My first tri was this past weekend

[sfa]

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.

Sarah

[OakLeaf]

Way to go sfa! What fun!

You're tweaking my desire to do a sprint tri sooner than later...

[kacie tri-ing]

Way to go! I love that smug feeling too!

Congrats!

[HillSlugger]

Congrats! This must have been the tri in Bethesda/Rockville that I was trying to get my coworker and wife to go for as their first.

The smug feeling is great but it's generally best to keep that amongst ourselves

What's your next tri?

[kacie tri-ing]

The smug feeling is great but it's generally best to keep that amongst ourselves

What's your next tri?

+1 That is the truth! For some reason, no one else really like to hear about that

[roadie gal]

Congrats!

[alpinerabbit]

Here's to loads more smugness

[sfa]

Congrats! This must have been the tri in Bethesda/Rockville that I was trying to get my coworker and wife to go for as their first.

What's your next tri?

That was the one. It was *perfect* for a first tri--well organized, nice, manageable length, and lots of other newbies.

My next one is Iron Girl in August.

[HillSlugger]

That was the one. It was *perfect* for a first tri--well organized, nice, manageable length, and lots of other newbies.

My next one is Iron Girl in August.

Awesome! Iron Girl 2007 was the first tri I ever signed up for. Then I came to my senses and did a pool swim tri as my first tri, too.

I'll be at Iron Girl, too, as the swimmer on a relay team. There's a chance I'll be the runner, too, if our runner doesn't get her stuff together!

Perhaps you'd want to meet sometime?

[txred9876]

congrats! Have a blast... my first one is coming up fast....may 17th

tina

My goal.....finish it! lol

[NbyNW]

Congrats! I hope you get some good sleep this week.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats, triathlete!!! I was so excited to call myself a triathlete after my first race.
Sounds like you had a great time, and got in some good practice. I think you can MOST definitely call this one your first tri. When you put all three together on race day (no matter the distance), it's a pretty impressive thing!!! Considering three nights of rough sleep, you should be feeling pretty dang smug. I LOVE getting a race in and having that "what have YOU done today" attitude the rest of the day. Enjoy that feeling all week long!

[salsabike]

Sounds like a ton of fun, and I love your new training ideas!

[Urlea]

congrats! Have a blast... my first one is coming up fast....may 17th

Wow that is coming up quick!!!

Sfa- Well done on your first race!!! Ditto on getting home while most people are just crawling out of bed. So much already accomplished for one day. I love that feeling too, but it is usually followed by a nap.

Oh, & two litre bottles attached to a stick works much better than rocks. They don't sink to the bottom of the pool and are recyclable!

[jesvetmed]

Congratulations on your first tri! And you are still going back for another. GREAT! Yeah -- the swim is pretty amazing the first time... nothing prepares you for that kick in the head and gulping water instead of air.

Good luck on #2!

Found this on youtube again. Oldie but a goodie !!!!!! You should definitely appreciate it more, now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk