My First Tri!

[limewave]

I bravely competed in my first tri this last weekend. It was a last-minute decision. I heard about this low-key, small, sprint tri through a friend and we thought we'd sign up for fun. I wanted to get my feet "wet" before my big X-Terra in two weeks.

100m Swim
10 mi Bike
3.2 mi Run
Temp: 89 and sunny
Competitors: 106 (54 male, 52 female)--not as as small as I thought

SWIM
At 4 PM we lined up at the beach. Competitors up front, fun-tri's to back. So I marched to the very back of the crowd. I was surprisingly calm, just there to have fun. The start was crazy. We all ran in and had to swim on top of eachother. It was a little frightening, but soon I got into my groove and made my own path through the crowd. The lake was really choppy. I think there were speed boats purposely trying to make things wavy. To my surprise and delight, I was in the top 30 or so to get out of the lake!

BIKE
The transition went well. I had brought an extra water bottle and used that to spray sand off my feet. I hopped on my bike, misclipped a few times but then got going. I felt great. My adrenaline was pumping. I looked at my computer and saw I was going 21 mph--woah! I eased it up a bit to force myself to warm up. After the first 1.5 miles, I eased back up to 20-21 and managed to stay in the drops. I passed cyclist after cyclist. About halfway in, I got a big number "one" sign from one of the volunteers--I was in first place for the women. I felt like Levi in the TT.

RUN
I was very jumpy when I got to the transition area. I never expected to be in first (I've never in my life been in that position). I stumbled and tripped trying to get my running shoes on. When I finally took off running, 2 women were cycling into the transition area--I knew I wouldn't hold my position for long. Sure enough, in the first mile I was passed by them. It was so hot, my legs burned, my heartrate was flying. But I pushed on, repeating my mantra "third place, third place, third place". At the 2 mile marker, I was passed by 6 more women! In about 2 minutes time! Did I mention I'm a slow runner? But I didn't give up. I gave it my all until I crossed the finish line. Managed to finish 12 overall, and first in my age group. By the way, I was passed by 11 women on the run and only 2 men! Why couldn't it have been the other way around?!?!?!

It was a blast. I think I could get into this tri thing . . . if XTerra doesn't kill me first.

[alpinerabbit]

Woo-hooo! first in Age group and leader in the middle bit? If that is not a great start to a career of tris!

[Running Mommy]

I think I can say with confidence that not many of us were running FIRST at any time in our first tri!! WOW!!!
You are gonna ROCK xterra!!
Great job!

[teawoman]

Wow! That is an amazing ranking! Congrats to you! Will you remember us when you're all famous and everything?

[rocknrollgirl]

Great Job Limewave. You will have to keep us posted on how the first Xterra goes. I am sure you will do great.

[Ladyrunner]

Wow!! Sounds like you had a fantastic race!! Congrats!!

[KSH]

WOW! Great job out there!

Yea, I can't imagine coming into T2 and being the first one! SMOKING FAST LADY!

Keep up the great work!

[Wahine]

Great job Limewave!! I'm really impressed. How'd your back hold up?

[limewave]

Great job Limewave!! I'm really impressed. How'd your back hold up?

I've been having dh rub it for me all weekend. It didn't help that I spent most of Sunday bent over in the garden either.

[Skeezix]

Man, what a great job! That must of been totally awesome to be 1st into the transition area and holding the lead for so long. Congrats on the good finish too!

[HappyAnika]

Wow, very impressive for a first tri. Let us know how Xterra goes!

[RoadRaven]

Woohoo LimeWave
Sounds like you had loads of fun too - enjoyment should be a BIG part of these events

You Tri-girls are awesome

[Tri Girl]

YOWZER! That's so dang cool that you were first on the bike and out on the run. How awesome!!!!!
Congrats on your 1st place AG and 12th overall. VERY impressive for your first fun tri (and you weren't even really kicking it in high gear, I'll bet).

You're going to have so much fun at that xterra.

[Lise]

Wahoo, Limewave! Good for you!

How's the new wetsuit working out? Any plans to wear it in a tri this season?

[teigyr]

Incredible!!! How much training had you done? As in brick workouts, etc? Even though you were passed in the run, you still held it really well!

Just wow. My first one is in less than a month and I feel SO underprepared.

I think you've found a new calling