Celebration Triathlon – My 1st Triathlon Story

When that alarm clock went off on Sunday, June 27th at 4:00am, I knew it was the day I’ve been waiting for. Six months ago, I entered the swimming pool with the intention to actually learn how to swim. Prior to that, I would go in the pool while on vacation and I played it safe….4ft area ONLY!! I would venture and make a mad dash back to safety. You know how guys do, we play it off, but our hearts are beating 200bpm after the fact, lol. I don’t blame anyone for not knowing how to swim, so I took these classes on the basics and continued to apply them on my own. I pictured the finish line constantly. It was a celebration at the CELEBRATION Sprint Triathlon, just for me and that’s what fired me up. Plus, my son (Chad) was on the sideline with a “GO DADDY GO” sign, so even if I wanted to quit, following through was never an option. My wife (Nadia) was wearing a hand-crafted shirt that read, “MY HUSBAND IS A TRIATHLETE”. If that’s not pressure, then please tell me what is, lol. So here is a glimpse of my morning;

The Swim

I watched Nicole swim off at 7:21am and I waited patiently for my wave (7:55am). Green swim cap on, goggles in place, gradually walked in the water as cued. That face to the left is that of a “it’s all or nothing Shawn Diggity.” Upon entering, it was like walking on snot. The lake bed was slimey, the water was cloudy and at that point…I let it out. You damn right!! I pee’d for freedom, for anxiety, plus the last porta-potty I visited had crap the size of Oklahoma in it, lololol. Anyway, 3,2,1…we were off and I started with my front crawl. I took my time and for the remainder of the swim, I transitioned back and forth (front crawl to breast stroke). I had ample time to think. I saw people panic, but again, this was my selfish journey!! I can’t play RESCUE-911. I kept to the course, drank a little goose-poo water, but my heart rate stayed even. I prayed that God protect me as I watched

different colored caps pass….so what!!! Even with my cap over my ears, I heard my name loud and clear. Fast forward, after the last buoy on my return, I saw the beach finish and with 50 yards to the beach, I was fighting the sea-weed in the water. It was like quick-sand, so I stepped it up a notch and fought through it!!! The cheers got louder…Nadia, Chad, Glenn, Lisa, Marianna, Yolanda and Mikey. I took my time and ran to my bike….I MADE IT OUT BABYYY!!!!! All I was thinking was, “Man, you did it” (by the way, do you really think I pee’d in the water? hahahaah)

Marianna said she didn’t recognize me because I always have my hat on…she screamed so loud when she saw me:)

Completed Time: 43 minutes
Transition Time to Bike: 2 minutes, 30 seconds

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The Bike

My legs were still in transition from water to land, so I took it a little easy to get them acclimated. I had my iPhone mounted (joby.com) to my bike to record this leg. It was a amazing!! I hit top speeds of 40mph and you could hear the ferocity of the wind hitting the phone. There were hills, there were straight-aways and there were some casualties. When you’re too hasty, some compromise safety. The one guy looked like he was done and the next looked like he lost last weeks breakfast!! EMT was on the scene. One guy asked, “You got your phone for music?” I said “No, I’m just recording ME pass YOU”..then I passed him, lol. Felt good, then we hit Mount Albert hill. We played “tag” for a few miles until I was tired of the games and left him. Just like training, I knew the route, I anticipated, shifted early and kept my cadence (apparently, he didn’t), but my time was a little longer than training. Fast forward, approached the last 100 yards, made that left turn back into the park and heard the cheers:) Chad screamed to the top of his lungs. It warmed my heart and it re-charged me. Glenn yelled, “LET’S GO SHAWN”. Man, that’s what I needed to hear. Dismounted with the dead legs and was ready for the final leg.

Completed Time: 1 hour, 6 minutes
Transition Time to Run: 1 minute

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The Run

My legs were incognito. I didn’t know where they were, but my body was following. I put my hat on (backwards:) and I was gone. I’ll be honest, this is where you have to pace yourself. For the first mile, I was just trying to regain crotch sensitivity, lol. Once I felt my legs working normally, I tried to regain my 5K pace (8:00), but it was rough. I banged it out until Gatorade Hill. It was tough up there, but I pushed it. I walked occasionally and met a friend who had some hamstring issues. We ran side-by-side, we kept each other going. He complained more….I started to show him my back. He said, “YOU COULD DO IT”, then I hauled off. Left leg cramped, but what’s new!!! I heard my name over and over again!! It may have been a mind game, but it got louder until I ran over the 40 yard time-chip mat and actually heard it. I was like “GOD?”…then remembered, at the 40 yards from the finish (time-chip mat), the announcer gets an indicator that you’re coming and makes an announcement for your family to prepare. I RAN HARDER…and FINISHED UNDENIABLY STRONGER!!

Completed Run Time: 36 minutes
Completed Race Time: 2 hours, 31 minutes

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The Finish

I cried!! For the seasoned triathlete…it’s another medal, a

tick on their wall!! But my journey is unique for me. Several years ago, Nadia and I went on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls and I almost had a heart attack, in fear that the boat would sink and I couldn’t swim. It was pretty ugly until I came off the boat. I realize more that God places you in situations that may seem like a test of your will, but it’s only a stepping stone to appreciate your success(es). I cried because I overcame a fear that’s now behind me. This was a 6-month goal and I can tell you, within the next 6-months, I’ll set even more. This is not to compete, not to brag, but to make the roles in my life stronger…a better husband, father and trainer. This is my triathlon journey!!

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Big Shout-Out to HARDBODY Trainer, Nicole. She did her thing, despite some issues with her bike. We were both exchanging angst prior to the race and we understood that we could either love it or hate it. With the energy we felt there that morning, hating it would have been hard to imagine. Here is a shot of Nicole and I after the race:) Great job Nic…We did it!!!

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START STRONG, FINISH STRONGER

Shawn Chevalier
Owner, Trainer & Triathlete
HARDBODY OUTDOOR FITNESS

1. 

   marla says:

   June 29, 2010 at 5:02 pm

   what a great read…i’m so impressed with what you’ve accomplished, how fast you did it, and how you totally rocked that course. was great for me to be there and watch it happen. hope to see you out there again soon!
2. 

   Esmeralda Rosario says:

   July 27, 2010 at 8:47 pm

   shawn, you are always an inspiration. very proud of you, your aspirations, and your success. congrats for conquering your fears and coming out stronger. love you, Esie
3. 

   ShawnChev says:

   July 29, 2010 at 8:21 pm

   Thank you very much Esi:) I loved the experience and I know it’s going to get better. Well, if I don’t get better (after all this practice), then there’s a problem!! I’ll keep you posted….you know I’m good for that.