Ironman Augusta 70.3 - 41 Days to go

I ran the Greenville Triathlon today. It's a sprint 400M, 15mile, 3.1 mile. I have good, bad, and ugly from the event.

I got there early and laid out my gear. Everything was going smooth. Time came for the swim and I got in the deep end where the lineup was. I was #435 and did a little swimming to warm up. The swim was in a 50 meter pool that had 8 lanes. The swim consisted of swimming back and forth for all 8 lanes, going under the lane rope after you touched the far wall. I lined up with the other swimmers awaiting out start, and when it was my time, moved into the start lane. We were starting at 10 second intervals, two at a time. I started out way too fast and soon was behind a huge guy that was in the 10 second group that went before us. I thought it would be a good idea to get on around him but it quickly became a struggle as he was in the middle of the lane. All in a sudden, I felt a bit panicky. I pulled back but I was winded and couldn't catch my breath. I touched the far wall, went under the rope and started the second lane. I trying to get back to a regular swim pace and get control of my breath but it just got worse. I started hyperventilating and didn't seem to be able to get any air. The water was very warm, the air was hot, and I was freaking. At two of the wall turns, I had to stop for a few seconds to get my breath before moving on to the next lane. Midway through the swim, I thought that something was really wrong with me... could this be a heart attack? No, I decided... just nerves and a bad start and I continued on with a side stroke which allowed me to breathe the whole time. Eventually I finished the swim and did a time of 10 minutes which really wasn't so bad. I was still out of breath as I headed to the bike transition.

I spent 3:30 in the bike transition. Pretty slow but I was still freaked from the swim. I got my Garmin GPS watch on my wrist but forgot to turn it on under after I'd started the bike. Once I got on the bike though things got better. I caught my breath and began to gain control. I was beginning to feel sure of myself. The ride was wonderful and I was fast. I averaged 18 miles an hour on my mountain bike and probably passed 15 people and was passed by only 5 or 6. I eventually got into a group that was a lot of fun and we went back and forth taking the lead. They'd get the lead on the uphills and I'd come flying down on the downhills. I finished in 52 minutes, which was pretty smokin' fast for me. It was a lot of fun passing fancy $2000 bikes with my $300 mountain bike. Sorry, but it just is.

The run transition was a smokin' 1 minute 9 seconds. I headed out for the run. I didn't feel like I was as fast as I could be but at a good, sustainable pace that allowed for good breathing. I was still thinking about the panicked start in the swim. I finished the run in 31 minutes, which meant I was running 10 minute miles, which is really good for me. I'm about to finally break into the single digits on the run speed!

Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly:

The Good
- Great bike time and was really having fun out there on the bike.
- Good organization and had everything I needed
- Amazing family all there cheering me on
- New friends I made
- My kids seeing their Dad struggle and triumph
- Finished with a smile on my face

The Bad:
- Starting too fast in the swim
- Poor swim time

The Ugly:
- Hyperventilating in the pool and swim falling apart because I couldn't get my breath.
- 1/2 hour after the event beginning dry heaves and having them a couple more times in the next hour.
- Feeling sick after the event.
- Second guessing myself whether I can do the Ironman Augusta 70.3.

During the race I tried one of the gel packs that they had given at registration. I think it was part of what made me sick. I think it was such a sugar shock to my system that I wasn't used to, I had a bad reaction to it. I'm also sure I didn't drink enough. I had about 24 oz during the race but was didn't feel better after the race until I'd gotten another 32 oz in.

I know I can do the 70.3 event. I just need to slow down, start the swim at a mellow pace, enjoy the bike, and get in the zone on the run. I am no where near competitive, though I'd really love to be. I need to accept this and learn to have more fun without constantly feeling like I haven't done good enough. I'm pushing myself in ways that most people don't. I've come back from morbid obesity to living a healthy life. I'm active in life and creating my path.

I'm thinking that's more than good enough.