THE LEADER OF THE (back of) THE PACK

The Elusive Great Race Photo....

We work so hard, train everyday, race our hearts out...and the only real evidence we have to show are non-athletic social network are race photos...but alas some of us are blessed with "Race Face". Oh well, it gets the job done.

Race Happy - The Power of the High Five

One of the biggest joys of being a back of the pack athlete is having the energy to be incredibly enthusiastic on race day, unlike the leaders that are head down pushing it out. Granted, sometimes it might be good to take a few pages out of their book, especially at a peak race. Mostly, I try to go into races thinking about the “fun” and “enthusiasm” of the day resulting in better race times. This is supposed to be fun. It’s the relief from the everyday job grind. 

Race Happy. It’s a celebration of your hard work with your fellow tri-hards. This is a lesson that I had to learn and it made all the difference for me in the sport. 

I went through a bleak period when I was racing depressed, beating myself up because I was too slow on race day--head down and ashamed. I never told anyone that I was racing, and never told anyone my race times because I felt they were too slow. I was stressed all the time, killing myself over my back of pack status… I was living by the words of Will Ferrell, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” 

Then one race, a girl caught me on the run and said,”You are a machine on the bike!” then ran off. 

The whole day my entire attitude toward racing and triathlon changed. She is the beginning of what is now this blog. So here is a back of the packers not so secret way to racing Happy:

- Smile.

You are nervous. You are seriously questioning your life decisions that brought you here. But you are here and you will do this. 

- Smile at someone. 

In the transition on race morning. I bet they will smile back, and then smile at someone else. 

- At the swim start, talk to other people.

They are THE ONLY ONES who understand how you are feeling…and yes, they are feeling the same.

- Think about how funny peeing in a wetsuit is.

You could literally pee yourself laughing about it…and that’s cool because you’re at a triathlon. 

- Scream. 

When the race director asks if you are excited at the swim, scream “KINDA. I’M NOT SURE!” or any other honest feelings you’re having. 

- Thank everyone, even if they have no idea what you’re on about. 

Thank the volunteers. Thank the spectators. Thank the random runner that didn’t realise a triathlon was happening in her neighbourhood that morning--they think you’re a rock star. So sign a few boobs and kiss a few babies. 

- High five people like you just won the Super Bowl.  

High five people on the run. Just throw a hand out there and see what happens. I bet you if it is a course with a few laps that that person will be looking for you the next time around and put a hand out first. 

- Compliment people. You could turn their day around (and yours).

If someone passes you, give a  “good job.” Granted for me I would be saying good job to 90% of the field. 

- Pay it forward.

We are all on our own journeys together. Pay it forward. Be the athlete that turns their day around like that girl did for me. Throwing out positive energy at a triathlon is the most rewarding thing you can do--more than getting your nutrition just right, getting to the race start 2 hours early or training on the course for months before hand. None of it will make you have a better race than just being happy while you are racing. 

- And finally, celebrate! 

Rain Check

N. (American, British & Australian informal) Also I’ll take a rain check (American informal):

Something that you say when you cannot accept someone’s invitation to do something but you would like to do it at another time (often + on).

 Last weekend was very rainy in Sydney. Getting motivated in the rain can be  challenging, and I have gotten into the habit of rolling over and going back to sleep as soon as I see it’s raining. Unless it is a massive storm, still get up and train--or plan for it. If the weather is supposed to be bad set your bike up on the trainer the night before. 

Also, if you train in bad weather you’re a badass. Or so it says in Rule #9 according to Velominati (a website that would be horrified to be seen on a triathlon blog.) 

What’s your WHY?

This is a question that plagues me on a daily basis (and I will probably come back to again) but this is my experience with it today.

The alarm goes off at 5:00 am. You’re tired. You’re sore. The sun isn’t gonna rise for another 1.5hrs. This isn’t fun. This isn’t happy. This isn’t what I signed up for. I get up, jump on my bike, ride to swim squads and the question is nagging at me, “Why are you doing this, Penny?” Do you love the idea of being an athlete more than the training, racing or even the post-race McDonalds?

As a back of packer this battle comes with a lot of self-doubt as well.

"What is the point of going to squads? You’re just going to be dropped off the back of the slow lane.You’re not talented. You’re not fast. You’re just embarrassing yourself."

I got to squads and jumped in the pool. Rocked the back (but not the very back, YES!) of the slow lane. Had the assistant coach jump in the pool and literally move my arms for me, “Elbows are where your power is…relax your WRIST…ELBOWS!…just come back here, try again,” and I was really happy. 

That is as far as I can answer that question. Training and triathlon are so essential to what makes me happy that the rest of my WHY?! didn’t seem to matter. 

Whether it’s for bragging rights, weight loss or checking off a life goal, we do this because we love the journey. We have made a Barney Stinson level list of pros and cons somewhere in the back of our heads. Sometimes I find it can be better to stop questioning and just start excepting that this is part of my life, this is what makes me ME and save the deep thinking for race day when I’m chasing down the second to last girl in my age group. 

The Last 600

As is typical of a back of packer, I rock the end lane at swim squads. While this might seem like something that shouldn’t be mentioned at triathlon club drinks, the end lane has its perks….and its challenges.

Perks: 

·       You get more attention from the coaches…mostly because they may or may not be liable if you drown. But the only way to get better is to hear your Russian swim coach scream “ELBOWS!” every breath you take… one day it will sink in…hopefully before you do. 

·       Everyone is courteous and friendly…. A typical conversation in the bottom lane:”You can go.” “Oh no no…you’re quicker than me. You go.”

·       When you are feeling particularly strong one morning and lead your lane…or in my case not bringing up the rear…you can play this song in your head: Drake - Started from the bottom .

·       If you happen to know flip turns you’re the star of your lane.

Challenges:

·       Don’t be a big fish in a small lane. It is easy to settle into your lane but don’t get too comfortable. 

·       Don’t get down on yourself. It’s hard not to be discouraged when you’re paddling away at the back of the slow lane. Just remember you’re up early, you’re doing something great for you, and YOU ARE leagues ahead of everyone who is still in bed. 

·       Finally, the last 600…or any other distance that is set as cool down. It can be easy to get a bit lazy in the end lane. You typically don’t end up getting through the same distance as the faster lanes. But the only way to move up is to push through those seemingly mundane laps. Personally, I fall into the trap of “I don’t have enough time for the cool down. I’m behind anyway.” But the beautiful thing about swimming is that last 600 shouldn’t take you longer than 12 minutes. 

Hello! Welcome to the blog (and blogger) that totally appreciates the joys and frustrations of a back of pack athlete.