Ironman Day (T1…Transition 1)

As I came into the building was this big room that had rows of transition bags. Each row was marked with a range of numbers. I found my bag half way down the row that started 1800 – 1850. Realize that this room contained 2400+ transition bags and each bag contained our whole outfit change from swimming to bike. My bag contained my helmet, bike shoes, jersey, bibs and food. I had been determined before I started the race that I was going to take in as much as I could, so when I got to the transition room (a ball room converted to a men’s locker room) I just sat down and took it in before changing. Modesty rules with me so when I put on my compression shorts on in the morning it was with the intention of wearing them for the swim, bike and run.

I had packed two Cliff bars with the intention of eating them before the ride started as I knew my body would be out of breakfast calories soon enough. Nutrition has been a big part of my training and I have studied quite a bit on when and how to consume fuel. This is one reason for many and for myself triathlons become a lifestyle.

While sitting in the chair, eating my Cliff bar and feeling good about the swim I realized that I was dawdling and wasting time. I put on my jersey realizing after it was on that my bib shorts needed to go on first. I stripped off my shirt and put the shorts and got my shirt back on but I could not find my Butt Butter. I sat down to put my shoes and socks on and the BB packets had fallen into my shoes. After I finished getting my shoes on I tore open the packets of BB and liberally applied in the appropriate areas, for a gentler silky smooth ride. Yea. I grabbed two more glasses of water on the way out to the bike

Here I have to put a plug in for the volunteers; Bill helped me in the first transition, he did everything, opened my bag, got me water, tried to calm me down. I can not say enough about the volunteers and how much they encouraged us along the way. I know that from my perspective they played a big role in making the day special. I had volunteered in the transition area last year so I could register for this year’s event. It was a great time but until you have been on both sides, I did not realize how much they meant to the athletes.

Making my way to the bike, I walked deliberately trying to remain calm. I slid my riding gloves on found my bike. Walking my bike to the bike mount line my son Matt and his best friend Chris (my other son) were waving and shouting at me trying to get my picture. Those guys were nuts but why should they be different from the rest of the crowd. By the time I made my way to the line, I had become focused on the ride and did not see or hear much around me.