race weekend
"so... how many people will there be at this race again, then!!?"
"ohhh, i dunno. about 500."
"five? FIVE hundred?......
oh."
..... " and so... do they all start at the same time!?!"
"nah. they'll go by age group"
"OH!! ok. so like.. there won't actually BE 500 people on the course at the same time then, right? "
"oh.. yeah there will. its pretty crowded. mm-hmm."
"oh, so.. right. okay."
............................................ sh*t.
i have my first race this weekend. my first not-just-running race.
a duathlon actually. a pretty popular first of the season-welcome to du/triathlon-lets get out there and have FUN!!!race.
my first.
my first race.
involving my bike.
my bike that i don't get a long with. who's chain likes to pop off at really the most inconvenient times. that i've taken in to be looked at numerous times, and gets fixed, so then something else goes wrong.
the one that wont shift when i want it to and doesn't like going from the big chain ring to the middle.
@#%$&*!
but i'm not worried. nahhhh. no big deal. i will most likely get lost on my run, get left behind at the transition area... which.
have i mentioned i've never even really practiced a for real transition? no? okay, well yeah. i haven't.
... and come in last. after the clean up crew has already gone.
*sigh*
i hope i don't die. i hope i don't crash into anyone. i hope i don't forget to take off my bike helmet when i go out for my second run. i hope i don't forget where my bike is in the transition area and run around like a crazy person looking for it.
i really REALLY hope i'm not last.
and i kinda hope this really big dead rock feeling i have in the pit of my stomach goes away soon. cuz its making me even more nervous.
not that i'm totally sure that's even possible, but all the same.
yup. race weekend.
so. this should be fun, right!?!
right.
Comments
I just did my first multi-sport race (a tri) last month, so I could totally relate to this post. You'll do fine - you WON'T come in last. Just remember to be careful on the bike - ride on the right, pass on the left, announce you're passing... you know the deal. And that rock feeling in the pit of your stomach? Totally natural and to be expected, so don't be worried if it doesn't go away. Most of all - have fun! :-)
Posted by: Cliff | May 16, 2007 08:18 AM
It's fun when it's over!
Posted by: Brent Buckner | May 16, 2007 08:23 AM
I imagine there'll be lots of other new folks out there too, all stressing about the same things :-) I never practiced transitions. Granted I never had to find my running stuff again after tearing it off earlier in the day :-) You're gonna have lots of fun! I hope your race has a fun Du name - it's all about the t-shirt IMHO!
Posted by: Danielle in Iowa | May 16, 2007 08:52 AM
You are too funny - just read my Wildflower reports and you will feel better. I spent a total of almost 15 minutes in transition. I could have made and eaten a grilled cheese sandwich in that time. Just make sure your stuff is ORGANIZED and have your running shoes ready to put on (as in make sure the laces are untied or that you are using YANKZ).
You'll be fine.
Have fun!
ps - I thought the doo-doo Du was your first
Posted by: 21stCenturyMom | May 16, 2007 09:00 AM
It will be a blast. Do not worry. When you are seting up your transtition area simply look at the people around you and what they are doing. You are allowed to copy off of them here..lol Just have fun and enjoy it. You are not there to win any prize money, so simply have fun!
Posted by: Al Durham | May 16, 2007 09:08 AM
Lest we forget:This is fun.
Posted by: Greyhound | May 16, 2007 09:29 AM
i have exactly the same feelings for an upcoming mini-tri. i rode the bike course last weekend and i'm quite certain I'll be the last one to finish.
Posted by: deene | May 16, 2007 09:44 AM
You're going to done great.
Ditto Greyhound.
Have fun and enjoy, Ale! Especially when things go wrong. That's the funnest part.
Go & kick bootay.
Posted by: Patrick | May 16, 2007 09:46 AM
You're going to do great.
Have fun and enjoy, Ale! Especially when things go wrong. That's the funnest part.
Go & kick bootay.
Posted by: Patrick | May 16, 2007 09:47 AM
Your gonna kick some newbie ass out that girl!
Posted by: Winz | May 16, 2007 10:16 AM
oh this should be good! I can't wait for the recap!! and no matter what, my prediction: You will NOT be last.
:)
Posted by: jeanne | May 16, 2007 10:42 AM
right!
get 'er done!!
Posted by: bold | May 16, 2007 11:00 AM
You're gonna rock it, girlie! How many other newbs on that course can do a real frickin' pull up? I'm just sayin.
Have fun, make it a party, who cares what place you come in?! Whatever happens, it will be a great post!
Go, AJ, Go AJ, Go!
Posted by: Larissa | May 16, 2007 11:00 AM
Delurking to say good luck!!!! I felt the same way when I did my first duathlon, but I did exactly what one of your other commenters suggested - look at what everyone else does in terms of setting up in the transition area, and just copy them : ) You are going to have SO much fun - the running/biking combo is great - I enjoyed it so much that I've done it two more times since then!
Posted by: Michelle | May 16, 2007 12:23 PM
1. you won't die.
2. you might be a crazy person looking for your bike.
3. it would be hilarious if you ran with your helmet on.
4. you won't die.
5. you will TOTALLY rock.
Posted by: miss petite america | May 16, 2007 12:44 PM
Okay, pull yourself together. You won't DIE. You won't be LAST. You'll probably even have FUN. Look at it this way...at least you don't have to swim!!! :)
Good luck!
Posted by: Andra Sue | May 16, 2007 01:00 PM
good and luck and advance congratulations!
just remember you are there to have fun and you'll have a perma-grin on your face for the duration of the race & after...when you are celebrating!
Posted by: eddie | May 16, 2007 01:41 PM
Sounds like it is going to be a blast! I cant wait to read the race report! You go girl!
Posted by: Teacherwoman | May 17, 2007 07:43 AM
All I can say is...
ROCK THIS BITCH! :D
You're going to be awesome. It's going to be fun. You're going to kick some serious bum.
Go get 'em AJ!
Posted by: RunningJayhawk | May 17, 2007 10:35 AM
hi! also de-lurking to say i'm nervous about my first race too. but you? YOU OWN THIS. YOU'VE TRAINED FOR THIS. MONEY IN THE BANK, GIRL. go get 'em!!! :)
Posted by: sarah | May 17, 2007 12:38 PM