Riverside Sprint Triathlon

Riverside Sprint Triathlon
June 20, 2015

This post is late....really late.  Give me a break, I am teacher on summer break! While this was definitely not an Ironman completed in 104 degree temperatures, and I most definitely did not qualify for any national titles, for me this race was a big milestone. It may have been one of the bigger races I have ever been in. 


I have not raced in a triathon since 2013 due to several health issues, including a heart procedure in January, so the Riverside Sprint Triathlon was my first triathlon in about 2 years. 

My original plan was to wait for the Lander Sprint Triathlon in August and put in some better training especially in the pool and running. Since the girls and I were going to visit their grandma in Casper, and the triathlon happened to be going on that weekend, I figured what the heck, might as well shake the rust off.

I arrived at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park bright and early on Saturday, June 20. Very early.....way to early. In fact, they were not even set up to check in athletes yet. This may have had to do with the fact that I was just a little nervous..... I was the very first athlete to arrive, so I got the pick of the transition area spots. I set up my transition area, and waited for the other athletes to arrive. Waited and waited and waited.... Good thing I brought a good book and had plenty of room in the back of the mini-van to lay down. I could have slept in another hour! About 45 minutes later, other athletes started to arrive. 

I was shocked that I remembered how to set up a transition area!

Finally, it was time for me to warm up. First, I rode my bike and made sure everything was functioning correctly. Next, I did some running. After about a half mile, I started to feel my calf tighten up. This was an old injury that hadn't reared it's head in 2 years! I stopped to stretch and tried to work it out the best I could. "Great," I thought, "Now, I have something else to worry about besides my heart." Maybe this was a blessing... I went on to get ready for the swim hoping for the best from my calf when it came time to run in the race. 

During the prerace meeting, my girls showed up with grandma Brenda. I was so happy to see my cheering section in place. Win or lose, cramped calf and all I just wanted to finish this to show my girls I could do it. 

So, I wiggled into my wet suit. I was VERY thankful it still fit. I went down to the water to check it out and swim a few strokes. A few minutes later, we were off.

It felt amazing to be gliding along in the open water of the very small lake. After the start, I really didn't see anyone again until I exited the water and began to run towards the transition area. The run was more of a hobble than anything, as I felt my calf tighten up. "Wonderful!" I thought and kept going.

As I passed through transition, I realized and older man who had exited the water behind me was chatting with me. He said, "Jeez, I couldn't even hold on to your feet!  You are fast!" 

I just kept moving, but was thinking to myself, this guy is going to crush me on the bike. He just had that look about him. You know the lean, mean, older man cycling look. 

Sure enough, he passed me in the first 10 feet leaving transition. I didn't expect to see him again the rest of the day. I was wrong. I felt great on the bike and flew by him on the next up hill. We played cat and mouse then entire rest of the 11.5 miles of the cycling leg. I even dropped my chain at one point and he came buy me after I put it back on successfully and complimented me on my bike mechanic skills. I guess it pays in more ways that one to mountain bike......

I was able to get in and out of the second transition right in front of him. I was off on the run. The entire time, I was just praying that my calf wouldn't cramp so bad that I had to walk. Within the first  mile, I felt it tighten quite a bit. I started to walk. Then, I thought, "No way, there is no way I am going to walk." I started to run again.

I was lucky enough to be able to stick to a respectable pace and not have to walk again due to my calf cramping. I have no idea what the pace was as my watch was not on the right setting, and there were no chip timers. Maybe this too was a blessing....

As I crossed the finish line, I was welcomed by 3 smiling faces. My time was 1:07:09 over 2 minutes ahead of the next athlete. I was very excited, as my heart handled the challenge with absolutely no problems. I knew at that moment I was back. 

Eva and Abby sharing my race medal.

After the race, I went swimming in the lake with my favorite swimming partners, Eva and Abby. What a wonderful experience, I can hardly wait for them to do their first triathlon someday!