![]() Swim
Comments: I hadn't been in a pool in over a year. Luckily, the pond temperature was actually higher than the air temperature, and the fact that I didn't have a wetsuit (but we really were the only two who didn't) was actually a benefit...I didn't have to wrangle it off. I thought I could just swim the same way I normally do in a pool, and at one point I crashed into a low area with a bunch of lilly pads and totally freaked out. Someone in a kayak was coming for me, but I just kicked off and kept going...I know! I'm lost! I spent some time swimming backstroke, too, since I just couldn't breathe. What would you do differently?: I definitely need to do more open water swimming, or at least learn how to sight. I should get over the fact that triathlon swimming is just NOTHING like real competitive swimming. ![]() Transition 1
Comments: I have never done this before. I was still shaking from the swim because of the adrenaline, and I didn't realize how hard it would be to change clothes here. I had wanted to put a shirt on, but I decided not to because I was still soaking wet. I had also wanted to put socks on, but I couldn't get my numb fingers to work, so I just stuck my feet in and left. What would you do differently?: Be more organized about transitions...but it was my first, and I learned a lot. ![]() Bike
Comments: I wish I had had the forethought to bring sunglasses, or realized that I wasn't confident enough on my bike yet to be able to wrangle a water bottle out of the cage on the frame. I had a half liter with me, but I didn't drink a tablespoon of it the entire race. The longest ride I had ever done with this new bike had been 25 miles the week before, and this one sucked. I was not at all prepared for it and it showed, but considering my lack of training, not half bad. What would you do differently?: Ride a bike once in awhile. Bring the right gear and figure out how to drink while riding. ![]() Transition 2
Comments: Again, not sure what I was doing. I had to put socks on, and I couldn't run in just the sports bra and swim suit top and bike shorts (Argh, tummy). I put on a cotton t-shirt, and soon realized why triathletes don't wear cotton...sticky, chafey, doesn't dry, billowy, and annoying. I did eat some shot blocks on the way out, which may or may not have helped me. What would you do differently?: Not have to tie shoes and have more appropriate triathlon gear. ![]() Run
Comments: This felt awful. It was the longest consecutive run I have ever done in my life, and I hated every second of it. I wish I had thought to bring an iPod so at least I could have thought about anything other than my own pain and failure to get oxygen. What would you do differently?: Train a brick. My first Olympic tri was not the ideal place to see how it felt to run after a 25 mile bike ride. Get back in decent running shape. ![]() Post race
Warm down: Wandered around and ate some oranges, drank the water I should have had during the race. What limited your ability to perform faster: I didn't train for this at all. I just wanted to see if I was capable of finishing this. Event comments: Hey, I'm glad I did it. My plan was to finish in 3 hours, and those extra few minutes were all in my transitions. Weirdly, I can't wait for the next one. Last updated: 2010-06-08 12:00 AM
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United States
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65F / 18C
Sunny
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 20-24
Age Group Rank = 5/5
Yogurt smoothie and stress over the cold weather. My first Olympic tri and I'm going to be the only one without a wetsuit. And I hate ponds. Loaded up our bikes and headed for the hills.
Warm...haha. Actually, I just kept my sweats on and hoped that I could warm up while swimming.