Sunday, July 1, 2012

I did it!! My First Triathlon


In my perfect world I'll be the triathlete tearing the Olympic course in London next month and challenge for the Ironman championship in Hawaii. But dreams begin with that first step and for me it's the time when I registered for my first triathlon 10 min away from my house, a 500 meter swim, 20K bike ride, and a 5K run on the Lint in Vleuten.

I'm a total newbie, my swimming skills sucks big time, I am nowhere to be considered a good swimmer I never took lessons or anything like that  I only swim just to swim! Cycling?... well I don't regularly bike but I know how to bike and I am big fan of Lance Armstrong! Running? Well that’s where I can consider myself a good amateur runner in an injury free situation.

The day started with a nice sunshine and me being very nervous! Why Nervous? I really didn't trust my knee in the last weeks I have done too much and I knew that I have been over doing it! The worst thing I was scared of that I won't be able to finish the 5 km run! I put a confidence attitude and my goal was to enjoy a nice day with family and friends! 
The start of the 1/16 was at 10 am  and the start of the 1/8 triathlon was at 11:00. Ans came by me at 9:15 and we went together to pick our start packet. The wind was really hard and it felt almost cold! I am not complaining I just couldn't wait to start! I missed racing so much!


Just Before the Start with Ans
Swim
Swimming is my least favorite event! Who cares? I am going there and going to give it all ! Water temperature was 21 degrees. it was basically warmer than the temperature outside. The gunshot went off at 11:00 and 500m of swimming were in front of me! I didn't expect that it would be so hard but I loved working myself out!  For sure from now on I will be hitting the lake or the swimming pool to improve my swimming skills!! I want to be fast a fast swimmer! :)

Transition 1
It went smooth but I wasn't super happy because I felt the whole world was faster than me. This is just because I have a competitive attitude...event hough I had no other expectations!!  I run out the water to the area where I left my bike, I put my helmet on , my start number and of course my shoes and hit the 20 km ride, knowing that I can catch up a little bit...




Bike
Biking on the Lint was very nice! My legs felt strong, I felt strong, I had my favorite music in my ears, wind with me or against me nothing was going to stop me from pedaling my heart out!  I felt the adrenaline rush running through my veins! I freaking missed and loved that feeling! As predicted I must have past over 20 ladies.... 
Biking average pace was 33km/h...
On the bike!