The SWIM: We were instructed to get into the water and we grabbed hold of a rope. There were so many of us holding on that the rope started to go down. I felt like I was holding on for my life- i knew if i let go, I'd be washed away with the current. I heard people on land start to scream and cheer- i looked at LW and asked if that was the gun- she laughed and screamed Go and I did and so did everyone else. Bodies were all around me. Girls swam over me and elbowed me. I was kicked and grabbed. I fought for a bit then just let a few get ahead of me-- what's a couple of seconds? My swim was smooth and I spotted regularly until i felt the first sting on my left arm. Then another. What was that? I stopped to stare at my arms. I realized I was far from the finish. THe crowd was cheering on the side. I put my head back into the water, raised my right hand and felt the sting- a rake across my arm. JELLYFISH! I was stung and my arm felt numb. I lifted it over my head to stare at it- nothing. Ok. Deep Breath. Swim. A few more strokes and the sting took over my arm. I looked for the lifeguards in the kayaks. I kept them in my view and I swam. Every few strokes I looked at my arm to check out the sting. The one thing i feared all summer with the swim in the ocean was jelly fish. Everyone seemed to think there wouldn't be any in the Hudson. I guess if anyone told me there would be I would have been more scared about getting in. I kept thinking don't panic- don't go into shock. I started to think it was a mind over matter thing and I could control any reaction that might take over my body- which I know by now I can't. I've gone into shock so many times and I'm so aware of the feeling that I knew I had to get out of the water as quickly as I could. So i put my head down and I swam faster than ever. 22 minutes in all for a 1 mile swim.
Transition 1: I got out of the water and examined my arm while I ran .5 mile back to transition. Hives started to appear. My panic grew- I saw medics on the path but knew I just needed to get to my bag. I had my packed my bag carefully and had plenty of Zyrtec and Benedryl - just in case. The first thing I did was pop a pill. I slid out of the rest of my wetsuit. Buckled my helmet. Wiped the Hudson dirt off my face. Grabbed sunglasses. Washed off my feet- put on my bike shoes and ran to the exit with my bike. I hopped on and pedaled to Hot Corner.
The BIKE: Crowds were lining the path. I saw my mom and screamed her name. I made it to the top of the hill as girls around me fell like dominoes. I screamed at one to fall left- not on me! I have gone up that hill so many times I wasn't about to be taken out on my turf! Around the traffic circle and onto the highway I went. I pedaled hard while keeping my hand in view, watching as the hives began to disappear. Thank goodness for Zyrtec-i can only imagine what would have happened had I not taken an antihistamine. The ride was gorgeous. I pushed myself hard but took in the views. It doesn't happen often that the highway is closed to traffic and opened to riders. Speed demons screamed "on your left" as they flew by. I passed a few people but kept a good pace all the while. I loved the bike. Towards the end I had to keep myself focus- i repeated You Can Do It over and over again. I prayed I wouldn't get a flat. I studied the road signs. 235th street. 125th. 56th street. A U-turn and back to 72nd street. 1:44:40. Not so bad for a 25 mile ride.
Transition 2: I quickly changed shoes, took off my helmet, grabbed a water bottle and was off!
The RUN: I ran across 72nd street to the park with a smile on my face. I couldn't believe this was happening. The crowds were cheering. People were sitting in the middle of the street. People saw my TNT Jersey and screamed louder. I approached Central Park West. I saw blue shirts and could see my friends and family. they screamed and clapped. I blew them a kiss and smiled more. No, I didn't cry but I was ecstatic to see them. It gave me the push I need. Up the West side of the park- I ran - slowly- I ran. I saw J. he gave me a high five and I ran up the hill. Harlem Hill. I pushed myself- do not walk. I ran. I was tired. I saw water and slowed as I went through the station. Around the bend, I ran and ran. Just get to the finish. I ran! I saw Coach T. Keep going. You can do it. I grabbed more water and ran. Saw Coach M and she jogged alongside me- go, go, go. Down the East side. Then there was Coach M. Focus K he screamed. Look at me! You can do this- now GO. And off I went to the finish. I ran so hard. The crowd cheered. People screamed go Team and I ran. The crowd thickened. Again, I saw my family. My friends in their blue shirts. I ran across the finish, I felt my knees give out and a man on the right caught me as I collapsed into his arms. He was a catcher. yes, he was there to catch people and he caught me. A woman put a wet towel around my neck. Another person gave me water. The man propped me up. E came over and pulled me away. Someone put a medal around me. I was in a daze but I knew it was over. I started to smile. 3 hours and 25 minutes. My first triathlon!
I met up with the fam and friends. I showed off my jellyfish stings. I could hardly walk. I was amazed. I loved every second of it. I'm a triathlete. Months of training paid off. I swam in the hudson, i biked on the highway, i ran through the park and I crossed the finish. I put my mind to this incredible challenge and it happened. I'm still in shock when I think about it. We hung out in the park. I got a massage. We ate and drank. I came home and passed out... then we went to the victory party.
On a sadder note, one of the athletes was not so lucky. A 32 year old man didn't make it out of the water. They still aren't sure if he died from an allergic reaction to the jelly fish or if he had a heart problem. Either way, the joy of the day is darkened by a young father's death. I know how awful my allergies are- how close I've come before. I feel truly blessed that I didn't have more of an extreme reaction to the stings. I can't imagine the incredible sadness his family is experiencing. The day was bitter-sweet.
Overall the New York Triathlon was an incredible experience. I did my best and I know next time I can do even better. With the help of family and friends I raised over $2700 for Cancer Research. I made new friends I'll have for years and many more tris to come. I tested myself and I learned that when I set a goal I can accomplish it- 5 minutes faster than I thought!
3 comments:
Great race recap! I am so proud of you. Here's to doing it again next year...together (and hopefully, sans jelly fish)!!
Finally getting a chance to read your recap -- sounds like you had a great race! I am so proud of you! And I can't figure out how you managed to pop a Zyrtec and STILL have a quicker T1 than me!
that was such a warm recap of your experience! i got a little bit teary reading about it!
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