…and HAD to sign up for a Z race too, after all I heard at practices about these epic weekends. Luray seemed like a good first. After registering, though, I started having periods of excessive fatigue and blood sugar crashes. I got blood tests and prayed new supplements would start correcting imbalances. Then one morning started badly…let me tell you, your sternum does NOT appreciate being slammed by a handlebar. It holds a long, painful grudge—sometimes months, my chiropractor told me. Months?! It’s my first season, my first race! No way am I dropping out. Two adjustments and hours of icing helped, but it was laser treatment from my mom that worked miracles—lucky for me, she’s a chiropractor (yes, both parents) and joined for vacation. Thanks Mom!
Vacation the week before may have been risky, but I made it work. Kept up workouts (OK mountain bike is not exactly the same), did an open water ocean swim, and got more sleep than I have since age 12. I felt like a whole person!!
I finally felt ready and psyched for my race. Going for the oly Saturday was key: I got to watch a full race and transitions for the first time and settle in with the team. Loved being a Z cheerleader, had an AWESOME myofascial release massage, and did a good brick (full swim course and short bike) that felt great. And Ed and Z cooks, you really outdid yourselves on meals.
RACE DAY
Sunday morning would have been insanely nerve-racking if I didn’t have 150 Zers around to bother with stupid questions. Managed to eat most of a bagel and peanut butter, my trusted pre-race breakfast for every regatta and road race; got bodymarked, chip equipped, rounded up transition gear…and then the skies opened up. Seriously?? Dry all weekend until now? My transition setup neighbor said he hadn’t been rained on in 4 years of tris. Here we go, a little extra excitement…….
SWIM
The swim was great. High school swim team hasn’t totally left me and I’m confident in the water, especially after previewing the course. Our novice group was friendly and nervous and I had clear water ahead at the start (at least for three minutes). Someone even apologized for bumping into me. I felt strong and relaxed, and halfway through, started catching purple caps, but stayed dialed back to keep to a conservative race strategy. Wait, no seaweed? No spiny mussels? No rugby moves? This is almost EASY! And my foot didn’t find the glass that Seb’s did…twice…… I eased onto the beach to avoid dizziness but felt awesome to run the beach and stairs. And here were the first green jerseys and vuvuzuelas calling me into transition!
T1
Suuuper slow. I’d planned to sort of check out and give myself time to dry off (me and bike seat), fully prepare, and keep my cool. My worst race experiences involve freak-outs and I was not going to get there today. But I didn’t realize QUITE how slow I was until the results and race simulator…ouch, this is definitely an area I can shave off minutes J
BIKE
Yea, the false flats and late hills we heard about from the oly were there. It helped to be ready for it—and we didn’t have the head wind from Saturday. This is my weakest leg if only because I’m new to the road bike and clipless pedals. Yet after only a month with my Trek 1600, we’d already bonded and worked great together—definitely a good purchase. The course was fun and beautiful, which kept me relaxed. Damon’s (non-Z) buddy chatted me up, people bitched to each other about the “all-uphill” course. And after all that, the last two hills weren’t so brutal, really. Look, I'm even smiling!
T2
Also slow, but I was organized and psyched, and taking a little time meant my legs were ready. Thanks to Zers who turned me around when I started out of transition the wrong way……my body was so ready to run I went for the shortest route…
The start of the run, passing by the Z tents, was the high point of my race. Those 15 hands ready for high fives and shouts for ME made all the difference.
RUN
I’m a runner—I wanted something left in the tank to finish like one. And I had it. I wasn’t going to run like I’d race a 5K (a little sad), but I was strong and steady and knew the pace my body needed. The rolling hills felt familiar from running in CT, ME, and Brussels and worked to my advantage. Besides a little tightness in one quad, all was good and this run was mine. Almost every Zer out on the course was smiling, fist-pumping each other, actually enjoying this (as I was). Unfortunate timing when I unzipped my top: happened to make eye contact with a guy coming the other direction. Judging by his face, I looked to be seducing him. But he didn’t look for me after the race, so I guess my moves weren’t that hot…
Taylor passing me, with a shout of encouragement, was great motivation: I love having someone to chase. I started breaking down at just the right time, about ¼ mile from the finish, knowing my body would take me across…moved through a blur of green and cowbells and vuvuzuelas…and it was over. I became a triathlete—one of SO many, but feeling good enough to revel in the fact that I’d made my personal debut.
Good thing Steve flagged me down when my name was called, because I heard NOTHING. I hadn’t even checked my time crossing the finish line and was still in a post-race daze. Third place, even in the novice division, was pretty humbling. I was so psyched to share the podium with superstar Erica (first place) at our first race! And after refueling (“Could you make a bigger sandwich??” Well, Coach, I do what I can), I definitely christened that goblet.
FINAL TIME: 1:53:44
One reason I hesitated to write a race report is that I wasn’t sure I had much to share…because this race went well! There isn’t even a really funny or humiliating story to tell: aside from losing a water bottle on the bike and a brief directional challenge, I didn’t really screw up. I KNOW I’d have made a lot more mistakes without two months of Team Z. But this is what made me share in the end. You all need to know what a difference the team made for my first race. I’d never been trained as a runner or cyclist, and had no clue about transitions or nutrition, so the coaching and clinics were invaluable. Someone among our 400+ members has an answer to everything—and an extra seat in a car. And the people… I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard, been so inspired, felt so completely accepted and celebrated for who I am. I can't even begin to give shout-outs because there are too many deserved but I hope I've already thanked you personally. I sent a few pictures to family and my uncle said it looked like I’d found my “Dawnness.” Yes, I found a sport that makes me feel complete and fulfilled, and a team that brings out the best in me.
So THANKS for the clinics, the coaching, the training plans, the smooth race weekend logistics, the friendship, the motivation, the rides to practices, the inappropriate humor, the faith and support and cheering like hell. You guys rock. I’m so hooked (you warned me).
This is a beginning. Nation’s, bring it!! Sharks and all……
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