I headed off from home at about 5.45 after a 5 o’clock alarm
awoke me from what had been a rather restless night – I’m pretty certain I saw
every hour and a few half hours during the night. I’m not sure if it was
nervousness, excitement, or just another hot night in Alice Springs, but it was
not the best preparation for the upcoming event! That aside, as I wheeled my
bike out the back gate, I was treated to the early morning light and a stunning
sky. It was the first time I had cycled
with my new lights and I was very impressed – vision was great and I was
confident that I could be seen on the road – not that there was much traffic at
this time on a Sunday morning. Ten minutes or so later I was putting my bike on
a rack, and learning the way to lay out my towel so that it would absorb as much
water as possible while I was changing for the bike leg of the event. With number 20 in thick marker pen on my leg and
arm, I viewed the growing numbers of competitors arriving and creating their
own little nest for the event.
My bike is closest to camera - the East MacDonnell Ranges in the distance.
The rules and routes were clearly explained and we were told
the first wave would be the males, followed by the second wave, which would be
the women and children and those accompanying them. I slid into the water for my race and there
were the ranges in the background – I felt elated. I could do this. Five times
across the pool – mostly freestyle with a bit of backstroke thrown in, run to
the bike, stand on the towel so it could soak up some of the water, don’t touch
the bike until your helmet is on and done up. Pull on the shorts, shirt and
socks, shoes on, bike off the rack, walk to the mounting line and hop on. Turn
right, left at the ABC corner [remember the road rules], left at the Memo Club,
left at the Highway, left at Tom Brown Roundabout, back up Gap Road, left at
the ABC and get off the bike, run back to the rack and replace bike before removing helmet. Now for the
run/walk. A brisk walk to the ABC, right at Gap Road and back again to cheers
and encouragement as I ran over the line and through the finish.
I had just completed my first triathlon! My time: 34:09 for those who want to know these things.
It was a taster event
and there were many newbies like myself, families and teams where each did a
separate leg of the 100m swim, 5km cycle and 1km run, or in my case, walk. I
thoroughly enjoyed the event – it was well-organised by the Alice Springs
Triathlon Club and Get Physical, a local gym.
People were friendly and helpful and there was ample encouragement right
down to the final finishers cross the line.
A well-received breakfast of cereal, juice, bacon and eggs greeted us at
the end and some lucky number prizes were handed out. My reward was the joy of
completing the race, walking around with number 20 on my arm for the next few
hours – a great little conversation starter – and the bright orange swim cap I
was given before the race. It went beautifully with my bright pink
cossie/bathers/swimmers/togs [depending on which state/territory you come
from!]
Still standing at the end - somewhat wetter than when I started!
