I am very new to the whole triathlon scene, completed my first sprint last September. Having completed that one, I found myself obsessed with training and tri's in general, so I registered for a couple this summer with great anticipation. I train as much as I can given my family/church/work schedule and do ok, but nothing compares to the actual race day nerves and excitement. I am NOT a great swimmer so I'm the most nervous about that aspect in any race and this particular sprint had a 1km swim which is long for a sprint distance. So, my first mistake of the day was not getting in the water to warm up before the start of my wave, due to the fact that I was trying to make sure my 8 month pregnant wife was comfortable on the beach before I had to take off. I got into the water with a BS of 190 with an arrow headed 45 degrees up on my dexcom and I had eaten half of a protein bar 15 minutes prior and removed my pump. Got out of the water in 30 minutes, which was my goal and had a bs of 167. Had a good bike segment with bs holding fairly steady into transition so I grabbed 2 gu packs and headed out for the run, which was a little more than 5k run through wooded trails. about 1/2 mile in I checked and dexcom had me at 145 with an arrow headed 45 degrees down, so I had a gu pack and kept going. Less than a mile later I noticed my BS was dropping, now 129 with an arrow heading straight down on dexcom and reaching for another gel pack, I realized they had fallen out of my pocket, so I'm in the woods with a rapidly dropping blood sugar and no glucose available until roughly 2 more miles, so I had to walk the next mile and 1/2 until I saw an ambulance and was able to get a glucose gel from them and finish the race, although very frustrated and disappointed! The last thing my wife said before I started the race was "don't die", so in her eyes I succeeded. Every race is a new learning experience and I learned to hyrate better on the bike and MAKE SURE my glucose supplies are secure and readily available. Praise God that the EMT's were there at that point in the race!
Fantastic and yes you only have to beat yourself and there is no pressure. I use to do a lot of triathlons before T2. Since I was diagnosed I have not had the opportunity. I run a lot and this has been one learning curve for me. Pre T2 and post T2 have been like night and day. I will do my first race once back home and see how it goes or does not. No pressure only me to beat. Keep us updated with the challenge.You could try chewing wine gums once out of the water.
Great job and attitude for the next race!!
Sorry remember my first the race. I thought I had overdone the bike as my legs we gone. took about 5 min for them to come right.
awesome job! I usually go w/ a fannypack for my gels and meter to be extra careful.
Thanks for the encouragement! I have the Spartan Race coming up in a couple weeks, which I have done the past 3 years, then one more sprint tri in September, but unfortunately, living in Maine the season is too short!