First, I mentally had worked through all the gear I needed to take. I’d wear my swim gear and running shoes and shirt and just put on dry shorts after swimming. Make sure you have goggles! You don’t want to look like a total “Noobie” and forget your goggles! I grabbed a water bottle, snack for after and loaded up my bike and helmet.
Everything was laid out and loaded up so I was all good to go. Being the first time getting everyone together, they asked us to be ready to go by 5:45 so we could be in the pool by 6:00. I set my alarm for 4:55 so I would have plenty of time.
I’m ready.
Now… you just need a good night’s sleep.
Ooops!
Being a bit anxious about sleeping through my alarm, I woke every 30-35 minutes and would stare at the clock. This was not helping me rest much. Finally I woke at 4:15. I lay there trying to get back to sleep. Finally at 4:30 I figured, oh just get up!
I dressed as quietly in the dark as I could and headed out. Being very early I drove around town taking in the sights and sounds of Kalamazoo before it woke up. I got to the pool, found a good parking spot and listened to the radio until I saw signs of life inside. I grabbed my kit bag and headed in.
I checked in and got the bicycle shirt that comes with the program. I headed to the locker room to prep.
All I needed to do was get out of my shoes and shirt and grab my towel and goggles and I was ready. I had meticulously packed the bag so everything was going to go smoothly…except for the goggles. My goggles were right on top of my towel…right? No. They must be rolled up in the towel…no. Did I pack them in one of the end caps? No… I am instantly pissed at myself. “Noob!” I mutter. “You are going to look like a total Noob”! The one discipline I can actually do…and I forget my flippin’ goggles. FML…
One of the Training Directors, Paul, is wandering through the participants and I sheepishly admit my situation to him. He instantly offers up a spare pair he brings for just such situations. His “no problem…no big deal” attitude quickly eased my worries and soon enough the introductions and goals for the day were being reviewed.
We had four lanes of the pool to work with and would have to share. Swimmers with college/high school swimming experience were to go to the far right. People who swim on a regular basis were to hang in the middle lanes and those with little/no experience/fear of water were to go to the left lane. This is affectionately known as “The Shark Tank”.
Swimming went well. While clearly not one of the top swimmers, I would place myself in the upper 1/3 of the class. I did learn two things: First, I need to widen my stroke. (Who knew?) Secondly I have a very poor kick. While trying to kick down and back holding onto a board, I commented to another participant… “I think I’m actually going backwards!” This is why we practice….
After swimming we moved onto the bike. I go out to get my bike from the back of my car and spot my goggles on the ground. They had fallen out of my bag. “Noob”… I muttered.
We train in the order of the race as it will prepare us for making the transitions during race day. It is an “out and back” approach. That way nobody gets lost. We go for 10 minutes out, turn and come back. The faster athletes just go further. This portion also went very well. I was able to train at a pace higher than I thought and was able to go further than expected. The lesson learned from this day…wear your sunglasses. Even if you don’t need them for the light they do keep bugs out of your eyes.
Finally we moved on to the run.
Ugh.
The run was pretty much everything I expected…and in a pleasant way… less! Running usually has my knees and ankles aching with each step. Having swam and rode immediately before really warmed me up and probably had some endorphins kick in. I was able to run without any join pain. That is the less…less pain. In a strange way it may be easier for me to run the 5K as part of the tri easier than if I just were to go out and run… Go figure.
The instructors in the program are great. As there are many different levels of athlete participating, they simply assist each one in taking the next step in improving. Whether swimming, biking or running, they spread out to stay with each level of participants. I have already mentioned the “shark tank” in the pool. I am certain for some this is their greatest challenge. I will also guess that some biking had not done so for many years. This is their challenge.
As we prepared to run, they announced certain instructors would go out with the rabbits and lead the way. One of the instructors was going to hang in the back and was designated “The Sweeper”. I immediately had a vision of the street sweepers in “Soylent Green”. My goal: Stay ahead of the sweeper and don’t become “goodness from the sea”.
Heading out, I met Jamie who was moving at about the same pace as I was. We headed down the street discussing the morning, telling our stories. We’d have to stop at cross streets for traffic to clear and I don’t think either of us were too concerned as we were a good 50 yards in front of the sweepers. We made the turn at 10 minutes to head back. Though my knees and ankles were good, I realized that my greatest need was to get my muscles back to where they need to be. My quads were screaming. Jamie was quick to agree when I said, “I need to walk for a second…” The problem here was that as we had to back track over the course we came out on, we lost our lead over the sweepers… they were now right on our tail!
I muddled through the course on the way back. I got passed by the real runners. I got passed by the runners who I passed on the bike. I got passed by those from the shark tank. One of the instructors, Paul…my “goggle savior”…ran me in. Paul reminds me of the guys I used to play rugby with. I instantly feel comfortable around him. He has done many of these races including the Ironman. He chatted me up as we finished the last half mile. I realized that I had actually ran better than I thought I would. Lots to improve…but that’s what the next 10 weeks is for.
The class had about 30 registrants. There were about 20 there. Kimm told me about half do not make it past 7 weeks. What is clear is that everyone there has a goal in mind. Each is on their own separate journey. My guess is that, like me, that journey is to do something they have never done before. It may be to do it faster…better…farther. It may be to prove it to a friend, spouse or as in my case, myself.
My takeaways were these: Sleep better, zip your bag shut, bring your sunnies, and stay ahead of the sweepers.
…and one more… I think I’m going to be able to do this.
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