Firmus Energy Triathlon - Triathlon

It was a 2 wave start - the fast ones and everyone else (i.e. me) on deep water. It was a bit confusing to know where was the swim 'start line'.
This was my first experience of the 'washing machine' and I can swear I felt people pulling me under intentionally. I was surprised that it was salt water (was not expecting that), and even though it was cold, it was quite bearable.
The swim course started against the current and I was still struggling with people around me for the first 200 meters and wasn't relaxing. Just kept hitting other people and getting hit.
After that I got into a rhythm and enjoyed the rest of the swim. I was worried about my goggles fogging up but that didn't happen at all.

Probably try to relax more at the start.

All of my things (even the stuff inside the plastic bags) were soaking wet, it took me an eternity to put the socks and jacket on.

I'll buy a race belt, ended up only putting the jacket on because of the race number, and it took a bit of time zipping it up.
Will also try next time to go without socks

It was HELL! Really didn't enjoy it. The rain was pouring non stop and I could barely see a foot in front of me, everyone seemed to be riding past and it felt like it was all uphill... I couldn't get the gears right either.
The uphills were long and drawn out, the downhills very steep an short.
On the first lap, going over the bridge, I was going so slowly that a gust of crosswind knocked me off the bike and I really really felt like walking and just giving up. The second lap was slower but I managed the bridge better.
I got disheartened when I looked at my garmin at the end of my first lap and realized I was going slower than my first tri (in fact slower than my sunday rides), but I just kept telling myself that the course and the conditions were much tougher and that I wasn't feeling well, to cut myself some slack and just finish it, no matter the time.
When I got off the bike I couldn't feel from my ankles down and had to walk (or rather do a weird kind of shuffle) to transition.

Bike shoes! I'm buying them before my next tri.
I was told that the fact that I wear trainers just makes it much tougher than it needs to be.

Wasn't given a separate time for T2 (was run + T2) but this is the total time minus what my garmin recorded for the run.
Had to walk around to my transition area because of the numbness on my feet and unbuckled my helmet before I got there only to be stopped by an official telling me to fasten it again - not an easy task with frozen fingers.

pay attention to the rules

My ankles and feet were completely numb and I felt like I was carrying two heavy bricks, the course was mostly flat with only about 1/3 of gentle uphills. I got into a rhythm after 1.5 miles but didn't push too hard to the end as I wanted to enjoy the rest of the race and not stress about my finish time.

Push harder the last mile.

Went to collect my stuff from transition and everything was dripping wet, just gathered everything very quickly and went to get showered and changed.
I was delighted to go for the first time to the food buffet and prize giving - got talking to a few way more experienced triathletes who gave me lots of tips; everyone very supportive.


- Weather - rain and winds
- Lack of adequate bike shoes
- Lack of transition practice
- bike course elevation


Excellent organization and volunteers. Delicious post race food and refreshments.