Today was my first time doing a Tri race as a part of a Relay Team. When my friend, Rachel, asked if I would do the bike leg, I was more than willing. We roped our friend, Holly, into the swim. Today’s Reston Relay Tri proceeds benefited the YMCA of Reston and the programs they offer to the community.
I was really into Tri races a few years ago and did quite a few sprint races. After a few years, I was finding it hard to train for all 3 sports well and wanted to focus on running longer races. Today’s race was the same course I had done many times on my own years ago and I was excited to see if I could better my bike time.
This race has a 400 M pool swim so for Holly, who is a seasoned open water swimmer and racer, it would be a breeze. After applying our Moms Run This Town temp tattoos and doing a little body marking, Holly was ready to take on the swim.
The reason I liked this race way back when was because it was a pool swim. Open water swims scare me to death-too many Jaws movies growing up! There is something about being able to see that black line on the bottom of the pool that always gave me a sense of security. Holly was ready to go and was seeded pretty close to the beginning of the race.
As soon as she was off, I ran back to my bike to wait for her to hand me off the timing chip. Similar to a traditional Tri race, transition time does count. I would need to wait for her to arrive at my bike to hand off the chip to me.
I saw Holly running down the pavement parking lot towards me after about 7 and half minutes. She had a fast swim and we were off to a great start. Hand off complete with a pretty good transition time. I had to walk/run my bike to the mounting area. I always feel like I am going to slip on those darn bike shoe clips. And I was off. This is a 3 loop bike course on a somewhat hilly route. I was feeling really great on the first loop and my time was a little ahead of where I thought I would be. Since we were one of the first teams to get to the bike leg, there were not too many other bikes out yet.
On my second loop, I must have shifted at the wrong time or something, because my chain popped off and I almost wiped out. Ok “I can do this” . My first thought was, “I am not messing this up for the team.” I had a totally different mindset knowing I was part of a team and not just doing this for me. Of course this happened where there was no one to help me. Why didn’t I ever take that bike maintenance class I kept talking about taking??? I am ashamed to admit that the few times I’ve had a flat, I waited until some guy rode by to help me fix it. Shameless I know. If you don’t know how to put your chain back on after it pops off look here.
I pulled over to the side and tried to place it back on. What do you know? After about an minute and half I was covered with bike grease but it was back on! I was determined to make up the time. I wasn’t going to be the weak link! I passed the 2 women who had passed me while I was fixing my bike. I could tell that there were still not many women my age on the course so I felt that not too much had been lost. By the third loop, I was feeling my mojo again and looking to pick up time. The good thing about a 3 loop course is you know what to expect. I knew I had one more big hill to tackle then I was home free. I arrived back at the transition almost knocked over the guy with the flag telling me to slow down and dismount. Sorry dude! My friends are waiting for me! Despite the little mishap on the course, my bike time was better than any of my previous times. Yay!
I only had to run up a small hill to get to the transition hand off. Wow I forgot how had it is to run after biking. Passed the timer to Rachel. We had no doubt she would do amazing on the run. Rachel is a fast, seasoned runner with many 5k’s under her belt. She had never done this course, but I knew it was a pretty hilly one with an uphill finish. I hate those! She came flying through the finish with a great 5k time for our team.
First team Tri complete!
We thought we really rocked it! We waited excitedly for the official results and surprise we won 2nd place for females!
I never win anything! This was so amazing. I truly loved being part of a team. We worked so well together despite having never practiced this. It was a whole different experience compared to racing on my own. It was a comforting and exciting feeling to know that two of your friends were waiting for you at the end of your leg and that they were counting on you. I can’t wait to do another Relay Race with my friends and this makes me even more excited to be doing the Ragnar race with them in September. That team that came in ahead of us..lookout we’ll be back next year stronger than ever!
Have you ever done a Relay Race? Do you know how to fix a bike chain or a flat tire?
