Hi everyone! Guess what? After 8 weeks of learning how to swim and ride a road bike, and dealing with not being able to run, I’M A TRIATHLETE!
Quite possibly my happiest race day picture EVER!
I had a great experience this weekend at the Gold Nugget Triathlon, even though I was crazy nervous about the whole entire tri process because it was so much more complicated than my usual run races. On Saturday afternoon I had to drop off my bike and all of my gear at the high school where the race was taking place. The entire parking lot was transformed into the T1 area, and after picking up my bib I set up my gear in lucky spot #957. For a list of what I packed in my race bucket, go here!
After being at the race site I got so incredibly nervous and I couldn’t calm down until the race started the next day! It was a tough night, but when I woke up the next morning I was calm enough for breakfast at 9:30 before I got dressed in my tri kit. I kept getting emotional realizing that I was about to become a triathlete, and also knowing that I was going to race for the first time in months! I forced myself to eat a bagel on the way to the race because I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat lunch, and I arrived at the race start at 11:00 AM, one hour before my on deck time. The race started at 8:00 and the last wave started at 3:00, so I was starting around the middle of the pack. But starting in the afternoon meant that it was super hot while I was on the course! I got in line to get my body marked, and when the volunteer asked me how I was doing I almost burst into tears because I was so emotional about doing my first tri. Everyone was so nice and gave me lots of cheers and good luck wishes! Then, to calm my nerves a bit, I hung out with my friends and watched people complete their swim in the pool before my number got called on deck.
Once I got down there, I felt strangely calm. I had anticipated that I’d have an anxiety attack either before or during the pool portion of the race, so I planned on mostly doing the backstroke in the pool so that I could fully breathe while swimming. Before I even knew what was happening, I was jumping into lane 6 with two other medium paced swimmers and was given the countdown to start swimming! I started with freestyle and then switched to backstroke for the end of my swim. Even though I had to pass people 3 times and got passed once, I was pretty calm in the pool and was able to keep a really steady, strong pace for my 500 yards. After I was done, I struggled with getting out of the pool (it was deeper than usual!) until the lap counters pulled me out, and then I grabbed my towel before running over the T1 mat. Even with all of those extra things, I managed to finish my swim a bit faster than I’d planned and I was so proud of myself!
In T1 I quickly dried off my face and applied sunscreen to my ears and face before throwing on my socks, shoes, and helmet. I was terrified I would forget something but since I was already wearing my race outfit there wasn’t too much to worry about. I was definitely surprised that my legs were already feeling tired, and wished that I’d done more swim to bike brick workouts. But with my husband and lots of strangers cheering me on, I headed out onto the bike course!
I could tell by mile 1 that the heat was going to totally destroy me. I know that temps in the upper 70s aren’t “hot” for people in many places, but in Alaska that’s about as hot as it gets and I hadn’t trained in weather like that. I’d anticipated a cloudy day in the 50s so it was a shock to my body to be pushing so hard on my bike in such warm, sunny weather. At around mile 4 we left the bike trail to cross over the bridge that leads to the military base, and the police officer had to stop us to allow traffic to pass through. I was secretly relieved to be able to stop and drink water because I could already tell that my body was overheating. I had to stop once again at mile 8 for a quick drink and to rest my legs for 30 seconds because the entire course was uphill and I was starting to fade. I have never felt that weak on my bike before and all I could think was that I wanted to get to the run course so I could drink lots of water. The hills in miles 10-12 were brutal, especially the one right before T2. But somehow I made it to the top without passing out, and then I hobbled through the transition to the “run” portion of the race. My legs felt like jello for at least a mile!
