The following content was provided by Registered Dietitian, Amanda Cassell.
We've all been there. Ah, the first year into the sport we love so much called triathlon. Can you recall all the clumsy things you did as a newbie when just getting into the sport? Please tell me you've done some not-so-intelligent things like myself!
So, where shall we begin? How about the time that I was so excited to be off the bike and on my feet for the run (my best of the three sports) that I forgot my helmet was even still on my head until around ½ mile into the run? Truth be told, the only way I knew was because another racer told me. The conversation went something like this. "Hey girl, you've still got your helmet on your head. Better thank me for being so nice, because if you were in my age group, I wouldn't be so friendly." I then proceed to throw my helmet into a bush somewhere. Luckily, one of my friends saw me and held onto it for me until after the race.
Or, how about the race that started with jumping into the lake with my wave to realize that my goggles were still on my head?! Nice. I think I was more embarrassed that the crowd on shore could see exactly the mistake I had made as I had to dog paddle while I put my goggles over my eyes before I could move forward. This same triathlon involved leeches. Leeches! Small ones, but a leech is still a leech, right? All I could think about was a giant leech attached to my big toe as I swam frantically. I ended up posting a record swim time that day. I'm not sure if it was the leeches or the need to make up for my embarrassing goggle episode that led to the nice time.
Let's not forget open water sighting. There has been more than one occasion where I was swimming completely off course, only to hear the volunteers in the kayak yell at me loudly enough to stop me before I ended up on the other side of the lake.
How about wardrobe malfunctions? Let me just give you the advice that maybe it's not the best idea to wear a tri suit, bikini-style bottom, that is one size too big. Pretty things don't happen when you try to swing your leg over your saddle when dismounting into transition. Need I explain more?
Let's sum it up with the sprint triathlon that I was on pace to win for the title of overall female until I cut the run course ½ mile short. I was so zoned out that I didn't take the correct turn to lengthen the 5K run. As I was almost finished with the race, I looked down at my Garmin and realized what had happened. It was too late to turn around, so I proceeded to the finish line, while the crowd cheered and screamed to let me know that I was Overall Female. Umm, not so much. Bummer.
Looking back, I've come a mighty long way since my first triathlon in 2006. Two Ironman's, multiple Ironman 70.3's, and too many sprint and Olympic triathlons to count. But, I wouldn't trade those fun memories for anything. Those are the memories that make us grow in the sport. I enjoy telling my embarrassing stories to newbies on our triathlon team. It seems to make them feel like they can breathe a little more and have fun with the sport. Because, after all, if we can't laugh at our blunders over the years, how will we ever grow?!
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