Sprint Triathlon 2013

Hyderabad Triathlon, like one of many, many successful events, was organized by GHAC at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad.

Sprint Triathlon challenges 

I really thank, with all my heart and soul, the club members who provided us an opportunity to realize our inner potential by being a part of the event. Participation itself was not more than a test of our endurance or of our bubbling potentiality.

I was a part of the Sprint Triathlon which involved 20KM cycling session, 5KM running, and swimming across the length of 750 Meters. It was really one of the biggest challenges for me to be a part of this but I was.
     

On 20^th Oct 2013, the day was Sunday (meant to be rested after a week’s work at the office but…) I got up early so as not to be late to reach the destination that is Gachibowli Stadium. I was there much earlier than the expected time (that is 7:30 AM). I started early because I wanted to gain more information about all which are involved in the event. It was my first Triathlon Event and I was a little bit apprehensive about my being a part of it as I was not even sure of my own abilities of swimming for such longer distances.

Radiance of fervency at the Gachibowli Stadium

As soon as I entered into the stadium, I noted multi-colored banners at different levels. Start and finish arch has given s sportive feeling, Volunteers were on their move, helping out the participants, young students were a bit busy in their flash mob stuff, DJ was just simply rocking. Everybody seems to be there with just one purpose of celebrating the spirit of real sportsmanship (I met people from “HyderabadRunners”, “Hyderabad Cycling”, “Friends of Snakes” etc who were also a part of the event or all those in my circle who had happily taken all the troubles to come from their local cites or states to be part of the event here in Hyderabad. The event itself was really a chance to meet like-minded people who share a common interest and honor feelings of others too).

Beginning of the event:

Half Iron Triathlon

Event began with Half Iron Triathlon (1.9 KM - Swim, 90 KM - Cycle and 22 KM - Run) and Olympic Triathlon (1.5 KM - Swim, 40 KM – Cycle and 10 KM - Run). There were about 100 participants or perhaps more than that for these first two big Triathlon Challenges.

The participants swam with all might and like a shark (I can say, their spirit really instilled in me the energy I was looking for). There were many who are equivalently competent. Many of the participants completed their summing session within 25 minutes whereas others took an hour or so in a 50 meter pool. I was really awestruck by their energetic spirit or their passion with all which they moved on (There were even members who claimed to have been practicing for the past six months just in order to take up this Hyderabad Triathlon Challenge, 2013).

The time for the Sprint Triathlon Challenge

Now, it was my turn. I was not feeling nervous but my heart was pounding within faster and faster. Most of my friends were a part of this sprint Triathlon Challenge and I was excited to complete it along with them. Almost, all of my friends had geared bicycles and I had the one without any gear. I was a little diffident about completing 20 KM but I moved on to accomplish, come what so ever.

Hyderabad Triathlon 2013 - Cycling 

Mr. Diyant Ali, Founder of GHAC, waved the flag at 7:45 am for Sprint Cycling Triathlon. Our cycles came out of the stadium in numbers. Traffic police was at their best in controlling or clearing the way for us to cycle freely (we really thank them for being so very helpful and without whose support it might have not been possible for us to cycle on the road). The road path was little bit down and straight and we can able to paddle it faster to override others. Volunteers were at each and every checkpoint, helping the cyclers to sip in energy drinks or encouraging them to move on. I have completed 12km and the rest of the kms are uphill and made us difficult to cycle and it really tested our endurance level

(I felt like I was riding my bicycle on hills). To get self motivated myself, I have covered my head with colorful cap and encouraging other cyclers to reach the finish arch point. Crowd watching us or taking pictures of ours, we were all excited of finishing the 20km ride.

Triathlon Participant Swimming in 50 mts Olympic level pool 

Right after cycling, I got ready for a 5 KM run which was in the stadium itself. I was panting, breathing soundly and was not able to run with a required speed but still I turned onto speed of a morning jogger, running slower and with all small leaps. Thus I completed 5 KM run.

From the morning itself, the biggest challenge which was creeping in my mind was the challenge to swim in the 50 meters Olympic Level Swimming Pool. I was not so very sure but I was eventually adamant to be victorious.

I entered the swimming pool and felt the tremor of coldness of the water, slightly mingled with the warmth of the sun (I even tried to make all possible strokes to be as effective as I can in swimming or reaching the target of 750 meters). The support from other team members was very appreciable. Finally I finished off the swimming session and was awarded a model and a certificate for being a part of the Triathlon.

There were other challenges or sessions in the second half which included Duathlon Challenge (Olympic, Sprint and Novice) and Team Challenge (Team Sprint and Tam Novice).I even registered for volunteering during the second half. I was at the registration counter.

I really thank GHAC Club and Mr. Deepam and other team members for organizing such a wonderful event. I really love the idea of keeping different levels which really has helped all age-groups to participate or make this event successful.

I find there people from seven to seventy plus who were just enthusiastic about participation. There were families, friends, employees from various offices, people from different cities and states, people with some disabilities, or people who were practicing for the months for the event etc.
   

Perseverance finally bore fruit…

Hyderabad Triathlon 2013 - Start 

There were about 300 volunteers and about 600 participants which culminated this triathlon event into one of the biggest open category triathlon in India.

I am really proud to have been a part of this and proud to gain a model and a certificate from Hyderabad Triathlon.

I would like to say thanks again to Mr. Deepam, team leaders, supporters and all those who worked as Volunteers. I eagerly look forward to more of events like this from GHAC which has already got the attention of the people at the national and international level and I hope events in future will surpass what all people will expect…..

Note: All the pictures are taking by professional photograph of HWS Club