Rev3 Knoxville - First Olympic Tri!!

This time yesterday I was just ten minutes or so into the swim portion of my first Olympic Triathlon in Knoxville, TN. And I can honestly say, just 24 hours later, that it was such a fun and amazing experience that I cannot wait to do it again!

The swim took place in the Tennessee River and, needless to say, the water was a lot warmer than the outside air by the time we jumped in at 8:15 am. We swam up river about .3 miles, and then back around to head downstream for the last portion of the race. It took me about that long to get a good groove going - although my Body Glide covered googles and the direct sunlight didn't at all help my initial disorientation. Felt I did pretty well though, and can't remember a time during the whole swim where I felt tired. Nearing the dock, I got pulled up by two volunteers, put my goggles up on my head, pulled the top portion of my wetsuit down, and it was on to T1.

The wetsuit gave me just a little bit of trouble in transition, but I eventually wiggled my way out of it, and sat on my crate to dry my feet off enough to get my socks and cycling shoes on. Downed a Gu on the way out of the transition area, and hopped on the bike with very little trouble from my new clipless pedals.

Away I went on what has to be one of the hilliest courses I have ever (and hope to ever have to) bike. Rounding a corner about 4 miles into this 24.8 mile course, I headed down a steep hill that had some construction going on and hit a few bumps in the road near the bottom. I was going at a pretty good clip when a gust of wind came by and I could feel my bike being blown around, and myself getting a little scared that I would lose control and wipe out. Luckily that didn't happen. Unluckily, however, just a half mile further up the road I spotted a cyclist being attended to by volunteers after having just gotten struck by a car pulling out from a side road. After seeing that the guy was at least alive and somewhat moving around, I treked on with a little more caution and awarness of my surroundings.

S0me of the hills were incredibly steep, while some seemed to go on forever. At one point I looked down and saw that I was going a mere 3.4 mph. Ridiculously slow! Just before mile 16 a line of volunteers was handing out Gatorade in bottles - the kind with the caps that you can suck out of and then push down to close. I grabbed one and noticed that it was not opened. Tried to pull it with my teeth to no avail, and asked another volunteer, while still cycling, to open it for me. A lot of good this did however when, literally two seconds after having it back in my hands, it slipped and fell to the ground. I yelled a few choice words, then apologized to the volunteers for these words, and headed on to conquer an incline that went on for exactly one mile.

Although it was a tough course, I really enjoyed the scenery, and was all but alone through most of the ride which was very peaceful and as relaxing as one can be during a racing event. With about 4 miles left to go however, I had to make my way back up that first large hill where I initially thought I would wipe-out. Very steep, somewhat long, with the sun shining right on me and my legs about to give out, I finally crested that sucker and made my way to the end of the course. Coming up to the dismount area, I unlocked my feet from the pedals and prepared to stop. Apparently my left foot was still somewhat engaged with the pedal, and I toppled over at the end of the bike course. After gaining my composure and prying my handlebars from getting stuck under the frame, the crowd cheered me on and I walked my bike into T2.

T2 seemed to go at least a little more smoothly than T1, although some jackass did take my bike spot which, again, caused a few choice words to spew from my mouth. I slipped on my running shoes, traded my helmet for a cap, and downed another Gu with some water before heading to the porta pot to relieve myself of all the Gatorade that was consumed before race time that morning.

Onto the course, and my left foot, which had been giving me trouble the day before, didn't feel too terribly bad for the first mile. After a walk at Mile 1 for some water, I felt something shift in that same foot however, and was a little uncomfortable for the next 2-3 miles. Headphones were not allowed on the course at all, and although I was highly upset and worried about this at first, found that it wasn't impossible to run without them, and actually felt pretty good throughout the course. I started off doing 4:1 intervals, but felt so good while running I tried to keep from walking as much as I could. I was amazed at how good I felt after having done a swim and then bike and now a run. I thought for sure my legs would feel like lead and I would be completely pooped by this point, but no - I felt great!

With half a mile left to go, the fan-fare quickly picked up and I had so many spectators, volunteers, and finishers telling me how good I looked, that I had just a little further to go, and that I could do it - that I had no problem finding the strength to finish strong! It felt so good and I was so excited to make my way across the finish line. The announcer called my number and name as I ran past, and I threw my arms up in victory and smiled for the camera. I DID IT!

Not five seconds after this great accomplishment, I broke into tears of joy. Some volunteers asked if I was hurt or needed ice before finally concluding that I was just happy to have finished something so amazing. I collected my medal and finishers shirt and simply enjoyed my tears and joyfullness before gaining my composure and heading to the bleachers to watch for my tri-partner and best friend come across the finish line herself.

I must say, I feel really good - physically - after having completed my longest tri to date. My foot it still a little tender today, and I'm hoping this doesn't hamper my marathon training which includes a 13 mile run this weekend. Alicia finished about 20 minutes after me, and is just as elated as I am. We are both feeling so good about ourselves for having finished, and we both feel that the Rev3 is a great event to participate in.

So, my plans for today are to simply relax, maybe take in a movie, and later in the day - when it warms up - to sit outside and bask in both the sunshine and my "win" from yesterday. :)