First Tri = Dissapointment

CONGRATULATIONS on completing your first triathlon.

Your experience sounds very much like my first tri.  The best thing about doing triathlons is that you keep learning.  I found that I needed more base building than I expected.  A couple of months later I found out how important pre race nutrition is to the formula.  It really is a great ride if you keep trying and it sounds like you will.

It also sounds like you might benefit from some BRIC workouts.  Do a short run after your rides.

You don't have to do a lot of these, but it will get you use to the feel.

Welcome to the world of triathlons.

You overcame adversity, FINISHED, and LEARNED from the experience. 

In a 1st tri, that is SUCCESS.

The disappointment is illogical.

In my first triathlon in 1984 I was 2nd from last. It was super tough, and the sport was young. WE didn't know what we were doing.

There was a high point though, several in fact. Late in the run someone pulled up next to me on a bike. I tried to ignore them because I was afraid they may be an official who might pull me from the course since I was out there so long. After the person rode next to me for a minute they said something like, "Just keep going and you'll be OK." I looked over at the person and it was Dave Scott. He had done the race earlier and then went back out on the course to offer the stragglers some encouragement. I was really excited. It was a huge deal. I made it, but it was tough and- as I say- I was 2nd to last.

That was about 250 triathlons ago...  I'm still trying to get this figured out.

The cramping is a weird part of tri's that I wasn't expecting before my first one.  I did do some brick workouts, but apparently not at the intensity of a race, because I never had any issues with cramping in my quads or calves before my first sprint tri.

I think the best way to get around them is simply to train more, which will obviously get your body used to everything, but also fueling/hydrating is huge.  You gotta figure out what your stomach can handle, and then keep yourself fueled as well as possible.

I love your attitude - awesome.  Stick with it and best of luck in all your future races.

First Tri = Disappointment

First Tri = TRIATHLETE!

Take what you learned, train harder, and go get a big PR in your next one. 

Congrats. Sounds like you have been given some great advice to improve your next experience. I would also add that you might want to take an electrolyte supplement before some of your worksouts. I've found that Endurolytes really help with cramping. They have a much better mix of electrolytes than Gatorade or Powerade.