My First Triathlon

I did it!! I completed my first sprint triathlon on Sunday in 1:52:11. I was hoping to finish in under 2:00, but I had no idea what to expect and how long that the transitions would take, but I did it and beat that goal!!

The tri started with the swim. The water temp was 70.1, so it was "legal" to wear a wetsuit. Thankfully I had one from my water skiing, except it is a size 11. I tried it on last week worried that it was going to be too small, but it fit!!!!!!! I haven't fit into it in I don't know how many years, so that was exciting.

The swim was interesting, to say the least. I get way too worn out right now trying to do the freestyle, so I was doing the breaststroke the whole time. That was definitely challenging trying to do and not get kicked or kick someone else. I had to do a side stroke in a few places because it was too tight to try to do the breast stroke.

Once I got done with the swim, it was up to the transition area (yes, it was uphill) to get ready for the bike portion. I peeled off the wetsuit and put on my cycling shirt, which was a bit difficult to put on because I had my number already pinned on it.

It felt good to get going on the bike, which is my strongest event. I didn't do quite as well on it as I had hoped because there were some pretty strong winds. The bike route took us up and back twice up a 4 mile stretch of highway. It seemed like I was going into a headwind both ways.

Once I got done with the bike, it was time for the run - my weakest event (and last, of course). I got my helmet off and my shoes changed as fast as I could and did a slow jog up to the run start. My legs felt like rubber at that point, so it was hard to get going on the run. I did a slow, steady jog for about the first 1/2 mile, then increased my speed a little bit. I had to walk in a few places, but overall I was trying to keep up a steady speed. About a mile of the course was on a trail, so that added a new challenge of wet grass, tree roots, and hills to the run (like I needed more of a challenge on the run section).

My hubby caught up to me at about the 2 mile mark and ran with me until we got to the end of the trail. I thought that we had gone about 3 miles at that point and that we would be seeing the finish line. I was so disheartened when we got out and I saw a sign that said 2.3 miles that I just hit a brick wall at that point and had to start walking. My hubby asked if I was ok and I told him "I don't know". He pushed me to continue on and we walked for a little bit and then jogged together. He stayed with me all the way to the finish to make sure that I was ok. He even held himself back and crossed the finish line with me. He is extremely competitive, so I am extremely grateful to him for doing that for me.

Looking back at my times, I actually finished the 5k portion of it faster than I did my first 5k last October!! I am amazed at how much stronger and fitter that I have become in a little less than a year. Last year it was difficult to run a 5k, now I can do a triathlon and have ridden my bike over 1,300 miles this year (including a difficult, hilly 100 mile Pelotonia). It has been quite an amazing year and I am looking forward to new achievements in the future as I continue on my journey.