finished a practice Tri! (saga)

[eclectic]

Well there is so much to tell (although all of you have "been there done that")
but it is so exciting!

3 of us headed out to the river (prairie river - deep in spots, not terribly wide and they aren't releasing water from the dam so the current wasn't too bad.)

We set up our transition area up the bank from a little sandy area, donned our wetsuits (I borrowed a shorty waterski one from a friend as mine isn't in yet)

Water temp: 64 degrees
air temp: 75.
Once in the water it wasn't cold at all and actually felt refreshing. (I did gasp a few times upon getting in)

The lengths we laid out to do were about 400 yd swim, 6 mile bike and 2 mile run.
I wore my HR monitor so had a timer running. the 200 yds out only took 3 min but the 200 back against the current took 6 min. the only thing that really bothered me on the swim were the sleeves on the wetsuit. I am glad I ordered a sleeveless

I had trouble getting out of the wet suit because of A. Dizzyness and B. finding the velcro collar tab to release it so the zipper would come down.

The actual swim was much more uneventful than anticipated. I did the typical breathe too shallow and stroke too fast for the first minute - then my swim training kicked in (must remember to 4 count breathe right off to slow down and find a rhythm) THEN I slowed down, found a rhythm and went, I was able to swim straight w/ little spotting. (my swim partner had more trouble she kept drifting left)

coming back against the current was more difficult and I ended up breaststroking some of it just to get my breath back

Transition
Took waaaaay too long mainly because of dizziness and not getting the wetsuit unzipped.
I thought I would be cold and put a long sleeve top on - now I know there is no need.
quickly wiped the feet w/ a towel, donned bike stuff and was off. (4 min will practice shaving this time down

Bike ride was uneventful, it was out against a 13mph wind w/ 21 mph gusts and on the turn around although there was a tailwind there was now a hill to climb. (we did a loop)
My speed on the bike wasn't great but I'll live w/ it and was faster than i normally ride

Transition to the run I thought was fast! (I bought speed laces from TE I kept thinking I should have to do more.

The begining of the run wasn't too bad (I have been doing bricks) but the overall run itself was horrid. I have been doing hard workouts all week and went to a muscle pump class yesterday and my legs have been really sore all day. I thought the swim and bike would work it out but as soon as I started running my inner thighs, glutes and quads were incredibly sore. I ended up running and walking the 2 miles. I am ok w/ that because the whole goal of today was to practice the transitions and get a feel for it.

Doing this today took care of the fear of the unknown and the water was way warmer than I thought it would be. (I thought I would have to sit in a hot tub for an hour to warm my core back up - I actually took off my long sleeve shirt during the run)

The plan is to do another open water practice swim once I get my wetsuit - it has been shipped so should be here MONDAY ! ! ! !

[Krys]

THAT IS SOO AWESOME! that rocks that you did that today. that is a really good idea of doing a practice run through. Way to go! Its good to hear how things went on a practice and I will probably steal your idea and do it myself this week
I'm glad that you are getting ready for your first too, it helps hearing the things you ask so I can learn them too I'm glad that it went well for you today.. i'm sorry you were a little sore during the run but at least you were able to work on transitions! good job!

[Tri Girl]

AWESOME Eclectic!!! You're so smart- why didn't I do that before my first tri- it would've saved a lot of panic about the unknown- sooooooo smart!!!
You did fantastic!!! Sounds like you've got it down. Transitions will be easier on race day when your bike is racked and it's already ready and waiting for you in your spot. The dizziness is quite normal- sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't (the longer the swim the more dizzy I feel). Will your swim be in the same river; will you have to deal with current on race day?
Your bike sounds like it was strong- despite having to deal with strong winds. How come a tailwind never helps as much as the headwind hurts???
The run- sorry it was hard. You had dead legs (all that lifting and hard workouts) so don't worry about that happening on race day. You'll be rested and ready come race day.
So proud of you. Are you feeling very confident about your race now? The unknown is the hardest part, so now that you've taken care of that- you're good to go!!!
Your race is next weekend, right?

Woo hoo- good for you!!!!!

[KSH]

Hey, that sounds like fun! It's always nice to do a run through before you compete in your first tri. It gives you some confidence that you can do it.

64 degrees in the water... not cold but refreshing? Uuuuhhhh... you are a nuts lady!

A tip I read on my tri message board... put duck tape (? spelling) on your wetsuit string to pull up and down the zipper. Makes it easier to grab.

The run... ah, sounds like you were sore. Oh well, when you aren't sore and hurting, it will be better. The more you do bricks though, the easier they get.

[eclectic]

AWESOME Eclectic!!! ). Will your swim be in the same river; will you have to deal with current on race day?

Are you feeling very confident about your race now? The unknown is the hardest part, so now that you've taken care of that- you're good to go!!!
Your race is next weekend, right?

Woo hoo- good for you!!!!!

The swim will be in a Marina off of the Missouri river - I have been told there is no current in there (thank goodness - just dealing w/ people will be enough)

I am feeling better about the race and the logistics of it all - I am getting more excited than scared.

Yes it is next weekend! ! ! ! ! exactly as I am typing this I should be done the swim and transitioning to the bike (Ok now I am nervous again just typing that

[alpinerabbit]

ooooh very good!!! it takes some of the nerves away doesn't it. I had terrible jitters at training camp.

[luv'nAustin]

Congrats eclectic!

You'll sleep better all week having done this practice tri. It all sounds good to me.

Remember to drink on the bike ride...it'll really help your run.

Karri