a mystery sparked by a triathlon suit that looks like lingerie

Hello everyone, I am Time S. I started running three years ago. Like most people, I initially did it to improve my physical fitness and to break away from a monotonous life. It's unbelievable, but the first time I ran, I covered 14 kilometers. And then... nothing more happened.

A month later, I felt like running again, and from that point on, I couldn't stop. Running brought significant changes to me, making me sunny and confident, and giving me a healthy physique. At some point, I became quite 'flamboyant and cheeky'! (I used to be a low-key and introverted homebody) Hahaha~

01.

My first marathon was the 2015 Suzhou Marathon. In a moment of impulsiveness, I signed up for the full marathon. As a result, I got a good scolding from experienced marathoners, Teacher Bobo and Caterpillar, who had ten years of marathon experience:

'You signed up for the full marathon?'

'Why are you running a full marathon! With your monthly mileage of less than a hundred kilometers, how do you expect to finish it? Running a full marathon is like hitting a hammer!'

Caterpillar even threatened to knock me down... and leave me unable to get up...

But I had already paid the registration fee, and I couldn't change the event! So, I gritted my teeth and went for it. I really admire my own confidence for daring to sign up for the full marathon, especially since I hadn't run more than ten kilometers since my first 14-kilometer run...

On the day of the Suzhou Marathon, Teacher Bobo told me to follow him for a guaranteed finish. But he collapsed at the 18-kilometer mark... He told me to follow Caterpillar. Feeling exhilarated, I left him behind and sprinted ahead, thinking that heaven was helping me. My first marathon felt so easy that I reached the finish line without even starting to exert myself!

It was only afterward that I realized the 18-kilometer mark was the dividing line between the full and half marathons. Teacher Bobo, the drama king, pretended to cramp and went for a full marathon himself, while Caterpillar led me to the half marathon finish line. When I hung the medal around my neck and received the finisher's pack, my first marathon ended in such a muddled way...

I became addicted to triathlons because of this Suzhou Marathon trip. Seeing Caterpillar in a strange one-piece triathlon suit (which looked like lingerie) and listening to him endlessly talk about triathlons left me, a sports novice, utterly confused!

What is a triathlon?Discus, shot put, hammer throw?

I think it was then that the seed of triathlon was planted in my heart, just waiting to sprout.

I officially got into triathlons in July 2016 at the Changshu Shanghu Triathlon. Invited by friends, I participated in a triathlon relay. It was then that I realized a triathlon consists of swimming, cycling, and running. I was responsible for running, while my two friends handled swimming and cycling. Watching the triathletes swim freely in the beautiful Shanghu Lake, the seed of triathlon in my heart took root and sprouted, becoming unstoppable.

So, after the Shanghu trip, I immediately got a swimming card and started learning to swim! God knows how much water I swallowed before I learned to swim. During those days, even my burps tasted like pool disinfectant...

02.

So this year,On May 20th, a day named for love, I had an intimate date with my 'lover'—the Wuxi Ultra S International Triathlon.

Pre-race trial swim at Lihu Lake

I only started swimming in the lake a week before the race. Due to the low water temperature, the training wasn't very effective. I always felt unprepared and wished the race would be held a bit later.

Race pack distribution site

Pre-race photo shoot, a must-have ritual

On May 20th, it was cloudy with wind and waves, and the morning temperature was 19 degrees. Since I lived nearby, I woke up late. After breakfast at 5:30 and my partner's grooming, we only arrived at the starting point at 6:40, just five minutes before the transition area closed... I hurriedly ran into the transition area, filled my water bottle, and took out my running shoes, helmet, and other gear from my bag.

By the time I reached the swimming start point, it was already crowded. Athletes wearing red, gold, and blue swim caps stood under their respective age group signs, waiting, chatting, stretching, and taking photos.Since the start was staggered by age and group (half-distance and experience groups, with the youngest group starting first), I was in the standard distance group, which was positioned towards the back.

After some stretching and adjusting my goggles, it was finally our turn to start at 8:05. Watching the triathletes make high-class, stylish dives, I tried to imitate them... Unfortunately, I slipped and slapped the water with a loud splash. Since I entered the water by slapping it, my goggles loosened and filled with water. Unable to adjust them in the water, I had to swim forward with blurred vision. It was really like swimming blind!

A melee is unavoidable in a triathlon. Kicks and elbows fly in the water. As a weak swimmer, I tried to swim to the side to avoid the main group, but the annoying wind and currents kept pushing me back into the crowd...

After several attempts, I gave up struggling and just followed the main group towards the farthest buoy. I encountered a breaststroke swimmer whose pace matched mine, and I couldn't overtake him. You can imagine what happens when you follow a breaststroke swimmer—he kept kicking me!

