REV3 WILLIAMSBURG OLYMPIC TRIATHLON
LEVEL 1: PREPARATION
As we prepared to leave for the almost 3-week trip to Virginia, Michigan and then Chicago, I tried to have my priorities straight and first made sure to use my USA triathlon membership card race day checklist, along with the one provided by Rev3, to make sure I was packing everything I needed for the race. This was way more complicated than preparing for a run. I guess I knew this from doing the sprint tri a couple years ago, but this triathlon was across the country not across the street, and I didn't want to forget anything critical. Like my bike. Plus all the little things. In the end I did forget little things, like baby powder. But nothing too expensive that I couldn't grab after we left Kansas.
Real preparation started when we got to Woodbridge, VA. When we could finally stop driving, see our good friends and relax for an evening before driving down to Williamsburg. Being able to relax of course starts out with getting the dogs a little worn out. We met Jack at a dog park by their house where Teddy and Ellie met up with Tater. Jack and Angela took us to dinner at Cock and Bowl, a quaint little European bistro in Occoquan. Mussels and 60+ Belgian-style beers. Sounds like race prep to me.
This also included Friday's crash course on changing a flat given by Dave & Jack. I said many small prayers that I wouldn't have to change my first during this race.
LEVEL 2: PRE-RACE
Pre-race started when we got to Williamsburg late Friday after fighting lots of traffic (this happens throughout the entire state of Virginia, during all times of the day. You can't get away from it). When we arrived, I loaded up on a 1/2 pound of carrot cake at a bistro called Second Street. Nik ate the other half. We had each ordered a "piece" not realizing it was Colassal, so the waiter made a good assumption that we only needed one. Funny. And it was fabulous. A 1/2 lb was plenty...I didn't need to be hulling around a carrot cake in my stomache Sunday morning. Oh yeah, I had Quail for dinner. Dave drank a bottle of wine. I was "good" and had one local brew.
We headed back to the hotel to get some sleep so we could get up for the practice swim. Fast forward to the morning. This is when it got real! It was a long, fun day of prep. First we drove out to T1 (transition 1....where you get on your bike after getting out of the water)/the water. It was then that I realized my packing was horrible as usual and that things were not properly organized. I had a bunch of stuff in my bag that I didn't need to take down there, making the bag heavy. A massage stick, extra clothes, extra goggles, caps, etc. Note- don't use the bag you want to carry around as storage for everything you brought. So I was just throwing stuff everywhere in the back of Dave's truck. A sight, I'm sure.
It was about a 5 minute walk down to the water at Jamestown Beach Park. Triathletes were swarming everywhere. Some getting in the water, some getting out, some just looking at the water :)
 |
| View of starting area |
People were visiting and talking about triathlete things....things that were probably not even thoughts in my little triathlete rookie mind. But the biggest topic of conversation was "wetsuit or no wetsuit." I had paid to reserve/rent one a couple weeks before, in my mind assuming we would definitely need them and not really thinking about the possibility of not needing them. At dinner Nik had told me that the water temperature was borderline for the rules. The USA triathlon rule states:
4.4 Wet suits. Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.
So, there ya go. After Nik headed in the water Jack and I walked in. I didn't have my wetsuit yet because we were picking them up later that day. I hadn't been too concerned about how the water would feel since Nik told us it was almost 78 degrees anyway. It felt so good! After getting used to swimming while looking at blackness below me again, I swam out to the first buoy just to see how far that felt. By then, I was thinking there is no way I would want to be wearing a wetsuit at this temperature. Interesting! Like I said, I hadn't even thought of this scenario as a new triathlete a bit overwhelmed and unfamiliar with all the ins and outs.
