First Tri of the year!

[Susan Otcenas]

First tri of the year is tomorrow, May 8th! We do this sprint tri every year with as many staff members as want to participate. This year, we have 6 (was 7 but one is injured ) We also have 14 TE friends and family participating so it's going to be quite the crowd!

This morning I did a swim-bike-run brick (1 hr total) in my new trisuit to make sure everything was comfortable and worked well with my chosen bra, my HR monitor, etc. I always feel a little goofy going to the pool in a trisuit, but I won't wear anything without a testdrive first.

The weather is looking to be really good <crossing fingers> so it ought to be a great day!

Susan

[GLC1968]

Crap - I have not yet worn my tri capri's in the pool yet! I really hope I don't have any issues!! I have worn them (and the top) for bike/run on numerous occasions, so I know at least that part is good.

Great - something else to worry about for tomorrow.

[Susan Otcenas]

Great - something else to worry about for tomorrow.

Don't worry! You'll be fine. Try to get lots of rest tonight. I need to go home, get my bag together, then get to bed early.

[Veronica]

Your swim will be over in two shakes of a lamb's tail. Don't worry about it.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Your swim will be over in two shakes of a lamb's tail. Don't worry about it.

Veronica

*snort* you haven't seen me swim!

I've got a lot to do tonight - I can't imagine that I'll sleep all that much anyway. I did manage 10 hours last night though - so I should be good!

[OakLeaf]

Good luck you two! Rock that tri!

[salsabike]

Have fun, you guys.

[TriMom217]

so how was it? Excited to hear!

[Susan Otcenas]

WooHoo, the Gator Grinder Triathlon was awesome! The weather was fantastic today. Clear blue sky, not too warm. Couldn't have asked for better.

We had a huge contingent of TE staff, family & friends out there today. Everyone had a blast. I'll let GLC tell her own tale. I was heading out on the run course as she was heading back (she was in an earlier swim heat), so we got to high five and woohoo each other as we passed.

I was 2nd of 15 in my age group (yay!) and managed to cut several minutes off last year's time, despite a bike course that was 0.8 miles longer due to road construction. Going into the run, I was in the lead, but the run is my weakest event and a more worthy competitor outran me. I *did* take 2 minutes off last years run time, so I'm making progress on the run, but it still needs more work! I'm thrilled regardless.

Here's 2 photos from the day.
1. GLC & I post race.
2. TE staff members with their ribbons! From left to right, me (2nd 40-44), Anona (2nd 20-24), Anna (1st 20-24 AND 2nd woman overall - she totally rocked it!) and Renata (3rd 45-49). (And in case you're wondering what's up with the leggings...we are all wearing Zoot CompressRx Recovery Tights. Those things are amazing. )

[OakLeaf]

Way to go Susan (and TE peeps)!

[Selkie]

What a great way to start off your season! Congrats to all.

[colby]

Woot! Nice job Susan and all you TE peeps! Looks like a BEAUTIFUL day, too.

[Alex]

Fabulous! Congrats!

[salsabike]

Amazing, you guys! Congratulations! And you all look wonderful.

[GLC1968]

I guess this means that I am a triathlete now?

My race went pretty well. I am happy with my swim and my run, a tad disappointed with my bike, but overall felt that it wasn't bad for my first attempt. I have lots of room for improvement and as is my style, have spent the last two days thinking about how to get said improvement for next time!

I ended up 8/15 in our age group - 5/15 on the bike and 10/15 for both the swim and the run. I did have two of the four women in that TE photo in my swim lane though! How funny is that?

All in all, I really enjoyed it and while I'm already signed up for #2 in June, I expect that there will be even more tri weekends in my future.

I did post a full race report over at BT, if anyone wants to read it. I think this link should work:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/di...asp?tid=207364