of my day... and knew that Timberline Timing would post a DNF for the 17th Annual Boulder Peak Triathlon.
Boulder Community Hospital:
I went to Boulder Community Hospital where I was further observed. My heart rate stayed elevated at an average of 166 bpm for two and a half hours. “Unfortunately”, my heart rate returned to normal as soon as I was connected the hospital EKG machine. I sat there thinking about my friends out on the race course and wishing that I could be there with them.
I was released after two hours of observation... all tests were clear of heart problems and there was no explanation for what happened today. I am grateful for my "Heart Health" and hopeful to continue training in the sport of Triathlon.
Back at the Race Course:
I ended the day with Coach Yoli and a few other friends and teammates who were still at the race course when the Yellow Cab dropped me off. It felt wonderful to know that my team mates both past and present noticed my absence and inquired about my care.
More importantly, I managed to get a Post Race Burrito from Qdoba and relax in the sun before heading home.
Today was a different type of triathlon... one that was more mental than physical. My plan is to get back in the game... search for the next race that I can sign up for and participate in. This is just the beginning and not the end.
Stay tuned for the next "Tale of the Triathlete!"
Until then, have Big fun the Sun!
SWIM, BIKE, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!
