Last night, sitting around the bar with Alice, I realized Triathlons can "kill you". We were talking about Reid's swim DNF at Barrie. I forgot how scary a triathlon swim can be. When I look back, I remember my first open water swim and "IT WAS SCARY".
You can't see the bottom, you can barely see your hand, it's cold, it could be wavy, you've got others banging into you and you don't know what's lurking below. Even when I started back doing triathlons four years ago, I had to relearn how "not to panic" during the swim.
When you think about it, the swim is "a life or death" experience. Water kills and it's possible to die from drowning at every single race.
During the swim anything can happen. It's not uncommon for people to "take in water" or "cramp" or have a "claustrophobic panic attack" or "fatigue" and potentially "drown to death". How many sports are out there where every competitor has to cheat death to finish?
Truth be told, I'm surprised how few "drownings" there are during the swim portion of a triathlon. It's a testament to physical and mental preparation of each of the competitors. Even during this Sunday's Syracuse 70.3 race, I swam by one person that was floating on their back trying to recover from something.
The safest thing you can do when you have trouble in the water is to relax. It's those people that panic that drown. The key to not panicking is to spend time in water. I find that the hours I train in the pool is what keeps me water confident.
This past weekend, it dawned on me, "I didn't even experience any anxiety during the swim during the race". I felt like I was swimming at the YMCA. Open water swimming has now become so natural to me that I don't even realize I'm in a potentially dangerous situation.
Biking is also very dangerous and there are moments that can be scary during a race, especially descending, it is very easy to "wipe out" at high speeds. BUT........ the most dangerous part of riding is during training. Every year, no matter where you live, someone nearby is killed on a bike after being hit by a motorist.
In triathlons, if you don't die from the swimming or biking, then you're pretty much "death" home free. The run is more of an "injury trap", than a "death trap". Running injuries may not kill you, but they can make you feel like "you're living in a living hell" if you can't train.
Maybe that's why I think triathlon is a "bad ass" sport and suit's my personality perfectly. Forget about the "pain" and "suffering" required to do it. Triathlon incorporates "extreme fitness" with "life or death" situations. It's truly a Pirate Sport. Not something you can get from sports like Golf or Bowling.
Switching Gears, I found out that my finishing time at Syracuse 70.3 was good enough to qualify for Clearwater 70.3 World Championships this year. Todd Seeber, the guy I beat by 2 seconds got the slot at the roll down. I'm happy for him. Immediately after the race I told him to go to the roll down, that I wasn't going to take the spot if it came to me.
It just doesn't get any better than knowing you qualified for Kona and Clearwater in the same year AND that I've now qualified for Clearwater two years in a row.
Before even going to Syracuse, I had decided that if I did qualify, I wasn't taking the spot and was "paying it forward" as others had for me when they didn't accept their spots at the roll down.
Oh, and the other reason, is Alice would KILL me if I told her we were doing Clearwater as well. She's already sick of all the money I spent on triathlons this year. Going to Clearwater would definitely be the straw that broke the camels back and there is really no need to go, I'll be buying my 2011 work and play wardrobe in Kona this year. Buying another Clearwater wardrobe would be so last year.
Today was recovery, work and no training. I did slip away for an hour massage to help get the legs loosened up and I chose a therapist that has nice soft and relaxing touch, I did not want to experience ANY pain, not even deep tissue pain. And no, it was not a "happy ending" type of massage.
I also got my new 2XU blue tri-shorts today. Now I just need my Triathlon Toons Jersey to arrive before the end of the month and my Kona racing wardrobe is ready. I've now got 17 days to eat and sleep well and then I can go back to my "party boy" existence.
Massage - No training.
For the next 17 days, I'm going to try and get in the spirit by watching a Kona Ironman video every day. Here's the first one. If anyone has a link to any they think are worth watching, please leave it in the comments section or email it to me. Thanks in advance.
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9 comments:
It's truly a Pirate Sport - I loved the quote.
how few "drownings" there are?
man can you concentrate on something a little more optimistic?
Nice captains hat!
Kona, Clearwater.. hey Bryan, did I tell ya I ran 4.5km tonight? haha Seriously amazing year especially if we go back and watch the China video. You really bounced back!!
PS - Chrissie has an awesome bike!
"All I can say is...it's a god damn dream come true..." Your second vid is posted on the MAO home page. Your Blog hits are going to go crazy. Later, Bob.
You want to know what I love... the champion having a beer after the race.
You want to know why I like triathlons? Because I have huge focusing problems. Triathlon has been the only thing I have done in my life that has allowed me to focus on anything.
Turns out... finding something to focus on like this has only helped me in all aspects of my life. Never felt this balanced or positive before.
As for the swim, I have never panicked... not sure why, but it has always been go go go. I would say that the swim is probably the scariest part about the races for most people.
It is still a shock to me that YOU are going to Kona on a qualification. Can't wait to watch the race.
Good luck.
Totally agree about the swim. Growing up in a pool sometimes doing 20K yds in a day doesn't prepare you at all for the mental games that go on in dark water. I did a 5k open water swim this summer and got scared. I was swimming well too, 1:36/100m thoughout, but man, it was a mind game. Hard feeling to replicate though, only 2 hrs after finishing I was looking for another open water swim.
I can see how that 2nd video will prepare you for Kona, great choice! http://www.hulu.com/ford-ironman-world-championship
Great video pick.
Forget the bike, OH MY GAWD Chrissie Wellington is the 2ND MOST HAWTEST FEMALE ATHELETE ON THE PLANET EVAR!!!!! I think naughty things everytime I see her.
Wait... did I say that out loud? :)
Great stuff leaving clearwater for the other guy. He owes you a beer... no, a keg! :)
V, yup, Pirate sport, that's why my man cave has "pirates" and "captains", when you live on the sea, you live on the edge. haha.
A, hahaha, don't worry, if you drown, it only happens once. haha.
A, Nice run and thanks for the props, it was a windy road and somehow it all worked out in a much more dramatic and fun fashion. I love when that happens. I DID notice her bike and the brand and thought of you. Now you can't blame any lack of speed on the bike. hahaha.
B, hahaha, yup, "it's a god damn dream" living the captain. Actually, I may drive more traffic to the MAO page. haha.
M, yup, just shows even Craig Alexander has his "beer priorities" straight. haha. Cool about the balance and triathlons, I get that. Yeah, I can't believe I'm going to Kona either, I'm no natural talent, just put in the miles. If I can do it, you "might" have a shot too. I use the word "might" loosely. hahaha. Just kidding, I can see you're talent, it won't be long and you'll be kicking Heathers butt, er, I mean my butt. Here's may take a while longer. hahaha.
D, cool, nice job, nice speed. I could only wish to go that fast.
K, can you send me a you tube link or something to that video. We don't get hulu in canada. The government blocks it and I'd love to see it.
J, cool to hear you got the hots for a woman, I know you're married, but thought it might have been for convienence and was starting to wonder. hahaha. Thanks for the props.
B
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