Give Peace A Tri - TriathlonMini Sprint

Being it's my first tri my goal was to survive the swim and not drown (because I drowned as a kid and it wasn't pleasant). I decided to take a leisurely, relaxed pace with no regard to time. I started at the very back of the pack and wide opposite the buoys. I knew this would increase the distance but I didn't want to get swum over or bashed about too much. I was surprised by how calm I was, even with people swimming around me and getting hit and kicked and not being able to pass. (Yes, I couldn't believe there was a point where I could pass someone.) For a while I was alone, and then the next wave caught up...and passed me. Did fairly good job of sighting, I thought. Tendency to pull towards the side that I am breathing on. Breathed mostly on the right, but when the sun came out of the clouds, I breathed on the left. Breathed every other stroke which kept the heartrate down. Came out of the swim feeling good. No dizziness, no racing heart rate, no nausea, no drowning!!

Didn't push the pace at all in the swim, in fact, I probably swim faster in the pool during training. Next time, with more experience, I would start at the back but not the very back, and push the pace a little bit more, knowing I can distance.

No separate timing for T1, so I don't know how long it took. Came out of the water pulling my goggles and cap off and jogging towards bike. Rinsed feet in my silicone bread pan (perfect size, and safe and soft), stepped on towel and tried to roll on the socks...but didn't orient them the right way. Rolled it on with the heel on top of the foot, had to reroll and put it back on again. Same with second sock. Top got stuck on my upper back and I laughed while trying to pull it down over my wet back. Sunglasses, helmet, race number went on easily, shoes went on easily, got my bike and ran up the grassy hill to the bike start line, which was full of people, all n00bs like me, awkwardly getting on their bikes.

Starting with the socks - which were a last minute decision - I would roll them but orient them so they roll up my feet the right way! Tank top would be pulled on with two hands (I think I was trying to grab for my sunglasses with the other hand) and pull down at the sides, but who knows, maybe it's always this tricky to put a shirt on while wet! Ah - next time, tri top, or the self esteem to not have to put a shirt on over my swimming bra. Yeah, right.

I loved the bike leg. It was the one of the three that I planned on pushing, and I was passing people!! Didn't hold back on passing like my first HM. I pushed it, but not too hard because I was cheering the other bikers on - to which I got no reply. In fact, I was the only one cheering other people on. Is that n00by of me? I was just so happy to be out riding, and doing so well! And going so fast! Until the dang flat. Last corner, 1/3 mile from the end. Flat tire. Contemplated changing it, but someone passing me said I was near the end so I walked/awkwardly jogged the bike back. Maybe 6 or 7 minutes to walk it back to transition. I was sooooo bummed. Every minute that went by I kept thinking, would it be faster to change it? Argh!

Nothing. I pushed the pace, but not too hard, and had a great ride. In hindsight, best that I walked the rest, but I shouldn't have been so negative about the flat because it really affected my run.

T2 flew by! I came in jogging with the bike (Nick commented he was surprised at how clumsy people were with walking their own bikes), got angry because I thought people had dumped their bikes on the ground on my stuff, but I was one rack more over, so I griped out loud, then found my stuff. Racked MY bike hehe, then proceeded to take off the helmet, slip out of my bike shoes and into my running shoes. It felt fast to me, but transitions weren't separately timed. Turned around and realized I didn't know where to run. Saw some runners, remembered the opening prep talk and headed towards the front gate of the park.

Nothing. Was all pretty smooth! Would contemplate not wearing socks next time. I hate socks. It was a last minute decision and I might try without.

Was preoccupied with negative thoughts of my flat tire. Had a tough time with the course because I hadn't scoped it out at first, so I had no idea where I was, where I was going, what was coming, and how much I had left. I'm a conservative runner, so I didn't push the run at all. Benefit of the flat meant I didn't have a terrible heavy leg feeling, but I did notice after what felt like a mile that my legs loosened up. Someone at the last 1/3 mile left their sprinkler on towards the road so I airplaned through. That was nice, even if it cost me some time (like, 3 seconds? :) ).

Always know the course layout. Running is a mental battle for me, and the best thing I can do is prepare by knowing what's coming. My confidence would have been much higher if I had only previewed the course. I also know I can push it more because I wasn't breathing nearly as hard as I have for runs like Turkey Trot or Fast Friends. Could have pushed it - 5 k is supposed to hurt the whole time, right? But I wasn't doing this tri to compete, so I am happy I finished it at all! Next time - better attitude!

Uhm...warm down? I was stopped by a volunteer while they bent down and took off the timing chip from my ankle. Brutal. I wanted to get walking, but came to a dead halt. Then I walked over to my friends, stood around and took photos. Wasn't until a few minutes later that I had a drink of water, stretched and got some food in the form of pizza (not so good) and fruit (yum).


Big mental downer. Ruminating (as I am wont to do) over the flat tire and not previewing the run course.

But this wasn't for time, so I have to focus on the positives. I finished my first tri!


This was a pretty good race. The course had to change at the last minute due to flooding at Surry Mountain Lake, but otherwise this was a great beginner friendly race. I learned a lot and the race and course made it possible for me to give triathlon a try. I would highly recommend this to people as a first triathlon.