Capital of Texas Triathlon - FirstTri Distance - TriathlonMini Sprint

I committed a first tri faux pas and neglected to do any open water swimming before the race. I also had no wetsuit and when I jumped in I lost my breath. This made it nigh impossible to do any freestyle because everytime I put my face in I sucked water. So, after a minute or so (!) of panicking I began sidestroking. I actually got enough of my breath back the last 50 m so I was able to do some freestyle. This was definitely my weakest leg.

More open water swim preparation.

Towel was helpful to clean my feet off. Practicing transitions helped me to be relatively quick. I would have been quicker had I not been so traumatized by the swim and if I could have my shoes clipped into my pedals and put my shoes on after getting on the bike.

Learn how to mount the bike with shoes already clipped in.

I made a lot of headway in this leg as I had a tri bike (and some motivation from my poor swim performance). Getting one before my first triathlon is probably my second faux pas but earlier this year I got smeared in a duathlon (my bike leg was an hour long than everyone else's) using a hybrid bike so I got one. I really did have a lot of respect for everyone not using a road/tri bike, but I was glad it wasn't me. I was trying to keep a good speed but I was kind of scared to go too fast (I wasn't totally comfortable riding such a fast bike).

Go harder and have water available on my bike.

Be confident of my layout - I spent too much time making sure I had everything.

Solid, but could have taken in more water. My pace was very good, only 15-20 sec off my 5K pace. Probably could have pushed a little harder earlier in the race.

Drink more.

Searching for my lone spectator (my sister!).


Lack of open water training, water too cold for me without a wetsuit so I couldn't breathe easily. Lack of tri experience to know what pacing to use.


Great starter event for me!