How NOT to do your first Tri...a little long...

[kenyonchris]

Hey all,
So I am a cycling geek, I spend most of my time on either the road bike (I do centuries) or my MTB. I also ride a bike on patrol...I'm a cop. Our city hosts a sprint triathlon, so on a whim I signed up. I hit the pool a couple of times to make sure I wouldn't drown on the 500m. swim in the past month, probably got about 4 swims in. I am not a terrific runner, but I do run on a regular basis, and a 5k didn't seem to be too much of a big deal.
SO, after last weekend being a beautiful 85 degrees, this weekend has been FREEZING and rainy. I almost bailed on the whole mess, but my department works traffic and all the guys knew I was doing it and I would never live it down if I didn't do it, so I drug my freezing butt down there, set up my stuff, covered it with a towel to keep it semi-dry in the cold drizzle (it was, uh, 39 degrees). The swim was in the natatorium, so at least THAT was warm. As I had no clue how long a swim would take me, I guessed at my time and tried to seed myself amongst the slower people. I breast-stroked my way through it just fine, and trotted out to my bike. IT WAS SO COLD. If I had done it differently, I would have taken the time to dry off a bit more, put on tights, and uh, yeah, remember gloves. As it was, I put socks on my wet feet (mistake), threw my jacket over my wet tri suit, and went out in my wet shorts. My hands were frozen before I went 100 yards. It was wet, drizzly, and so cold that by the time I got to mile 10, I was shaking so badly my bike was wobbling. My hands hand gone numb, and my cold wet socks made my feet ice cubes. I am telling you, I almost packed it in at that point. I tried to change my shoes and socks and couldn't get my fingers and hands to work the way they were supposed to, and my quads and calves were twitching from the cold. I had hung my parka by my bag, and I put it on and pulled my tights on, stuck my number on my parka, shoved my feet in my shoes, and decided that I would man up and go. I am probably the only one out there running in a parka, but I forced myself into a shuffle and started to run. I think my transition time was like 7 minutes or something crazy. The first mile of the run was pure torture, with my cold muscles screaming at me, but once I warmed up a bit and got a tube of Hammer Goo in me I started to feel better, and by the time I turned around I was back in my stride, parka and all. I finished, finding I never started my watch. One of my officer friends was there to cheer for me (of course, I got the wave from all of them on the course where they were stopping traffic) and help me get my stuff back to the car, where I turned on the butt heaters and tried to thaw out. My lips did not turn back to pink from blue until half an hour in the shower. UGH.
Having said that, I think that it would have been GREAT if I had been better prepared for the elements. I am hooked! I am irritated with myself for my slow transition, but next time I will be ready!

[Urlea]

Yikes! The conditions for your race sure didn't sound pleasant,but you made it!! Be proud of that!

I think most of us here would agree that sometimes it's impossible to know/ remember what you'll need on race day, especially if it's your first or in adverse weather conditions. Sorry things didn't go as smoothly today as hoped!

If you're hooked after a hard race like this one your next tri is going to rock!

[alpinerabbit]

Looks like they started tri season too early even for Texas - what a girl

[salsabike]

You deserve a SERIOUS medal for persevering through all that in your first tri! Well done! Just think, the next one can't help but feel way better.

[Tri Girl]

OK, so all the rest have to go better than the first, right? We all made rookie mistakes in our first events (I ran with my helmet and gloves for 100 yds before a volunteer took them from me).
You are a serious trooper for finishing the race. I might not have even showed up (pride on the line or not). Good for you for racing and racing well!!!! It's all uphill from here, baby.

[Wahine]

Wow. That's quite an experience for your first race. Good for you for getting out there and finishing!!

[Biciclista]

well, you're tougher than three of me!

38 degrees, wet, no gloves? no time?!!

yikes.

I'm glad you survived and hopefully you've learned ( A LOT!!) from the experience!

[Karma007]

Congrats! I would have sissied out-I hate cold.