My First Olympic Distance Race
I should have done this race in 2006, but a slight altercation with another cyclist and an 8 week recovery meant 2007 would be my year to stop being a wimp and front up for a "proper" triathlon. I had trained, listened and learnt but that didn't put my mind at rest as I woke every hour the night before wondering what I'd forgotten to pack.
So I arrived and try to crash transition to be told I needed my body tattooed with ink before they'd let me enter - this was serious! I obliged and watched as for the first time the number "40" was placed on my calf. Finally racking my bike I tried to make small talk with other Tridents either side of me whilst trying in vain to click my cleat into the pedal - the cover still on. I then stood at the Tridents tent with JR trying to hold my jaw to stop my teeth chattering - 50% cold, 50% nerves.
The water felt like a warm bath and was a big relief. There was not mucking around as the siren sent off the first wave; I was in the third. A quick hi from Ben and a chat to Dot, then we were off. I have no illusions as to my place in the water, so I settled into the rear of the field and headed for the first buoy (only one of two I actually saw from a distance during the entire swim!). Thirty seconds later I started my watch - oops! This is when the voices started. I could hear Bob Harlow advice to sit on someone toes and get a draft. I did the best I could hang on to everyone that passed, but must admit to spending some time day dreaming how lovely the hot-air balloon looked - focus Joanne!
I managed to get out of the water with my shins intact (I'm sure plenty were hit on the ramp), and without too much Lake Burley in my belly found my bike first go. My rubber bands were still holding my shoes in place (now this is why I have a coach) as I lifted my bike up the stairs and heard the cheer squad as I jumped on my bike and took off without incident. Had my feet in by the big pond roundabout . Danni B's advice on taping my Gu's to my frame worked a treat, as the first one came away cleanly and opened ready to chug down - all good . Now where were all those cyclists I should be overtaking? This clearly was a different field from our shorter races, and I felt discouraged not to be leaving throngs of cyclist in my wake - humbling. Another voice, this time Rick Astley singing "Never gonna give you up....". OMG - where the hell did that song come from! Started to make some ground by Cotter Road and then spent the rest of the ride playing leap-frog with a very frustrating M30-35. If you want to overtake me buddy, don't stop pedalling when you get past! Back on Kings Ave the second Gu ripped away perfectly - God Bless you Danni! Feet out of shoes and a dismount to the sounds of the cheers squad - magic. There was one problem - I needed to pee!
Smooth transition and big cheer from my gorgeous family couldn't take away the pain from the tree trunks I use to call legs. I still needed to pee. Shut up Rick Astley "..never gonna run around and desert you" - this was not the motivational song I'd chosen!! Another voice - Rachel Baker telling me she had to pee in last years race, so precedence had been set. I nearly ran down the lady at the first drink station who mistook the pained look on my face as needing a drink. How long, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, was it never going to end. I expected to walk out and find the race finished and everyone packed up and gone home. Finally, I'm off again. At this point I noticed all the straw-hat wearing officials who I thought were involved in our event. The empty Gu packs I shoved down my top were scratching me, so I thought I'd do the right thing and hand them to one of these people for proper disposal. The shocked look on the poor mans face as he reluctantly took my rubbish has since been explained - he had nothing to do with our race! By the end of the first lap I started to get a rhythm and for the first time felt sure I could finish. I looked at my watch and a few quick calculations had me finishing 10 minutes quicker than I had estimated. Figured I had buggered it up so tried hard not to let it distract me.
A third into the final lap and I eyed up two ladies with 40 on their calves. As a general rule I don't overtake people on the run leg - and this is not out of politeness! Could I do it? Would I blow up? Ben was talking to me now - don't run 10k's Jo, run for an hour. I decided these two ladies could probably only run 10k's but Super-Jo could run a whole entire hour, therefore I could do this. Must have been 3k to go and I passed both of them. The pressure and effort took its toll as my left calf and hammy decided enough was enough. I looked back and managed to put some distance between me and the two ladies, so I tried to settle down and take focus. Now was the time! Piss-off Rick Astley - bring on Nickelback Animal. "Oh, were never gonna quit..."! I could hear Paul and the kids screaming. More importantly I heard the sweet sound of the electronic timer beeping. I did make it 10 minutes quicker than I'd estimated. Must have been the voices in my head!
So there you have it. I'm a Trident with a tent, a table, fruit and fruit buns. You may not realise it but when I ask all of you, not just Ben, those annoying questions at training - I'm hanging off every word. Sincerely, thank you all. Jo x