 |
| Post-practice swim |
We got breakfast at a bakery called Aromas in historic colonial Williamsburg. I had the breakfast burrito with Chorizo. Right choice. So good. We walked around the quaint little downtown area, which literally took about 6 minutes :) We then headed to the "expo," near T2 (the area where you drop off your bike and start running during the race). We checked in and picked up our registration packets/bags full of crap we needed....athlete wristband, race number bib, body marking tattoos, timing chip, bike stickers, swim to bike bag, dry clothes bag. Being a triathlete is complicated :). It took me a while to wrap my head around the idea of the "swim to bike" and "dry clothes" bags, both of which were for T1. But no bag for T2? The dry clothes bag was for the stuff you were wearing in the morning before hopping in the water. The swim to bike bag was for stuff like cap, goggles and wetsuit after getting out of the water. Simple enough, I guess. But what about T2?? Haha. Here is T2:
 |
| T2 |
It was time to go back to the hotel and grab our bikes, which needed to be dropped off back at T1 where we had been that morning. Back and forth, back and forth (it was about 6 miles between the 2 locations). As we were loading up the bikes, Jack noticed a gash in one of Nik's tires. Oh s***. This stuff does happen right before the race, people! So we went back to the expo where there is a bike mechaical support team. Nik's bike goes in the queue. When it was ready we took the bikes down to T1 and dropped them off in the swarm of bikes, to be guarded by some Marines overnight. So weird to have so many crazy expensive bikes in one location overnight.
 |
| T1 |
We ate some seriously fabulous Italian food at Maurizio's (you can see that food is critical to my race weekend experience. Duh :) I seriously fought the urge to get just one fabulous glass of wine to go with it....I beat the urge. We were running out of time to get a good night's sleep. We headed back to the hotel at about 8:30 and the rain had started. I don't think that during all of the race prep chaos I had even BOTHERED to think about the weather. Or I at least wasn't tracking it that day. And apparently in my mind it was obviously going to clear up by morning. Obviously.
LEVEL 3: RACE DAY
My alarm went off at 4:15. The adrenaline reminded me that hitting snooze and sleeping longer than I should would only add to my nerves, so I popped out of bed and got dressed. Lights on. Nik made pancakes (I don't know how many triathlons it takes to build that step into your 4 a.m. wake up routine, but wow). And we notice it is raining. Grreeaat. I'm still not panicking....just do what everyone else does, Breanne. Nik was ready to leave on time, I was almost ready and Jack was definitely not ready :-p Dave drove us down to T2 (to drop off stuff at our spot where we start the run) at about 5:20. It was raining good....luckily I found a plastic grocery bag in the door of Dave's truck to throw my shoes and socks in....HOW DID I NOT PLAN FOR THIS? Haha. Shocking. Although let's face it, I was the one still grabbing baby powder for my feet at 8:45 the night before. Most people had big garbage bags. I felt like such a newb!
We got in line for the shuttle to take us to T1, but it was very very long and we were just becoming a soppy mess. Excellent. While Dave parked, Jack and I made the best of standing in line and we spent most of the time waiting talking to an older couple who noticed my U of M shirt. They had a Michigan connection and loved to watch U of M swimming. The woman was watching her husband race the Olympic distance. Just a really friendly couple. Really helped distract me from the fact that I wanted to puke as I got nervous. We finally got on the bus shortly after Dave walked a mile from where he parked (seriously, so many logistics....yet I still found this race pretty awesome). As the bus pulled away, someone said "well, we made it on the bus. that's the first hurdle." Without missing a beat, Jack yelled "what? there's hurdles in this race??" Everyone busted out laughing. The comic relief was good at that point because everyone was a little on edge about the long line and the shuttles being backed up. T2 was supposed to close at 6:40 (meaning you had to have everything set up in that area by that time...the dry clothes bag and swim to bike bag, and be out of there).
SWIM
We made it out of T1 with some time to spare, but they did have to leave it open a little longer as buses of athletes were still en route. We went to the bathroom one last time, threw a bunch of sunscreen on and walked from T1 to the water (a good 1/4 to 1/2 mile as well, haha). At this point I realized I didn't have any water with me and of course was thirsty. There was a table of drinks and volunteers set up for the transition and they gave me some gatorade. The race start was delayed a little bit, but the rain had stopped and that was pretty awesome. The Half distance racers started first in waves by age and gender. They closed the gap between waves from 5 min to 3 to make up for a little lost time. Um, I had to go to the bathroom again pretty close to our start times. Jack made the "joke" that those hanging out in the water were taking care of business and I don't think I caught it at first. It wasn't until I actually took his advice and went and sat down in the water that it occurred to me....that is why people are sitting in the water. Yup.
