First Triathlon Report!

[Cindyloo]

I did it! I posted earlier questioning whether I should go for it and I'm glad I showed up! Please excuse me if this is long.....I'm just excited! It was a sprint tri at Lake Lanier Islands north of Atlanta with a quarter mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and three mile run. I don't have my official times yet, but will post them when I get them. Overall I think I finished in a little over 2 hours. Pics are posted below report!

Pre-race

Made a list and got everything ready last night. Only purchases were a new sports bra and energy food. I got up at 4:30 AM this morning because we (DH and I) had an hour and a half drive up there and I was going to have to do late registration because I was chicken to sign up! Ate cereal and headed out. We arrived at about 6:45 AM and I got registered and went to the transition area to get set up. I can't tell you how much information from here and other areas on the internet helped to avoid major faux pas! Setting up was quick and I got a nice spot on the end. I had a Gu 15 minutes prior to start.

At about 8:00 AM it was time to get ready for the swim so I donned my race issued bright green swim cap and headed to the beach.

The Swim

I haven't mentioned yet that it was 56 degrees F, misting rain and a bit windy . There were little skinny people shivering in thier suits. Thanks goodness for my extra insulation . Prior to the start I checked the water out up to knee deep and was a bit concerned. Along with me most competitors did not have a wetsuit as this is touted to be a beginners triathlon. I was in the last wave to hit the water which I didn't mind!

At chest deep I immediately lost breath due to the cold water. It was f-f-f-frigid! All form, dignity, or plans went out the window. Putting my face in the water was almost impossible because instead of breathing out at that time, the cold water automatically made me want to gasp! I did some breast stroke, back stroke, and any stroke that could get me to the end. I wasn't last out of the water! Projected time: 20 minutes.

T1

Uneventful, got all my bike gear on and took off.

The Bike

The course was advertised to be "pancake flat". Those are mighty bumpy pancakes! There were some hills I had to stand and pedal! The downhills were awesome though. Max was 32 mph with the average being 12 (ick). I think I was a little conservative on the bike in anticipation of the run and not being too tired. A couple of people had wiped out on the course because the roads were wet. I felt really sorry for them! Overall the bike was good, just too slow. Estimated time: 1 hour

T2

This is where things got interesting! As I rolled across the mat a lady was screaming at everyone, DISMOUNT!!!!! Well (not that it was her fault) but I did try to dismount without quite stopping! I got my left foot out and leaned the bike which, with the wet pavement, caused the bike to slip right out from under me. BAM! I hit the ground. Thanks goodness for adrenaline! I popped back up like nothing happened and went to my area. My DH pointed out that my knee was bleeding, swell. I ate another Gu and used my inhaler. I got into my running shoes, grabbed a paper towel to wipe blood and took off for the run.

The Run

Well, mostly for me it was "the walk". I jogged about 1/3 of the course and walked the other 2/3. People were very supportive and cheered each other on. I felt I should have pushed harder on the run and could greatly improve my time here. Coming up to the finish line was awesome! My DH and others were there cheering for every finisher. I got a cool T-shirt and a finishers medal. Estimated time: 45 minutes.

Overall I can totally see how tris are addictive! Such a rush. My next is planned for June 24th and I am really looking forward to it! Thanks for the support!

Below are pics. I am wearing a white shirt and black shorts with a white helmet in the bike/run.

[Wahine]

The first one is never without some mishaps and it sounds like you kept it all very smooth for a beginner.

The bike is always deceiving, you can push a lot harder than you think and still do alright on the run. For a few warm-up races during the season I force myself to push as hard as I can on the bike just to see how well I can run if I don't hold anything back. Turns out, it hardly affects my run time at all.

Yes, the run does sound like someplace you could improve with just a little work.

Congratulations and welcome to the adreneline addiction.

Before your problem gets out of control, you should check this out:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ight=addiction

[colby]

Congratulations, Cindy. The first of many, we hope... it only gets better from here!

[Tri Girl]

CONGRATS CINDY!!!!

Sounds like you had a BLAST!!! I loved your report- couldn't wait to hear what happened next in your race adventure. Sorry about the dismount mishap- happens to the best of us, and wet roads are no fun at all!

I'm so proud of you!!!! You'll never forget the excitement of this first one!!
Congrats on a GREAT race! You did fantastic!!!! Thanks for posting the pics- it's great to see you in action- you look amazing!!!!!

[tprevost]

THAT is so cool! Way to go Cindy! I've heard the first one is pretty scary because of the unknowns... YOU DID IT!!!! .... and you did it well! Congratulations to you!

Great report too!

[alpinerabbit]

Woooot... way to go Cindy!!

That lake looks cold. Lucky my first is 8 weeks out so the lake can warm up...

The bike is always deceiving, you can push a lot harder than you think and still do alright on the run. For a few warm-up races during the season I force myself to push as hard as I can on the bike just to see how well I can run if I don't hold anything back. Turns out, it hardly affects my run time at all.

Really? do you recommend this strategy for noobs???

[crazycanuck]

Hey congrats on your first tri! Wahoooeeyeyeyeyey!!!

I hope you continue on & enjoy the sport.

I have so many questions to ask you but they're in regards to the rules Sorry, i'm now a Tri technical official and am wondering what happens up yonder.

Did they have a pre race briefing informing the competitors about the course or what they can & can't do?

Was there a sign stating "dismount" /"mount"There should be a sign at all tri's you do stating "Dismount"here. Do not mount before line.

Sorry to hijack the thread...
C

[rocknrollgirl]

Great Job Cindy. I am so happy for you that you decided to go for it. Welcome to the insanity! Well ?, so when is your next race.......

[Cindyloo]

Thanks ladies!

cc, there was a short briefing, mostly regarding safety. They were pretty lenient regarding rules on this one as most folks were newbies. No signs to mount or dismount and the only lines to make sure to cross were the timing mats!

RnR, my next one is June 24th and I am too excited!

[MINIskirt]

Congrats!!! Great job!

Wow! That water sure does look cold.

[pinkychique]

Congrats!! Keep it up! Warning: they're totally addicting!!!

[KSH]

Cindy... what an amazing job you did.

Now, did I see a picture with you leaving the water WITHOUT a wetsuit?

Your first race is always a "take notes for next time". Shoot, just about every race is.

Wonderful job, thanks for the race report and congratulations on becoming a triathlete!

[Wahine]

Woooot... way to go Cindy!!

That lake looks cold. Lucky my first is 8 weeks out so the lake can warm up...



Really? do you recommend this strategy for noobs???

Minor thread highjack.

If by noobs you mean 1st season of racing, no.

But by the second season sure. Just make sure you pick races that don't mean a lot to you to try it out. It works for me but other people might find that they completely blow out after a hard ride, that could mean DNFing. But the goal is to find out how hard you can push and still run well, so that might be part of the process. When I said that it doesn't affect my run times much, that's true, my pace might drop by about 15 sec per mile on an Oly distance, but believe me, it feels a lot harder for the first 2 to 3 miles until I get my running legs under me.

[roadie gal]

Congrats! Great going for your first! You should be proud of yourself!!

[btchance]

Congrats - I'm glad you went out there and did it. Now when's the next one