So back in what seems like the dark ages, I announced I had signed up for a triathlon! Training begun. Months of running, cycling, pool swimming and ocean swims. Well last weekend on the 18th September I dragged myself out of bed at 2am to grab food, gear and head down to Zuma beach in Malibu California to line up with thousands of other crazy fit people for the 30th Nautica Malibu Triathlon. Disclosure: Links in this post may be affiliate links meaning I earn a small commision on sales through the links. This pays for website hosting, race entries and new camera equipment!
Ocean Swimming
We’d removed some of our morning hassle by opting to take our bikes down to the ocean front on the Saturday when we did packet pick up, which was a smart move. Sunday morning we arrived early to get a good parking spot and then waited. The event started at 7am but honestly the time flew by. Laying out the clothing changes, bathroom breaks, hydration, food timing and figuring out transition logistics as well as meet-ups post race. We changed into our wetsuits at 6:15am and then headed to the morning briefing followed by the national anthem sung by Rachel Platten!!! Yup live on the beach at Zuma at 6:45am Rachel Platten was singing the National Anthem, and then followed it with her hit, and anthem for cancer patients everywhere, “Fight Song“. As someone whose family has been impacted with so many health issues, including various types of cancer, this song is pretty fucking powerful for me. Plus the whole event is a charity fund raiser for the Children’s hospital of Los Angeles, specifically the cancer research so this was just an amazing choice of performer and song!
After that “go kick ass” send off from Rachel Platten we all walked to the swim start and at 7am the wave starts began. I knew I had a wait ahead of me as Bob was starting at 7:20 and my age group wave didn’t start till 8:15, so it was time to cheer the other athletes on. This was amazingly inspiring as I got to see the challenged athletes start their swim. So I got fired up by “fight song” and now the ass kicking challenged athletes starting their triathlons. In my head I stood there thinking “you got this!”.
Honestly 8am came round much quicker than I thought, and before I knew it I was standing in my age group coral with all the other women wearing green caps. At 8:20am the gun fired and I ran towards the ocean with mixed emotions. Partly thinking “yeah, here we go” and also “we’re all fucking crazy”. It was at this point I realized the GoPro I’d charged the night before and laid out on my towel was still sitting in the transition area and not on my wrist as planned… shit!
Never mind who needs photo’s of the swim, and the ocean right? Because honestly you wouldn’t have seen much as it was foggy. This was a mixed blessing. Foggy? Great, cooler temperatures for the bike and run! The ocean was a warm 66 degrees, however due to the fog, the visibility was crap and could easily freak you out if you stopped and thought about it too long. First buoy and we’re 150 yards out and can’t see the shore… um, if not for the lifeguards and the 50+ people around me… that would have been a total freak out moment. Then, I heard my husbands voice in my head “just focus on your technique” so I out my head down, got the technique then like Dory said “just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We just keep swimming.”
The fog was a little disorienting as it felt like we were headed out to sea for a long time, when in fact we’d turned (according to my Garmin!) but it did not feel like it. Buoy # 2 appeared, swim to that! Then I saw a final buoy and off to the right I could just make out the tents of the expo on the shore! Alright just need to swim to shore, it’s there… somewhere. Swimming to shore was tough. In the time that the first wave had gone the waves had changed, and as one lifeguard put it they had become “more… active”. Ha! Funny guy! I remember swimming to shore with a small group around me, then hearing lifeguards near the breakers saying “swim, swim…. WAVE!” and then that all too familiar feeling of swimming but being pulled backwards… we were stuck in a breaker wave, it was gonna crash right on us.
Yep, I got tumbled a little. However it had happened in training, and I knew I’d be OK as long as I didn’t panic! Just get up for air and QUICK in case there is another wave coming. I came up, took a breath, started swimming and SLAM! Wave #2 hit. Shit, really? This one took me with it more than crashing ON me, and I kinda body surfed in it the best I could. Plus they do say that the ocean is nature’s neti pot! After that, I saw others standing and trying to walking in, I tried but it was tough to walk in, the undertow was strong, plus we’d just swam 850 yards then got slammed again. Wave #3 pushed me to shore and I staggered onto the beach and to the swim finish. I’d done the part I’d been most worried about, the ocean swim, now it was time to face the bike…
to be continued…….
Swim Elite Goggles Giveaway!
Part two (the bike) will continue tomorrow, but I just wanted to take a moment to mention and thank Swim Elite for their awesome goggles during my triathlon and training. They sent me a pair of their goggles back in March when I took part and WON their video contest. I’ve also recently become their first brand Ambassador!
I’ve used the Swim Elite goggles for pool workouts, and for my ocean swims and truly they are the best goggles I’ve used, not only that but they have amazing customer service! The goggles have a choice of different mirrored lens, an interchangeable nose piece and the unique clasp at the back. Plus they come with a carry case and swim cap (unfortunately I had to wear our team hat for training, and wave hat for the event).
The good news is that the Swim Elite Team are letting me do a giveaway so you can win your own pair of Swim Elite Goggles! Enter using rafflecopter below by leaving a comment, share, following and tweeting then on 14th September one lucky winner will be chosen! Good Luck! *US residents only, sorry!
3 Core Exercises using Paper Plates
Ken C
Yes I like to swim, great way to supplement running as my primary exercise.
Di Hickman
Totally! Swimming is great complement to any workout honestly!
Wendy R.
I swim, yes! But, not anywhere near the intense level that you do. The water is great!
Di Hickman
Water workouts are great aren’t they!
allyson tice
i swim a few times a month at our local YMCA. Its my mommy time! i live in the water during the summer!
Di Hickman
Nice Allyson, mommy time is important!!!
