A week ago I ran a marathon in Minnesota.  This weekend my first triathlon, Tri the Boat in Steamboat Springs.

With Ironman only 6 weeks away, using this race to figure out the logistics of competing 3 sports same day.  Felt a bit intimidated at sign-in.  Boulder & Steamboat Springs are both athlete meccas, attractive for altitude training & the arid climate – sunshine, no humidity. I waited behind a trim zero-body-fat group, picked up my race packet & intently listened to instructions – where to park, where to leave my bike, starting time, transition area…becoming a quick study of everything Triathlon.

Sunday morning came early, an hour drive from my hotel in Kremmling.  Parked, carried the bike over my shoulder (like the true triathletes) & headed to transition slot 169 – my home for the day.

Pulled & tugged at my XTERRA wetsuit – crazy tight fit – but eventually managed success, zipped up ready to go.  Lined up on the shore of Stagecoach Reservoir.  Have never done this before – super nervous.

Air horn sounds & in we go.  Sub-60 degree water, C-O-L-D.  Panic, can’t breathe.  Up for air every stroke.  And unlike my gym pool, open water is murky – and deep.

Two strokes right, rollover, two strokes left – ok, moving.  Steady swimming, no longer swallowing water.

BUMP – I strike a small boat outside of boundaries.  They point the way – my goggles useless — scratched, dingy for months now. In a pool, no big deal.  In open water, can’t see a thing – pulling them on my forehead to catch a glimpse of other swimmers.

BUMP – now it’s a kayak on the other side.  Ridiculous.

I continue zigzagging my way across Stagecoach – back n forth, back n forth ‘til 2 kayakers guide my return home.  I hear them talking: I think he’s disorientated.  I tell them I’m fine – just can’t see.  They say I’ve swam full Ironman distance – yeah, that far off course.  I stumble onto shore and spew breakfast just past waterline.

I look at rows of empty bike racks – only 2 of us left…then the lady behind me quits.  Ugh – dead last 🙁

Sun beating down, I start the 56 mile bike ride – almost 3,000 feet elevation change.

No other human around.  That was the worst of it – the solitude.

Stopped at both bike aid stations but kept at it.  Last 2 stations already closed – but I finished.  I reached transition & slipped on my Hokas.  Asked directions from a volunteer & started the half marathon run.

Was pulled at the first aid station – too far back, time limitation.  Argh; it is what it is.

Hottest day of the year in Steamboat, I finished both the swim & the bike.  Not a complete fail, but gotta figure this out.

Beyond exhausted, I stop an hour later & rent a room.  Sun burnt and sleep deprived, I down a ginger ale, shower & set my alarm for 4 a.m. – back to work tomorrow: Monday, start of the work week.