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2007-03-24 5:34 PM

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Champion
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Out running or enjoying a fine glass of red...
Subject: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
I did my first triathlon today (race report forthcoming - I'm waiting for the groovy split time information...and I barely know my finishing time (see note below)).

I AM A TRIATHLETE and a lot smarter than I was this morning. Here's what I learned (or maybe not) - if nothing else, I want to share the post-adrenaline rantings of a newbie.

1. I love this sport.
2. I like Blueberry Bliss Cliff bars better than Banana Nut Cliff bars.
3. A purple bike may not be as fast as a red bike, but it's easier to find in transition.
4. I'm not afraid of my bike.
5. I'm a lousy swimmer. (I can fix this.)
6. I had no idea there could be 6-8 people in one swim lane.
7. I don't like to swim with 6-8 other people. Come to think of it, I don't really like other people, although triathlon people are on the whole better than most.
8. I've come a long way, considering in December, I couldn't swim 25 m.
9. I can do anything I put my mind too.
10. The only thing I like saying better than "On your left" is "Thank you"
11. Diet Pepsi is a wholly appropriate pre-race drink, but nothing will ever taste better than orange soda when you finish.
12. I will always have more in my transition bag than necessary, but I will always forget something I need. (Note to self - add sunscreen to checklist.)
13. Volunteers ROCK. Policemen who cheer ROCK. Volunteer policemen who cheer are freakin' awesome.
14. Did I mention I love this sport.
15. Even some of the fast guys don't do flip turns. Some slow people do.
16. I will always cheer on the folks coming behind me on out-and-back run courses.
17. Little kids swim fast, but I can beat them on the bike.
18. Make sure you know how to do emergency repairs to your tri-suit. (My front zipper got a little funky on each of the gazillion times I used the bathroom.)
19. Things to keep your mind occupied on the bike: 1) Is it possible to get a paper cut from your bike number flapping up against your leg? 2) Why haven't I read any groovy tricks on BT to keep from getting said paper cut? 3) Thank god for granny gears. 4) I can get up any hill in front of me. 5) Is that a paper cut?
20. I don't like wet socks.
21. I love this sport. I'm going to go sign up for 2 other sprints this summer and maybe some more swim lessons while I'm at it.
22. I can do anything I put my mind to.
23. I love this sport.

Oh, I guess rather than waiting for the race report, I can tell y'all that I even brought home some hardware (as it were) - I took 3rd in the Athena division & got a wholly-weather-inappropriate sweatshirt. HOORAY.

EDITED to add: Oh, yeah - I forgot to mention: 24. If you get an award, don't get so excited at hearing your name that you forget to hear your time. (and 25. Of course, I love this sport.)

Thanks to everyone who gave me the advice to get here.

Kristen

Edited by enders_shadow 2007-03-24 5:38 PM


2007-03-24 5:49 PM
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Master
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Salisbury, North Carolina
Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Congrats Triathlete on the race and the award...well done !
2007-03-24 5:50 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Williamsburg, Virginia
Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Congrats on the hardware and yes it is a great sport and a great write-up also.
2007-03-24 5:53 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
AWESOME!

CONGRATS!

Yeah, that race number thing got me my first race too.



2007-03-24 6:12 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Congratulations Triathlete.  I cant wait to read that race report!
2007-03-24 6:54 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Highlands Ranch, CO
Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Awesome.  Well done!


2007-03-24 7:11 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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northeast Ohio
Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
I love it!!!!!  Congratulations on your first tri!!!!!!!!!               
2007-03-24 7:26 PM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Way to rock your first tri!!! Congratulations!

Pam
2007-03-24 7:48 PM
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COURT JESTER
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today

Dear Triathlete,

CONGRATS!!!!!

Ty

2007-03-24 8:01 PM
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Mesa
Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
enders_shadow - 2007-03-24 4:34 PM

11. Diet Pepsi is a wholly appropriate pre-race drink, but nothing will ever taste better than orange soda when you finish.


How can you say this? Obviously you have not had a ice cold Guinness right after crossing the finish line

Good race Kristen! It is all about enjoyment... and Guinness!
2007-03-24 8:29 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!


2007-03-24 9:17 PM
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Veteran
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today

what an inspiring account so far...  i could feel your enthusiasm jumping off my monitor and nearly knocking me over!  you CAN do anything!

 

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!! 

2007-03-24 9:24 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today

Congrats!!!   Nice list of "lessons" learned.

 

 

2007-03-24 10:10 PM
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Veteran
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Tuscaloosa, AL
Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today

Good job.

#11 is incorrect though.  Nothing will ever taste better after a race than a cold beer and a cold beer will never taste better than after you finish a race.

 Tape your race number over your down tube with some blue painters tape or masking tape.

2007-03-24 10:20 PM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Kristen, CONGRATS TRIATHLETE and podium presence Athena hardware winner!!!  Way to conquer that 1st competitive swim...
2007-03-25 1:00 AM
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today

Congratulations Kristen, you have acomplished something that most people will never even attempt!!!!

It looks like # 11 has been covered.

20. I don't like wet socks.    Don't wear socks.



2007-03-25 10:39 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Great job Kristen. You should be very proud. I look forward to reading your race report. You will have to go some to make it as entertaining as your post.
2007-03-25 12:17 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
way to go girl! you rock!
2007-03-25 12:43 PM
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Veteran
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Way to go, Captain!!!
2007-03-25 1:40 PM
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Kristen~ that is awesome!!! As a newbie, I am looking forward to having this kind of enthusiam after my first tri!!

2007-03-25 2:29 PM
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
Way to go!! Congrats, triathlete!!


Megz


2007-03-25 6:10 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today

Awesome job!!  Always put a roll of electrical tape in your transition bag.  Tape all sides of the number and it won't give you a paper cut.   Plus you'd be amazed what you will need electrical tape for in/before/after a race.

Yes, little kids do swim fast!!

2007-03-25 6:15 PM
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Champion
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Rochester Hills, Michigan
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today

Nice work!!!  Awesome accomplishment....and funny, real, and candid recollection of the first tri.  That's good stuff, a fantastic read.

And.....I'm part of the Diet Pepsi Mafia.  So #11 works really well for me. 

2007-03-25 6:19 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
TaDammmmm! Great job! Congrats!
2007-03-25 6:20 PM
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Houston, TX
Subject: RE: What a New TRIATHLETE Learned Today
very very nicely done.  way to go!
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