Kinetic Sprint, Race #4 - TriathlonSprint

My background is swimming, but I’ve never done an open water swim, so wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t expect it to be as difficult as it was though! I started out trying to go fast to break away from the crowd, but that didn’t last long. Swim felt awful – my arms felt like lead and I tired out quickly. The wetsuit felt very constricting. I kept having to stop and do breaststroke so I could see where I was. I did not feel good and started wondering if I was cut out for this.

I thought I had set my timer when I started and looked at it when I stood up at the end. I saw the number 24 and was completely crestfallen. I knew I felt bad, but couldn’t believe it had taken 24 minutes! I walked up to T1 pretty down and wasn’t even trying to hurry – thinking the rest of the race was going to be a disaster if the swim went like that. I checked my watch again and realized that the timer hadn’t been set and the 24 was actually 10:24. Since I started at 10:12, I felt much better. My watch was a minute or so behind the official clock and I don’t know where they measured the split – but turns out my offical time was 14:53. A bit disappointing, but definitely beats 24. It’s all a matter of perspective.


Swim more, practice in open water. Learn how to tell where I’m going without stopping. Find a masters group to swim with – I don’t push myself enough on my own.

Was definitely tired. Had started T1 pretty down and wasn’t even trying to hurry. When I realized swim wasn’t as bad as I originally thought, I tried to pick up the pace – but getting that wetsuit off is tricky! I think it took me over 5 minutes in T1. Oops.

Practice. Swim in races that don't require a wetsuit!

I had borrowed a friend’s road bike and took it out on Saturday to practice using the clipless pedals – only to discover that the back gears didn’t work. The bike shop couldn’t fix it that day, so I debated using my hybrid or trying to us her bike. Then on a desperate impulse, I bought a new bike at around 4:00 pm Saturday! I had only ridden it around the parking lot and didn’t have much practice with clipless pedals, so wasn’t sure how this was going to work. But I LOVE my new bike. The bike was fun and I felt pretty good the whole time. I used the gears a lot so I’m glad I didn’t go with the broken one.

There was one hill at the end that I struggled up. A woman at the top told me it was the last big hill, so I felt good. The friend who talked me into this (who knew he would take me seriously when I said over too many cocktails that I always wanted to do a triathlon? And who knew he would be so pushy about it?!) passed me at around mile 15 and gave me a pep talk. I was surprised when he said there were only 3 miles to go because I thought it would take me longer.


Ride more – besides just doing spin classes, practice hills for my next race

Uneventful. Could have sped it up a bit.

Practice stopping with the clipless pedals

Started running up the hill, waved and said hi to a friend on the sidelines, had a smile on my face, and felt pretty good – for about 30 seconds. Then all of a sudden I realized how tired my legs were and how big that hill was. I ended up having to walk up the hill. An older guy was walking and passed me saying “C’mon, you and me kid.” But I couldn’t keep up with him and didn’t have the energy to try.

I am a horrible runner – always have been, even when I was younger, thinner, and in good shape – so my only goal here was to keep moving. I can barely do a 5K when well rested! I walked most of it, but did manage to run (or at least do my version of running) for a few spurts. And I managed to run the last part (thank goodness it was downhill!). I ran across the finish line, and it felt great.


Run, lose weight, run, bricks, run

While I won't be breaking any records, my time was better than I expected. My goal was to finish, and I did. And I felt really good when it was over. I expected to be dead tired, but I was really pumped. And that post race beer tasted awesome!


Not sticking to the training plan, never doing an open water swim, lack of natural running ability, too many extra pounds!


Since I've never done a tri before, I don't have anything to compare it to - but I thought it was great. I think this is a good race for beginners. I really enjoyed my first time out and hope to be back for another one. This time I'll even train properly!