Race Day

Race Day is here and so is all of the anxiety of the last few weeks. The group gathered on the beach for the pre-race brief. We looked like a colony of seals, distinguishable only by the colored swim caps that divided us into groups. As the first wave lines up, I stood contemplating the water. The sky was gray and the air damp just a few degrees warmer than the 62 degree water. The water had a greenish gray hue to it, the visibility in the shallows only inches not what I was hoping for. Wave one off, a few minutes wave two off, then our turn. The tide was out, so we ran more than half way to the first buoy, time to swim stroke-stoke breath so far so good, just keep the racer to my right and all is good. A few more and look up to sight how did I get out here? Realign and off again a few more cycles and another sighting, off again! How much extra am I adding? The anxiety creeps back into my head, why am I here? this was silly! Am I ever going to finish? Side stroke at least then I can keep parallel with the beach, well at least sort- of. Where is that buoy? Finally turn around the buoy and into shore, how long until I can stand up? First attempt still too deep, a few more strokes second try my toes brush the sandy bottom like a broom still too early. Then finally waist deep, I can stand the hard part is over. Relief fills me and the anxiety loses its grip as my breathing slows and shoulders relax. Up the shore and onto the bike , I am off. Two five mile loops on the bike, o-k just like training here we go.  Loop one a bit slow averaging sixteen miles an hour, a bit slow time to pump a bit harder.  Loop two pick a target, catch her pass her, do it again.  I need to make up for the swim, come on you can hold a speed of eighteen plus.  Ready for dismount, bike is up and running shoes on last leg what do I have left?  Mile one pace is slow, I can hear the runner behind me catching up. She is on my elbow, passed.  That's o-k just pace off her, find your groove.  Halfway point  legs are feeling better, lets pick up the pace.  Find a target, catch her, pass her.  See the one in red, we can get her push now. I can see the finish, just have to keep it up.  Final stretch everything you have left, push. I did it, one hour twenty minutes nineteen seconds.   Not glorious, but  a respectable showing.  I can't stop smiling I really did it. Next, Niantic in August shooting for at least five minutes better. Really need to learn to swim straight though.