Welcome to my first ever TRIATHLON race report! Reader beware, this is a loooooooong post.
My journey to the Philadelphia Triathlon was a long one but I will begin this wrap up the day before the race. We woke up early on Saturday morning and met up with the Team at a rest stop halfway between D.C. and Philadelphia. After a cup of coffee and some shared anxiety with the other newbies we got back on the road and started to final trek to Philly. I looked out the windows of the car and actually considered a number of tuck and roll scenarios to avoid the certain doom I was headed towards. We rolled into Philadelphia in a caravan of purple and headed towards the check in tent. That is where the first miracle of the weekend happened. I calmed down. I don't know if it was my running race experience recognizing the similar surroundings of packet pick-up and race expos or the realization that regardless of my emotions, this was happening. We picked up our packets got our wristbands and did some shopping at the expo.
So, I am calm - I have my packet and it's time to sit down for our race briefing. It was at this exact moment that $*&% started getting real!
My journey to the Philadelphia Triathlon was a long one but I will begin this wrap up the day before the race. We woke up early on Saturday morning and met up with the Team at a rest stop halfway between D.C. and Philadelphia. After a cup of coffee and some shared anxiety with the other newbies we got back on the road and started to final trek to Philly. I looked out the windows of the car and actually considered a number of tuck and roll scenarios to avoid the certain doom I was headed towards. We rolled into Philadelphia in a caravan of purple and headed towards the check in tent. That is where the first miracle of the weekend happened. I calmed down. I don't know if it was my running race experience recognizing the similar surroundings of packet pick-up and race expos or the realization that regardless of my emotions, this was happening. We picked up our packets got our wristbands and did some shopping at the expo.
So, I am calm - I have my packet and it's time to sit down for our race briefing. It was at this exact moment that $*&% started getting real!
- The swim would not be wetsuit legal.
- The bike would include 52 technical turns.
- The run was going to be VERY hot.
Transition briefing.
Before we could freak out too much the coaches suggested a tour of the transition area so that we could get ourselves oriented. It's like they knew we needed to step away from all these warnings, and they were right! A short walk away we took a tour of the transition area, assessed the swim from the shore and reviewed the traffic patterns in and out of transition.
Empty transition area.
There was a lot to absorb but I was back to calm. Let's face it: logistics is something I like. Making my list, checking it twice. I also started to get the feeling that this was doable. I had practiced transitions and I knew what to do. I listened and relaxed and soon it was time to head to the hotel. At the hotel I took the time to review the contents of my transition bag and attach all of my numbers. One thing I had no idea about with triathlons is how identifiable they like the athletes to be. You have your race number body marked (written on with a sharpie) down both arms, across each thigh. Your age is written on your right calf. You have a running bib, a helmet sticker and a bike flag. No matter where you go, race organizers know who you are! After a few hours of rest it was time to head down to the Team in Training Inspiration Dinner - a pasta party for the team and their friends and families.
National Capital Area Summer Triathlon Team!
The inspiration dinner was a great way to relax with the teammates and to meet their friends and families as well. There was a slideshow of all of our honored teammates and MommaSaltz was up there with everyone else, reminding us why were about to push ourselves through this feat. I will never forget the moment after Mom's picture came up that Kimmie, one of my teammates who I have spent a lot of time with, especially getting lost on the bike :), came over and hugged me. She had some very nice things to say but she didn't have to say anything, I knew with her hug everything she had to tell me. We spent the last 5 months falling over our pedals together and she and I both knew that in those minutes, hours and days, there had been healing and growth. That is what Team is all about. After dinner and some very poignant speeches from some of the Team folks from around the country, the National Capital Area met outside for some last minute logistics and pictures. A few cookies, some gab time with friends who were in to see the race and I was out like a light!
I slept fairly well the night before my first multisport event. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for my wonderful husband who barely slept and as I later found out was a nervous wreck until he saw me come out of the water :) The alarm went off at 4:00 am. With all my early morning training this felt (almost) normal. By 5:00 am all of the Teams from around the country were assembled outside the hotel and we began the 3 mile ride over to transition. I don't want to downplay the race itself but this is an experience that I will carry with me forever. Early morning, soft light, slight breeze and there we are with the roads to ourselves leisurely riding through the city of Philadelphia. It was breathtaking. Before long we arrived at transition and then the morning really picked up. Our body marking was double checked and we began filing into the transition area to set up with the other 2,000 athletes who would be racing with us. After a quick set up of my transition area (only about a quarter of a bath towel!) I was off to find some friends and try to stay relaxed. The first person I saw was my marvelous mentor who had been with me since before I ever got into a pool and who I am thrilled to call a friend now. After some cheese-ball photo taking with mentor Mere I went in search of some of my best friends, the McGregors, who were also racing (and I mean racing) at Philly as well. Once I got tabs on all my important folks it was onto a rickety school bus with all the other athletes to head to the swim start.
Cheese-ball photo taking.
We made it to the swim start right on time 6:30 am and that's when it hit me. I had to come up with 80 minutes worth of stuff to do before my 7:50 am wave to keep me distracted from nerves. Luckily with so many Team folks and my McGregors going off in staggered waves I focused my energy on cheering them on as they started their final prep and got into the river. Between playing cheerleader and taking a few trips to the always delightful but ever necessary port-o-john It was 7:45! I started getting focused. I knew I was capable. I knew that no matter what happened in that river I would finish the race. I knew I could do it all without a wet suit and with the heat. Now it was time to deliver.
