2014 New York City Olympic Triathlon

"Never Say Never!"

BACKGROUND
For 20 years I promised myself I would never ever swim in the Hudson River. As an engineer working on the West Side Highway / Route 9A reconstruction project, I saw very interesting sights and developments along the west side of Manhattan. One such tidbit was a water survey of pilings under two of the existing piers. After talking with the diver from that reconnaissance, I decided I would never swim in the Hudson.

Fast forward to October 2013. My friends and fellow NJ TriDevil teammates Michelle and Linda asked me to join them in the lottery for the 2014 NYC Olympic Triathlon. I was reluctant because of the swim in the Hudson.  Yes the swim was fast with the current. Yes the water quality of the river improved over the last 20 years. And yes, with the swim as my strength, how long would I really be in the water? I estimated less than 20 minutes. How bad could it really be?

THE LOTTERY
On the evening of the lottery deadline I said a little prayer and decided to let God determine my fate in the NYC Triathlon lottery. What were the chances of getting in for a first timer? 1 in 100.  A few weeks later, all three of us were selected.  This race was meant to be! 

PRE-RACE
I honestly was not nervous about the race, only the plunge into the Hudson. I was looking forward to biking on the roads I helped design and running in the park I ran and raced through years ago. But that river was still on my mind.

We racked our bikes late Saturday afternoon. Each bike had its own designated spot. To lighten the mood, each was furnished with a funny quote.

I felt this should have been mine!

On race morning, we took the shuttle bus to transition at 4 AM in order to have ample time to set up our transition areas and walk the mile up to the swim start on the Riverside pedestrian / bike path abutting the Hudson. Each swim wave was clearly marked and sectioned off into designated corrals.

The coolest part of the swim queue setup was seeing the heats in front jump in the water and swim beside us. The Pro Women flew by with the current carrying the winner to an amazingly sick 11:57 finish! Next, the Pro Men, Elite Women and Elite Men swam by at boosted speeds. Then came the age groupers. I had to smile at the men doing sidestroke whizzing by us.

MY SWIM
The Time Trial start allowed for 15 people to jump in the water every 20 seconds. My group was next. We lined up and most of the girls sat at the edge of the dock. I did the same and pushed off when the buzzer went off.

The initial plunge was a shocker. I kept sinking. I couldn't believe I was actually IN THE HUDSON.

I looked through the water, saw some wetsuit legs and realized, this is a race! I need to GO! Quickly, I shook off the anxiety, swam up to the surface, looked ahead at the first kayaker and saw two girls pulling ahead. I had to catch them!

So I put my head down and started to swim. After a dozen or so strokes, I realized the current was pulling me and the water wasn't too bad!  The temperature was moderate and I did not mind the saltiness.  When the initial choppiness of the water dissipated, my nerves settled down so I was able to get into a quick pace (I think), remembering to "follow the kayaks, one to the next". I kept swimming hard, but could not gage how fast I was really going. Could I swim faster? Should I swim harder? I had no idea what pace I was doing with that current.

When I saw the boat basin I maneuvered through a crowd of swimmers and swam up the ramp. A volunteer helped me out and said "the hardest part is over".  At that moment I thought, "NO, I still have the run"! But looking back at my angst with the swim, I think she may have been right.

In the end, my swim was 14 minutes and 17 seconds long.  My big smile upon leaving the swim ramp really expressed the joy I felt completing this swim.  Plus it was actually kind of fun!  I was thrilled to conquer my fear while having a little fun at the same time. 

OVERALL RACE SYNOPSIS
Now that the 2014 NYC Triathlon is over, I can honestly say: The race was great!  Despite my river angst and the rain during the swim and bike, I really had a good time.  The course was challenging with rolling hills on the bike and larger hills throughout the Central Park run. Plus I liked the Hudson River swim.  Look out 2015!

MY RACE RESULTS

Out of 107 women in my age group, I placed 4th in the swim, 5th in the bike, 19th in the run and 8th overall (2:33.12). Of the total 1,106 women including Pros and Elites, I finished 44th in the swim, 44th on the bike, 156th on the run and 70th overall.

LOGISTICS & SPECTATING
Logistics for the race were difficult. When I do this race again, I will stay within half a mile of the transition area, regardless where the host hotel is located, and will definitely have my husband Fred along to cheer my friends and me on.

Seeing him at the beginning of the bike and twice during the run, where I need the most encouragement, was key.  He stayed in the rain and still smiled and cheered. Just seeing him pushed me to finish strong while enjoying the moment.

LESSON:  NEVER SAY NEVER!

My swim in the Hudson was a true lesson, one in which I will not forget. I am proof; you just might do what you never thought you would.... Or could.  Even after 20 years.

IN CLOSING

I am thankful to Fred, Michelle and Linda for their support and words of wisdom. I am surprised (and happy) with my final race results (thanks Brian).  I can truly say I am a changed person because of this swim experience. I am humbled and honored to be able to compete in the sport of triathlon, especially at a world-class event like the NYC Olympic Triathlon.

At this time, I have no regrets for breaking my promise to never ever swim in the Hudson!