All I can say is WOW WOW WOW! You have to do a triathlon! This was by far one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had! Triathlon training is definitely a way of life that will stick with me forever!
For many years I had put off doing a triathlon, because of the swim part. I am a great biker and runner..but swimming! no way! I had no form and routinely panicked(maybe from big brothers dunking me at an earlier age) I couldn't let this fear stand in my way of my yearn to complete a triathlon any longer! I started swimming in a local pool and got two lessons to work on form. i even purchased a wetsuit( anything to give me more buoyancy!!!) At first, I could barely make it two lengths without gasping for air. I eventually learned when you are tired, you resort to the breast stroke! The wetsuit is really worth looking into! I never practice with it on, because it feels like cheating!! I'm by no means a great swimmer yet! but I will keep practicing and taking insight from whomever i can!! Don't let the swim part discourage you from this race! It's in only chest deep water and people are out on canoes..it's totally safe..even if your mom tells you it's not!
My dad went with me to this event..I later told my mom he was watching for women's ages on their legs LOL..the event took place at Portage Lake State Park! I think it was a pretty place, but it was hard to notice..it was overcast..cold (50's) and rainy. Make sure to get there early. The line for packet pick up gets long. oh and you MUST have your ID! You can not race without it! Once you check in and get your awesome tech shirt, you get body marked, recieve your swim cap, and set your bike up and transition towel. Restroom facilities were plenty of port-a-johns!
I jogged around a bit and then headed down to the lake. The swim was 250 meters across chest deep water. the water was very warm compared to the air. The start was kind of a free for all. We were seperated in waves by age division. Each wave was two minutes a part. It's like one big human turbine. Arms and legs clanking..it was hard not to walk in some spots, because there was nowhere to swim! Check it out below!
That's me in the wetsuit:)
So...the swim was slow for me. I think my time was 6:35. After you get out of the water, you have to run up a hill to the transition zone. Let's just say breakfast was coming up right there!This transition was slow..but once I was on my bike, I made up a lot of ground. It was a 7 mile bike ride. You did a 3.5 park loop twice. No giant hills..just some gradual ups and downs. I think my bike time was around 24 mins.
I transitioned quickly into the run. the run was a nice dirt path. It was a 2 mile run. Out and back twice. I made up more ground here! Again..at the end of this run..breakfast was trying to come up. this was probably from the accutane I was currently on! By the way, don't ever take this stuff if you are serious athlete! it's poison and will wreak havoc on your liver and joints! I kept an 8:16 pace for two miles. it's a great finish, because they announce your name and there are a lot of people cheering and not to mention the cowbells. i love cowbells..my mother always had cowbells! I finished 20th out of 283 women!
Post race food was great! Someone had the great idea of little PB and J sandwiches..there was also fruit and drinks. I met up with some girls I had met pre race. They had made the drive from Columbus. here i am post race!
ME, Kristen, and Aleah:)
I can't say enough about this race! It was well organized and quite an inspiration to women of all ages! It has inspired me to stick with the triathlon lifestyle. I will definitely be doing this tri again next year and more:)
This race was part of a whole tri weekend at Portage State Parks..It's called the spirit of akron. Longer triathlons are the following day. I registered early on active.com, which i would recommend since prices go up closer to race! Girls: see you next year! Goal for next year: 44 mins
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