Danskin Triathlon (Denver) 2006

2006 Denver Danskin - Aurora Reservoir
Date: July-06

Total Race Time: 2:15:55

Splits
Swim: 0:19:32
T1: 0:05:40
Bike: 0:58:52 - MPH 11.8
T2: 0:05:27
Run: 0:46:22 - Mile Pace 0:14:57

Total: 2:15:55

Well, my day started at 3:30am. My sleep was broken because I could hear the jingle of my dogs tags. It seemed especially annoying last night and kept me awake. Usually nothing keeps me awake... in spite of the fact that I am a light sleeper, I usually sleep well once my head hits the pillow. But I woke this morning, almost reluctantly... put on the unibody tri suit that I laid out the night before. My gear was organized... heart rate monitor, swim cap, goggles, cycling shoes, running shoes, visor with sun glasses. This is my eighth year doing this triathlon, so I felt generally prepared.

The streets were lonely at that hour... but I soon met up with others who joined the pilgrimage to Aurora Res' at Oh'dark thirty.

The time was 5:00am. I arrived in the parking lot and decided to take a 30 minute nap before heading in to the transition area. While I rested, I could hear the hustle and bustle of other first timers struggling to gather their gear and figure out what was next in the sequence of the day. I eventually managed to wake up enough to head in and set up for my race. The morning air was cool, but I could feel the heat pending. I enjoyed the dawn of the day as I always do when I discipline myself enough to wake early enough to experience it.

I distanced myself from my nervous feelings. I'm usually very present to my self and my life, but, I just didn't want to "be with those feelings" today. You would think after all this time that fears and uncertainties about racing wouldn't come up, but they do... and after my second sleepless night, I just wasn't in the mood for it. -- I racked my bike and situated my equipment so that I would be efficient after finishing the swim leg. I practiced finding my bike using the experienced technique of land marks and not relying on an over sized mylar balloon to identify my bike from the thousands of others. There were 3,000 competitors and the sea of bikes, and mylar balloons, all look the same but my row was the second from the first two trees after the Swim Finish... so I knew I could locate my spot gracefully.

I gathered my goggles and green swim cap and headed over to the Triathlon Tent for a group picture with my team. Others were going through their check lists and making sure that there weren't any last minute instructions that they were missing. We all headed over for the Swim warm up before the race started. That was ironic because the water was a balmy 69 degrees. Considering that our natural body temperatures are 98.6... 69 was quite a shock to our systems. -- After the warm up and the National Anthem, we were corralled into the "Swim Start Shoot". We looked like herds of cattle with different color swim caps to distinguish the different waves. I was in Wave 8 for ages 40 - 45. I stood nervously with my team mates and we made up games to distract ourselves from the inevitable race start!

Finally, we were on stand by... meaning that we were waist deep in the water that didn't seem as cold as it did during our warm up... and the air horn went off which meant that we had to go! Arms and legs flailing about... water splashing, and our destination was the first buoy that was approximately 300 meters from shore. I was relaxed now... now that the anticipation was over... now that we were actually in the water moving and not waiting for the race to start. I sight well, which is important for open water swimming. Some people were swimming perpendicular to their destination and had to be policed back on course by the race kayakers.

My swim leg was probably my best... although, I was wobbly as I exited the water and ran toward the mat that recorded my timing chip that I wore around my ankle. -- I usually wear a wet suit, but unfortunately I couldn't fit it this year. :/ I usually have slow transition times because I'm stuck trying to get my ankle out of the wet suit! :o :O :o !! But since I didn't have it this year, I thought my transition from Swim to Bike would go quickly, but it somehow didn't. :/ I struggled getting socks on my wet feet, then got distracted from what I was doing and ended up having a leisurely stroll to the Bike Start. I eventually mounted the bike and headed out for my 12 mile, rolling hill bike ride.

The temperature had heated up by now and the sun was relentless. I enjoyed the 1.5 mile down hill start passing those who were fumbling trying to get clipped in. I drank from my water bottle because if you don't hydrate on the bike, you'll be dehydrated on the run. Another trick I know from being a veteran of these races.

My bike leg was slow... slower than I've practiced it. I passed a woman who's chain had dropped... I asked if she needed help and she said yes, so I stopped to place the chain back on the sprockets and she ended up passing me shortly after that! : !!! I didn't feel aggressive today... didn't really want to attack those rolling hills... so I resolved myself to "Spinning and Grinning"... "Pushing and Pulling". It was my best effort for today... but not a personal best in my career as a triathlete. To be honest... I was slightly disappointed in myself but my body really didn't want to move any faster. There was an up hill finish. A 1.5 mile up hill finish! :::sigh::: It was rough.

While I was grateful for no personal injuries and no mechanical failures, I walked back to my transition spot slightly saddened by my performance on the bike. The sun was hot now and my skin was burning... and I still had a 5K run left before it was all over.

I switched shoes and headed out for a run... I managed to do a "Vanity" jog while entering the runners shoot along the path were people could see... but I knew I couldn't keep that pace for the entire race... so I opted to run 2 minutes and walk for 1 after I cleared the masses. -- The women were so supportive encouraging each other to finish up! I yelled a few words of support as I headed out and saw some of my team members and friends on their way to the finish line. I ran/jogged/walked next to one of my team mates. It was great to have her company and to know that I wasn't the only one struggling through the run. We kept each other motivated and focused on small tasks.... run for 2 minutes... walk for 1... we encouraged each other... we alternated between run/walk until we reached the "Vanity Sprint Finish" where we crossed the line almost simultaneously. :)

After the race I felt like I was going to pass out... I was clearly dehydrated and my electrolytes were depleted. I usually brag on my ability to gage my "nutrition" correctly, but something went very wrong today. As I sat in the medical tent... one woman misting me with cold water and the other trying to assess if there was something other than heat exhaustion going on. Once I felt my body temperature returning to normal, they placed the finishers medal around my neck and I was free to go.

Today wasn't a personal record by any stretch... this was actually the slowest I've been since I've started racing. I keep trying to console myself by acknowledging the life circumstances that have taken place over the last year... my lay off, financial streses and the gradate work that had consumed what spare emotional energy I had.

Every race is different, even if it's the same race course. I'll have to find a way to be ok with my efforts today... while I am proud of myself for following through with my race schedule this year, deep down, I am a tiny bit disappointed that my times weren't a little faster.

I rejoined my team members back at our tent for a post-race photo. We all praised each others efforts before heading over to the transition area to pick up our bikes and other gear and heading home.

"Be ok with your efforts... they were great as they always are... the outpicturing is just a little different today... to me, you are a Champion"!!!

This marks my 8th Danskin All Women's Triathlon for the year 2006!

Big fun in the sun...

SWIM, BIKE, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!