Recently, I completed my first Olympic distance triathlon successfully. It was a culmination of my efforts which began early this year starting with running in November last year. Its a great feeling to have made this far considering the fact that all the three sports in triathlon were at a beginner's stage when I first started this journey. For information, an Olympic level triathlon comprises of a 1.5 kms swim, 40 kms cycling and 10 kms running in the same sequence
To give a bit of a background, I have been reasonably fit and health conscious since I have been a regular gym goer over the past almost 25 years. I would consider my fitness above average. However, I felt the urge to take on another sport for a couple of reasons, 1. When one goes to the gym on a regular basis, you end up with a good physique but to really take it take it to a competitive level, you need to step on the gas with the right workout and nutrition and of course dedicating time. I felt that I need to take up a sport which would reward me with my existing level of efforts balancing with work and family. Secondly, I have been writing on fitness and also coaching some friends who are first timers. I wanted to be on the same page with them and experience what they feel. Its easy for me to talk from a position where I am up there but its another thing to get in their shoes and talk as equals. This would be possible if I begin something new right from scratch, where I am on a learning curve myself
As I mentioned, I have been fitness conscious and used to do a run on and off. On an average I used to 30 minutes twice a week. In fact the last time, I ran hard and competitively was during my school. So when I began running in November, it was a while as far as this sport goes
In terms of my swimming, although I knew how to swim, I wasn't practicing much ( besides the odd swim in resorts!) and when I got into the pool in April this year, I could swim 50 metres continuously gasping for breath at the end of it
I took time to come around cycling since the same background as my running existed here. I also had to invest in a cycle and for me when I began, comprehending the thought of buying a bicycle more than Rs. 10-15000 was a challenge and then there are other accessories one has to spend on. Firstly, unlike running and swimming cycling sport requires some investment to get started (running requires a pair of shoes and swimming a trunk, goggles, cap to get started). Anyways, you have to do what you have to do if you have to pursue this sport. So since I was a beginner, I decided to invest in an entry level road bike which cost me Rs.35,000 ( high in terms of my budget but low if one looks around others ). Other accessories, cycling jersey cost me another Rs.10,000 odd
So I began running the first time, in November, although my plans for triathlon weren't firmed up yet. I picked up quite well and started with a 5 km slow run and graduated to a 10 km run in a month's time. I think my fitness levels and the weather around this time helped. My plan was to get conditioned in running since comparatively, the other two sports were easy to pick up. I was do about 10-15 kms comfortably twice a week Simultaneously , I started researching on the bikes available in my budget. Since I stay in Mumbai, the weather November on wards till about February is the most pleasant to train outdoors and I took advantage of this. I practiced regularly till March and having got comfortable in running, I felt I could now take the next step to begin training in cycling and swimming. I started exploring options for my bike and found Decathlon's Btwin cycle to be better suited to my budget and serving my purpose of training. For swimming, I enrolled into a local public pool which is Olympic size and quite good for training. And so my training for cycling and swimming began in April
I think cycling was the easiest to pick and I got to speed quickly clocking total 200 kms in April and another 212 kms in June. I felt in my mind this was sorted out for a 100 kms ride in one go. It was in April that I signed up for participating in my first Triathlon event in November. I felt its a long time for the event and also sufficient for me to train.
I was struggling with my swim since this sport can get quite technical if one has to do it right. Once your technique is correct, its a cakewalk and distance is just a matter of time. For me, I was struggling with a proper breathing technique. I was dragging my feet down and not keeping my body straight. I had a hard time finding a coach because the one who was recommended had a busy schedule so I was left on my own, However, I found some useful youtube videos and they were quite useful to improve my technique
May was almost like a break since I went for a vacation with family and also the weather can be quite challenging going up to 33 degrees Celsius and the humidity could be around 75%. So May ended up being slack in terms of my training
I resumed training in June slowly improving in each sport. In June I did my first BRICK which means training on 2 or all 3 of the disciplines in triathlon. I combined cycling ( 25 kms) and running ( 3 kms). My aim was to do 5 kms running but the body takes time to adapt so I ended up doing less distance. This gave me a first taste of triathlon as a sport because individually, one may be able to do long distances in any sport but when it comes to combining two different sports simultaneously, it is challenging. Especially, when you have to combine cycling and running both of which exert your legs, its not easy
July is when rains start slowly setting in and the monsoon season continues till about September. Its tricky for those who are doing any outdoor sports for obvious reasons. While running would still be doable, cycling is a big no no since it can get risky, tyres skid, potholes could damage the bike and visibility for the cyclist and others is poor. Its during this time many purchase indoor trainers to get over the weather and keep the momentum going.
