Swim ... Bike ... Run ... Celebrate!!!

Sunday, July 22, 2007 got to an early start at 4:00 am. Usually being up at that hour in the morning means I have not gone to bed yet from Saturday night, but this weekend means its race day. The transition area was packed as athletes worked to get their area set up before the 5:45 am close. Its important to make sure that you have set up all the equipment you will need to move from swimming to biking and then from biking to running since the time spent in transition counts as part of your total race time. It is considered the fourth event in the triathlon.


After checking that my bike and all my equipment was set up and my bike was in the proper gear to make it up the hill at 79th street out of the park, I exited transition and begin the long walk to swim start at 98th street and Riverside park. At that point I had a long wait since my wave didn't start until 8:27am. Luckily I met up with some friends and got to relax with them while waiting for the race start.

Soon it was time to put on the wetsuit and line up for the swim start. Having completed the 1500m swim in the Hudson the prior week at the Stars and Stripes Aquathlon, I felt pretty confident in completing the swim. Of course, that doesn't mean he nervous anticipation was not there, but no need to visit the complementary shrink tent available at race start. Starbucks and counseling, definitely a full service triathlon.

Prior to race day, we had always heard about the strong current in the Hudson. Tales of a bag of Cheetos overtaking racers were often heard. After jumping all I can say is good thing we had a safety line. I grabbed on to the line and discovered that other racers were pushing the line down which made it difficult to hold on and keep my head above water. I finally managed to position myself with the rope at my thighs so I could remain in place as the current pushed me forward and keep my head above water. Finally our prayers were answered and the start gun was off. 25 minutes later I was stepping onto the finish barge which was much faster than my 35 minute swim the previous week.

Triathletes lined up at the swim start line

Heading into transition I "quickly" (relatively speaking) got my gear and headed out for the bike portion. Having practiced exiting the park up the steep hill often enough during group training sessions, I had my bike in an easy gear and avoided struggling or falling up the hill. Heading north up the West Side Highway, we faced a strong head wind. That along with not being in optimal gear selection resulted in a slower bike ride than I would have liked. Although, the ride back with the wind at my back and more downhills felt much better.

Heading out of transition to start the bike course

Heading back into transition from the bike

Finally, it was time to head out for the run. I was feeling pretty tired at this point, even more than usual. Not sure if it was from dehydration or lack of nutrition, although I had made a conscious effort at both, made the run a lot slower than my usual pace. The great thing about training with TNT is all the support you get from your other teammates as well as from random people on the road. All during the bike ride and during the run, I heard shouts of "Go Team" from teammates, strangers who cheered the purple shirt, and friends who decided they would wake up early on a Sunday to come out and support me. All of that helps to keep you going when you are tired. And of course thanks to our TNT coaches who stationed themselves on the last leg of the run for that last bit of encouragement. Finally, thanks to everyone who donated to the Leukemia society on my behalf and helped me raise close to $3400 and helped the NYC Chapter raise over $1 Million Dollars for the fight against blood cancers. Go Team!!!

Some of the music at the finish line festival

Heading to the finish line

All finished!!! (Final time: 3:33:51)

Celebrating with Team in Training teammates (Nancy and Jay)
at the Boat Basin victory party.