A dramatic return

OK, it’s time to get this thing back up and running. I can’t possibly relate all that has happened in the last, uhh, month or so in one post, so the next few will be recaps. I think the first thing to recap is the triathlon. You know, the craziness of a swim, followed by a bike ride followed by a run. My actual writing of this post means that, despite the best efforts of the try-athletes I was competing with, I survived. I did not drown. I did not ride my bike into a parked car. I did not get a heart attack while running. I crossed the line in one piece, keeping down breakfast along with various vital internal organs.

The morning started at 5am, which was a revelation to me because I didn’t know 5am existed on a Sunday morning. I’d loaded my bike into the back of the car the night before, so all I had to do was eat and go. So I ate and went. And I got to the end of my street and turned around because I’d left behind my bike helmet: they were MANDATORY, hence my about-face. I arrived a bit later than the time agreed with my team – The Oracle and her partner, Mr. M. – and we headed down to the transition area to rack our bikes. I also needed to get my number written on my arm and there were kindly old ladies to do the task. “What is your number?” “Uhhhhhhh…uhhhh…ummmm…one one four…?” And “114” was written in magic marker on my right bicep.

A bit before 7am, we went down to the ocean’s edge for the pre-race briefing and to start the swim. We were given yellow swimming caps and let me tell you – absolutely no one looks good in a yellow swimming cap and spandex bike shorts. At least I’m not middle-aged, hairy and carrying a paunch. Despite it being a cold morning, the water was warm and it was a relief to get in the water. Not only to get out of the cold, but I also needed to pee. Hey, whales do it in the ocean, so why shouldn’t I?!

The swim was painful. I was smacked in the face by someone trying to swim. I had to swim around a guy swimming survival stroke. I was hit in the mouth again while taking a breath and ended up with every internal cavity filled with salt water. I was trying to get the taste of sea water out of my mouth for the rest of the race. Into the transition area, the first thing I did was check the race number of the front of my cycling jersey – 114!!

The bike ride was uneventful. A nice, flat ride with a hairpin turn at each end. My over riding memory of the bike and run legs was passing a lot of people. I ride & run a lot better than I swim!

In reality, my (drowning) concerns were unfounded. And the best bit? Going out for breakfast on a sunny morning with my friends. We went to breakfast after the worst bit: hearing an ex-girlfriend was around somewhere. On the subject of ex-girls, another one is going to join the list at 4pm tomorrow.