Nightmare Before the Race

Two nights prior to my triathlon, I had a vivid dream in which I couldn't locate my bike at the event. When I finally found it and tried to ride, the bicycle began to vanish piece by piece. A fellow competitor suggested I pedal harder to make it reappear, but I struggled to turn the wheels.

Suddenly, I found myself running, but my legs felt heavy and fatigued after only a few steps. As I approached the finish line, I panicked, realizing I hadn’t attached my timer chip.

A volunteer informed me I had taken a wrong turn and missed a crucial part of the running course. I attempted to backtrack but became disoriented; I had completely forgotten about the swimming leg.

The sky grew dark, thunder rumbled, and icy rain drenched me.

I felt like crying.

I’ll never finish this triathlon, and if I do, it won’t count officially without my timer chip.

And then I woke up.

Inspiration

The story that inspired my journey was the real-life "couch-to-marathon" narrative behind the film Brittany Runs a Marathon. After watching it, I found myself searching for races at midnight.

Brittany was stuck in a dead-end job, consuming alcohol excessively, and living on unhealthy food. Unhappy with her life and body, she recognized the need for change, starting with exercise. She decided that running was the simplest and most effective way to initiate her transformation, ultimately aiming to run her first marathon.

Brittany realized that with dedication and practice, she could achieve her marathon goal, despite her initial self-doubt and hesitation to register.

A Reflection of Myself in Brittany

At 49, I identified with Brittany — I was also grappling with a midlife crisis that pushed me to begin my fitness journey in 2019. I sought to enhance my mental and physical health and wanted to embrace my middle age with renewed vitality and confidence. Brittany’s struggles resonated with me, and I admired her determination to achieve her goals, step by step.

Three years later, my journey continues. I began by walking 5,000 steps, then progressed to 10,000, and even tackled three uphill Grouse Mountain races within my first year (one on snowshoes).

In 2020, I entered the international 2020 Ms. Health & Fitness Competition, securing 4th place in my group phase and becoming the sole Asian and non-white contestant to reach the Top 5 round in my category. My motto for the contest was, “Want to see a real ordinary person on the cover of a fitness magazine?” because I don’t possess a six-pack or oversized biceps.

In 2021, I organized a marathon event and walked 42 kilometers with "Walk a Marathon with Mary."

While I’ve never run a marathon and have no desire to complete 42 kilometers (26 miles) non-stop, I’ve fantasized about participating in a triathlon for over a decade.

Watching Brittany confront her fears sparked the thought: “If she can do it, so can I!” For Brittany, it wasn’t about speed; it was about finishing. Yet, a single thought held me back from registering for a triathlon.

I can’t do a triathlon because I can’t swim well — I’m not fast or strong enough.

Confronting My Fear of Drowning

Last year, I committed to a personal "Wild Water Swim Challenge," successfully completing 131 open water swims from January to December (only in a swimsuit). I kicked off 2022 with a Polar Bear swim, enduring my coldest swim yet — a 9-minute dip in 2-degree Celsius water with snow on the beach.

But I’m not a quick swimmer.

I can withstand frigid ocean swims, but speed isn’t my focus. I swim for the thrill and health benefits. I started open water swimming in the summer of 2020 due to pool closures from Covid. It took me nearly a year to conquer my fear of drowning in deep water.

Only after overcoming my fear of deep open water could I swim confidently in the deep end of a pool. In January, during my first public pool swim, I didn’t need to cling to the edges halfway through my laps, nor did I panic upon entering the deep end. My fear of deep water was formidable, but with practice and persistence, I learned to love swimming in those depths.

Nothing is stopping me from attempting a triathlon.

Within 30 minutes of finishing Brittany Runs a Marathon, I signed up for my first-ever triathlon.

I Had 29 Days to Train

Although I lead an active lifestyle, I’m not a speedy runner, cyclist, or swimmer, but I do know how to persevere. My mindset is driven by the mantra, “Try, Mary, Try!” — just one more block, one more hill, one more lap. I can achieve this!

Running

Running is not my favorite activity, but knowing the Sprint triathlon only required a 5k run made it seem manageable. I typically walk between 10,000 to 16,000 steps on weekdays and aim for 5km to 10km hikes over the weekend.

My ultra-marathon husband suggested starting with shorter distances before building up to 5k, but I was determined to go for it. If he can run 90k, surely I can manage 5k.

On Day #3 of my training, I attempted my first 5k road run — it took 36:15. I contemplated quitting multiple times and questioned why I had signed up for the race when running (especially on pavement) wasn’t particularly enjoyable for me. Yet, I persisted — pacing myself. As I integrated running into my fitness routine, I discovered that I could cover the distance.

On Day #14 of my running training, I completed 13 laps around a 400m track, finishing in 34:57. My 11-year-old son can easily outrun me in an 800-meter race or any spontaneous foot race. I bet him I could beat him in a 5k, but he just laughed and left the track.

