Chennai Triathlon Dec 2016 - Olympic Distance

Chennai Triathlon

What an awesome event and am happy with my improved performance.

Total: 3 hrs 58 mins (Max of 6 hrs)
Swim      - 1.5 kms - 1hr
Cycle      - 40 kms  - 1hr 40 mins
Running  - 10 kms  - 1hr 15 mins

Results:
http://www.chennaitrekkers.org/2016/12/chennai-iron-triathlon-dec-17-olympic.html?m=1

On my first Olympic triathlon, I had clocked 4hrs 50mins in Hyderabad. And since then, I had been plotting to achieve sub-4hrs mark. In the 4th attempt, I broke into under-4hrs.

Hyd Triathlon Oct 2015          -      4 hrs 50 mins
Chennai Triathlon Mar 2016   -      4 hrs 30 mins
Hyd Triathlon Oct 2016          -      4 hrs 20 mins
Chennai Triathlon Dec 2016   -      3 hrs 58 mins

Certainly the overall improvement of 52 mins has boosted my confidence.

All the more, I did not have any swim practice for 2 months and still I could do a non-stop swim of 1.5 kms, it was thrilling. In 2014, I could only swim 20 meters and run 2 kms. But, over the last 2 years, its been a good turnaround. The lake is just about 1.5 kms from the Agni Institute of Technology, where we were given free accommodation. I just love the way Chennai Trekking Club (CTC), took care of the participants. The triathlon fee of Rs 500 with free accommodation, its just too good.

The swim leg took about 1 hour. With non-stop swimming, I was bit exhausted, but that's only for 2 mins :-), the cycling rejuvenates. I took a few bites of sandwich and off I went. Since cycling is my passion, I could overtake quite a lot of guys and could feel that years of cycling has certainly helped.

I keep saying, "cycling is my birth right" :-). This time around, I was slower by 10 mins compared to my last year's cycling performance. There was a bit of headwind during the return, but regardless I should improvise by another 10 mins.

The last leg of running is very painful in Chennai due to scorching sun. But, my determination to complete under-4 had ignored the heat and just could run well. Last 5 kms I had thought, I might possibly walk, but happy that I could run non-stop. This is crucial. After non-stop swim and 40kms of cycling, the body won't be in a condition to start running right away. I managed to run for 3 kms and walked 2 kms.

At the mid-point, I only had 40 more mins to cover the last 5 kms distance. I thought, this time too I would go beyond 4 hrs 20 mins. I just thought for a moment, should I fall into my own lazy trap or should I fight?  I decided to take it head on, and started charging. Picked up the pace slow and steady, once the 2 kms went past, my determination grew even further, I started with long strides, before I realized, I started overtaking people on run zone, which does not usually happen as am a slow runner.

After 4 kms, I just told myself, 1 more kilometer and I will crash land after I reach the finish line, on the way I asked someone time as I don't wear watch or don't carry mobile during the triathlons. I got to know that I had 10 more mins for the last km, that's it I knew, I was close to my target. Once I crossed the finish line, I was ecstatic. The 22 Half Marathons in 2016 have certainly helped me improve on the running.

The triathlon journey has begun.

My Personal Best (PB) timing meant I stood 17th out of 216 Olympic participants. 17/216 is reasonably good I feel, but yes a lot lot lot to learn yet and improve.

Swimming I still can possibly cut down 15 more mins and cycling, at least 10 more mins and run another 5 mins. May be little more disciplined practice should help here.

Though I can easily jump over to Half Iron Man, I prefer to stay at Olympic distance for another year and let me enjoy this distance.

For beginners, trust me, everyone can do triathlon. Just come out of the mental block that only well trained athletes can do it. A swim of 1.5 kms looks too long, but its not really. Even if you don't know how to swim, I can challenge you, in 30 days time, with dedicated effort, you can be a good swimmer. And running and cycling are much easier and you could stop anywhere you feel uncomfortable. So, lets TRIathlon. Happy to help you get into triathlon from scratch.

Feedbacks and suggestions are most welcome. I would like to learn more.

You can reach me at  swamywins@gmail.com