Sally Edwards stay away! First sprint Tri and I wasn't last

[cobalt]

What sounds like a good idea in February doesn't seem like such a good idea in July... 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 5 K run (walk )

I was talked into doing the Trek Woman's sprint tri and then the person that talked me into it dropped out. My daughter and her friend did it with me but I was always a bit behind them.

Anyway, the last person to finish got to do the last bit of the run with Sally Edwards. Honestly, I have no idea who she is but when she walked past me the opposite way looking for the last runner (or walker) I did start to run! I didn't want to be last and avoided Sally. lol

I didn't train for the swim at all. I used to be on swim team for many years I can do it, no problem. Well, that was 30 years ago! The swim was ok but next time I need to train.

The bike leg was fine, I do bike.

The run was a challenge for me because I have arthritis in my ankle. I fast walked and then ran at the end.

Today the tendon going up my foot and into my ankle is very sore but otherwise, I am fine.

If I can do it, anyone can! I am still 50# overweight and 50.

And, I know there is nothing wrong with being last, I just didn't want it to be me.

[Connie]

Congratulations! You've giving me some encouragement because I signed up to do the Danskin Tri and do to a family situation I haven't been able to train at all! I've all but given up. I'm 60 and this will be my 3rd Danskin, that is if I do it this year. I might get in the pool soon and see how it feels. I don't run anymore so I don't think waking 3 miles would be too difficult even though it is the last leg. I'm not too worried about the bike either. Anyone out there have any thoughts as to whether it would be a mistake at my age to do it even though I haven't trained?

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on your first tri!!!! Sounds like it was a good day for you- and I'm glad for you that Sally didn't come and track you down.
Do you have any pictures to share with us?

[cobalt]

I think you'll be fine Connie! Just take your time and have finishing be the goal instead of time. There were a lot of people walking and they had some non-swimmers! They were given a swim buddy and a water noodle (a person and a pool toy) to help them. I can't imagine doing it if I couldn't swim but they did it.

I do not have photos, can't believe we didn't take any. The event had a photographer so there will be some but I should have taken one with my daughter.

Connie, just between you and me... not only did I not swim at all (haven't been in a pool in years) but I was only on my bike twice the whole summer as well. The lack of training wasn't as hard as lugging around the xtra weight.

[colby]

Congrats, cobalt. Glad you enjoyed the Trek series, sounds like they inherited all of the things people enjoyed about the Danskin (hopefully Danskin kept those things, too, so we have TWO events to choose from for the super-polite and first-time women triathletes).

Connie, I'd get out there and see how you feel in the pool/open water at least once. Really, as long as you can get through the swim and feel comfortable riding 12 miles on your bike, you can walk the run. There are always a lot of people walking, as you well know. No shame in that, it's all moving forward. I can't remember the last time I didn't stop and walk in a tri, even sprint distance. I am hoping to end that streak this weekend, but no promises.

I always try to stick around for people that finish later than I do, though since there are so many mixed group waves I often don't make it to see the last finisher cross the finish line.