Oh, the Rollercoaster of Life

Last week was probably the high point in my training for the Malibu Triathlon on September 11. With my first triathlon under my belt, albeit a short one, I was feeling pretty confident. Today was a mock triathlon at Malibu and for the first time, being hammered by giant waves in the ocean, I felt like this isn't the sport for me. As I was panicking in the ocean, I felt like there was a chance I wouldn't get back to shore alive. It all started so carefree in the morning too.

I drove to Malibu before the sun was out. The staff wanted this mock triathlon to be as representative of the real thing as possible. So we were to show up early and on time to set up our transitions and get registered for the event. They even has an official sounding name, (the now dreaded) Zumaman. Once I arrived I got my race number and had my number and age written on my body with a sharpie.

I scrambled to get my wetsuit on as the westside coach, Tim went over the race details

We lined ourselves along the beach and got ready to do two laps in the ocean (so we could practice going in and coming out of the ocean twice). The guys lined up for the first wave in our light blue caps and the women wanted behind in their pink caps.

This is the best picture I could find of the waves

As the race started we rushed in the ocean, I think for those of us who'd never experienced waves before, it was a complete shock. Being completely ignorant of the power before me, I let a wave break right on top of me and it knocked me over and back 5 feet. I was dazed, my heart was beating super fast. I got back to my feet just in time for the next wave to knock me over again. By now I was already hyperventilating and it felt like there was a great pressure on my chest. I started thinking, "I don't think I want to swim in the ocean, triathlons might not be for me." I barely got pass the waves and into the open ocean and everything I learned from all the drills in the swimming pool was completely gone. I was just moving through the water any way I could.

As we closed in on where we had to swim back to the beach. I saw a girl struggling with me. She told me she was claustrophobic. I think we got strength from each other and as we inches in to the beach. A giant wave hit us from behind. It was even worst than before as it was unexpected and our feet weren't touching the ground. My body felt like it was hit from all sides and I did a few flips in the water. All around me the water was turbulent and I couldn't tell were the water and the air meet. I felt helpless and dying for a breath, and for a moment I felt like I was going to drown. As the wave passed, the first thing I did was yell out but what came out was this high pitched scream. The girl I was swimming with had completely lost it and broken down. I kinda knew what she felt like.

I was in no hurry to get back into the ocean

I felt dizzy and weak as I my legs were finally on the beach. I felt so defeated and when I saw Victor the first thing I asked was, "Do we really have to go again?" "Ya, one more time," was his response in a calm commanding voice. I was able to somehow get through another swim and the rest of the bicycling and running went by without a hitch, but I had a new respect for and fear of the ocean.

Zuma Beach

Workout: Coached bike set practice

I'm woke up at 5 AM this morning. I must be operating on 4 hours of sleep. I was so excited about this workout and the wedding later today that I could hardly sleep. Good thing I packed my car last night; I've got plenty of time to get some breakfast and get mentally prepared.

Set practice is a new word for me. I heard it last night from Tik at the wedding rehearsal dinner for James and Vivian when I told him we were going to Zuma Beach today to ride the same course we'd be riding on race day.

UPDATE:
Driving down the PCH is really slow with all those traffic lights. Once I got to Zuma, it was still pretty early and luckily I was able to get a free parking spot right outside the parking lot.

They had a bunch of bicycle racks set up in the parking lot. This is the usual workout place for the Westside triathlon team. Their team comprises of members from only a few cities on the westside, while our Eastside team encompasses everything else in LA, but still they have more members than us. Many of their team was already there and they look like they meant business. We looks like the Bad News Bears in comparison.

Westside Coach Pete showed us how to set up our transition area and Coach Scott talked us through little tips and tricks to have a smooth, trouble-free transition. The mentors demonstrate how the transition is done and after that, we took our turn and tried the transition ourselves. I was a little surprised that instead of it being pretty low key. Some people were actually pushing and running into each other to vie for a better position off the transition.

Coach Pete showing us how to set up our transition area

Gabe demonstration how the transition is done

Amanda inflating her tires

After the transition clinic, we did a 13 mi. bike ride. I started cramping up in my calves on the way back. Got off the bike and ran 2 miles. I started my run off with Myra and we took a nice easy pace and just chatted. When she went to the bathroom, I tagged along with Quinton and man, we really took off running. He's super skinny and he just flies on the run.

I asked Victor about cramping up. I've been eating bananas everyday, but I guess I'm not drinking enough water. I really need to force down enough fluid for my weight. The formula is half my weight, that's the number of ounces I want to take in during my day. Kim and Tara gave me another tip for cramping, coconut water. It's got more K than bananas; an acquired taste though.