I finished my first triathlon today, the Minneapolis YWCA Triathlon at Lake Nokomis. I doubted my training plan, didn't think I could finish the swim portion, and spent the hellishly hot week before wondering if it was even a good idea to contemplate a race in that kind of heat and humidity. And was this a good race to take part in - was it too much for a first triathlon, was I going to come last, get lost on the bike ride or perish in Lake Nokomis?
Turns out, I did compete, I did finish all the parts even though my swim was really slow, ditto on the bike, and the run was....um, not terrible. The weather was perfect. And while I could have trained more, the thing I really didn't need to worry about was whether it was a good choice for a first triathlon.
The event was extremely well organized, the staff and the hundreds of volunteers were fabulous, and I got the impression that the organizers are the type to be tearing their hair out over every little detail to make sure race day is as perfect as they can get it.
Congratulations to every one of the women who took part, from the super athletes to the average women, to the moms, grandmas, the ones with hip replacements, the cancer survivors, the ones who were scared of swimming but braved it anyway, the teenagers and septuagenarians, veterans and newcomers, and every one in between.
And thank you to the legion of volunteers who got up before dawn to be there, and smiled and cheered the whole morning, the ones who set everything up, the ones who cleaned up, the ones who cheered on all the racers, I think you made us all go faster and shut up the inner voice that says 'it hurts and you are tired and why are you doing this?'
I complained about the early start when I got up at 5 a.m. this morning, and shivered with fear on the beach waiting for the start, thought I would never get my bike over Ford Bridge in the relentless headwind, but it was worth it. I finished, I got my medal and the temporary badge of honor, the sharpie-inscribed numbers on my legs and arms. If you are female, and considering a triathlon, this one is highly recommended. As for me - I would love to do it again next year!
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