Katy Triathlon at Firethorne - TriathlonSprint

I had a GU and some water a little while before the start. The water was COLD! Between that and the first-timer anxiety that hit me I couldn't catch my breath the entire swim. I was so disappointed, but made it through and miraculously caught my breath the minute I climbed out of the water.

Warm up more in the water prior to the start. That and get a wetsuit for the colder water.

I downed a GU I had stashed in my tri top pocket and washed it down with some water when I got to my bike. I felt I got through there pretty quickly. I found my bike easily as I made sure to count which rack I was on before the race as well as line it up with a vendor tent set up next to the transition area. I used a spare water bottle to squirt the grass and dirt off my feet, gave them a couple of quick swipes with my towel, donned my helmet and glasses and was off and running. Shoes clipped in the pedals, I jumped on the bike and was riding.

I need more practice getting into the bike shoes once in the saddle. I am sure some tri shoes would help, but they are not worth another $100 or more.

Without a bike computer I don't know how consistent my speed was. It was a little chilly until I dried off a bit, but I don't think that hindered me any. I had one more GU as I came back into the neighborhood where transition was set up and a few final swigs of Gatorade.

Need more training on the bike. I would like to get my speed up. I was pleased with my performance though as I had the legs enough to exceed my training pace on the run. I only had about a month and a half with my bike and improved my speed about 18% in that time. I would push it a bit more on the bike and trust my training to get me through the run. I think I was too conservative.

I was really pleased with how quickly this T went. Despite my stuff being sort of messed up by my rack neighbors, I was able to get my socks and shoes on fast(socks folded over and laying inside shoes and Yankz!) Helmet and glasses off, darker shades on, grab race belt and run, run, run.

I was sweating but I didn't get hot until the end. I was trying to stay just ahead of someone that appeared to be going my pace. Turns out I was wrong, they were going faster, but I was able to stay ahead of them and they dropped after about half way.

Just like the other areas, I need to train more. I was happy with my run because I outperformed my training pace and had done only a few brick workouts, none of race distance. Also, I will look around me as I near the finish line to see who to chase or stay ahead of. I didn't think to do it here and was passed by a female right before the finish line. What a blow to my ego because I thought I was doing so well.

I walked it off and tried to slow my breathing. It took a couple of minutes.


It was my first race, so I have nothing to compare it to. It was overall a good experience; good enough to have me planning 5 to 6 races in 2010.