When I took my dog outside this morning at 5:45 a.m. it was 88 degrees with 71% humidity. We started riding this morning at 6:30 a.m. to "beat the heat" a point which I find nearly irrelevant when we are near 90 degrees before it is light out and the projected temperature for the day is somewhere between 105 degrees and 108...and, that is not the heat index friends (I believe the projected heat index is somewhere between 114 and 119 for the day), but, I digress. In a nut shell, we are experiencing an awful heat wave accompanied by a terrible drought here in Indiana. My point, it's hot! And from a tri perspective, insane heat apparently makes an otherwise somewhat gross sport somehow even less couth.
And here is what I have learned (today and doing races) about triathloning, despite appearances, being sometimes less than lady-like:
- My co-workers think I have a great tan because they have never seen my tri-tan lines. While my legs look like I'm going for a gradual ombre tan from my sock and short lines, my back and shoulders are a mess of sports bra and tri-shirt lines. And yet, I am proud of my athletic tan!
- It is ok to refill your water bottle in a neighborhood sprinkler.
- When doing a brick (or a hot race) having sweat pouring down your shins like a river is normal. And the insane amount of sweat translates to 3 to 4 pounds of water lost...ew.
- It is ok to put your head in a sprinkler to cool off. In fact, it's like your own personal mister shower.
- When riding your bike and you think it might be raining, consider that the water is likely getting sprayed off your body from some sort of bump (or the rain might be the gatorade splashing all over you).
- The sticky stuff on your face, and frankly your whole body is salt mixed with dust from the road and possible oil from your bike chain.
- Just because you merely bricked and didn't swim does not mean you don't look like you have had a stint in a lake after a brick.
- If your feet aren't properly ventilated and lubed, blisters will happen. The same goes for lube and other body parts when it comes to chafing.
- The places you have to lube and body glide can be quite intimate.
- The line becomes very blurred as to where it may or may not be appropriate to stick ice to keep yourself cool. I will note triathletes tend to fore go modesty in an effort to stay comfortable and beat the heat...so, the inappropriate line may be fairly gray.
- Swimming in a lake is usually disgusting.
- It is not uncommon to squat in a field if you are well hydrated because you are no where close to a restroom.
- Most triathletes will tell you that you aren't really a triathlete until you have peed in your wetsuit before a race.
My point, triathloning can be a gross sport...one not for the vain. Heat, distance and sweat up the ante on the gross factor. That said, for some reason...I'm hooked!