I had to do 4.1 miles of super fast walking through the woods on a tank trail to make it to the finish line, and it gave me a lot of time to think about things. I thought about my injury and how much I wanted to run, and then and all I could think about was how happy I was that I had an excuse not to run in the hot weather. Whenever I felt dizzy and wanted to slow down, I reminded myself that I was going to be a triathlete in less than one hour and it helped me keep on pushing on. I also felt self conscious because everyone around me was running and I must have looked like the worst triathlete out there, but I knew that I was doing exactly what was right for my body and what was going to help me continue to recover and get back to running soon. I had decided that I was going to run it in to the finish once I got to the area with the spectators, so at mile 3 I started to feel really excited about getting to run again and kept imagining how amazing it would be to cross that finish line. When I got close enough to see the turn to the finish line where the spectators were, I took a few tentative steps running, and then realized that I felt awesome and pain free so I took off as fast as I could. People were cheering for me and telling me that I looked so strong, and as soon as I saw the finish line I began crying because I knew that I was finally going to become a triathlete! I crossed the finish line in 2:30, meeting my time goal that I didn’t think I could possibly reach!
As soon as I was done I knew that I was overheated and dehydrated, but I was so incredibly happy and proud. The finishers shirts were adorable, as were the “medal” race necklaces that we got. I had to wait around for my bike to return from T2 on a FedEx truck, and then I immediately went home and laid on the floor for about an hour just staring at my results in shock. I am still emotional every time someone talks to me about the race because I’m so proud of what I did!
It’s still too soon for me to process exactly what happened on Sunday, but overall I’m so glad that I did this race! It was a great tri for newbies like me – in the field of 1600 girls there were over 400 that were doing their first tri, and it was so cool to share that experience with other racers. But these Alaskan ladies are no joke, and I was definitely a back of the pack finisher. I know that if I’d had more time to learn how to swim and how to get comfortable on my bike I’d be able to finish faster, and if I could have run the 4 miles instead of power walking I would have cut 20 minutes from my time. So I’m hoping that by next year I’ll be able to finish much faster. Yep, you read that right – I’m totally doing this race again next year! It was a great experience and I loved the all-girls atmosphere and positive vibes for people of all abilities. Right now I’m choosing to focus on how amazing it is that I finished a race pain-free while dealing with this injury, and that I competed in two totally different sports after learning them only 2 months ago. I might not do another tri anytime soon, but I know that next year I’m totally going to be back out there tri-ing again!
Have you ever done a triathlon? What was your favorite part about the race? And if not, what is holding you back? It’s AWESOME!
Mom in the Mtns 
The thing holding me back is the bike. Bikes scare me. Seriously!
Congrats! You did awesome & I am so thrilled to read your race experience.
My race was also in the mid 70s and yes, I really struggled with that too, so it’s not just you!
Thank you! And it’s good to know I’m not the only one who can’t handle hot races. I was really happy that the bike portion was pretty spaced out and I never felt like I was going to crash into anyone else, otherwise I would have been more nervous on my bike!
Congrats! You did so great and I’m happy that you had such a positive experience.
Thank you! It was so much fun!
So happy for you Kristin! What an awesome time and I love how happy you look! Good for you for listening to your body. Very important! Congrats!!!!
Thank you! I was definitely super happy in all of my pictures from that day. I’m still waiting on my finisher photo and I’m dying to see it!
Congrats! I’m glad it was a good experience! The shirt looks really cute, which we all know is a very important part of race 😉
OMG yes! Fun fact: I’m doing the Alaska Run For Women as a walking team with my coworkers for two reasons: it’s a fun excuse to walk a few miles outdoors, and also because the finishers shirts (even for the walkers!) is super cute! #priorities
Congrats on becoming a triathlet! It looks like a beautiful day for a race and so cool that there were so many first timers out there!
Thank you! Yes, it totally helped to not be the only newbie out there!
SO sososo many congrats! I love that everything worked out so well!
Thank you!!!!! I know you know how I felt about dying to race after being injured for so long!
CONGRATULATIONS! I’m so happy that you had a great experience.
Thank you! It was a blast but yet super hard. Oh the joys of racing 🙂
Congratulations!!! I’ve been wanting to do a tri so badly. I’m excited for you though!! They are no easy feat
Thank you! No, they are definitely not! I highly suggest trying one, especially if you can find one that is women’s only and newbie friendly. It was so cool seeing all the amazing women aged from 9-80s doing it!
My problem before was that there were no pools convenient to my location, but now I just moved to Malvern & I think there is a local place with a pool! Thanks for the advice!
Yay! Congratulations Kristen!
