Jacksonville Sprint Triathlon Series #1 - Triathlon

Started to the outside based on advice for new swimmers, but ended up right in the middle of things almost immediately. No stress, no issues with getting kicked, bumped, etc., no issues with the occasionally wave interrupting my breathing. In retrospect far more comfortable than I would have expected for a first tri.

Start on the inside - just get in the middle of it and swim like hell.

Shoes were rubber-banded parallel to ground, got a running start, feet in shoes within a few hundred yards of exiting T1, smooth, no issues.

Put shirt on top of helmet - started to buckle helmet before I had my shirt on, had to re-do that. Otherwise solid.

Solid ride, probably a little harder in the first half than the second, but better than I expected. Calves were cramping in the second half and into T2, but no issues on the run.

Wow, I was hurting, but kept pushing and didn't let up - great feeling

Why no beer garden? Bold City was at the last one and I was really looking forward to a post-race draft.

Generally great race though - pleased at how comfortable I felt in my first ocean swim, faster than I expected on the bike and run segments. Good times all around.