Triathlon Results

This past weekend I ran my first Triathlon!...and I finished! This Tri was organized by Tri2remember for Alzheimer's. Clever name. The was a nice 1.25 hours away in north Gainesville and we had to be there by about 6:15am. I got there and met up with two other guys from work that were running the race with me. We set up our bikes and equipment in the transition area and walked to the starting area. Walking around in just tri-shorts, goggles and a swim cap is a little embarrassing but there are 400 other people dressed similarly so that helps a bit. What really helps is noticing someone weighing 300 pounds with the same outfit.

This race was a time trail start in the water which means they start two racers every 2-3 seconds. My race number was 354 so the first people started about 15 minutes before I did. The swim was just chaos! There are always people around you and goggle really don't help in the lake water. I couldn't get into a rhythm because I had to constantly check the buoys to make sure I was on course. I was also keeping an eye on the people around me so I can swim around them. The open water swim is much different that pool swimming because you know you can touch and rest so you just have to muscle through and finish. I did the swim in 11 minutes.

I ran up the boat ramp to the transition area and put on a shirt, socks, shoes and helmet and headed off on the 12 mile bike. During the ride I passed people going up hills and held my own on the down hill for the most part. I was being passed all the time but I felt like I did the passing more than getting passed. I finished the bike section in 44 minutes.

I came in from the bike feeling spent. I pushed myself pretty hard and the bike and didn't have much left for the run. In starting the run I was getting passed at the beginning. I got into another rhythm and kept the pace slow and steady. I finished the run in about 27 minutes which makes for a 9 minute mile. Not too bad but I'd like to do better.

I finished the whole thing in 1:27.34 and finished 11th out of 26 in my age group. Now I'm hooked! I'm thinking of ways to make my times faster and how to change up my transition area to shave off a minute or so. I'm definitely doing this again and anyone that wants to go, just let me know and I'm there.