I am an Iron Girl
On Sunday, August 18 at approximately 8:41am, I became an Iron Girl for the second time. Last April (2012) I ran my very first 5K in the
Iron Girl Half Marathon and Co-ed 5K. 16 month later, I have completed my second triathlon and second
Iron Girl race, and boy does it feel good. Hard work really does pay off.
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| Packet, check. Bike racked, check. Light hearted tattoo, check. |
My journey started on Friday night when I went to pick up my race packet. I got a wristband so I would be allowed into the transition area. I then walked around the expo (a dangerous place for a shopping lover). I got a few temporary tattoos to wear at my upcoming races and a bike decal for my car. I then went to the mandatory bike and helmet check to make sure everything was working right. I had them take an extra look at my bike computer and chain because they had both been acting funny during training rides. They said everything was fixed so I was set to go.
On Saturday I had a pretty relaxing taper day. I brought my bike to the transition area and examined the area for race day. I tried to find out where the bike mount line was, and I was told it would be very visibly marked with signs, and volunteers would be verbally letting us know when to mount during the race. I then went home and prepped the rest of my race day stuff.
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| Transition area ready to rock |
I woke up at 5am on race day, ate a light breakfast, put on my tri gear and got ready to go. The forecast called for rain all morning - I had never rode my bike in the rain before. Luckily it was not raining when I left for the race. Towards the end of setting up my transition area, I started to feel a little rain. It wasn't much but I was slightly worried. But oh well, no turning back now.
I knew a few people I used to swim with so we stuck together until the start of the race. We walked from the transition area to the swim start, dropped off our extra clothes and shoes, and listened to the national anthem. We were wave three and it went by fast. 6:54am was our send off time. At 6:50 we were allowed to enter the water and get in position. 3 minutes left. There were so many people in our wave, and no matter where I went I was surrounded. 2 minutes left. I tried to get to the front of the wave since swimming is my strongest leg. 1 minute left. The cluster of people were floating forward. I inched forward with them. It was almost time and all I could think was this is going to be a "cluster fuck." And then the start buzzer sounded and I was off. I tried to get away from the people, and even though I started in the front line, there were 50 other people in that line with me, so there is no personal space. I was swimming on people, people were swimming on me, it was a mess. Eventually I realized it would be better for me to pause a moment to get a way from the person continuously hitting me with there arm during each stroke and swim around. I stopped, swam diagonally over there legs, and finally broke free. I got to the beginning of the pack, but then started to have the same problem as the beginning when I caught up to the previous wave. Luckily, I could see just far enough to notice legs in front of me so I could avoid getting kicked in the face. My swim felt good, and soon I was at the end, running up the mossy exit, trying not to slip. I pulled off my cap, ran through the transition area, tried to catch my breath as I put on my bike shoes, shirt, helmet and sunglasses and was off.
I walked my bike up the hill to exit the transition area. As it flattened out I started to pick up the pace. I began to jog as I looked for the proper spot to mount my bike - I did not want a penalty. I felt as if I had been walking with my bike for a while and was getting nervous as I did not see any signs. And then, I saw people riding their bikes, passing me from behind! I asked the volunteer when I could mount and he responded casually, "Oh, now," so much for it being clearly marked...but that just motivated me to push even harder. I soon discovered that my "fixed" bike computer was not working either. No information appeared at all, so I only had the clock to go by. Luckily, I had rode the course a few times for training. Because I had no idea my speed or cadence I just rode as fast as I could, thinking it was not fast enough. Looking back, I think my broken bike computer was a blessing in disguise because I rode faster then I ever have. The rain was slow but steady, and I had to take my sunglasses off because they were fogging and blurry from the rain drops. I am happy to say I survived a ride in the "rain," (it was pretty light) and it had stopped by the time I was done riding.
I was feeling good and picking up speed. I had been told not to press my breaks going downhill because I get nervous, and I was really trying. But then a car decided to start backing out into the street just as I am flying down the biggest hill of the course. I started screaming because there was no time for me to stop or swerve. Luckily, his window was down and he heard me scream, "HEY," and he stopped and waved. I shook my head and was off again. But of course that was not the final issue. I went to change my gear, and the chain did not move. Great, so much for that being fixed as well. I rode a bit longer and tried again and this time it adjusted correctly. Thank goodness, that would not have been a fun ride. So I had a few minor set backs, but I was determined to succeed, and I pushed on.
I got to the end of the bike portion and saw a friend and my parents cheering me on. Such motivation. I got off my bike. Jogged it down the hill. Switched shoes. Grabbed my GPS watch and headband and was off. Final transition complete. Only 3.4 miles left. I started to run, trying to concentrate on my breathing to get rid of the building side stitch. I was determined not to stop, and after the first mile and some awkward stretching while running and deep breathing I started to get my rhythm. I made it to gatorade hill (a giant very intimidating hill halfway through the course, it should be named kill your legs hill), only two more big hills and then it was all "down hill" from there. I saw a friend from the beginning as she was heading the opposite way on gatorade hill.
And then I was at the final stretch. The last mile. I saw a friend cheering again, telling me I was looking great. "I have this in the bag," I thought. I could see the finish line. There were my parents cheering on the side holding out their arms. I ran over and gave them high fives as I ran through the finish line. "Tracy Ringel you are an Iron Girl," I heard the announcer say. The clock said 1:54 which meant I had finished faster then that (
watch me cross the finish line here). I got my finishers medal and the volunteers took my timing chip.
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| Happy girl, feeling good :) |
I felt great. I had beat my goal of finishing in under 2 hours! I got lots of congrats from my friends and family. I waited for a free post race message, enjoyed some of the food provided, and waited for results.
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| My Plaque :) It is clear, but it says Athleta Iron girl, 2nd 20-24. |
My official time was 1:46:45. I got 39th overall. I was 2nd in my age group and received a special plaque for that placement. I did the swim in 16:40 and was 12th overall in that leg. My bike speed averaged 17.2mph and I did it in 55 minutes. And, my run pace was 8:48 minutes per mile, completing the leg in under 30 minutes for 3.4 miles. I was and still am thrilled. I can't believe how well I did, and I achieved all of my goals. Confidence and hard work really do matter and pay off. Never let anything stop you or deter you.
Congrats to all the Iron Girl finishers. You are amazing!
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