Staying C-A-L-M at Xterra Ohio North East

Ohio’s only race in the Xterra America Tour Series is located at West Branch State Park in Ravenna, Ohio. Like most off-road triathlon venues, the area is rich in recreational opportunities for racers and their families. My family enjoyed hiking along scenic cliff trails with glistening lake views as I competed in the Xterra O.N.E. race on July 11th.

As we triathletes gathered on the beach, a woman approached me with a look of fright in her eye. This was her first triathlon, and she wasn’t sure if she could handle the open water swim portion. The most important idea that I could convey to her, with only minutes before the start, was to learn to keep her anxiety under control. I told her, “focus on remaining C-A-L-M by remembering these principles:

C – COUNT. If you can breathe, and you can count to three, then you can relax and survive the swim. Breathe every 3 strokes and synchronize this pattern with a song or rhyme. This puts you in a zone of consistent rhythmic breathing and swimming.

A – ACCLIMATE. Many swimmers complain of breathing difficulties and a panic sensation. This usually happens when body temperature suddenly lowers while the lungs are adjusting to race pace. Ten minutes of warming up – as close to race time as possible –will allow your body to adjust to the water temperature properly.

L – LEAVE ROOM. Don’t put yourself front and center at the start only to be “run over” by the faster swimmers around you. Find a spot on one side of the pack or the other. Kicking or slapping from the mass blob of swimmers is likely, but resistance from the water softens the contact. If this happens, slow your swimming long enough to let the other person leave a gap of comfort space.

M – MINDSET. Think of the swim leg as a warm-up. Don’t go out too fast. Save energy for the bike and run.”

After giving my competitor some mental guidance, we dove in the water to warm up. Twelve minutes later, the horn signaled the start of our sunny ½ mile swim. When I completed the loop, I floundered up a slippery boat ramp and ran the 250 yards to the transition area. “GO, MAMA, GOOOO!” was music to my ears as I put on my bicycle gear.

Gentle rolling hills led us over some log piles and delivered us to a challenging rock garden section during the 11 mile mountain bike ride. I was thankful for my full suspension bike while I was jarred up and down and side to side. Wide open snow mobile trails gave me rolling hills to fly back into transition. There I could feel the wave of heat from the direct sun exposure.

While I swiftly changed to running gear, I valued the mercy that the dense forest canopy provided on a 95 degree race day. I took off back onto the shady trails to find that the moss added a soft bounce under my feet while my ears enjoyed the music from the region’s songbirds. I ran over bridges and boulders, and climbed up uneven rocky ledges which cooled my hands. After this 4.5 mile run, the finish line met me with my daughters and husband cheering, and an age group trophy. Later I noticed my new friend did complete her race with her husband and children watching proudly.

You don’t have to let fear of the open water swim stand in your way. If we moms can do it, then you too can stay “C-A-L-M” and have a great race.

JADE GIANAKOPOULOS (aka "The Girl With the Awesome Pink Bike") is a multi-sport athlete who competes in Xterra (off-road) triathlon, mountain bike and running races. When she's not racing, she can be found rock climbing, skiing, or playing tennis and golf. Her greatest accomplishment is maintaining a racing career while being a wife and mother to her two daughters. Learn more about Jade at her website JadeRaces.com »