I’m not a triathlete, I’m a runner

My MTS swag bag and my newtons

Today marks the completion of my very first sprint triathlon, the March Triathlon Series (MTS) at Lopez Lake in Arroyo Grande, Ca. It was a collegiate event,  as well as the WCCTC Championships (that’s what it said on my tech shirt). This ended up being a “big time” triathlon event!

The sprint triathlon consisted of a 750 meter swim, 20 kilometer bike ride, and a 5 kilometer out-and-back run snaking it’s way around Lopez Lake. As you know, I am a runner (and if you didn’t know, now you do). I also swam competitively in my “younger days” and played collegiate water polo for a year. So needless to say, I can swim. The question posed on this glorious Sunday was, can I cycle?

The answer is yes, but with a slight hesitation and an extremely strong fear of dying.

I view the bike as a two wheeled death mobile with that has the potential to catapult me into a life of paralyzation. I completely understand the risks involved when acting like Lance Armstrong for the day (minus the blood doping).

Being the paranoid person I am, I made a list of all of the possible ways I could have died during the cycling portion of the triathlon (all of which seem pretty legit to me):

1. Hitting a rock
2. Hitting a pothole
3. Hitting a stick
4. Hitting a tree
5. Hitting a mountain
6. Hitting another biker
7. Hitting a car
8. Getting hit by a car
9. Hitting a parked car
10. Getting hit by a parked car (I am sure it has happened)
11. Losing control
12. Running over a nail and popping a tire
13. Running over a sticker and popping a tire
14. Popping a tire because my tire felt like popping
15. Going so fast that the tires incinerate

Okay the last one probably won’t happen, but you get my point.

Here is a list of all of the ways I could have died during the running portion of the triathlon:

1. Being eaten by a mountain lion

Do you see my point? The risk level associated with running is insurmountably LOWER than cycling.

All jokes aside, being a new cycler at such a serious event was quite overwhelming! Luckily, one of my best friends was there to calm my nerves, show me the ropes and kick my butt in the process (way to go Sarah!). However, the race was fun and I am proud of myself for trying something new!! I enjoyed the swim (I think) and being able to finish an extremely hilly 12 mile bike ride has given me a wonderful sense of accomplishment… but I think I am going to keep my feet on the ground for a while (it’s a lot safer down here).

Update!

The results have been posted and I thought I would share them… in case you were curious (you probably weren’t, but look anyway!):

I placed 31st out of 41 in the Women’s Sprint triathlon (non- high school & WCCTC Championship) event. Considering it was my first one… I am pretty darn proud of myself!

Cheers!

-RatherBeRunnin