99.9% of the time, my dreams consist of some outlandish experience where I’m a) trying to escape harm or a bad guy, or b) me trying to rescue someone. They also generally include a “celebrity” appearance. Dream interpreters, do what you will with that information.
The night of the South Bay Duathlon I had another crazy dream. Unfortunately, I can’t remember it all, but what I do remember is that it involved me riding my new bike during the race, which took place in an old western town and I was trying to escape something. But instead of it being my beautiful new Trek in my dream, it was a little tricycle made for a toddler. I remember thinking, “The bike shop duped me!!!”
In my dream, I was furious that I wasn’t smart enough to ask the right questions to get the right bike, embarrassed that I looked like an idiot on my tricycle that I thought what a tri bike and just plain frustrated.
Obviously, there are some deep rooted fears hidden in there, but like I mentioned in this post, facing my fears was the best way to wash my tricycle nightmares away. It reinforced that the best way to learn is through experience itself, so I wanted to share with you a few key things I learned from the race.
1. Parking lot intimidation is a bunch of crap. You know who I’m talking about. The people doing “serious” warm-ups, “serious” stretches, and always have one hell-of-a “serious/I’m totally going to pummel your ass” look on their face. Whatever. It’s all a ploy, their poker face if you will. Just focus on you and your race alone.
2. Stuff is just that…stuff. I set out my transition gear and had five things: shoes, helmet, glasses, a water bottle and gloves (which I later learned I don’t need). But what is all of this stuff everyone else has? Their space was littered with what seemed like an entire sporting goods store – what essential items was this Fred missing? Low and behold, I just did fine without all of the extra stuff. Don’t worry about what things you don’t have and instead just go with what you need. You’ll be fine.
3. Know your fueling strategy ahead of time. Thanks to Coach Paul, I was under strict orders of how much to eat and when. Even though there were many time I didn’t feel like eating or thought that I didn’t need it, I followed his recommendations and wouldn’t you know it, I actually felt fantastic before, during and after the race. Coach Paul is one smart guy.
4. Cycling photos are awful. Seriously. After seeing my race photos yesterday, Chicken Face reassured me, “I guess the helmet look doesn’t work for you.” Thank you, husband.
5. Don’t forget to do what you ultimately came to do: have fun. I was freaking out so much about this “debut” race, that I totally lost grasp of why I signed up for the race in the first place. So many fears overwhelmed me that it could have been detrimental, but once I was out there, I found myself in my element. I always make sure to look around, take in the scenery and smack a ridiculous smile on my face. Try it out sometime – it seems to work.
What are your best tips for a debut/your first race?
Happy Running!
One thing I learned in my LIMITED tri/du experiences last summer – LESS IS MORE in transition. Do you want to be funbling througha bunch of STUFF to find the few items you actually need? No!
On a related note, I have this post saved from Frayed Laces re: packing for a tri…
http://frayedlaces.blogspot.com/2011/07/triathlon-packing-list.html
smart girl! keep it simple. triathlon can get super complicated (and expensive!) if you let it.
I actually like the photo of you on the bike! If Chicken Face doesn’t want it, I’ll just print and frame a copy for my own apartment…Not weird.
Also, a question, since you are quickly transitioning (ha, transition — see what I did there, with the triathlon reference?) from a Fred to a Wicked Experienced Rider: That position you’re in on the bike looks uncomfortable to me. I’ve never done “real” riding, so tell me…Is it? It looks like you have to bend forward so far and your knees come up so high. I feel like, after a dozen or so miles on the bike, I’d want to sit up and stretch out or something. So tell me, oh wise one with the good form, do you find riding to be comfortable or weird?
Ooooh, Ali – you make me feel like I know what I’m doing or something. Boy do I have you fooled. To note first, I’m not sure if that bike is fitted properly for me, but I definitely got a good fitting session with my new bike. Second, nope, it doesn’t hurt. It definitely looks like it would, but it’s safe to say that it hurts less than running.
P.S. When are we all meeting in NYC and when am I crashing on your couch?!
Didn’t you hear? Ali is moving to the bay area! She was supposed to start packing this week.
They don’t call them triathlon geeks for nothing.
Don’t listen to Chicken Face – you look adorable in a helmet!
I see nothing wrong with the cycling picture or the helmet. If only more of *my* race pics were that flattering!
Awesome race and super helpful post! This biking thing is hard. I told the cycle leader guy (not sure what he is called) that I would rather run 13 miles than ride 13. He gave me the you’re crazy look and assured me that in a few weeks I will never say that again. Guess that means this Tuesday night cycle club is my new bff. Looking forward to all your tri fun!
You had a great race! Lol on “parking lot intimidation”! I would totally fall victim to that, especially with any bike race since usually people have an expensive bike and just seem like they know what they are doing. I guess the running equivalent to this would be standing at the start line and seeing the guys in their short shorts and singlets. I can usually tell the fast people just by how they are dressed.
About gloves, so you don’t need them? I’ve only mountain biked but thought it was always useful to wear gloves when biking so it makes it easier to hang out and you don’t get blisters this way. Not sure why gloves aren’t needed but I’m curious about the reason now.
My comment above should have said “makes it easier to hang onto the handlebars”
I hope you also learned how AMAZING you are and how you are going to be KILLING it out there in tris oh so soon, I just know it 🙂 trust me, I know things 😉
Lol I know what you mean about parking lot intimidation! My boyfriend likes to tell the story of when he got 2nd in his age group at a race on a crappy $800 bike. He loved to think about the guys with $5000 bikes coming into T2 and seeing his crappy bike parked there. Yep, he beat you on a bike 1/5 the cost of yours, how does it feel? 🙂
One tip I have for people competing in their first race is to remember to use some sort of race-lube around your arm-pits, neck and ankles to avoid chaffing and also so that your wet suit comes off more smoothly. I get majorly chaffed around my armpits from my tri suit for some reason and I felt it both in the water and out at my Olympic tri.
I concur with Ali’s statement – I saw your bike position and was like, “whoa, that is def not what I look like at soul cycle!!!” Because riding a bike indoors that doesn’t even have wheels is the same as a real bike, right?
I kind of want to do a triathlon just so I can get a pretty bike. However, I do not have money for said bike. So, it’s probably good that I can’t swim fast and, therefore, don’t want to do a triathlon.