Other than just being an American, I have no real connection to the tragedy of September 11, 2001. So I have no idea why I felt the need to do something memorable for the 10 year anniversary. When I got an email from USAT announcing pre-registration for members for the NationsTri on 9/11/11, I just wanted to be there. I talked Joe into registering with me, we paid the somewhat hefty fee and began training.This was to be my first International or Olympic distance tri. That is 1500 meter swim in the Potomac River, a 26 mile bike ride into Maryland and a 6.2 mile run around the gorgeous monuments in DC. I knew I had each part of those easily but for some reason, never quite got to putting them all together in what is known as a brick.
The two weeks before the tri were a weather nightmare. A hurricane-turned-tropical storm was taking its time moving up the coast. Add in normal rainy fall weather and there was substantial flooding up the east coast. People started discussing currents, temperatures and general conditions of the Potomac. I started researching acceptable levels of sewage in rivers and checked the water levels daily. On Wednesday the organizers made the very hard decision to cancel the swim portion. Along with a faster current, there was also a lot of debris in the river and it was just not safe. So instead of a tri, it became a sort of bi...we would bike the whole course and then run. I was initially very disappointed, but once we saw (and smelled!) the river for ourselves, I knew they had made the right call.
We went to the expo on Saturday and picked up our packets, sampled the latest and greatest energy foods and shopped way too much. Then we headed down to transition. 
This was my first large race so at first I was alarmed that we had to rack our bike the day before. After talking with my more experienced tri friend Jerry, he assured me this was quite normal. The transition area was the largest I had ever seen, with row markers. We got there pretty early on so I was able to secure a place towards the end of the row. I wrapped my seat, handlebars and shifters and made a mental note of where I was set up. I tied a pink and black ribbon just for placement help. It felt odd leaving Maddy overnight, but I was assured security was tight. I did feel better after seeing some of the really high end tri bikes that were there.
We then headed back to our hotel to rest, pin our numbers on everything and pack for the next day. Joe has made no secret that this is his last triathlon, but selfishly, it was so much fun getting ready with him. I really wish he would fall in love like I did because it felt different this time. There was more energy, more a sense of team I guess. I just loved sitting on the couch, both of us pinning and sticking numbers. We met our friends Jason and Miriam, their kids Ryan and Sophia and Tim and Jenn and their son Felix for dinner. I was so touched that both of them drove almost an hour to see us. We had a great meal, laughed a lot and got back to the hotel early enough to get some sleep. I checked and re checked my packed bag and we went to bed, with the goal of getting up at 3am, leaving at 4am to be there at 4:30 when the parking lots opened.
Joe and I are really good at sleeping. I hear other people who don't sleep well in a strange bed or if there is a big event the next day. Not us. So when I woke up feeling well rested, I was happy we had gone to bed early. Then Joe looked at the clock. Instead of 3am...it was 4:30. YIKES. We jumped up, threw on our clothes and grabbed our gear. We were able to get out the door 20 minutes later. I had to skip my pre-race routine but I knew I had time before my wave and hoped it would all work out. We were able to find a parking spot rather easily. I knew that they were closing streets so I wanted to be outside the course so we could leave when we were done. As a result we had to walk about 2 miles to get to transition. It was eerie walking in downtown DC at 5am in the darkness of night. We walked along the river and were able to see The Jefferson Memorial with no people gathered around. DC does monuments very well and it is a gorgeous city on any day. But walking in the dark, with the monuments lit up, knowing it was September 11, made for a very cool 2 mile walk.
We got to transition and the time seemed to fly by. We got our timing chisp and before I knew it, they were closing transition and lining people up. One of the fellow racers, a first responder, got up to sing the National Anthem. At this time the sun was rising and the view looking over transition was magnificent. As the National anthem was sung, a jet flew overhead. There are no words for how breathtaking this was. To be there, in this place, the symbol of our freedom, and to be doing something that I love. I get goosebumps still thinking about it. 
We then had a moment of silence to remember all those that lost their lives in 9/11. It is a testament to Americans that we really did have a moment of silence. We had roughly 6,000 people jammed in one spot and you could have heard a pin drop. This was by far my favorite part of the entire weekend and it made the trip worth it. Thank you humanity. I remember right after 9/11 it felt like for the first time, the entire country was united as one. We just described ourselves as Americans, and everything else didn't matter. That feeling came back at this moment and it was a magical sensation
Since there wasn't a swim, they corralled people by swim start time and let groups of 15 go into transition every 15 seconds. Joe was in the first group but I had almost an hour before I would start. After his group left, I wandered around and realized I was thirsty. I had plenty to drink in transition, but could not get back in there. I started to panic a little, knowing by the time you realize you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. There was water for sale, but of course I didn't have any money on me. Panic deepened. I finally saw a woman who had a grocery bag of what looked like water bottles. I grabbed a honey stinger out of my back pocket and asked her if she would be willing to trade for a bottle of water. She explained that the bag was empty bottles but mentioned water was for sale at a nearby truck. I explained I didn't have any money and she pulled out her wallet and gave me $2. I offered her my protein bar as a trade but she wouldn't take it. She just said "Honey, go get yourself some water." I have no idea who she was, never saw her again, but I am grateful to her, not only for the water but for reminding me that people are basically nice.
I spent the next hour people watching, listening to stories starting with "at my last race". I was not overly nervous, just anxious to get started. I lined up when it was my time and suddenly was running into the transition area to get going. The transition area was mostly grass, with the exception of the enter and exit, which had turned into mud pits. There really was no way around them so I picked up my bike and tried my best not to get mud in my cleats. No such luck and instead of immediately mounting my bike, I ran for a bit to try to stomp out the mud. It was not ideal, but I cleared them enough to clip in and I was under way. 