Cycling

On Day #2 of training, I took my mountain bike for a ride, covering approximately 18km (the same route as the race, four loops on the road) in 57:42, despite it pouring rain on the last loop. By Day #23 of training, I cycled 17.73km (four loops) on my hybrid bike, completing it in 51:23. I used the hybrid for all subsequent rides, including the race.

Swimming

I began my swimming training on Day #1. The race facilitators organized the event based on swim times, starting with the fastest swimmers first. Having completed 131 ocean swims in 2021 for my ocean swim challenge, I assumed my swim time would be average — but I was mistaken.

I’m 51, but I swim at the speed of an 80-year-old woman.

It took me 20 minutes to swim 18 laps (25 meters each) totaling 450 meters in a pool. According to swimminglevel.com, my pace aligns with that of an 80-year-old female beginner who swims 400 meters in 19:06.

The average swim time for a 50-year-old woman (I’m now 51) is 13:30 for 400 meters, while a good time for someone my age ranges from 7 to 9 minutes. Overall, the average time for 400 meters is 7:43, across all ages and genders. There’s no way I could swim that quickly. When I started swimming laps, it felt impossible to increase my speed. I typically needed to rest after each 25-meter lap.

Despite my slow swim times, I refused to give up.

I’ll continue practicing because my aim is to finish the race, not to win it.

Finding Time to Train Over 29 Days

Swimming: I swam whenever I took my son and his friend to the pool. While they played in the leisure pool, I swam laps. Over 29 days, I completed fourteen 18x25 meter swims (visiting the pool seven times), swimming two sets of 18x25 meters each visit.

Running: I utilized my lunch breaks, evenings during my son’s extracurricular activities, or weekends to run either alone or with him. I accomplished a total of eight 5km runs over the 29 days.

Cycling: I cycled on weekends or my days off while my son was in school. Had I been more organized, I could have cycled to and from work. I completed four 18km rides and one 15km ride over the 29 days.

On my days off, I did two trial runs of the actual racecourse. The first trial (Day #9) involved run/bike/swim, while the second (Day #23) included bike/run/swim with 5–10 minute breaks between each leg. I found starting with the run easier than trying to run after biking.

I also incorporated yoga into my training and recovery, ensuring I had rest days or walks between sessions. I managed to complete four 60-minute hot yoga sessions over the 29 days (one session per week).

Training Window and Realistic Goals

Signing up late for the race provided me with a limited training window, which ultimately benefited me. It prevented procrastination, pushed me to train harder, and left no room for backing out. The Sprint triathlon’s parameters made it a realistic goal for me. Since I wasn’t preparing for an Olympic triathlon, I could integrate my training into my daily routine.

Breakdown of Triathlon Race Types

The North Shore Triathlon, which I registered for, is classified as a "Sprint," indicating it is a shorter version of an Olympic Triathlon. This race features an unusual distance, falling between a Sprint and a Super Sprint.

North Shore Triathlon: 444m swim (12x37 meter laps in the pool), 17.6km bike (four loops of a road course), 5km run (a mix of forest trail, neighborhood, and road).

Super Sprint Triathlon: 400m swim (16x25m laps), 10km bike, 2.5km run.

Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim (30x25m laps), 20km bike, 5km run.

Olympic Triathlon: 1.5km swim (60x25m laps), 40km bike, 10km run.

The swims may take place in a pool or the ocean. The NST is an excellent triathlon for first-time participants, featuring shorter distances, a pool swim, and a well-organized event run by dedicated volunteers supported by local sponsors.

Feel the Fear

Despite completing two trial runs and attending the triathlon orientation, participating in an official race introduced an element of fear due to external pressures, competition, time constraints, and the need to navigate transitions. The anxiety of potentially messing up during transitions weighed heavily on me. Completing the race in the correct sequence (swim, bike, run) would be my first attempt on Race Day.

Competing in any race for the first time is daunting. Feeling scared and anxious, yet proceeding anyway, fosters courage and resilience with each experience.

“Feel the fear, and do it anyway!” — Susan Jeffers

However, training and preparation are crucial for reducing fear and anxiety, allowing me to do it anyway.

Race Day!

I checked in, set up my bike, and organized my transition gear (towel, helmet, bike gloves, shorts, tank top, socks, running shoes, race belt, water bottle) next to my bike for the cycling leg. I had my race number marked on my left arm and the back of my left calf with a Sharpie (for the swim).

I recalled my nightmare and rushed to the desk to retrieve my timer chip, securing it to my left ankle — I triple-checked that it was fastened correctly.

Since I was in the slow group for swimmers, I had plenty of time to chat with fellow competitors while waiting for the faster swimmers to begin. Many were participating in their first triathlon, while others were seasoned veterans or elite athletes and IronMan finishers.

I met a 79-year-old woman who completed her first North Shore Triathlon at 69. She shared that she has participated each year to challenge herself and set a positive example for her children. Although she noted that she slows down each year, she continues to persevere.

The Swim

When the facilitator called my swim group, I lined up in my blue Nike swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles. Each swimmer started ten seconds apart.

