I love sprint triathlons. Especially those in my backyard. Especially those run by friends of mine. AND especially those who know how to put on a kick *ss race!
I love ocean swims in triathlons. This one had one. And I especially love when the set comes in just right and it takes me just one glance back to see a great wave coming at me, perfectly timed so I can take a couple more strokes, catch it just right and body surf straight to the beach. Its fun, free speed! I caught one in this race and it was the highlight of the day along with the last mile of the run. It seemed to take me that long to get going!
I love transitions. I always have. I think it’s the need to be forward thinking, sequential, logistical, coordinated and thinking-clearly-when-there’s-a-ton-going-on. As I wrote that just now it reminded me, interestingly enough, of being a server in a restaurant. I’ve been there, done that, in a very fast paced chain restaurant. I loved elements of it, others, not so much. What I did love was just that: the need to multitask on the fly. It was about making space in your brain for all the things you need to be doing at any given moment and coordinate it all to get it done as fast and efficiently as possible. With a smile, of course. Great transitions require those abilities: to be doing more than one thing at a time (for example stepping out of the wetsuit in transition while putting sunglasses and helmet on) and doing one thing well while also thinking about the next (for example clearly thinking about putting on your running shoes once you take your helmet off, WHILE you are taking your helmet off. Catch that?) Just as with body surfing in a race, smooth transitions are fun, free speed!
The story of my race though was the pitstop. Not a mile or two into the bike ride my stomach started to cramp horribly. I rode a bit hoping it would ease up but it didn’t. I took advantage of the permanent bathrooms at Swami’s, a local surf spot right there on the course, on the Coast Hwy 101. I pulled off and told the volunteers I’d come right back out to the course where I’d left it, if I came back at all. I was miserable! At the time I wasn’t sure why. But I think I’ve nailed it down to having used a drink mix that morning that I’d never had before. I’d gotten a sample of it from another race and didn’t think much of using that as my calories that morning. (I was given two packets and later had the second and had a similar experience which is why I’m thinking it was that.) Rookie mistake. What was I thinking? Ha. I’ll admit it. Happens to the best of us. Rule number one in race nutrition: Don’t ever use something you haven’t used before. After about 10 minutes it let up and I hopped back out on the course hoping it was over, and really wanting to finish the race, even being so far behind the other elites. I did. It wasn’t great, but it was a gorgeous view along the coast, and just fun being out there with everyone!
I love finishing races! No matter what the race, how short, how long, how important, how easy or how hard, coming into the finish area is just plain cool. Somehow no matter what has happened up to that point in the race, the finish has a life of its own and its always good. I’m trying to think of a race where I didn’t feel that way, but I can’t. NYC Marathon comes to mind. I had never been in more pain for a longer amount of time in a race and yet the last 400 meters was just spectacular. Of course, even one foot past the finish line can be a whole different story…but you get the idea! In this race, the run was two loops, three miles total. I didn’t started feeling great until the start of the second loop. I picked up the pace and was flying past people. I’m sure I negative split the two loops. The finish, as usual, was awesome. That made up for the rest of the race, as it somehow always does.
Quick note: At the finish line, someone who I’d passed during that last mile came over to me and said, “I want to run like you!” I think I just smiled at that point, but in my mind I was thinking, “You can!” I wondered whether she was thinking it was possible or just wishing she could. I’m not a natural runner. I train to be able to run the way I do, working both on my body and my running mechanics. I’d love people to know that it’s possible to be a much more efficient runner with a basic understanding of what goes into running efficiency. Think about it, if you haven’t already, and if you’re interested in knowing more, commit to finding out, whether from coaches, books, online resources, and I'll continue to give insights on the subject here as well.
Til next race…
I love ocean swims in triathlons. This one had one. And I especially love when the set comes in just right and it takes me just one glance back to see a great wave coming at me, perfectly timed so I can take a couple more strokes, catch it just right and body surf straight to the beach. Its fun, free speed! I caught one in this race and it was the highlight of the day along with the last mile of the run. It seemed to take me that long to get going!
I love transitions. I always have. I think it’s the need to be forward thinking, sequential, logistical, coordinated and thinking-clearly-when-there’s-a-ton-going-on. As I wrote that just now it reminded me, interestingly enough, of being a server in a restaurant. I’ve been there, done that, in a very fast paced chain restaurant. I loved elements of it, others, not so much. What I did love was just that: the need to multitask on the fly. It was about making space in your brain for all the things you need to be doing at any given moment and coordinate it all to get it done as fast and efficiently as possible. With a smile, of course. Great transitions require those abilities: to be doing more than one thing at a time (for example stepping out of the wetsuit in transition while putting sunglasses and helmet on) and doing one thing well while also thinking about the next (for example clearly thinking about putting on your running shoes once you take your helmet off, WHILE you are taking your helmet off. Catch that?) Just as with body surfing in a race, smooth transitions are fun, free speed!
The story of my race though was the pitstop. Not a mile or two into the bike ride my stomach started to cramp horribly. I rode a bit hoping it would ease up but it didn’t. I took advantage of the permanent bathrooms at Swami’s, a local surf spot right there on the course, on the Coast Hwy 101. I pulled off and told the volunteers I’d come right back out to the course where I’d left it, if I came back at all. I was miserable! At the time I wasn’t sure why. But I think I’ve nailed it down to having used a drink mix that morning that I’d never had before. I’d gotten a sample of it from another race and didn’t think much of using that as my calories that morning. (I was given two packets and later had the second and had a similar experience which is why I’m thinking it was that.) Rookie mistake. What was I thinking? Ha. I’ll admit it. Happens to the best of us. Rule number one in race nutrition: Don’t ever use something you haven’t used before. After about 10 minutes it let up and I hopped back out on the course hoping it was over, and really wanting to finish the race, even being so far behind the other elites. I did. It wasn’t great, but it was a gorgeous view along the coast, and just fun being out there with everyone!
I love finishing races! No matter what the race, how short, how long, how important, how easy or how hard, coming into the finish area is just plain cool. Somehow no matter what has happened up to that point in the race, the finish has a life of its own and its always good. I’m trying to think of a race where I didn’t feel that way, but I can’t. NYC Marathon comes to mind. I had never been in more pain for a longer amount of time in a race and yet the last 400 meters was just spectacular. Of course, even one foot past the finish line can be a whole different story…but you get the idea! In this race, the run was two loops, three miles total. I didn’t started feeling great until the start of the second loop. I picked up the pace and was flying past people. I’m sure I negative split the two loops. The finish, as usual, was awesome. That made up for the rest of the race, as it somehow always does.
Quick note: At the finish line, someone who I’d passed during that last mile came over to me and said, “I want to run like you!” I think I just smiled at that point, but in my mind I was thinking, “You can!” I wondered whether she was thinking it was possible or just wishing she could. I’m not a natural runner. I train to be able to run the way I do, working both on my body and my running mechanics. I’d love people to know that it’s possible to be a much more efficient runner with a basic understanding of what goes into running efficiency. Think about it, if you haven’t already, and if you’re interested in knowing more, commit to finding out, whether from coaches, books, online resources, and I'll continue to give insights on the subject here as well.
Til next race…