The event directors had described the course as rolling hills with some short steep climbs. I was worried about this as I started, but once I cleared the start I stopped worrying and just enjoyed the ride. I was absolutely amazed to see that they route was completely closed to traffic. How in the world the event directors got DC to close streets in downtown DC on September 11 is a small miracle, but it was absolutely heavenly. It was a bit crowded since we all basically started with only 15 second intervals, but I was able to pass most people easily and only had a few times where I hit some major bike traffic. I didn't want to exert myself too much in case the rolling hills were too challenging, but I was able to maintain a nice 20mph pace on the way out. The course was beautiful, heading out of DC into Maryland. We reached the turnaround point and I realized that what they considered rolling hills, I would have described as "mostly flat!" I was feeling good, enjoying passing most people and was still able to eat and drink as I needed. About 5 miles from the finish I rode over a bridge and had another memorable moment. There were some condos overlooking the water, an American flag draped from one balcony where a man stood, drinking his morning coffee. He waved, I waved back and smiled. I felt happy. I finished the bike feeling really good. I had an average speed of 20 for the entire 26 miles and I felt strong. I knew I had been running really well in training so I took my time in transition. I changed socks, put on my shoes, ate a stinger and took some salt tabs. Instead of running to the exit, I took my time and walked, hoping that the extra time in transition would allow for a faster run right out of the gate instead of the normal 5-10 minutes it usually takes for me to "feel" my legs again. I started running and it felt easy, of course with tons of people cheering it usually is. I didn't pay any attention to my watch and just ran. I do love crowd support; it is fun to read signs and it is also some positive peer pressure to not take walk breaks.
The run course was mostly flat as well and we ran by an amazing number of monuments which helped the "wow this is so cool that I am doing this" feeling. As I hit mile 1, I started realizing that my legs were cramping. This is very unusual for me and for the first time, looked down at my watch. Now I usually run at around a 11 minute mile when I am with Cindy or at the greenway. I simultaneously panicked and celebrated that I had run the first mile at a 9:08 pace. Holy crap! I pulled over to the side and rubbed my legs. Never having leg cramping on the run, I really wasn't sure what to do. I took my last salt pill and started running again, this time actively slowing down to a 10:30 pace. I still didn't feel normal and started doing the mental bargaining I usually reserve for longer races. If I run to that light post, I can walk for 30 seconds. My legs still were aching; they moved from a cramp to a flu-like ache feeling all over. As I hit mile 3, I also needed to go to the bathroom. Luckily there were port-o-johns but when I looked in them, I knew that there was no way I could use them. Figuring this would work itself out, I kept running.
The course was well stocked and at this point, the sun was up and it was getting rather warm. I was delighted that they were giving out ice at the water stations in addition to the Gatorade. I made sure to drink at every stop, hoping to fix my cramping. I guess I just started out too fast, but I was never able to shake the aching. At mile 4, a blister started forming and at this point I was trying to maintain a run for a minute, walk for a minute race plan. I was pretty frustrated; I've been running so well and not even being able to do 1:1 was pretty upsetting. I stopped, took off my shoe and readjusted my sock hoping to prevent my blister from getting too bad. I only had a mile and half left at this point and it felt like it was going to take forever. I did have a nice woman come up and tell me my back was getting a bit sunburned and put sunscreen on.
After that, I decided I needed to rally and push myself to finish. I started running again, still mostly feeling like crap. As I started my last mile, crowd support really helped me keep going. My legs felt foreign, my blister was burning but as I turned the corner and saw the finish line, I was instantly elated. Nothing feels as good as seeing the finish line and knowing you are going to finish. I picked up my run and finished, grabbing a medal and a cold wet towel as soon as I crossed the finish line. Joe was right there, having finished almost an hour before me. I was hoping my run time would be around 1:10 but it was 1:21. As it was my first 10K, it was technically a PR, but still I was very disappointed with my run.
It was fun comparing races with Joe; he also had a really strong bike and a weak run since he continues to have trouble with his knee. He said he still doesn't want to do another tri, but could be talked into doing this again as a relay if he could do the bike part. We both talked about how much fun that was and how nice (and amazing) it was to have the course closed. We grabbed our gear and jumped on our bikes and rode back to the car, both on a high from having finished, but enjoying the bike so much.
Overall, we had a fantastic time. It was one of those trips where everything worked out, from finding parking easily, to catching up with friends, to enjoying the race. I don't know that I will do this particular race again; it was a tight time frame for just a weekend trip, and I was really swayed by the 9/11/11 significance for this year, but I am in love with the bike course and the event directors. Their communication was fantastic, from answering specific questions on their face book page, to the pre race meetings to the actual day of event coordination,the flawless execution made my race day perfect. While I am bummed I was not able to swim in the Potomac, I think the directors made the right call on that matter. So if you live in the DC area, or just want to do a memorable, fun, flat and well organized tri in September, check out the Nation's Tri. You are guaranteed to enjoy your experience for sure!
One sad note: on the bike course around mile 5, a man was laying down at an aid station. Joe said he noticed him and he was still there when I passed and we both wondered what happened, especially so early on the course. We found out later that he actually had a heart attack and died. He was a coach for Team In training, and in his early 50s. So very sad that such a fantastic day ended so tragically for him, who was motivating others to improve their lives through fitness. I hope his family is comforted by the fact he was doing something he loved and that he touched and influenced so many people.Photo credits: Ryan Almon, Dottie Swanson and the DCPD helicopter pilot.
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