July 13, 2014 will be my first triathlon. The Randolph Lake Triathlon is a 1/2 mile lake swim, a 16.4 mile "challenging" bike ride, and a 5k run (partial trail run). The race director from Paramount Multisports offered participants a preview bike ride as well as a preview swim. And I am SO taking advantage of this opportunity! My brother Lester, an avid cyclist, asked if he could join us for the group ride. Come hell or high water he's determine to make me a better cyclist, because I suck at it.
This was my first time biking in a group formation. No worries though since the group left me in the dust within the first couple of miles. Marty was the "sweeper" (poor Marty) and promised to stay with me through the entire course. That was really good because I had no idea where I was going. So now I'm trailing behind with Marty and my brother Lester commanding me from behind.
The first major incline was about two miles into the course. Marty pulled up along side me as I struggled up the hill. "Switch to your smaller wheel" he yelled. "I don't know how to do that" I yelled back. I think I saw him roll his eyes, even though I'm sure he'd deny ever doing so. "Push the small tab on the left twice" he yelled. I pushed the left tab twice and suddenly peddling got a bit easier. Just keep spinning, just keep spinning...I survived big hill number one.
The course was a constant battle of rolling hills. When you weren't struggling up a hill, you were fly really fast down a hill. There were potholes galore, blind curves and cars flying around us. The entire time Marty and Lester stayed behind me telling me when to switch gears. "You need to peddle faster, pick up your cadence, switch to an easier gear" my brother yelled. I was peddling and switching as fast as I could.
Then around mile 9 we approached Cemetery Hill. I had hear about this hill on Facebook but there was no way for me to be prepared for it. I was on the smallest, easiest gear, standing and peddling, struggling up Cemetery Hill. After about a third of the way up, I honestly couldn't peddle anymore. I got off my bike and decide to do the walk of shame. Marty and Lester waited for me at the top. I finally reached the top, got back on my bike and set off to finish up the last 6 miles. We completed 15.2 miles of the 16.4 mile course. Marty explained that the course goes on to Route 10 which will be closed on race day. Since it wasn't race day and Route 10 was open, it was to dangerous to chance. I was totally ok with this!
Next, we headed out to the lake for our swim. There was a big turnout for the swim and I met the nicest group of people. I asked someone what the swim course was and she responded with "oh, its the perimeter of the entire lake". I was like "WHAT"??? That lake is huge!!! I can't swim that far. I go into a silent freak out mode.
I got my wetsuit on and I followed the group in. By about 150 to 200 yards in I was exhausted. Why? Because I was swimming with my head up...again. Suddenly, I go into a full blown panic attack and I want out of the lake, NOW!!! I turn to look for an easy escape route and I realize there is none. The only way out is the same way that I came in. And that wasn't the greatest option either. I flip on my back, breathe slowly and try to relax. I decide I'm going to continue forward, slowly. And that's what I did. I swam slowly, flipped on to my back whenever I felt winded or anxious and then continued freestyle when I calmed down. It was a long swim, but a kind lifeguard stayed with me the entire time.
I was the last swimmer to complete the course. The other swimmers waited for me on shore and patted me on the back and some of the gals high fived me. Everyone was happy, joking around and sharing food. I survived the swim and I know I'll do better on race day. Two weeks and counting down. Yikes!
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