When we made our summer holiday booking this year, we thought of three things.
Sun,
Fun.
Triathlon.
Our summer vacation for 2011 would be in a beautiful placeand span the week before and after a triathlon, enabling us to do the sport we have grown to love in yet another new location. The ultimate active holiday. I decided that the FireMan Triathlon in Maine would be my “A” race – my chance to really see just how my training and focus for 2011 had paid off in terms of improved performance. My chance to do two Olympic distance triathlons in one season. My chance to do my first ocean swim triathlon. And to do it all in a community that we had met last summer.
Perfect!
But then Irene came along…
Credit: NASA/NOAA GOES Project, Image Source Here
Sometimes the best laid plans can be laid to waste by things totally out of our control. As the weekend drew closer, I found myself thanking my lucky stars that I had given the London Triathlon my all and accomplished my season goal of a sub-4 hour Olympic distance triathlon in July. Because who knew what the weekend would offer up for my “A-race”…
The FireMan Triathlon Turns Into an AquaRun
Not to be deterred by a storm, the race organisers mapped out an alternative race plan. For those willing to race, a swim course was set in the sheltered cove by Kennebunk Beach. The bike was cancelled. And the run would take place as planned.
We woke up on Sunday to a storm. Not a hurricane, but a storm. Windy, rainy, and grey.
There is something… Something special about getting out and being active in “weather”. It makes you feel alive. Like you are an active participant with nature, feeling and experiencing everything she throws our way.
The FireMan turned AquaRun was blessed with great conditions – the cove swim took place in placid cool waters (I know – placid in a storm – surreal but true) and the 10k run was (for everyone but me) rain free. It was not the race I had planned for or expected, but a great race despite Mother Nature’s best efforts.
The Results
Before the race, Jeff Cole, intrepid Race Director and fantastic guy to boot, said the following:
“Stay Safe. Be Smart. And remember, this is not a race, this is an experience.”
An experience it was.
The Swim
Knowing my swim pace well, I reckon the swim leg was about 600m. Two loops, between an orange and yellow buoy. DH and I decided to swim the swim together at a very relaxed pace. Not a race, but a pleasant swim. But DH he has developed a strange habit of veering right on courses. I am proud of my sighting, so I lost him somewhere as I swam on course and I exited the water in 12 minutes flat. Then I hobbled on the pebbles and shards to a beautiful wonderful pair of pink crocs that Cindy lent to me – my guardian angel in disguise. Cindy, you totally saved my feet.
Transition
I took off Cindy’s crocs off by the timing mat and made my way to transition. Moseying along, putting on my ankle braces, finally set off after about 8 and a half minutes of getting myself together.
The Run
I honestly had no idea what to expect from this run. The coast in Maine is a bit hilly – nothing steep (not really) but hills, constant undulating friends. For the past weeks after the London Triathlon I have been doing hill work with Coach T. But I was not sure that these few hard sets would be enough to set me up for a 10k hilly run.
My aim was to finish the run in less than 1hr30min. In an ideal scenario I would have loved a sub 1hr20min. But I am still getting used to running and the work I am doing with James of Kinetic Revolution. I know that finishing feeling good would be the most important thing – regardless of time – and that I should try to focus on all of the aspects of form I have worked on with James and Terry. I also knew I would use run-walk intervals to achieve this.
I did the run in 1hr 23min 37sec according to the results page. This beat my previous quickest 10k time which was just over 1hr 24min at the London triathlon – a PR on a much harder course. It was good weather for most of the run – about 7.5k for me of clouds and wind. The last 2.5k was horizontal sheeting rain – but hey, that was a part of the experience Jeff told us to embrace.
It was awesome. 
The aftermath
I must say I felt really pleased that I went out and did something on Sunday. I was seriously doubting myself with this race – not only the weather, but also my abilities. Although I am a very confident swimmer, I was nervous about an ocean swim in storm conditions, and I was nervous about 10k on hills. As I do, I decided to face my fears. To just go out and enjoy what I was doing, what I could do. And it was fantastic.
In true style the FireMan finished with a blueberry pancake breakfast, which was amazing. Thank you very much to the Kennebunk Fire Rescue crew and the Veterans of Foreign War members for making the breakfast the perfect end to the day. We hung out with friends from the Kennebunk Beach Triathlon Club, and had a super end to the morning.
By noon, we got home, showered, and then spent the rest of our day relaxing in an electricity free zone. This included making s’mores over the fire.
Could there be a more perfect ending to my 2011 triathlon season?
Good on you, Donna! A wonderful and inspirational post!!
Awesome job, Donna! That’s a great alternate plan the race director came up with. Glad you were spared from the worst of Irene. Great job on the two legs – and congrats on the 10k PR!
“There is something… Something special about getting out and being active in “weather”. It makes you feel alive. Like you are an active participant with nature, feeling and experiencing everything she throws our way.”
I love this observation. I feel the same way.
It definitely was an experience, but an awesome one!