“Go!”

I swam twelve laps of a 37-meter pool, totaling 444 meters. I remembered my nightmare — but I didn’t forget to swim.

The Bike

Upon completing the swim, I dashed to my bike and waved to my husband and son, who were cheering me on. I quickly dried off, put on my shorts, removed my swim cap and goggles, donned my race belt, and buckled my helmet. I took a gulp from my water bottle and unracked my bike.

I realized I had forgotten to put on my bike gloves and tank top, but I dismissed that thought, thinking, “Screw it, that will waste time!” I ran to the start line, and I heard someone shout my name — then I began pedaling uphill.

I thought of my nightmare — but I easily found my bike, and it didn’t start to vanish. I pedaled harder. I was participating in my first triathlon — and quitting was not an option. The crowd was cheering for me.

After finishing the bike course, I dismounted and returned my bike to transition. I racked my bike, removed my helmet, put on my tank top, and took a few swigs of water.

The Run

I commenced the run. Why on earth am I doing this race? I dislike running — this is incredibly challenging after swimming those laps and biking nearly 18k. These small hills feel like mountains.

I remembered my nightmare — but I didn’t get lost, disoriented, or forget to run any leg of the route. The weather was bright and sunny — no darkness, thunder, or heavy rain as in my dream. Volunteers guided us at every turn, cheering us on.

The final stretch included a forest trail — I sprinted as fast as I could and crossed the finish line. The announcer called my name, and my cheer squad (my husband, son, in-laws, and a dear friend with her husband) greeted me with proud smiles.

I was drenched in sweat but felt like Wonder Woman.

Race Day Results

My finishing time was 1:31:31.

• 0:15:43 SWIM TIME (444 meters)
• 0:46:42 BIKE TIME (17.6K)
• 0:29:07 RUN TIME (5K)

I placed 202nd out of 255 overall for Adults 16+, 80th out of 114 female racers, and 7th out of 12 in my age category (F50–54).

Biking Speed According to cyclinglevel.com

My time was average (46:42/17.6km), similar to an intermediate 50-year-old female cyclist. This comparison may not reflect accurately as the racecourse included both uphill and downhill sections and was 2.4km short of the full 20km.

Running Speed According to runninglevel.com

My time was average (29:07/5km), similar to an intermediate 50-year-old female runner. I was surprised I could maintain this pace, as I don’t consider myself a regular runner, but my eight 5km training runs in the past month, along with my regular walking and hiking, enhanced my cardio endurance.

Swimming Speed According to swimminglevel.com

I achieved the second slowest swimming time overall out of 255 racers. My swim time (15:43/444 meters) made me the slowest swimmer in my race category (Women/50–54), yet it was the fastest I had ever swum 444 meters.

The Underdogs

On Race Day, my swimming speed mirrored that of a 65-year-old female beginner swimmer. I began my first swim (20:01/450 meters) as an “80-year-old woman beginner swimmer.” I made significant strides over a decade, thanks to my fourteen sessions of 18x25m laps (450 meters) across 29 days!

That inspiring 79-year-old woman I met proudly completed the race in last place at 2:04:15, with a swim time faster than mine at 13:38/444 meters (intermediate swimming level for her age group/gender).

It didn’t matter how old or fast I was while competing; I participated to embrace a new experience. The race was about finishing — for me, Brittany, and the 79-year-old triathlete.

Drowning My Fears to Swim with Confidence

I conquered my fears of drowning in open water and the depths of a pool, allowing me to swim with confidence. My regular ocean swims over the past year inadvertently led me to attempt a triathlon.

I didn’t panic upon discovering I was one of the slowest swimmers in the pool. I didn’t stop cycling when the loops became increasingly difficult. I didn’t stop running when the hills felt insurmountable.

I faced my fears, overcame that haunting nightmare, and embarked on an adventurous, challenging, and enjoyable experience — all within just 29 days of training. I didn’t need to be a swift or powerful swimmer. Although I ended up being the slowest swimmer in my race category, my newfound confidence empowered me to complete the race.

Fear Fuels Joy

I never stop trying because exploring new, daunting experiences is one of life’s greatest joys — and this process transforms me into a braver individual each time. Embracing challenges gives me purpose, fosters personal growth, and leads to a profound sense of achievement.

It revitalizes my happy place.

The race tested my physical limits and mental resilience. I had reached a plateau in my fitness journey, and the triathlon propelled me to the next level, transforming me into a triathlete. I couldn’t have completed this race a decade ago, but at 51 — I’ve never felt stronger.

Completing my first-ever triathlon was about showing up at the starting line. I didn’t give up when the race became difficult.

That’s what truly matters.

About the Writer

Mary Chang is the editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication. She is also a writer, parent, and fitness enthusiast who enjoys creating monthly challenges. Her self-mantra is “Try, Mary, Try!” and she believes that if she can achieve something, it may inspire others to do the same.

Fueled by cartwheels, laughter, and encouraging people to shine.

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