After surviving the chaotic first 300 meters, it got easier. I swam happily in rhythm until an old man blocked my way and told me I was swimming off course! I looked and realized I had indeed veered off course, swimming an extra 200 meters...When I got ashore after the first lap, I checked my watch: 22 minutes for 750 meters, but I had actually swum over 900 meters! My heart sank. At this rate, it would take me 45 minutes to swim 1500 meters. Personal best was out of the question. After adjusting my goggles, I started the second lap. With experience, the second lap felt easier, taking 20 minutes. I swam 1730 meters in total, taking just over 42 minutes.

After exiting the water, I led my 'shadow' and ran towards the transition area, which was quite far, about 500 meters... It felt so long...

In the transition area, I first put on my helmet, dried my feet with a towel, put on socks and shoes, fastened my race belt, and grabbed my bike to start T1. The transition took over 4 minutes... I estimate two minutes were spent running to the transition area!

After crossing the mounting line, I started chasing. The bike course was a single loop of 5 kilometers, and I had to complete 8 loops for 40 kilometers. Fortunately, my watch recorded the distance; otherwise, my head would have spun. I initially thought my average speed would be around 30 km/h, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was 32.5 km/h!

Cornering, cornering

The bike course wasn't very interesting. The route was narrow and not very smooth, with water bottles and fallen riders scattered along the way. There were also many flat tires! I was lucky to ride smoothly without a flat tire. I finished the 40-kilometer bike ride, which was actually 42 kilometers, in 1.17 hours.

The T2 transition took nearly two minutes, which was a bit long!The T2 transition took 1.51 minutes. Actually, T2 could have been done in 30 seconds, but I wasted a minute looking for my hat. In the end, I decided to run without it. Due to unfamiliarity with the transition exit, I ran in the wrong direction and was called back by a volunteer. While turning back, my tri-suit got caught on a railing and tore a hole! Fortunately, it only damaged the suit. I didn't care and started running, as long as my crotch wasn't torn...

The running course was in Jincheng Bay Park, a single loop of 5 kilometers. The standard distance group had to run two loops. The park was beautiful but not ideal for running, with many slopes, bridges, turns, and steps. Running is my strength, so I started at a 4.30 pace. However, due to the energy spent on the first two events, I couldn't maintain the pace for long and slowed down to over 5 minutes per kilometer.

I completed the 10-kilometer run in 46 minutes, with a pace under 4.40. Along the way, I kept cooling myself with water, soaking my feet. I felt a blister forming on my left foot. Finally, I tidied my hair and prepared to sprint to the finish line. Oh, where is my hat?

In the final sprint, I encountered a foreigner. To avoid being overshadowed and to prevent a third person from appearing in the photos, I accelerated, leaving him behind, and smiled as I took large strides towards the finish line.The finish line clock showed 3.11 hours, with a net time of 2.54.37, ranking 22nd in my age group, achieving a PW! (Personal best for standard distance is 2.45)

03.

Many running friends have asked me if triathlons are fun and how to get into them. To those who want to get into triathlons, I say:

Listen to an old triathlete's advice: Don't get into it! Don't get into it! Don't get into it! Because once you do, you won't be able to get out... Because once you do, you'll discover so many other fun sports...

I know you won't listen even if I say this because I didn't listen when I got into it.

For those new friends who are determined to get into triathlons, here are some personal suggestions to help you avoid detours:

Since you want to be a triathlete, you must learn to swim. A triathlete who can't swim won't experience the joy of swimming in open water.

It's best to hire a swimming coach. For non-swimmers, congratulations, you'll learn faster from scratch. Once you learn to swim in a pool, try swimming in open water because it's different from a pool. The depth, temperature, and conditions vary, and triathlons are held in open water. So, you must try wild swimming, but take safety measures, bring a swim buoy, and avoid unknown waters. It's best to swim in city winter swimming spots because they are safer. Don't swim alone, and practice 'alligator eyes' to avoid swimming off course.

When choosing a bike, I recommend getting a road bike because it's lighter and faster than a mountain bike. Some triathlons don't allow mountain bikes. For those with limited budgets, a second-hand road bike is a good option. I personally suggest not buying an aero frame. Although it looks cool, it's really tiring to climb with an aero frame!

I recommend getting a climbing frame or endurance frame because you won't be racing every day. Climbing and endurance frames are more comfortable and suitable for casual rides in the mountains or long-distance travel. For bike components, avoid anything below 105. For beginners, it's best to buy a bike from a specialty store for guaranteed after-sales service.

A tri-suit is essential because triathlons don't allow bare upper bodies. Cycling shoes are optional, but get a good pair of goggles, preferably competition-grade. For bike helmets, choose a big brand; they're worth the price. Cycling glasses are also essential for wind, insect, stone, and UV protection, and they look cool. You'll learn about other gear once you get into it!

For training, make a training plan and stick to it. In theory, cycling should take up 50% of your training time because it's the best way to train aerobic endurance. Swimming and running should take up the other 50%. Don't skip brick training before a race, like cycling 20 kilometers followed by running 5 kilometers. This helps you quickly adapt to the race rhythm. Also, practice quick transitions and setting up your transition area. You can find information online!

Finally, I hope triathlons bring you joy.