I'm a Triathlete too!!

Yesterday I competed in and finished my first TRI, the Tower Triathlon in Niles, Illinois. I completed the 400m swin, 18k bike, and 5k run in just about 1 hour 25 minutes, which I am very excited of given the windy conditions yesterday and my nerves. The breakdown went like this.

Swim-- 9:06, which I am not very happy with. It was a pool swim (25 m pool) so I know I had the added time turning and whatnot but I know I can be faster. I think what happened is me and my lane partner (we shared the line side by side) paced each other. We swan the entire swim side by side. I need to focus on my workout and not my lane partners.

T1: 3:59. After jumping out of the pool (i missed the first time) we had to run a good distance from the pool, through a parking lot, around a building, through some grass and mulch before getting to the transition area. and then once there, i put my cleats on only to have to take them off cause my sock was twisted. other than that my T1 went smoothly.

Bike: 1:03 that is 1 minute 3 seconds. Bring on Lance. No really, i think they got my bike and T2 time confused. But anyhow the bike course was a little over 2 mile loop we had to complete 5 times through an idustrial park with some roads in bad condition. it was quite windy that day so half the course was almost unbearable but the other half flew by. I passed about 4 women, got passed by a bunch of men and one women. I think I could have pushed the bike harder but I now know for next time.

T2: 42:17 I had a smoke, some lunch, no really. Like I said before I think my bike and T2 times were switched. Smooth transition although I wasn't sure where the out was. Need to take a better mental picture of the transition area for next time.

Run: 28:42 which is pretty good 5k time for me. my PR is just at 28:01 so I feel good about a 28:42 after a swim and bike. The first mile I felt like I was going no wear, then at mile 1 I looked at my watch and saw 9:08 so I guess you all and my other tri friends were right when they told me that the first mile or so you won't feel like you are going any where but you are. Mile 2 was into the wind and took me about 10 min and them mile 3 took about 8:17 with the rest being that .1 mile.

After the race, I felt great which may mean, I could have pushed a bit harder but you learn with each race. And today, I feel pretty well. Not to sore. I may even try to run a bit later today.

I am really excited for my bext race which is June 12. The bike and run is about the same as this but I move to a 750m open water swim!! I am definately hooked and now need to find a July race cause currently I have a large amount of time between my next race and my final race of August 28 (chicago).

Thanks for all your advice over the last few months!!
Deanna

Deanna