I watched the waves start in front of me and got more nervous/excited. I lined up in the chute when the announcer gave us the 3 minute warning. I pressed my goggles onto my face and threw Dave a couple smiles. The announcer counted down to our start and I casually started walking out into the water after crossing the timing mat, getting my bearings. I walked as far as I could, why not. I remember being paranoid that the chip tied around my ankle would fall off during the swim. Between constantly checking that, looking to make sure I was going the right direction, looking to make sure I wasn't about to plow over someone (only happened once), there was enough to focus on during the swim. The current was pushing us out a bit, so that helped a little from the start to the first buoy. But then you had to make a right, and then another right to get back to the beach. So the water pushing us out on the second and third legs was not helpful. Too confusing? Anyway, I just kept thinking about how I swam to the island on the Big Manistique Lake as a kid. This was cake! It helped me to not freak out. After turning around the second buoy, people were fairly spread out. And I had to pee again! I quickly thought...pee now while still swimming- 2 birds with one stone. Or waste time in the porta-potty when I get out and lose momentum? I looked behind me to make sure I wasn't peeing in someone's face. I was considerate.
 |
| Finishing the swim |
T1
It was a great feeling running out of the water with everyone there cheering. I ran over the mat and followed the path across the field to T1. I was trying to move at a pretty good clip, but in the back of my mind I was also thinking "shit, this is the bike." I wanted to get clipping into my bike OVER WITH. Between running from the water to T1, getting my shoes, gloves and helmet on and getting to the mounting line, I used 7 1/2 minutes. Not bad (for me). I ran my bike up to the road, passed the mounting line and hopped on. This was it! I was on.
BIKE
 |
| Starting the bike |
T2
This one was pretty simple....throw shoes, visor and running belt on and go! Apparently it only took me 1:05. I still wonder if this is accurate, but I don't think I wasted too much time.
RUN
I really tried to keep my pace up in the beginning because it is easier to get a good pace and hold it than start slow and then feel tired anyway. I knew once I got to the turn-around at 3.1 (it was an out and back) I could definitely let my mental strength carry me. For the Half distance athletes, the run route was the out and back x 2. That sounded a bit like mental torture to me, but it was really cool seeing all the athletes at different points along the course. You were constantly passing runners going in the opposite direction. I really pulled from my running strength as well as the strength I was watching in others to get me through the 6.2 miles. I felt pretty good overall. The last 1.5 was rough, to be expected. What was really awful was getting back to the finish line area/chute and having to go past it, run down another hill and then back up before actually going down the chute. These race organizers were sick! Haha. At the athlete briefing the day before, the guy said "there are a few hills along the run course to keep the athletes honest." Hilarious. A few? It was very hilly. But a good challenge for me.
LEVEL 4: FINISH
It was so awesome getting to the chute. Rev3 is big on allowing athlets to run down the chute with their loved ones. I wish I would have thought of this and grabbed Dave! But it felt so good finishing and I didn't have much left I guess. The announcer mentioned my name as I came through, but then immediately after crossing the mat and slowing down, the second place male pro finisher (yes, for the Half distance....more than double what I did :) was finishing and totally stole my race finish thunder! Haha. The finish area was split into two lines on the left and right. I was in the slightly backed up right line (as people got towels, medals and shirts), and one of the volunteers said I could go to the other side. That would have required walking across camera and interrupting the pro finisher interview. Maybe that was my moment of fame and I should have taken it, hehe. But then no one gave me a medal and I was starting to wonder if they were only for the Half finishers. It was like panic set it...this would have been so upsetting! Then a lady finally asks me what size shirt, and asks me if I got a medal.
*Sigh of relief.*
I wanted some Williamsburg bling for my first Olympic distance race.
LEVEL 5: POST-FINISH
Yes, I do it all for the bling. And having fun with friends. And seeing amazing people like Jenna above, along with people who overcome all sorts of obstacles in training and racing to finish. And the post-finish beer.
Cheers to more triathlons in the future!
My Results
Now if you want, back up with me. My training journey wasn't really a blast, but it is important for me to reflect on it because in the end it was worth the pain. Every time I train, I learn. And so should you!
After the USMC Marathon, I was in pretty awesome shape. But then, in post-marathon fashion, I sort of got lazy. I took a "break." A 2 month break. When we got to Washington, I was really looking forward to building up my fitness level before my official tri training began. I got back in the pool after many years.....weird. I biked (spinned) my butt off in the safety of the gym, all the while thinking about the clipless pedals I would have to eventually face. And of course, I ran. Outdoors on base whenever I could.
