August 25, 2013
My First Olympic Triathlon
Triamx Pinchot Olympic Triathlon
By David Smith
After every event I race I always tell
a story afterwards. This story brings me down memory lane. I tried
to run for many years. I would always start off with good intentions
January 1, but only last 1-3 months. In October of 2008 I started
running with a group that called themselves the WRFB, Will Run For
Beer. Little did I know what I was getting myself in for. When I
started with them my longest run was 8 1/2 miles and it took me 1 1/2
hours. Not a stellar pace by any means. My runs were 5 miles at
9:20 per mile pace. Now meet the WRFB. They all encouraged me and
would run slowly with me. Each would take a turn with the new guy.
After 6 months I broke the 8 minute per mile pace.
My progress did not end there. Today I
can run with them at sub 7:30 pace. I have completed 3 half
marathons. I completed 8 marathons, 4 with Boston qualifying times,
and I have run a Boston marathon. I have run a sprint triathlon, and an
ultra marathon (40 miles). I will run my 9th marathon this October,
marking my 5 years with the WRFB. Not bad for a now 49 year old man.
And todays story is about my first Olympic Triathlon.
I was uncertain if I had trained enough
to complete an Olympic triathlon. Of course I always worry about my
abilities. The day started well. Up at 5am, breakfast, pack, and off
to the event. I had times in mind for each leg of the event and
thought they were realistic. Not stellar, but I would be able to
finish. My expectations of 3:20 would soon be shattered.
The open water swim was my first. I
stayed to the back to stay out of the crowd. This was a good
strategy. It is a strange feeling when your are swimming on top of
people, but it is all part of the race. I was over anxious the first
1/10 of a mile and tried hard to control myself. I finally settled
into a good pace and was not struggling to breath. I completed the
first lap at the back of the pack, but that was okay, I was still
swimming. The second lap I fell into my own and even passed a few
swimmers. Of course some of the next wave began to pass me.
Finally out of the swim in 31 minutes.
It was just what I expected. Transition to the bike went well. The
first few miles on the bike were though until my legs came around.
The course starts with a nice down hill, but quickly takes a turn up
a step hill. I took Chris's advice and made the first of 3 loops an
easier ride to get used to the course. After the first lap I knew
what to expect and picked up the pace. After that second loop on the
steep up, I knew I had only one more steep up. I started to pick up
the pace. Part of the route reminded my of the beach ride I took
with Doug and Bobby. It was flat and straight. I was cranking hard
on that stretch.
The final part of loop 2 is where the
injured biker was located. It must have just happened as no medical
personal where on the scene. I said a small prayer for the injured
rider and hoped it was not too serious. I guess an ambulance ride is
never a good thing. I finished lap 2 and was on the home stretch. I
had been passed by 2 other riders. We were going about the same
pace. On the final leg I managed to pass the one rider, but was soon
passed by the other rider. I maintained my distance and as we made a
turn onto the long stretch, I made a move on the second rider before
the hill and was able to hold them off.
As I approached the area of the injured
rider I wondered if they closed the course. They did not, but we
were instructed to proceed slowly. The injured rider was no longer
on the scene and hopefully receiving good medical care. Once past
the scene I had only a few miles and gave all I had. I cruised
through the next few miles and made the final turn into Pinchot park
and sprinted for home. I was very happy with my 1:36 time for 27
miles (16.9mph). Not to bad for a rookie. It was 12 minutes faster than I
projected.
Now the two 3.1 mile loops for the run.
The first mile was really tough. My legs would just not respond.
After a mile they loosened up and I was able to pickup the pace.
There was a small hill on the course that felt like a mountain. At
the water stop I took a gel to give me a little boost. This was
almost a really bad decision. Moments later I felt some GI distress.
Not certain what to do I persevered and this distress subsided. I
passed by Chris heading away from me and wondered how I could be so
close to him, about 10 minutes behind. Now I know that he was
delayed for 20 minutes.
After I completed the first lap I was
feeling good and started to push pace. I was so lost in thought that
I actually lost track of where I was at on the course. I kept
positive thoughts and was waiting for the half way point on the loop.
I was so focused I passed the water station, which I figured to
be one mile, and started giving it every thing I had. I came out of
the woods and could see the finish. I began to sprint, or at least it
felt like a sprint. I was passing other runners the entire last lap
and it was a super boost to my ego. I was gunning for the finish.
Not a great 10k time at 48 minutes (7:44/mile), but
better than I anticipated by 2 minutes. As I approached the clock I
could see I was under 3 hours. What an amazing feeling. My
unoffical time is 2:59:35. I broke 3 hours in my first Olympic
Triathlon. Chris and Dave where both there to cheer me on at the
finish. I could not ask for a better experience. WRFB buds
supporting you no matter what the outcome. Thanks WRFB!
As Chris and I talked about todays
race, he was overly complementary. He said the half triathlon is
next. I concurred that it was my next target. So WRFB your next
mission, if you accept, you all need to get me ready for 70.3.
Dave Smith
