I used to do Triathlons from 1986 until around 1992. I continued to ride
casually and swim but never got back into races for any number of
reasons, work, home, life, clavicle, pnuemonia, etc. But I have been
pushing to get back to it and taken the steps to incrementally get there.
Yesterday was the first step towards doing another tri, by doing the
Playa del Run "aquathon" - a 1km swim and 5k run. It was an eye opener
for a few reasons despite thinking I was prepared.
Enjoy my hindsight here:
Well I did the Play del Run in Mission Bay yesterday.
Total time for the 1km swim and 5k run was just a hair over 50 minutes; I
am assuming the 5k took me 31 minutes according to my watch. The swim was
kind of grueling in that the tide was still low and we had to do two
loops around a island (honestly, call it a sandbar). Most folks stood up
and ran on the sand instead.
The runs in between the swimming wiped me out, but I was still swimming
strong and gaining ground on other ahead of me. I used a Neosport wetsuit
(mid-calf and farmer-john top style) for the first time - and using a
swim wetsuit is a trip. I finished the swim leg about 35-40th in the
pack. Not bad since I was going 3/4 speed most of the time.
Let's see... lessons learned from the swim.
Don't bring tinted goggles for a swim in saltwater murky bay especially
if the skies are overcast. Using a wetsuit is nice, but at 61 degrees I
am glad I didn't have full coverage, I was hot by the end. I need to get
out and swim in packs more; combined with no vision I had trouble getting
past slower swimmers. Probably some other things too.
Up to the transition area where I had a towel laid out, my shoes and
socks ready, shirt, hat, glasses, and running shorts. I had a bin of
water to do an extra rinse of my feet too (knowing the bay's muck would
stick). The wetsuit pulled off easily and I pulled on my running trunks -
with my race bib pinned; oops, pulled the waistband too much and tore
one sid of the number. Okay, quickly re-pin it. Note for next time - get
a race belt.
Wipe feet, socks, then shoes - chug a bit of gatorade and grab my Timex
Speed and Distance transceiver and up out of the gate.
Whoops, okay the lack of a shirt was a (semi-)conscious decision, giving
the cool air and overcast, but I forgot the hat and glasses. I obviously
need to practice transitions - I also have no idea how long that took,
nor was I rushing.
The 5k took some time to get into the groove. The first 1/2 mile I was
still working on getting my breathing timed right for running versus
swimming. I seemed to average a 8.5 - 9 minute pace which was fine by me
if only I could be contiguous. Alas, after actually passing a few people
I couldn't hold it and had to switch to speed-walking - which by my watch
indicated I could hold a 14.5 minute pace, which was still okay by me. I
switched to running and cycled back to walking one more time; before the
turnaround point (about 1.25 mile) a woman passed me with what looked
like a good pace, so I trailed her.
After the turnaround I caught up and we chatted nearly the entire 1.5
miles back at just about an even 9 minute pace. I had to drop away from
her near the end for just about 30 seconds to finish up at 50 minutes and
change.
I felt good, especially given that I was considering not doing the run at
all when I exited the water; I even won a rash guard in the raffle 🙂
Later in the afternoon my left foot, specifically the heel began to hurt,
BADLY. Today I am limping something awefull and have 20/20 hindsight on
my error.
I used my ASICS running shoes for the run portion, which was on a
concrete walk/bike path along Mission Bay. The thing is, using these
shoes on a treadmill or eleptical runner in the gym never hurt me. But
given I bought the shoes in 1988 or thereabouts the soles have pretty
dried out similar to that sponge under the sink. Combine that with the
fact that the technology for shoe soles has changed dramatically in 15+
years, I should have just used my cross trainers I wear most every day.
Instead I pounded my foot against the hard concrete with little
cushioning. Ouch.
The good news is, aside from heel pain, the other muscles are good; I
have already been several times up and down stairs without trouble.
I am still looking for an event in the area that works with my schedule,
and hopefully will get 2-3 before the season ends.
Now on to observe in some manner, Bike to Work Week 🙂