RonI started this site 10 years ago after doing my first triathlon in 2001. My goal for this site is to get people healthy and happy. I firmly believe that triathlon is the best 'sport' for your body as it has less impact then the more popular single sport(running) while incorporating your upper body from swimming allows for a balanced-body approach to fitness.
My First Tri
The only worry I had going into it was the swim...I couldn't touch the bottom and there weren't any lines to follow.
Quite and experience! I went for it all and did the Olympic size triathlon: 1mile swim, 25mile bike and 6mile run. The only worry I had going into it was the swim...I couldn't touch the bottom and there weren't any lines to follow. I started the heavy training in March so that I could do a triathlon in July. Since I didn't have a lot of aerobic activity in March, this was a big job to do. Due to the seasons in Ohio, I didn't have enough time to do all phases of the training, so I just started on the final 12 weeks.
I ended up developing some temporary foot problems as my new job required steel-toed boots - I have flat feet, and they are sensitive. I actually started training in May instead of March which just gave me enough time to get the 12 weeks of training in by September which was the last triathlon offered near me. Training went well, my triathlon training followed my weight training, both took about 1-2 hours, surprisingly I had lots of energy...like I was on speed or something.
I was training for the biking part with a $100 mountain bike from Wal-Mart, this worked well, not a big investment as bikes can get expensive. The day before my triathlon I got my street bike race ready (was lighter, smoother). I test drove it and noticed that the gears slipped a little now and then, so while trying to see where the problem was while riding the bike, I drove off the sidewalk and crashed!!! I felt stupid and very angry. I scraped my ankles, knees and hips - they were bleeding. My hip actually hurt when walking up stairs - I think I bruised it. Anyways I was signed up so I had to go.
I woke up very early, drank a powershake and some expresso. I was ready. My family and friends came down to the Mogadore Reservoir for the main event. Olympics were going before the Sprints. By the time I got there, got my numbers, got set-up in the transition area, it was time to go. I was running to the beach as I heard that somebody was giving directions on the race. I only got a few stretches in before I got into the water.
It was a shot-gun launch, not in waves, I lost a few minutes by waiting for everybody to clear out so I wouldn't get swum under. The first 5-10 minutes I was a little breathless - the water was a little cold and I wasn't warmed up. I just started counting strokes like I did at the pool until I calmed down and got into a rhythm. During the swim, the sun was coming over the horizon over the lake - it was beautiful. At last I was able to touch the ground of the beach...I did it!!! I stood on the beach a few seconds to catch my breath. The swim took me 42 minutes, I was almost the last one out.
The Biking
The Run
Post Race
I will do it all again just for the post-race. We packed everything up and headed out in search of breakfast. We found a Country Kitchen thanks to my wife. I had three plates of food: omelets, french toast, and sausage biscuits and gravy...I love breakfast. I was happy. We then went home, I mowed the grass (I still had energy!). Watched a few movies. I slept great that night!
What Next?
I slowed my training down a lot, concentrating on lifting. Next year in 2002, it will be a lot easier to train providing I maintain a certain amount during the winter. I will be training with my mom...she watched me and got inspired to run her first.
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