Queensland Tri Series 2008 - Raby Bay Race 3 - TriathlonMini Sprint

This was my first swim in open water. I knew I'd do shockingly bad - breast stroked the whole way. The start - jump off a pontoon, then tread water for 4 minutes , and a mass start of 50 people was terrifying. Stuck to the outside and back end of pack kept my distance. Concetrated on finishing. I reckon I swam 100metres extra just to stay on the outside of the pack. Did ok then realised as I rounded the last buoy onto the ramp out of water that I was directly in the path of the pack coming up from wave behind me and started to get kicked/grabbed etc so I stopped and got out of their way until they passed and made my leisurely way out of the water. Overall Im stoked that I finished this and overcame a major personal fear - next time I have a long way to improve.

Learn to swim freestyle !. Swim tighter to the course.

First race on a bike for me. My newly 2nd hand felt racing bike and me did ok. Surprised at just how little I had left in the legs after the swim. Started out fast + fine, then got tired around end of 1st lap. Concentrated on finishing without burning the legs out for run.

Really disappointed with time this is 13minutes slower than I'd expect.

Started ok - Short small steps. Ran about 0.5k to water station and just had no energy. Had to walk/run/walk/run the rest - really really hard going. Managed to run the final 0.7k into the shute and finish. Really felt like had zero energy left in legs or body.

Swimming. Absolutely petrified of the swim - and the effort and exertion in the swim killed me later on.


This was my first Tri. I have never been athletic and never wanted to be. Starting running in May did a 5k race and got bug for competing. Doing a Tri was a dream. My goals were to finish, and not drown. I ended up 87th out of my 90 strong age group - had an absolute ball. Looking forward to the 5 remaining races between now and May. Pretty disappointed with times compared to my bric sessions - really must focus on improving swim so that It doesnt burn me out totally the rest will fall into shape.