Props to the BT forums - you guys...

and triathletes in general.

I just completed my first event, a sprint, this past Saturday.  I trained specifically for this thing for about 5 weeks.  During that time, I spent a considerable amount of time on these forums and even posted a few questions.

I can say that you guys (which includes athletes and organizers / volunteers at the event not associated with BT) really seem to be a super group of folks.  As a beginner that asked some pretty silly noob questions, I wouldn't have been surprised at a condescending remark or two, but it never came.  Just helpful answers and lots of support.  It's also cool to find an activity where the true competitors (top finishers) and newbies and people just out there to try and push themselves with no expectation to be competitive can 'race' side-by-side and no one looking down at the other guy.

I did pretty well (finished right in the middle of my age group).  I was really going to be happy with 1:30, and ended up posting a 1:23 (before a 2 min penalty for drafting I think).  So I am hooked for the moment.  I gotta go find a better bike (within my budget) and work on my crawl stroke.  I am really looking forward to next 'season'.

Thanks again for the help and support.