Saturday, June 26, 2010

My Very First Ever Tri

This morning was the mini triathlon put on by our city chamber of commerce as part of Freedom Fest. 300 yard swim, 11 mile bike, 2 mile run. I was excited to do this as a low key practice for Chisago Lakes next month. But I was so nervous! I was mostly worried about the swim, especially when I arrived and saw that the turnaround (a couple of teenagers in a paddleboat) was farther out than I thought it would be.


In the water and ready to go! That's my friend Erin on the left in the lifejacket - she was a turbo in that thing. There were several people wearing lifejacket, and a few others using kickboards. I told you it was low key. Anyhow, I'm in the middle and my friend Martine is on the right. Note on costuming: I really wasn't sure what to wear. I didn't want to spend any money on tri gear without knowing how much I would use it. So I wore my ridiculous 10 year old swimsuit with my sports bra underneath (the swimsuit definitely not enough support for the run!), and then pulled Nike tempo shorts and a top on for the bike and run.


And we're off. I think you can see my swim cap with the hearts on it in this pic, just at the left elbow of the lady in green and blue. There were about 50 people in the tri, but we started on both sides of the dock so it didn't feel crowded. I did better than I expected in the swim. This tri was not timed, so I'm not sure how long the swim took, but I did a good job of staying calm. I had a moment on the way out where I thought I could't possibly make it, but I told myself to just keep swimming. I switched to breast stroke a couple of times to calm myself down. Once I got to the paddleboat turnaround, I knew I could make it. I swam back and was out of the water for my transition.


The Nike shorts were a bad idea. Especially once I got to the run. They were still sopping wet and kept riding up, very uncomfortable. I think I need to do some shopping before Chisago! Anyhow . . . the bike was good. I wore my Garmin for the bike and run, didn't stop it for the transition - total time for the 11 mile bike and 2 mile run was 1:03. Not too bad for riding my hybrid bike.

When I started running, my legs were sore! I knew the second half of the course would be a nice downhill, so I just kept telling myself to make it to that point and I would be fine. It was about at the downhill that my legs started to loosen up and I was able to run the second mile faster. 1st mile was approxmately 9:10, second was 8:45.


All done! This really was so much fun, and I am really excited for Chisago - just one month away. Today helped me figure out some things to work on for Chisago: figure out my gear (including borrowing a road bike from a friend), continue to work on my swim, and do more bike/run bricks.

22 comments:

Julie said...

Way to go Heather! You did awesome at your very first Tri! I think you went pretty fast on your two mile run! I don't know if I could keep up that pace after that swim and bike ride:) Nice work!

Tish said...

Congrats! I loved hearing about your Tri and seeing the pix. You're brave to try something new. The swimming part would scare me, too. I'd probably have used a paddle board! Yes, I think you shd invest in some tri gear before next month.

Christine said...

Congrats, you did great on your first tri! I did one mini tri before my first sprint tri and it was such a big help. You usually don't think about all those little things and it makes you ready for the real race! I'm sure you will rock at Chisago! :)

Pahla said...

Fantastic job!! What an awesome start to your TRI "career." Gear is a real must! I have found that out the hard way - you think running or riding clothes should be fine, but once they're soaked in lake water, you're on your way to Chafe City - blech!

Jill said...

Woohoo, congrats on your tri finish. That's the best thing, to do these lower-key races so you can learn much for the bigger one...like not to wear the Nike shorts..hehe. You ROCK, girl!!!

wendy said...

Awesome! So cool to see this! I am getting excited as well. I just ordered my tri suit from Sierra trading post (It is a tank and a pair of padded shorts) I was really concerned about how the heck I was going to be able to go to the bathroom in my swimming suit. After reading about your shorts experience I am glad I ordered this : )

Glad you had fun!

Jess said...

Awesome job! I would totally be into a tri if I got to use a kickboard!

Teamarcia said...

Great job Heather! I admire you so much for getting out there and doing it! You are my hero!

DRog said...

NIIICE! great job! and great pics...it looks and sounds like you truly had a fun time.
-Derek

Anne said...

Congrats Heather!! :)

Beth said...

Congratulations on becoming a triathlete! Great job! Your run was really fast and it sounds like you learned a lot that will help you with your next race. Some tri clothes will help you be more comfortable, but I agree that it is trial and error to figure out what works. Congrats!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

That sounds like my kind of tri! I don't think I could handle the seriousness of all the wetsuits and technical gear. Perfect way to learn about all the quirks that you don't think about (like the shorts). You guys look like you had a fabulous time! Good work!

Ali said...

Congrats Heather! You are a triathlete

joyRuN said...

Nicely done!!!

Congratulations :D

A low-key swim is the way to go - I'm all skiddish in the water as it is.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Congrats triathlete!!! You did great!! You're gonna be hooked, and wanna do some shopping now! :)

Julie D said...

Congratulations! I wish I could do that! You're definitely inspiring!

X-Country2 said...

Nice job!! I found that finding the right clothes was the toughest part of starting tri's. :o)

Katie A. said...

Whoo hoo!!!! Congrats lady! You did great! But I can't believe you wore tempo shorts for the swim - that made me laugh :) Too cute!
What distance is your Chisago Tri next month? I can't wait to cheer you on!

Marlene said...

Congrats!!! Sounds like it was a good practice round for your "real" tri next month.

(I have always said I will do a tri if I can use my pool noodle... maybe this would be a good one for me - lol!)

MCM Mama said...

Great job!

Jeri said...

Congrats on tri #1! I think this is definitely a tri I would be ok trying. Great job and super cute pictures!!

LMC said...

Congrats Heather!! You are awesome to get out there and get a Tri done. I wish I had the guts to give it a shot. Love the pix!