Shannon
I love to swim.
Di Hickman
I’ve learned to love to swim 😉
Nikki
Sometimes I do
Di Hickman
I’ve swum less since completing the triathlon
Veronica
This was such an amazing and inspiring initiative to help the children’s hospital! You did a great job!
Di Hickman
Thanks! Such a great way to raise money for charity
linda
i love swimming!
Di Hickman
I’ve learned to love it.
Lucy Valdez
Amazing! Congratulations on your achievement:) One of my friends runs marathons and she tell me its addicting:)
Di Hickman
I don’t think I’ll be running marathons anytime soon. Honestly I prefer the multisport events like the triathlon
CourtneyLynne
Omg!!! You go girl!!! How awesome of you to complete a triathlon! Makes tired even thinking about it!
Di Hickman
thanks!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
I think I prayed not to drown and to let me just get to land during my first tri’s swim, HA
Di Hickman
hahahah I totally understand that! 🙂
Karina Pacheco
Congrats on conquering a Thriathlon. My dad has always wanted to do a triathlon. One day for sure! My to do is a Marathon 😉
Di Hickman
I have toyed with the idea of a marathon but it’s a big time commitment in training
jen
You make swimming in the ocean look possible! I’ve always been a bit scared of it. Too many people in the water but I love that you make it seem so easy!
Di Hickman
It was a challenge for sure so many people headed to the ocean at once. And I admit the first time I felt someone else touching me it was weird. But if you focus on your technique it’s fine!
Nicole Escat
Wow! This is incredible! How I wish I can do that too. Congrats, keep it up!
Di Hickman
Thanks Nicole
Sheri @ A Busy Bees Life
I could never do this, I just dont think I would make it. Congratulations on this achievement and many more for the future!
Di Hickman
Never say never!
jill conyers
Congratulations on your first. I’m always inspired when I read or hear about someone completing a triathlon.
Di Hickman
Go for it Jill!!
Dawn McAlexander
I couldn’t imagine doing what you did. I am getting out of breath just reading your post. You are one remarkable lady.
Di Hickman
Thanks Dawn
Carol
Well done you! What an achievement. I’m keen to get fitter but I don’t think a triathlon is on the agenda anytime soon.
Di Hickman
baby steps! Make it a long term goal and I’m sure you’ll get there!
carol clark
o yes i love swimming but not like you im just a country girl who loves to swim
Di Hickman
Nice! Do you have a pool?
Julie
I’ve considered doing a triathlon multiple times because I think I could do the biking and I know I could do the running…but the swimming! I’m confident I’d be terrible at the swimming! But maybe goggles would help!
Di Hickman
There are some places, like the event we did, that do a relay. So one person does the swim, another the bike, another the run. So you focus on the thing you are good at. Great way to start!
Ellie Augustin
BEYOND awesome to you! Congrats for such an amazing accomplishment! I am actually training for a 5K.
Di Hickman
nice, hope the 5k goes well!
Allison
Oh my goodness this is amazing! What an awesome accomplishment…congratulations!
Di Hickman
thanks so much
Reesa Lewandowski
Ocean swimming is rough enough as it is. Adding it in to a triathlon is even more intense. Awesome job.
Di Hickman
yes ocean swimming can be rough!!! Thankfully it was a calm day when we had our event!
Robin Rue
This is such amazing thing to have accomplished! I have always wanted to do one of these.
Di Hickman
Thanks! Train and you’ll get there!
Ana De- Jesus
Well done you did a great job! A triathlon is demanding so props to you, I actually need a pair of swimming goggles so fingers crossed I win!
Di Hickman
Thanks!
Charlotte
wow that’s awesome well done on your first tri! The ocean swim and the bike always puts me off, i am happy in a pool but the ocean makes me anxious!
Di Hickman
I admit the first time I did my ocean swim in training I was anxious! Focusing on swim technique helps take my mind off it though.
Amanda Love
I’ve never tried participating in a triathlon before! It’s definitely challenging and fun and I would love to give it a try. I know it takes time and effort to prepare but it’s also important to have a good set of equipment. Good to know that you had everything you needed with you.
Di Hickman
Thanks, yes definitely worth doing if you get the chance and train for one I’d advise anyone to do it!
Taylor Mobley
Wow way to go! My dad does ironman and triathlons and he loves it! My husband too! I could never do it!
Di Hickman
Ironman is a way off yet I think 😉
Rachel Langer
I have never swam in the ocean before – I didn’t realize how challenging it is! I can’t wait to hear about the rest of your triathlon!
Di Hickman
Oh the ocean swim is the hardest part for me for sure!
Karen Coghlan
So much hard work, but I wish I had your stamina… I like the idea but cant seem to get going…
Di Hickman
Having the end goal helps! Otherwise I wouldn’t have been getting up for training if not for the triathlon
Debra
What a great accomplishment! I’ve always wanted to try one – your an inspiration to everyone.
Di Hickman
thank you
kim
I honestly don’t think I could do a tri! They look so challenging and I think the open water would scare me. Congrats! You did great.
Di Hickman
some triathlons are in reservoirs or even pools. So check those out if the ocean swim scares you
Rebecca Bryant
I agree with Terri. Congrats on your awesome accomplishment.
Di Hickman
thanks
karen
Um…wow. And, wow. Did I mention, wow? Congrats on this incredible accomplishment! How majorly impressive! Think you’ll do more?
Di Hickman
I’d do this event again for sure, if it falls on a free weekend. I’m also thinking about Hansen Dam tri in 2017
Terri Steffes
Here’s what I think: there is no such thing as an unflattering photo of a swimmer who went through what you just did! Congratulations!
Di Hickman
awww thanks Terri!