One of the biggest accolades we, as a multi-sport training center, can receive is the resounding sound of joy, pride, and accomplishment from our athletes when they achieve a goal. For some, it’s lifting a new weight in the gym. For others it’s hitting a new benchmark time in the pool or inching their power up on the bike wattage tests.
The ultimate joy, however, comes easily from watching a beginner athlete start from scratch on their journey and then have the honor of seeing them achieve their ultimate goal: crossing the finish line of their very first race. There is no greater purpose than helping someone (even in the smallest of ways) achieve their goals. Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy is proud to bring you the story of our newly-crowned triathlete, Sangita Menon. If you think you can’t do something new and exciting, think again!
Here is her TriRock Austin Race Report:
I live in a bubble. I am not the person who takes chances. I don’t push the envelope. I don’t test the limits. I was on the road well-travelled, until 5 months ago when I came up with a simple goal for my workplace wellness program. “I will challenge myself to do something amazing to be proud of myself.” And in that instant, I decided I would do a Sprint Triathlon. I didn’t know how to swim. I had never ridden a bike with gears or even hand brakes. But I knew if I could do it, it would be amazing for me and I would, indeed, be sincerely proud of myself.
By a friend’s suggestion, I started attending Masters Swim lessons at Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy (AASA). During my first lesson, I had to ask a stranger how to put on my swim cap and Coach Nate O. had to help me put on my goggles. It was dark outside and the 7.5feet deep pool looked intimidating. I slid in holding on to the wall for dear life and started swimming. I’m sure my stroke looked more like a cross between a doggy paddle and an actual windmill. I was winded in spite of covering less than 20 meters and never having actually put my face in the water. I watched the swimmers in the adjacent lanes move seemingly effortlessly through the water. The old me wanted to go home. But this new me simply admitted that I was indeed the slowest person in the pool and that’s okay, because at least I had it in me to get in the pool.
Saturday after Saturday, I took the patient and encouraging feedback from Coach Nate and Coach Brendan. The greatest thing about having so many hurdles in the beginning is the satisfaction of clearing them as I learned to do something just a little better. I learned to put my face in the water and exhale. I learned to kick small and reach far. I learned to calm my breathing. One day I swam all the way across the 50 meter pool. And the next time, 100 meters. One day 350 meters. One day, just days before my 37th birthday, I swam the full 700 meters. I even jumped into the pool for the first time. And the view from the bottom was amazing. I realized the new me was gently pushing on the little bubble of life she lived in and finally opening up to new experiences.
In parallel, I joined the AASA run training and group bike rides with Coach Natasha and Coach Carrie. I learned about plyometrics and cadence, but the real value was that every time I could push myself a little further, I learned what I was really made of. And I learned what it was like to be part of a supportive team of athletes and coaches who kept encouraging me no matter how far behind I was of the pack.
But alas, my practice time was up and it was the day before the race. I went with an experienced AASA athlete to do my race packet pick up and rack my bike. I checked out the water buoys that were already set up, and for the first time, I wasn’t afraid. Finally, the little voice inside, instead of offering doubt, thought “Those buoys don’t look that far. I can swim that.”
That night, my nerves did start to quiver a little, but I was given another boost of confidence as I put on my bold faced temporary tattoo race numbers on my arms. Because when you imagine you are only a scrawny engineer, putting block number 2506 tattoos that go from your shoulder to your elbow makes you feel a little badass.
When I woke up, I quickly dressed in my tri gear, but couldn’t manage to get any food down. I paced around not knowing what to do with myself. I tried to mentally go over the transitions so I wouldn’t forget something critical like my glasses, or my shoes…or my bike!
Finally, I made my way to the event venue, set up my transition area and headed down to the water. I was comforted to see the familiar, friendly faces of my fellow AASA female swimmers in my age group. Everyone was perhaps a little nervous, but encouraging each other.
It was finally time for us to start. The dark blue swim caps were up. Doubt was creeping in as I saw people jump, time trial fashion, into the water. I knew jumping into that 21 foot deep point in the lake was going to be the scariest thing I had ever done in my life. I said the prayer I had been practicing for weeks. “Dear God, after all of this training, please give me the courage to jump in the water, the strength to get out and the endurance to finish the bike and run. Please take me back to my two girls a stronger person 
than before.” And with that, it was my turn.
I stood at the edge of the makeshift dock. I looked down and I jumped. All I saw was green. But soon, my head bobbed to the surface and I effortlessly took a few strokes. I got on my back and saw blue skies and the beautiful Austin downtown skyline. I felt the warm 81 degree water. I realized, I wasn’t scared any more. And that was the only hurdle left to clear. I knew from the open water practice that I had with Coach Natasha, that I could swim. But I always needed her to tell me I was going to be able to do it. Now, for the first time, it was my voice telling me, with the same confidence she showed in me for so long, that I really was going to do this. I turned back onto my stomach and I swam, and I swam, and I swam. And I knew without a doubt that I was going to make it out of the water. And when I did, after my girls, it was going to be my greatest achievement. In the final stretch of the swim, I cheered for myself screaming into the water. I scurried up the platform with the biggest smile.
I carried that smile with me for the entire 12.4 mile bike ride where I had friends and fellow athletes cheering for me. I got off of the bike and started my 3.1 mile run with heavy legs, but I plowed through trying not to walk too much. And in the final 100 meters, I saw my husband and mom. And I a saw my girls, Ananya and Ahana. I had made it back to them and I was, without a doubt, a stronger person. I blew them kisses and gave high fives as I headed for the last 20 meters. And when the announcer called my name, I cheered for myself because I worked hard for this moment.
I crossed the finish line and with great honor I accepted my finisher’s medal.
As I drank my water and stood bent over in the grass, I looked back at the finish line and saw all of the moments building up to that line. All of the track workouts in the dark. All of the swim lessons when the moon was brightly lit. The bike rides on hills next to cars. The open water quarry swimming. All of the fears. All of the accomplishments. All of the meters and all of the miles. All of those moments brought me to that line.
Maybe we don’t create that many opportunities in life where we start something from step one. We flail. And we actually have to push to get better. With great fortune, I found a place to train where the coaches and the athletes all keep you motivated and give you faith in yourself when you have none to offer yourself. I’m glad I found my way to this moment and I’m proud of myself. You aren’t supposed to say you are proud of yourself, but I am.
And now, one week after my first triathlon, my badass race tattoos still not scrubbed off, I am still enjoying my tri-high. It’s nice to hear people tell me they are impressed by or proud of me, but the true success is that I did something amazing to be proud of myself. Goal completed. And just like that, the little bubble I was confining my life to burst.
And now I’m looking passed that finish line and asking myself – what’s next?
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