The Importance Of Transition

The nerves were rushing inside me as I was preparing to do something completely new to me and I had no idea what I was doing. I had no idea how to compete in the race itself, how to transition from one element to another or how to set up a transition spot. There are three events you are required to complete in a triathlon, which are swimming, biking and running. If you can complete these three events, you are a triathlete. The first event was the swim. Of the three events, I was the weakest at swimming. Having only completed really cheap swimming lessons, I barely made it through the shoreline swim. I may have needed to stop and touch the bottom a couple of times. I was probably the worst swimmer there and the last one out of the water for sure. We started the swim in the water in an area where you could touch. The horn went off, and I was a little shocked so may have been a
few seconds later then everyone else to start swimming. When I started swimming, all I saw was really gross green water. It was so gross and I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I saw the bottom of the lake; which was terrifying yet assuring. When I was finished with swim, I had to run up the beach and into transition area. The next event was T1 or transition one. I had to take off my swim cap, which was the biggest struggle of my life at that point. It hurt my head so bad because it was pulling on my hair. I also had to put on my shoes, helmet, and decided to also bring socks and clothes. After I got my swim cap off I put on my socks. Do not put on socks with wet and sandy feet. It is a struggle. After finally getting my socks on, I put on my shoes and helmet on; which was a piece of cake after dealing with my socks. After all of this was done, I grabbed my bike to get ready to ride. The next thing was the bike. When you first get on the bike you go downhill; which I needed a little rest at that point after a tough swim. Then you have to go up a hill, which wasn’t to bad because it was a little one. Just wait because the course is flat for a little while and then a huge, long hill comes up. The hill would have been a lot easier if I would have used my gears. Note that I did not use my gears at all during any point of the race. I’m not sure if I even knew what gears were or if my bike even had them. I do now. The frustrating part about going into T2 the uphill ride getting to it and that was awful and dreadful. T2, or transition two,was after the bike but before the run. This is where most people will change from clips to running shoes. I did not use clips and didn’t know what they were. In T2, I racked my bike, with my dad’s help of course. My T2 was way faster than T1 but still pretty slow and I not even sure why. I’m fairly confident I took some time to catch my breath; which you do not do if you are racing for time. I took a drink water and then ran out. I was now on to the last part of the race. The final event was the run.
I had never been more tired in my life. I only had to run a total of 400 meters and I was so tired. After coming out of T2, you go down a hill. This was a huge relief, but not for long. Eventually, you had to go up hill too. So sad for my tired body. The run was an out and back and when I got the turn around I could see the finish line. It had never looked so inviting and I had never been so happy before. After the turn around, the run was half way over and I could see the finish line chute. The finish line chute was so long, but lined with people cheering for you along the way. Even if people didn’t know you they were cheering for you and so were other athletes. I ran through the finish line chute and was so happy. It was probably the fastest I ran throughout the entire race. I saw the finish line and knew I could do it. When I crossed the finish line, I had never been happier in my life. I just completed something many people couldn’t do. Many people told me good job and I even got a medal. Ever since this race, I fell in love with the sport of
triathlon. In conclusion, you have to try new things even if they seem hard. You never know, you might find out you like something after you try it. Since this day, I have joined a triathlon team called Z3 and travel to many places. I never thought this would be something I liked until I did it. I fell in love with the crazy sport of triathlon and it never becomes old. I love this sport and feel I have inspired many people around me just by trying something new.