Newbie – first mini-sprint in 2 weeks!

Thanks for the reply and the perspective.  I like to challenge myself, but maybe the shorter distances will be a challenge enough to start with.  Didn't intend to sound like I am just trying to check things off the list, either.  I think the half is a comfortable distance that I could stick with as an annual season-ending event; the full IM might be a "check off the bucket list" type thing, though.  But who knows until you actually do one.  Thanks again.

best of luck to ya!! let me know how you do, i have my first this weekend

Edited by madnikki 2011-08-09 5:59 PM

I'll be out there volunteering at the SuperSprint ahead of racing the sprint distance the next day. This is a great race to try for your first (that's what I did last year). Enjoy it and I'll see you out there!

Finally a chance to write about the Woodridge Mini Triathlon.  I had a great time!  First off I will say that I thought the event was very well organized and I thought the race ran smoothly.  I picked up the packets for my brother and I on Saturday (race on Sunday) so we could get things organized and save time on Sunday.  Brother was #54 and I was #95.  You start in bib number order, so I started swimming about 30 minutes into the race.  Of course we ended up leaving the house a little late because my wife and 2.5 year old daughter decided to ride with us instead of separately.  I was a little worried about being late, but we ended up having plenty of time.  We got our transition area set up and took a few pictures and went to our pool to await the swim start.  My brother is a more experienced swimmer than me, so he gave a slightly faster time and went off about 15 minutes earlier than me.  I was pretty revved up to start and crushed my 250 yard swim in 3:45.  I probably went a little too hard as I was pretty gassed coming out of the pool.  I tried to get smart and pin my bib to my shirt prior to the race, but of course the shirt got rolled up on my wet body so my bike time got off to a slow start.  I caught my breath on the bike and went as hard as I could for 6.2 miles.  I even took the time to have that "I'm actually doing this" moment while pedaling down the street!  That was neat.  I don't have the special shoes and pedals (yet), so T2 was no problem - rack the bike, take off the helmet and go!  I felt strong coming off the bike and smoked the 2.1 mile run, passing my bro along the way (running is not his strong suit at all).  Unless the preliminary results change, I finished 4th in my age group (!) with a total time of 42:52.  Not bad for a first triathlon, I don't think.  It was great having my wife and daughter there to cheer me on and fun running and training with my brother.  I think I'm in for this whole triathlon thing - I can't stop thinking about what I could have done faster in transition (many things) and how I can train better (many more things) - I've already got my eye on some of the local races for next year.  I wish I could do another tri this summer/fall, but my schedule isn't going to allow for it.  Oh, well, more time to train and prepare for next year!    If you're looking for a good intro to tri, I would highly recommend the Woodridge Mini - definitely a fun time!