Completed my first triathlon this moring. 300 yard swim, 11.6 mile bike ride and a 5K.
300 yard swim: 11:20
Swim to Bike Transistion: 1:59
Bike: 38:46 (includes the transistion to the run)
Run - 28:30
Total time 1:20:36 - 55th out of 181
Pre-Race - Getting ready for a Tri-about 2 times the gear, not counting the bike, logistices is a significant part of the race. First thing to go crazy, went to pump up my tires this morning, the $60 pump broke, less than a year old. In a panic, took my race bike and mountain bike as a backup. Good thing, Cyclesmith bike shop was there offering assistance. Triathlons can we won or lost in transistion. Bike shoes, running shoes, shirt, sun glasses, helmet, race number have to be layed out just right for maximum efficiency (John, thanks for the tips).
The weather, rained off and on with wind before, during and after the race, will talk about the weather more.
Swim or Sink: How many times at a race are you on your honor to start according to your time? Many times, how many runners really pay attention to this minor detail. The swim, we were on our honor for the time trial start, a swimmer left every 5 seconds and you were on your honor to seat yourself accordingly. I chose 11 minutes, missed my estimated time by 20 seconds. Many swimmers mis-judged their speed, it was minor chaos as 5 swimmers at one time were snaking up and down in the same lane all bunched together, Newbie was worried. As my turn can to jump and swim, I panicked, went out too fast the first 50 yrds, not wanting to end up at the bottom of the pool by swimmers taking me down. I swam the rest of the laps backstroke. Sylvie was yelling, giving me encouragement.
Swim to Bike Transistion: I was dead dog tired after the swim, almost didn't have enough energy to lift myself out of the pool. I ran to my bike, sat down to put on my bike shoes and rolled straight back from being dead dog tired, quickly recovered and made it out on the bike.
Negative swim road kill: 3
Bike or Bust: The bike was my chance to gain time and pass, passed 30 or more bikers, going like crazy rider. It took about 1 mile for my legs to get with it after the swim and the crusade was on. no one passed me, no surprise, they were virtually all ahead of me. The wipers on my glasses were broke, it was a downpour durning one section by the freeway. There were a few sections were the wet road made the course scary. My bike time was 14th out of 65 male bikers, not counting clydedales. Positive road kill 30 or more.
Run: heading out on the run, my Tri-coach Diananal, president of the Deseret Shark Tri-club, annouced Brent as Tri-newbie. The run started at the top of a bluff, Riverbend golf course and switch backed to the river bottom, good downhill section. My legs were tired, but, no problem running the 5K, no knee issues, just slow. As I started back up the switch backs, I could see and hear Sylvie yelling encouragement from the top of the hill. The hill was not Veyo, but, every hill seems tough when your tired. Crossing the finish line, Di announced that we now have a new Triathlete. She then asked me to come to the mike a say a few words, I said very few words: sink, ride and run. 2 runners passed me, passed one back and passed another 5. Positive road kill 5.
First in Div. got a medal, hat, speed laces.
After thoughts: it was fun, harder than expected, my swim needs much improvement if I am going to be competitive and swim open water. My running needs improvement, my biking is strong.
Sylvie: thanks for your support, yelling, standing in the rain, helping me with gear, etc.
Stay Kool, next Tri? Aug 1st, B of BS Rools out
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