Triathlon becomes Biathlon

It all started yesterday when we headed up to BYU to pick up the wetsuits and bikes we had reserved for our event. They didn't have our wet-suits! The students who work there didn't seem to know what to do so they just ignored us for a while. Finally after about 45 minutes of waiting, they decided to call up to laundry to see if they had any clean wetsuits. They did, but instead of having laundry deliver them, one of the guys at the shop decided to bike up to the laundry. After about 20-25 more minutes of waiting and them helping every other customer, we let them know that we needed to go since we had to go to the softball game Kristen was coaching. They called laundry and found out that the guy who rode his bike had the wetsuits, but was unable to bike back carrying our wetsuits, so he had to get a ride. AAAAHHHH!!!! So we raced through check-out and attached the bikes to the car. Unfortunately we forgot to tighten the rack down so they went flying when we hit a dip on the way out of the parking lot. Since it took so long to get the equipment, we didn't really have much time to familiarize ourselves with the bikes. Kristen felt comfortable with hers, but I was still not comfortable with the brake location or gear-shifting. We left for our softball game in a hurry, but did manage to win. Immediately after the game, we went to pick up our packets and check in for the race. It took much longer to prepare than I anticiapated, and Jane wasn't feeling well, so it was a LONG night. We hoped the worst had happened but...

Our triathlon seemed to be in trouble this morning when I woke up (at 6:30) to the sound of wet traffic. I peeked out the window and my fears were confirmed. It was very wet and there didn't seem to be a hint of blue sky anywhere. Since the swimming portion is our worst event, my hope was that wet weather would mean a cancellation of the swim (that happened in a tri a few weeks ago). When we had gotten our transition area set up, we heard and anouncement, but could undertand it. As we wandered, we heard that the biking portion of the race had been cancelled. (Since my brakes didn't respond due to wetness when approaching the race area, I was a little relieved that I wouldn't be forcing an accident on the descent down the canyon, but a bit disappointed that all that training did not lead to a triathlon.)

Since the rain didn't seem to be letting up, and still no hint of blue skies, we thought prospects were pretty good that we waited all that time yesterday and paid all that money to run a 5K. At about 8:30 however, Search and Rescue approved a shortened course of the swim (about 500 meters), and delayed the start time of the race by about 30 minutes. They announced that the water was actually warmer than the air. (I think the water was about 50 and the air was about 40). We tested out the water, and it was chilly but seemed managable when we only waded in to our knees.

We wandered around the pond a bit waiting for the race to begin. We discovered this lovely fish, and hoped none of his friends would be interested in nibbling at our toes.

Finally the race began. We tried to hang to the outside, knowing that we weren't very good swimmers. I was a bit anxious that I had never swum in "open water" before. It was so cold, that my lungs siezed when I put my face in the water, so my plan to do the front crawl for as long as possible turned into about 3 strokes instead of about 50 meters. We were just plugging along, when search and rescue showed up on their jet skis to see if we were alright. I then realized that we were way behind the rest of the people in our wave. I also realized that the next group to leave would likely over take us, and I needed to get back over to the side. Sure enough, it didn't take them long to catch up and overtake us. It was about this time I realized that something was flapping at my feet. I reached down and zipped the bottoms of the wetsuit up and nearly drowned in the process. I signaled search and rescue that I was ok (again) and continued to plug along. I still felt something flapping at my left ankle and realized it was my time chip which is velcroed on (and has a $90 fee if not returned), so I again attempted to fix it and nearly drowned again. Another swimmer noticed my odd behavior, and offered to help reattach it, but since we were in a bit of an awkward position, it wasn't as firmly connected as I had hoped. I approached S&R to see if I could hang on to their boat to get my time chip adjusted, but found out I would be DQ'd so I continued on. I just tried not to use my left leg for propulsion for fear of losing my time chip. I then pushed the water so hard with my arms trying to compensate, that I sent a huge wave over my face and choked yet again. I turned over to face front (I was back-floating) hoping I could just finish up the last 50 or so yards when I got a horrible cramp in my right leg. I didn't want to get pulled, but i did fear for a bit that I wouldn't make it. I noticed people being able to reach the bottom not much further away and I made it! This is a dumb video, but it does document a bit of my exit from the water. (Note how few others were still in the water)

So then, I ran off to the transition area to remove my wetsuit and put on my shoes socks and shorts. Here is another little documentary-like video of this portion of the race.

As Kristen and I were training, we talked a lot about making sure that we stayed together on the run, so, as you can see from the transition video, we stuck together. I have longer legs, and a slightly longer stride than she does, so I was getting a little ahead of her, but only a few steps. I'd turn a little and encourage her to keep coming. One time when I turned around, she said, "This is as fast as I can go," but I heard "You can go" so I thought she was telling me to go on without her. I then decided to pick up my pace a little. The whole time I was feeling a little bad about not sticking with her, but I really did think she gave me the go ahead. Anyway, we both finished the race individually, Kristen feeling motivated the whole time by how next time she would get her revenge by just leaving me in her dust on the biking protion of the race. I guess I did still keep her motivated to run it out, but not in the right way-- I really am sorry Kristen! Since we weren't together, Amy (who was documenting the race for us) didn't realize I was coming across the finish line until I had passed her, so this is me crossing the finish line.

Kristen apparently didn't totally hate my guts because she did pose for this picture with me. Notice our huge grins. (Actually that grin on her face might just be there because it felt really, really good to finsh the race.)

So, we were wet and cold, and our triathlon became a biathlon, but I'm still really proud of myself and Kristen. Now I guess we'll have to keep training (especially on swimming!) and complete a triathlon.

I also wanted to note the support of my family. Cory brought all four girls to cheer me on, even when Jane wasn't a happy camper (Not to mention all those evenings I was away training and leaving the reins to him). Thanks! and thanks to Amy for helping us get ready and for coming to document and sheer us on, and Kevin, Sydney, Gustavo, Erin and girls for coming to cheer us on at the finish line. We appreciate all your support! Our parents were out of town and at meetings they couldn't avoid, but we know they love us and were really proud of us too!