Thank you!
Congrats!!! This sounds so awesome and I’m glad you had such a great time. I’ve never done a tri, and I’m a terrible swimmer, so that is holding me back. Haha!
Thank you! Definitely check out my Tri Newbie Chronicles post about taking adult swim lessons, I highly recommend it. I learned so much! Also, so many people at my tri did all sorts of crazy strokes to get across the pool and back 10 times, so I don’t think you should let that stop you! 🙂
Yay!! Awesome job! And you are so smart for doing the race that you needed to do (i.e., walking vs. running). I’m sure you did not look like the worst out there – everyone is out on the course doing their own race. Actually, I’ve been thinking of signing up for a triathlon soon even though I can’t run right now – I can walk a 5K though.
Thank you! After making some terrible racing choices in the past I finally decided to do something smart for a change 🙂
And that’s exactly why I chose to do a sprint tri! I knew I could walk the run and use swimming and biking as workouts to replace running while I worked on my injury. It was the best decision ever and I highly recommend it! I would look for a newbie friendly race if possible – the women only ones are pretty good about that.
Congrats!!! What a huge accomplishment!
Thank you! I’m still freaking out about it! 🙂
Congratulations on a great race! This event sounds really fantastic for a beginner. I’ve never done a tri because the swim scares me. I’ve considered a duathlon, but talk myself out of it before I actually sign up. 😉 I really enjoyed your recap (and all the posts leading up to the event – especially about swimming). I’m inspired!!
Thank you! I totally know how you feel about swimming, but I swear it’s not that bad once someone helps you figure out what you’re doing. You should try a duathlon first and then totally go for the tri! 🙂
Welcome to the greatest sport in the world! It challenges you not only physically but mentally. And the mental toughness gained while doing a Tri will help you conquer anything in life! KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
Haha thank you! I do feel like I can handle anything after doing that race!
Congratulations! So amazing that after only swimming for 8 weeks you did a tri. They are so much fun and really addictive. nice job! My first tri of the season is in 2 weeks.
Thank you! Yeah it was a pretty fast process because I had no idea I even wanted to do the tri until 10 weeks before race day, and then I had to get lessons! I’m so looking forward to next year when I’ll be super comfortable with swimming and biking and when I’m able to run!
Awesome! Congrats!! 😀
Thank you!
Your happiness is just contagious! The feeling after completing a triathlon is AMAZING! 🙂 Triathlons are a serious challenge. And I’m not sure I could ever do a pool one, because I can’t do flip turns.
Thank you! And I can’t do them yet either, but I can do push turns so that at least helps a bit!
YAY!!! Congratulations and welcome to triathlon. It’s been a long time since my first, which makes it even more fun to read about your experience. 🙂 And I encourage you to keep the momentum going instead of waiting until next year – maybe an end-of-season race??
Thank you! And I wish I could do another one in the fall, but the 4 sprint tris here are all within a month of each other (May and June) so I think I might actually have to wait until next year! Especially because I can only handle walking/running a sprint with this injury.
I did my first // only tri (so far) last September & it was awesome! I was super nervous about the swim since it was an open water lake course, & I had only trained in the pool, but I did pretty great. We had to run probably a 1/4 mile from the lake to the T1 area, which I didn’t know until the day of, but I can’t wait to complete another tri. Just wish there were more around here, maybe I just need to look harder.
CONGRATS!
Wow nice job! I could not have done an open water course! I also don’t have a ton of tris to choose from which totally sucks. I hope we can both find a few more to do!
Wow congrats on an awesome race! I have never done a triathlon mostly because I have never invested in a nice bike and also because I am a pretty weak swimmer. I definitely have the running part down tho lol! Big congrats woo!
Thank you! You should check out my post about buying a cheap road bike, it was totally a game changer!
So glad you liked it! I’ve decided the GNT is my FAVORITE of any race in any sport. My husband did the Why Not Tri in Wasilla this last weekend and I think I’ll do that next year as well. You should think about it…. it’s SHORTER! 🙂 And no circle swimming!
Oooh that sounds awesome! I see that there’s a relay option, we need to try that sometime!