Transition

Tonight, I attended a transition clinic for the next triathlon I will be in. I have never been to one before (the last one didn't have them) so I was not sure what to expect. I rather thought it would be some guy (or gal) standing there telling us the best way to set our gear up and answering questions. I noticed I had to make a reservation so I did and the email I got said to come ready to swim and ride.

?

Um. Okay.

I had some trouble on the drive over. I was feeling really good and excited until I got dressed in my bike shorts and tri top and really noticed how much I STILL do not look like a "proper athlete". I did my best to remember back to last year's and remind myself how awesome and supportive everyone was. But... I did tear up and struggle against crying all the way over to the site. I was glad I had my sunglasses on because I was really having a hard time. I got there and they were setting up the bike racks. For those not familiar with triathlons, they set up something called a "transition area" and this is where you put your bike and gear. Transition refers to the two times when you are either going from the swim to the bike or the bike to the run.

With the first one, you are soaking wet and have to get into your bike shoes, helmet, gloves, etc and then run your bike to the mounting area. When you finish the bike portion you return to the transition area to replace your bike on the rack, remove your helmet, and change shoes if you need to. Put on your race belt/number etc. Because the transition time counts in that it is added to your total time, those who are pros or racing for real aim to get their transition times LOW so it makes their overall time low. Here is a picture of a typical tri transition area:

Instead of just talking and answering questions, they decided they were just going to run us through it. Over and over and over and OVER again. FOR TWO HOURS.

We started by lining up at the pool and in we went. We swam 100 yards. then got out, ran to our bikes, transitioned to that gear, ran to the mounting area (they taught us how to run holding the saddle (seat) versus the handle bars), we rode a quarter mile lap of the block then dismounted and ran our bikes back to the rack, transitioned to our running stuff, ran a quarter mile lap of the block, ran back to our bikes, transitioned to our swim stuff, ran back to the pool, jumped in, swam another 100 yards then BACK out to the bikes...over and over. It was dark by the time we finished the last round. I was exhausted. 

But, I felt good. I was slow but on the second to last bike lap I actually PASSED someone. On purpose :) I didn't pass her on the last lap because she was too tired and didn't ride it :) She also didn't swim two of the sets. So that made me feel good in that I was not the most out of shape person there.

As I loaded my car to leave, I thought about how much I enjoyed every miserable minute of it. Each time I rode or ran in, I was last (except that one time I was second to last) but so many of the people were supportive and they were clapping and telling me "good job". The director looked (and acted like) Robert Irvine and he seemed pleased that I didn't give up and kept a steady pace. He even asked my name. Twice. lol I am pretending it was for a good reason.

All in all, it was a great night. I am exhausted and sore and pleased that I was able to do it all tonight. I have a lot of work to do in the next month or so but I am so far ahead of where I was a few years ago.

It was hard. I was tired. I sucked SO bad. But I loved every minute of it.