As the other waves were going off I was checking their start times against my watch. Everyone was going off about 30 seconds after my watch. So after all of the women 25-29 crossed over the initial timing mat (checking in our timing chip) and stepped on to the dock I hung back. I knew that without my wet suit I did not want to tread water any longer than necessary. With about 90 seconds to go until the gun, I scooted off the dock and into the water. I took a few ragged strokes and joined the back of the pack of yellow caps behind the start buoy. And before I knew it the horn went off and my triathlon began.
My first few strokes were awkward and my breathing was labored but I knew what to do. I quickly rolled onto my back and started to backstroke. I remember thinking to myself, this is a beautiful day and if I backstroke all the way across the river, I am OK with that, I am at peace with this race. Every so often I would roll back over and try to swim freestyle. The first 4-5 times it didn't work, but nothing was going to shake my spirit. Even the nightmare-inducing sight of the front line of 7:55 am wave (men 25-29) heading toward me like a row of sharks and eventually passing me didn't get me down. Those boys are fast and I was happy they were having a great race! I just kept backstroking until the second miracle of the weekend. All of a sudden on one of my freestyle attempts, it just clicked. I don't know what it was but I started having the best swim of my life! Some people think it was Mom, some people think I just hit my stride, I think it was both. I felt calm and capable and when I reached the shore, I knew I had done well. As you can see by my ridiculous grin!
Transition 1
With the swim out of the way I was in transition and happy to see the hubs standing by waiting for me and cheering me in! Note to self, transition spots near the fence are clutch and give you great access to spectators. I spent 3 minutes and 40 seconds in my first transition. Not too shabby considering I wasn't rushing and absolutely took some time to relay the swim info to my adoring fan :). All too quickly I was out on the bike. The bike course consisted of 2 loops and included 52 technical turns and 8 hills. I decided early on to take chances in terms of speed but to relax in the first loop and learn the areas of the course that I could really push on for the second lap.
The plan worked perfectly. I learned the fast downhills and how much recovery I needed after each hill. The second loop was even faster that the first and I was having fun! The biggest challenge I had on the bike was the mind game. When you start in one of the last waves it means that most of the field has an advantage on you when it comes to the clock. Not necessarily their race time; they might take longer than you to complete the race but they will be done before you. This means that even while passing loads of people on the bike and knowing that my speed was on target by checking my computer, there were very few people on the bike course by the time I hit my second loop. I knew why this was happening and didn't let the feeling shake me for long. I wasn't chasing anyone. I was right on time.
I rolled - literary :) - into transition 2 to see the girls and Dan cheering their heads off. I felt great, I knew I had done what I needed to and all that was left was my old friend, running. It was hot and that I was going to have to slow my pace down a bit. I came out of transition 2 in only 3 minutes! I knew the plan and I had fun with it. Stop at every water stop for 2 cups, one to drink, one to pour on my head. Keep a steady but tolerable pace. Have fun! The run was great! I was able to talk to a few people on the bike but the run is where we really got to communicate. Since the run course doubled back on itself there were always runners on either side of me coming and going. I passed the most people during the run and must have given out a hundred "go team" cheers. There was an amazing man from another area Team with ribbons attached to him for every honored teammate he had (I might steal this idea). I saw a ton of my National Capital folks out on the run and tried to give as much encouragement as they were giving.
GO TEAM!
As I rounded the final turn I could hear the raucous cheers from the coaches who were at the 6 mile mark. I waved and told them how much I loved them. Two tenths of a mile to go and I almost didn't want it to end. I could see my teammate Charlotte in front of me and I began chasing her down. I wanted to do this with her and we finished within seconds of each other. Pausing for a picture with we hugged and congratulated each other and were off to find our people. I was completely overwhelmed and filled with joy.
3:21:30 !!
3:21:30 !!
A hug from my brother from another mother, Tom. Cheers from the coaches. Tom, Emily, Theresa, Ashley and Kristin. Love from the Team, friends and family. These are all the presents you get after you finish your first triathlon. You get to have your own personal dance party in the middle of a field and you get to bask in the glow of an amazing accomplishment. But most of all you get to pat yourself on the back because you believed in yourself and you were right!
This was such an exhausting and fulfilling journey. So many tears shed, so much grief left in the pool and on the roads. So many dollars raised to help those still in need and I don't know what the best part is. There are some things I do know. I will be back. Back to triathlon and back to TEAM. I will be racing the Nation's Triathlon on September. And the plan is for me to return to TEAM in the spring of next year to continue my fundraising and act as a mentor for other newbie triathletes. I can't think of a better way to give back. After all I was blessed for 28 years with the right to call the most amazing woman in my life Mom. It is for her that I will continue to fight so that other people don't have to say goodbye to their blessings but instead live, and do, and thrive with their loved ones. Thank you to each and every one of you who participated in this journey. If you donated, or texted encouragement. If you came on a run or sent a card to cheer me up when I was worried. You are all my heroes and I would not have made it without you. We are a powerhouse when we combine our strengths. We raised $4,618.00 and we did it together. Thank you, I love you and I will see you in the spring!
Rachael Bosch
Triathlete :)
Rachael Bosch
Triathlete :)