sfa
04-21-2009, 08:08 AM
I signed up to do a sprint triathlon this summer, and I'm still thinking of that one as my first "real" tri. This one was a fundraiser for autism and was billed as a "super sprint"--in other words, very, very short. 250 meters in a pool, 9.3 mile bike, and 2.5 miles run. I was looking at it as just good practice for this summer.
The only problem I had was that I went into it after three nights of horrible sleep--on Thursday night my dog had eaten a chocolate bunny and was hyper all night, so I spent the night up and down with him, then apparently my son heard that this was a fundraiser for autism so to celebrate he showed off his best autistic behavior--not sleeping. He was up until 4 a.m. Friday night (well, Saturday morning) and 2:30 a.m. Saturday night--and I had to be up at 4:14 to get to the site on time. DH works nights, so I couldn't kick him to go deal with these things.
Other than that, it was fun. I finished middle of the pack, which was about what I expected. I think mine was the only bike with fenders and a bell, so I was rocking the doofus look. But I was also passing people while going uphill, so I didn't care. The swim surprised me because it was so fun. I hate swimming and dread those workouts each week, but add the element of trying to avoid getting kicked in the head and suddenly it's fun! Plus, bonus--short. All my swim workouts should be 250 meters. And maybe I can have a friend stand on the side of the pool and lob rocks at me so I can add some danger to the mix. The run was the only thing that got me. I need to get off the treadmill and out onto roads. With hills. I almost never do that and I really should.
But overall, a very nice experience. My favorite part was getting home while people we still struggling out of bed and then being able to feel smug and superior the rest of the day. :p
Sarah
The only problem I had was that I went into it after three nights of horrible sleep--on Thursday night my dog had eaten a chocolate bunny and was hyper all night, so I spent the night up and down with him, then apparently my son heard that this was a fundraiser for autism so to celebrate he showed off his best autistic behavior--not sleeping. He was up until 4 a.m. Friday night (well, Saturday morning) and 2:30 a.m. Saturday night--and I had to be up at 4:14 to get to the site on time. DH works nights, so I couldn't kick him to go deal with these things.
Other than that, it was fun. I finished middle of the pack, which was about what I expected. I think mine was the only bike with fenders and a bell, so I was rocking the doofus look. But I was also passing people while going uphill, so I didn't care. The swim surprised me because it was so fun. I hate swimming and dread those workouts each week, but add the element of trying to avoid getting kicked in the head and suddenly it's fun! Plus, bonus--short. All my swim workouts should be 250 meters. And maybe I can have a friend stand on the side of the pool and lob rocks at me so I can add some danger to the mix. The run was the only thing that got me. I need to get off the treadmill and out onto roads. With hills. I almost never do that and I really should.
But overall, a very nice experience. My favorite part was getting home while people we still struggling out of bed and then being able to feel smug and superior the rest of the day. :p
Sarah