What length was your first race?

My first was an Olympic length. The sprint didn't appeal to me that much b/c I thought it was too short. I am NOT bagging on sprints, just so you know. A tri is hard no matter what! I was just ready to do something beyond a sprint. By the time it turned into a competition between my brother and me, neither of us were willing to cave to anything less.
If nothing else, I would do an Olympic length because less people are starting in the open water at that time!

1st was a 1/2 IM, don't think they had Olys or sprints in 1983, or if they did I didn't know about it.

Mine was an Olympic. I did it 3 months after having my rotator cuff rebuilt. Needless to say I didn't do so hot. I did pretty good on the swim and bike but by the time I hit the run I was out of gas. I walked some of it and couldn't wait to finish and drink my beer.

Mike

3mo out from a RC repair and swimming didn't bother you? You must have done some good rehabbing there. I'm with ya on the beer... Mmmm... 10am Sunday post-race beer....

Olympic...

I'd call my first one a "mini-sprint" (200/10/2). I slipped that one in as a trial for my first goal race, which I'd call a "long sprint" (800/20/3). I guess a "regular sprint" would be something along the lines of 400/15/3?

I haven't raced yet but i've signed up for two

Similar to bear..
First is on the 21st.. mini-sprint (200/8/2)
Second is June, 25th .. regular sprint i'd say. (600/18/3)

Part of me wishes my first one was longer because i'm pretty confident that the first one won't be a problem and I want the experience to last longer.

ws

My first was begining of April this year. A sprint with a short swim.
I understood the rough definitions as:
Sprint = 750Meter swim, 20K bike, 5k run
Oly = 1500 Meter, swim, 40K bike, 10k run
1/2 iron = 1.2Mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.2 mile run
iron - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.4 mile run

I know that there are many (infinite?) variations on the theme.

For example, my first was a 300 yd swim, 20k bike, 5k run
My next will be: 375 meter swim, 1.5 mile run, 20 K bike, 1.5 mile run, 375 meter swim (a strange one... they called it a double sprint...)
The other one I'm planning is a 1500 meter swim, 20k bike, 5k run. The swim is with the incoming tide so they CLAIM it swims like 750...

I did two sprints last year.

First ever was a HIM.  Yeah, I'm crazy.  The body markers were asking if it was your first long-course (HIM or longer) so they could put a 'V' on your hand for long-course virgin.  I guess it's so if you fell over they could look at your hand and just figure you didn't know what you were doing.  I was like, HECK YEAH, put that thing on there!  It's my first triathlon nevermind first long course!

My first tri was a mini sprint. 1/2 mile swim, 7 mile bike, 2 mile run.  This was in 1983.  My race report was pretty funny.  Yes, I was keeping race journals way back then.

Good news - I found a sprint race in 3 weeks that will be my 1st official race!! Today I did my practice tri (225m swim / 16 mile bike / 4 mile run) and it was fantastic!! I did much better than I ever thought I would just by finishing and not walking on the run at all. The race in 3 weeks has a longer swim (400m) but shorter bike (11miles) and run (3miles)... So I'm confident I can do that with some work on the swim in the meantime. That way I get some race experience before the Tinman, which can only help.

My first race last year was a sprint with a pool swim. I wasn't really prepared properly but made it to the finish. It ended up being a real learning experience about how I needed to train for future races. I ended up doing three races last year I'm planning on doing four sprints this year and am contemplating an Oly next year and maybe a half marathon.
Mark

Same here, my first tri was a sprint with a pool swim.  I was prepared to do the sprint but so slow in the swim.  Of the three sprints I did last year though, my average speed was the fastest on this one because it had a flatter straighter course that was closed to traffic.

My first was a Reverse Sprint.  And there is a reason to swim bike run in that order.  When I got into the pool I had the worst legs cramps ever, the pool must have been 70F.

My first race will be an Olympic in 4 weeks.
People tell me I am crazy but I have my reasons, not just because I am an overachiever or anything.... I am not a fast athlete. Sprints do not appeal to me. I am more into endurance. I've ran 1/2 and full marathons and like them better than 5k's so I figured an Olympic would be a better choice for me. I think there is a lot of stress in sprints (for me), the fast pace, hectic transitions, larger number of participants.... I do not want to be turned off by that experience. So far I know I can cover the distance... I feel strong...
Go with your gut feeling....
Good Luck...

Sprint - 1/2 mile swim - 15 mile bike - 5 mile run

double post - sorry

Edited by MUL98 2005-05-09 10:59 AM

Mine is going to be a 1/2. I have a strong background in endurance training, and feel this is a good distance I can settle into. I think your first race you should feel challenged and accept the risk of failure. Why do something if it comes easy? Where is the fun in that?

By the way, my first road race was a marathon.

My first race was a super-sprint.  I was so out of shape I didn't think I'd be able to do a full sprint, but the super-sprint (250y swim, 6m bike, 1.5 m run) was just the thing to get me hooked.  In 2 weeks I do my first sprint, then an almost Olympic in June and a full Olympic in August.  If I can get my hip bursitis under control I even hope to do a marathon in the fall.