Unfortunately, in August, the pool started getting closed for maintenance frequently and this eventually took the form of closure which lasted for 6-8 weeks. Since this was the only pool I had access to, my swimming training suffered. Due to rains, my cycling training also bore the brunt. There was some consolation on the running front and I was able to continue indoors in the parking space of our complex
Things weren't getting better and due to continuous rains, the window for training,especially cycling, was shrinking quite a bit. With just 3 months to go, my swimming hadn't improved much as much I wanted to. The thumb rule in swimming is that for the required distance, one must be able to continue non stop. It was a lake swim and quite obviously there is no way one can stop in the middle if one is tired, unlike cycling and running.
Lack of training was taking its toll and I was giving up and being reasonable in blaming circumstances and telling myself of probably giving it a shot next year on some other event. My wife, Kalpana was encouraging me to go on and participate in the event but somehow, I wasn't sure. In October, I left for the US for my team meeting and Diwali followed immediately adding to my training woes! It seemed like a dead end. On the Sunday of the Diwali, there was a meetup of my Triathletes group felicitating those who recently successfully completed the Goa triathon and altough I wasnt there the whole time, my spark ignited meeting everyone and hearing a couple of experiences.
With the event three weeks round the corner, I decided to take the plunge drew up a plan for each day and setting up a daily target. I knew swimming was key and decided to focus my efforts there and aiming and doing at least one 1.5 kms swim non stop to be assured I can do the distance. I was able to achieve this in the second week boosting my confidence. My second target was to be able to do the required distance in two sports which again was done successfully with a 40 kms cycling and 10 kms running simultaneously. During one routine, I combined swimming and running to get into the mould. My confidence was getting better and by early third week, I was confident I would be able to pull it off. I tapered my training. in the last week. During the last Sunday of the week prior to the event, I attended an open water swimming session which helped me improve my confidence in swimming in open water.
I left for Friday for the event and a day before, on Saturday, did a practice session at the lake where the actual swim was to take place. That helped a lot in getting familiar with the water body and the conditions. I also parked my cycle in the allotted rack so as to be ready to go. I distributed the nutrition, shoes etc in transition bags and kept them ready
Reached the venue and hung the transition bags in my rack space and got ready for the swim.
The swim began at around 7 am and my strategy was to keep going and not stop ( although there were floaters and volunteers in the lake in case one needed support). Not worry about speed but do it one go. This worked and I was able to complete my 1.5 km swim in 49.22 minutes which was faster than my normal time of around 55 minutes
After the swim, I headed for the change over for the cycling and got into the gear which took some time, as I realised later. Anyways, I headed for the cycling bit and a major part of the course was on the highway with of course other vehicles zooming past. I was quite comfortable on this leg too and again my aim was to do it fast but not exert too much. I was able to complete my 40 kms cycling in a modest time of 1.32 hours
After the cycling the last leg was of running, and reality dawns at this stage since your legs are worked out and the mercury has also risen. One has to fight two battles but thats the challenge in a triathlon. If one has been an amateur runner or a first time triathlete like me, this can be the toughest part in a triathlon
Anyways, overall my pace was slow compared to my normal 10 km speed but my aim was complete the race. There was a good supply of hydration and nutrition on the route which was helpful to keep me going. During a race, when you see others also exerting, thats quite motivating to get over one's resistance. For me, this was helping. My 10 km distance was completed in 1.25 hours and that marked the completion of my first triathlon event in a total time of 4.04 hours
As is customary, I received the medal from the organisers and me, Kiana and Kalpana were ecstatic! Kiana came to receive me about 100 metres ahead of the finish line. It was all turning out memorable
All in all a fruitful experience and now I look forward to the next one!
