I joined the Tri-101 a bit late, but jumped in feet first and ready to give it all a try. Having spent all my pool/lake time from my youth forward trying to drown my brothers or vice versa, I swam my very first lap at the end of February with Sue probably thinking, “OMGoodness, this is a joke right?”, having never ran except during team sports and their practices (in high school), I now run a few miles with ease, and having never had coached cycling, well, I had a great deal to learn there too. Put it all together and we had me going to Greenwood less than 60 days into it all. Groovy, what a plan… why not?

So I went to Greenwood with the idea that, well, I will see if I can do this – as I can always improve and learn from it and I would rather learn out of town than in Rock Hill where I know people (save face). Packing was something – would have liked to be more assured I brought everything I needed – I did break down each event and organize for what I use for practices/coached classes and then grabbed a few extra towels (advice per Jim) and some easy to eat calories as Kim and I had decided. Truth be known, the hardest part of packing was trying to figure out what to wear that I could both swim and run in. You guys (males) may not get it – but they do not go hand in hand unless a woman is built like a guy. I am not. I still haven’t gotten that part down but I will try something new the next go around. OH! The weather report was ATROCIOUS for the morning of the event and I was groaning about the idea of freezing (literally), getting heavily rained on (or hail), blown over or against the whole time outside (possible tornados) and who knows, struck by lightening during my first tri (btw – the weather held off just fine until afterwards – what a blessing).


I did quite a bit of stretching the night before and a great sleep (shocking for me)… so in the morning when I got close to the site, I ate a banana and started the day with a rush as I usually don’t eat sugars but it gave me the initial boost I was looking for. WAHOOO!


Getting to the event site - a real plus for me was most of the RockTriClub people were setting up their transition places in the same general area - the experienced could walk the newbies (me) through some of the things we might not have considered before with setting up, plus a little joking around (helps me relax), or listening to music and encouragement to each other. I don’t tend to get nervous or worked up over much so I think I was pretty calm, just excited, maybe I didn’t know better. Then all the event participants met in front of the building for pre-event chat, prayer and the national anthem and then to get seeded for the pool swim. I would suggest a potty break if you are so inclined. TMI, but think about it.


THE SWIM

AH, if you have the chance to warm up in the pool, I would suggest doing so – check it out when you first get there.

Well, seeing as how I was towards the back, I met some nice people waiting for our turn in the pool and had a chance to chat and got to hear other people’s experiences and very quickly I knew then, that the petite happy cute 13 year old (Haley) would eventually crawl all over me in the pool as well as would Scott, the guy right behind me, and somehow – Jim was seeded behind me which I knew was wrong as well and another lesson well learned – I will add a few seconds to my time. Haley was kind enough to show me the polite way to pass as she did do so (as did Scott) and subsequently I did pass a person or two, politely as well… Again, I also figured I need to find something better to "suit" the needs of the swim portion to swim in. At the end – I neither drowned or took anyone else with me. The warm pool was kind of icky. I have a new appreciation for our "cool" pool.


THE BIKE

Transition was okay… putting on anything while wet is not fun whether it be the bike shirt or socks – my tri shorts worked great though (I did swim in them) and getting out to ride was a welcome change (we know how I feel about swimming – give me a few months). The ride length was no biggie – I would have liked a little sun and there were a couple rolling hills – they had nice volunteers along the route, one bad dog along the ride and lots of cheers from other RockTriClub folks as we passed each other (those fast swimmers are a real plus for us slow ones – I’ll explain later). I dropped my water bottle pretty early on and that was a drag. I did bring gummy bears and jelly bellies to eat and the really chewy gummy bears were fun as they kept me occupied and salivating. When you are used to riding close to others, it is a bit different to be so alone as you have to have three bike lengths between you and the person in front of you, and well, it is a race. Passing courtesy was not common but then I wasn’t passed much and I only passed a few my self. Getting back in and dismounting and running in the clipless shoes back to the transition area was something – my legs were like “Are you kidding? What is your problem – SIT!” I drank a few gulps from my spare water bottle (good planning there), while changing into my running shoes (an oxymoron at this point) and heading back out.



THE RUN

Okay… If they didn’t have SO MANY volunteers – of all ages - young kids to older men hanging out in fold up lounge chairs (what a scream!!!), I would still be MIA to this day. Rick, Swain and I tried following the painted road the day before after picking up our packets… couldn’t follow it. It was a bit confusing and I could have only found my way if I had been drinking, heavily, and a few pills later (not going to happen). However, the run was fine – took my legs a “little while” to adjust to the muscle use change and I had to slow down (walk) a time or two and still did "okay" with my time (YAY!). All the fast swimmers were there running the opposite way of me for the most part and subsequently passed a few who were headed in. Thanks for the positive words passing me there, y'all!!! I did miss running with music, lots. I had a great time goofing with the young kids/boys handing out fluids and joking with some of the other volunteers as I was running by. Some time after the 2 mile point, I was thinking I needed to go so I didn’t care so much about my time until I realized just how close I was to the end so I picked up my pace a little and all other needs left me… Coming in at the end, I had a blonde moment as all of the sudden my awesome therocktriclub buddies were cheering me on (THIS IS WHERE IT IS GREAT TO BE SEEDED SO LATE – Everyone else is already there to cheer!!!) but then it was way too much attention for me but I made it through the finish as happy as ever. So many cheerful faces!!! Kim, Sue, Stan, and Rick plus some of the folks I met in at the pool, plus Kim’s Mom and Grandma - all cheering – too fun!!! What a great feeling – I couldn’t wait till the next one!!!! With a few more people seeded later (not many) it was fantastic to get to cheer them in too!!! YAY! My body felt awesome, a bit peeved, but great!!!