This sounds like so much fun! And don’t you hate that “OMG I”M GOING TO RUIN IT FOR EVERYONE” feeling? I think that is part of the reason I do more independent sports now. I wish I knew how to do important things like chains, etc, but I also don’t have a bike, soo….. details details
I actually liked feeling like I couldn’t let the team down. It really motivated me. Yes chains are important on a bike LOL kind of like gas in a car.
this is so fun! congrats on improving your time and as always, you look so cute. AND you got that chain back on so quickly — great work!
Thanks! It was so much fun to do it as a team.
Wahoo!! Way to rock your tri girls! That looks like so much fun!! I love running and racing with girlfriends! 🙂
It was so great to be part of a team. I felt so much more motivated knowing they were waiting for me.
How fun – congrats on the great finish and more importantly – GO YOU for fixing your chain on the fly like that! So impressive!!! I want to do a relay, it sounds fun!
We should do one some time! I should know how to fix my own chain-huh?
I have never done a relay and have NO idea how to fix a bike chain !
It was a great experience! I loved knowing that we were all in it together.I didn’t know how to fix my own chain either -but it’s good to know.
Love your race day recap. I can get a tire back on, but I can’t change a flat tire… well, I don’t think I can… yet. -jen, MRTT South Georgia
Hi Jen I love finding new MRTT mamas to connect with-we’re the best aren’t we?? The race was a blast. I don’t know how to change a tire either. We should both probably learn bc you never know. Thanks for stopping by!
So in a Tri Relay, does each person take on one event? One runner, one swimmer, one cyclist? I didn’t know that kind of race existed…
Yes that’s exactly how it works! Some of the bigger tri races will have teams compete as well. I think it is becoming more popular. It was a lot more fun that way.
Great recap and congrats! I love being part of a team – and it is great motivation to keep going for them (and myself). You looked great in your bike photos and impressed with your bike maintenance hehe (I took a class before… but I wouldnt remember how to do it). My friends and I always talk about a sprint tri, perhaps a team will materialize next year 🙂
Wow! Congratulations! That sounds like a lot of fun. I have no interest in tris because I’m not a big swimmer, but I could do one of these. I have bike shoes where the clips are recessed enough so walking around in them is easy – you might want to check those out. Plus, I think you need one of the cycling books I’m reviewing. 😉
I could have used the cycling book for sure. Of course it happened in a race. We should go biking together sometime this summer!
WOW! Great write up. That sounds like you had an AMAZING time!! Huge congratulations – you really dod so well -very proud of you! You have made it look so appealing I went straight to look up other relay triathlons online!
oh thanks well anytime you want to do one-I’m your biker! It really was so much fun doing it as a team vs by myself.
Congratulations! Sounds like a great race 🙂
It was really so much fun to do as a team-totally different experience.
I want to do a Tri SOOOOOOO bad…but first, I need to become a better swimmer! A relay sounds like a lot of fun though! And I would be just like you, waiting for someone to come fix it for me! CONGRATS and fantastic job!!
Thanks! It was so much fun doing it as a team. I used to do them alone and I was so nervous on the swim leg. You should “tri” it!
GREAT JOB, LADIES!! That is so exciting and you definitely rocked it! I didn’t even know that relay triathlons existed until today. I need to find some friends to do something like this with me. 🙂 Congrats on the 2nd place finish! That is HUGE!
It was so much more fun doing it with a team of friends. A lot of the larger tri races have a relay component check it out!
The only relay race I have ever done… Was when I was on the track team and it wasn’t a TRI – it was just running, the 4×1 relay and I was the anchor, or in other words – I had to TAKE IT ALL HOME. It depended on MEEEEE to finish the race strong!
I bet you did a great job! It’s a different kind of feeling when you know your team is depending on you.
That is awesome! Congrats! I’ve never done a relay like that but it is definitely something I’d be interested in…as long as I got to do the run 🙂
Ok well you can be my runner anytime! It was loads of fun and I can’t wait to do it again.