Today, my brother-in-law, Drew, and I completed the Trifreaks Triathlon Sprint. It was his first ever tri and my second. So, being the seasoned vet that I am, I was giving advice and helping him gather his gear and set up his transition area. I even took him to Greenlake for a pre-race swim on Friday when he arrived in Seattle because he had never had a chance to swim in his wetsuit. Yes, I am rad. Totally.

We excitedly picked up our race packets yesterday in Kirkland, the race location. Having spent relatively no time in Kirkland, I was not familiar with the race course. So, we drove it.

OMG. The bike course.

HILLS.

No, that wasn’t the last hill, there’s more. Oh, good a flat – no WAIT! The hill keeps going around that turn.

For 2.37 miles we climbed a total of 430 feet. Then we went down and up, down and up, down and up, then a final descent of 430 feet over 2.40 miles. That final descent looked kinda scary, but much better than another climb! The real kicker was that we had to do it all AGAIN – yep, two laps to make 13 miles. Yay!

I guess it is good to know what you’re going to be facing, but man, does it have to be so blunt?

Anyway, that was yesterday. Today, we got up to 48 degrees F. Whoa. That is cold. A wetsuit cannot save you.

The rundown:

4:00am – alarm goes off.

5:45am – arrive in the dark and 45 degrees to rack our bikes and set up our areas (note to self: take a head lamp next time to see in the dark).

6:30am – first of TEAM ERIN arrived with Lynda and Matt, who randomly ran into Adam in Starbucks!

7:00am – the sun started to rise, and we have wetsuits on. No shoes – thus begins the numb toes.

Drew and I had decided to go in the 5th or 6th wave (somewhere in the middle) since we figured we were middle finishers. So, we didn’t start until 7:30am. First of all, you know it is cold outside when the 65 degree F water feels warm. By the time I hit the water, I definitely had numb toes and several numb fingers on each hand. I was mildly annoyed and scared by this, but I figured that once I started to swim, I might warm up enough to get those digits back to having some feeling.

Around 7:25am, our self-selected wave started. We were off! The first leg of the triangle went great! I decided to polo free style out of the start line, then I did the breast stroke for the remainder of the race. One goal is to freestyle the entire race. Once around the first corner buoy, all hell broke loose.

I could NOT see! We were heading due East, and the sun was just over the horizon right where the next buoy should be. Wow! Then, there was the steam coming off the lake to add to the fun. I used the boats and other people as sights, but I lost time here due to being disoriented and blinded by the sun. Meh.

Last third was cake without the sun in my eyes and I made it in in 24:41. Not bad! Right on target. I would have been faster if not for that sun thing in the middle.

One long (7minute) transition later, and Drew and I started the bike. My chain was off the bike, I guess from being jostled in the commute or something. So, I put it back on and took off. Drew left me in the dust. His superior mitochondria from Colorado living were starting to show at this point.

Ok. I brought a jacket for the ride, but the transition area was warm, in the sun and out of the wind. So, I did not think I would need it. Until I got on the bike where in the shade with the wind, it was quite chilly. I’ve never wished for a jacket so much in my life!

We started that aforementioned 2.37 mile hill. Then, the down and up portion. Not too bad. Wait, there’s a really steep two hill up ahead! YIKES! I made it in the lowest gear. Then, I bombed the downhill for maximum enjoyment.

When I noticed it took me 35 minutes on the first lap, I realized I was not going to beat my previous Danskin time of around 40 minutes. It also dawned on me that I would have to do it again. I was heavy with doubt that I could do it, but I did! I completed the bike in 1:10. I am totally proud of this time!

I did a 2 minute transition to the run, and I did not have nearly the dead leg this time because I had the dead feet. My toes and forefoot were completely numb. It felt like I was pounding wooden logs on the ground. YUCK!

The run is my nemesis, and as such, I was not too excited for it. As I was getting into the groove, I ran into Drew on his way back – wait a minute! He’s NOT WEARING SHOES!!! Yep, Drew had taken a tip from Adam and run half the race in his Five Fingersâ„¢, and once he figured out the course, he removed his shoes for the last half. So cool!

Meanwhile, I was beginning to feel my posterior tibial tendon as well as my toes and forefoot! I have been working on a new stride and mid-foot strike with Brian during Physical Therapy to relieve the stress on that tendon, which I was trying desperately to obtain with minimal to no success. I could not feel where my feet were hitting the ground through my triathlon shoes.

Wait – what if I took my shoes off, too? So, for the last mile of the run, I, too, ran BAREFOOT! It was fantastic.

I could not have run much more distance barefoot, though. I carried my shoes in my hands and enjoyed the feel of where my feet were striking the ground and the ease with which I could make minute adjustments to help my tendon.

Then, there was the finish line. TEAM ERIN were all there, and they surprised me by running me in! It was so fun!

TEAM ERIN Trifreaks 2012

I completed the run in 38:42, which was basically what I was expecting with a run/walk pace. All in all, the entire race was 2:23:41. Not awesome, but I am proud of it!

Thanks to Adam for being the most supportive and excellent husband ever! Also, thanks for the awesome picture! And thanks to Peggy, Ollie, Brandon, Melissa Charlton, Lynda, Matt, and Julie for all getting up super early on a Sunday, enduring the freakish cold and running me in! You all ROCK!!!