The transition area is a hive of activity. Some good advice the night before said I only needed to arrive one hour before. So we didn't dawdle setting up my stall.
Remember what I said about mornings are cold? I'm wearing 2 shirts!
We hit the catering for a light breakfast. There are some that can do this type of race on just coffee, but I've found that a little something makes AM exercise a lot more pleasant for me. Half a bagel with PB and Apple Butter, a handful of grapes and some more water and I'm ready to go.
About 20 minutes before the gun, I put on my wetsuit. I was able to have one practice session on my own. The trick is to peeling it *on* to me.
The Race Director gathered us for some final words and reviewed the course one last time.
I'm wearing the black wetsuit and the yellow swimcap. Can you see me? (That's irony)
Then its down to the water for the start! The paved walkway is hard on my feet. I hear the Ironman's words in my head “walk, dont run to the transition after swim.” Its not going to be a problem!
I position myself in the middle of the pack. I dont want to get run over or feel like I'm being left behind. The first wave, all men, plunge in and 3 minutes later we go!
The water is not that cold. I would call it “fresh.” The adrenalin of the moment makes me swim at first with my head out of the water. Then I realized what I was doing, and start doing my proper freestyle/ crawl like in practice. But what I didnt anticipate was the mild anxiety attack that I had facing down into the black waters. I flipped onto my back and backstroke, catching my breath. I take about 3.5 seconds to make my peace with backstroking the course and make my way around the 2 buoys into shore. As I am headed into shore on the last leg, I felt the last of my anxiety leave me. I can do this!
Up the hill to the transition area. My stall is one in from the rail so my sister can support & photograph me peeling off the wetsuit and putting on my clothes. The day is overcast and it has spat a few drops of rain, but I choose sunglasses anyway. Helmet, trot to the door and exit. I'm off on my bike.
Up next: The tough get going .. up a hill.