4 Feb: Official training plan started. I was on a little training high! I looked forward to checking each workout off and felt really accomplished afterward. There were 9 (3 of each swim, bike and run) workouts per 6 days (1 rest day). I would usually swim and bike on the same day since I was going to the gym anyway. And then the run day was somewhat of a "rest" (stress-free) day for me since I'm obsessed with it; it's not only a workout for me but a stress-reliever. Sunday was the day of rest... but I eventually changed rest day to Saturday since that is the only day of the week Dave had free.
18ish Mar: Burnout after about 6 weeks. I don't recall doing much for about 3 weeks. And I didn't even care. It was a weird feeling, because I DIDN'T EVEN CARE. Never happened before. Granted the training for the first couple marathons I did was shotty, but for the last couple, I would have been FREAKING about my lack of caring. Because I know how necessary the training is from experience/the pain of not training and, well, my education. And common sense. It wasn't until I was in Seattle visiting some friends that I realized what happened. I was possibly slightly buzzed ranting to my friend Mike about how I didn't understand what had happend and he casually suggested "It sounds like you just burned yourself out." Huh. Burnout. I had heard of this thing....but it was foreign to me until now. It's true....I did train really, really hard for 6 weeks and didn't focus on much else. That in itself I found out didn't work for me. When training is the only thing you have going on, or your only "obligation," it's not that great. Things were out of balance.
20 Apr: I started getting back into things. Missed a few weeks, NBD (eeeek). I decided there was nowhere to go but up and I HAD to go up or this triathlon wasn't happening. I also decided to add some weights into the mix and hang out with the meatheads. I really think if I had my own weight room at home I could get into it big time. But I hate the weightlifting environment. And I hate how most lifters see little value in aerobic fitness or endurance. I know I'm generalizing, but it's pretty accurate. A lifting buddy definitely helps too. I made zero effort in finding one of those. I have to admit, this routine only lasted about 2 weeks (not proud. NOT PROUD). But at least I was getting back on track with the 3 main disciplines.
6 May: Pinched nerve
Or was I?? I was swimming my laps and all of the sudden BAM. I felt a sharp pain in my right upper back/shoulder (the exact location is kind of fuzzy now) as I stroked with my right arm and started to pull through. I couldn't keep swimming because the pain hardly allowed me to. I stopped at the wall and started rubbing it. But I could feel it; this was serious. I got out after only about 400 meters. I continued rubbing it throughout the day, used Icy Hot, used ice and heat. But I could barely sleep because whenever I rolled over/moved my head I felt excruciating pain. I scheduled what I call an emergency massage (because I still hadn't started the responsible routine of getting one regularly when I'm beating up my body 6 days a week. I did have one on March 25th but hey-yo, I skipped April). I already had one scheduled for 2 weeks later and I kept that appointment as well. I vowed: from now on- Posture, water, stretching.
3 Jun: Sick! Seriously. While we were trying to eat fairly healthy while in WA (both in training that demanded a lot), perhaps I was enjoying too much fantastic wine and beer and going out too often :) After Dave's graduation weekend, we were dragging a bit on Sunday packing up the whole house. Our departure all of the sudden came so soon and we were trying to see friends/say goodbyes, use gift certificates, pack up and I, of course, was scrambling to acquire some local wines and brews to take back to share. By the time we got to Missoula on Monday night, we were beat. We had vouchers for a free drink at the bar and as I sat back and relaxed, I noticed my throat was sore.....dun dun DUN. No bueno. Sore throat, ears and complete exhaustion took over my body over the course of the drive back home. We managed to enjoy Yellowstone a bit, during which time I started a nightly dose of NyQuil. Throughout the rest of the week and weekend, I decided to inquire with Rev3 about switching to the Olympic Distance (instead of the Long Course or "Half IM"). They wrote me back giving me the option and until Monday morning to let them know.
9 Jun: Swallowed my pride and decided to race the Olympic distance. The training I did put in + some of setbacks was a better recipe for a strong Olympic race than a miserable Half.
You're awesome!! Grandma tells me I make her tired just talking about all my activities, and you exhaust me just reading about one olympic race!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's all relative. Cheers for many more finish lines.!!!
Wow!!! It is great that you were over your race and enjoy with your friends too.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Mobile Massage