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 Swim
Comments: Okay, I am a horrible swimmer. Even for a first-timer, I know this was slow. I cannot swim straight and my nerves got the best of me. I had to rollover on my back more than once. I should have taken Pilgrim's advice and started bilateral breathing a long time ago. Nevertheless, I finished! And yes, I got my head kicked. What would you do differently?: Bilateral breathing, check direction more often, more lake practice.  Transition 1
Comments: I was dazed coming out of the water, but because of my walkthrough, remembered the direction I had to head. I think I could have jogged faster, but I was so hazy. I couldn't see her but, thankfully, I heard my awesome wife cheering me on as I ran out of the water. Then, I remembered from the clinic to undo my wetsuit and pull it halfway down. Because I'm such a slowbie, the transition area was fairly quiet. I didn't care because I had just survived the swim. When I reached my bike, I'll admit, I blanked out for half a second, but then my next steps fell into place. I'm glad I practiced at home. Pulled off the goggles, cap, then the wetsuit and threw all down. Next, put on open glasses and helmet. Then, right sock and bike shoe followed by left sock and bike shoe. I didn't tighten straps until both were on so I could do both at the same time. Grabbed the my bike that was facing the exit and ran to the mount line. I half jumped on the bike. I'm glad they told me to put it in an easy gear before racking my bike. Bike exit was slightly uphill. Once I was clipped in and moving, I took a gel from the bento box and a big swig from the aero drink. Many thanks to Dan and all3 for the transition clinic! In my novice group, I had the 2nd fast T1 time. I'm What would you do differently?: Run faster to T1, consider not wearing wetsuit if I can stand the cold, and down-the-road get tri-specific shoes that don't have so many straps.  Bike
Comments: I was originally going to use my mountain bike, but am very thankful I opted for a road bike with aero bars. Took another gel before end of ride. Ran out of water just before end. This time was about 4 minutes shorter than my practice times. What would you do differently?: Go faster up the hills. Transition 2
Comments: Again, I was thankful for the transition clinic. Thanks to Dan and all3 I had the fastest T2 time of my novice group. (Hey, I'll take what I can get). Putting those Yanks on my running shoes saved time, as did the race belt. Also, I still didn't see my wife because I was focused on getting out, but I could still hear her cheering me on. What would you do differently?: Get to the point where I can do a flying dismount and leave shoes on bike.  Run
Comments: It wasn't so bad, but did have to walk twice. Calves cramped a bit off the bike. Granted, I'm a big boy and this time was slightly better than my average pace. What would you do differently?: Taken water at the first water stop. Practice running more hills. Post race
Warm down: Um, warm-down? . . . lol Event comments: As Pilgrim told me, I'll never have another chance for my first tri. . . so I did my best to enjoy everything about it. I thanked every volunteer I passed, I talked to people on the course, and remembered to relish the fact that I made it through the swim. I appreciate how encouraging EVERYONE was leading up to and at the race and look forward to my next. Last updated: 2008-01-18 12:00 AM
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United States
Blue Sky Sports
65F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 0/
Made my poor wife getup at 4:00 so we could be some of the first at the park. Before we left, I applied round 1 of the bodyglide and put on my tri-shorts and top, along with my chip strap (so I wouldn't forget it). We arrived about 10 minutes before the gate opened. Right after we parked, I grabbed my bike and transition bag and went to find my spot. Holy cow! I had one of the 3 closest spots to the exit.
I checked in, got my numbers painted and picked up my chip (their strap was comfortable enough). Then, I setup my bike facing the exit, filled my aero drink bottle, and setup the rest of my stuff. Helmet was on bars with the straps out and glasses were in the helmet (opened). Put down towel for my feet, then bike shoes with straps open and socks in them. Next was my shoes (with Yanks). On top of my shoes was my race hat with race belt in side it.
After setting up, I walked down to the water and talked myself through each step. I walked back to T1 and chose the route I would take around the masses. I didn't need to mark my spot because I was at the very end. Then, I walked through each step I would take on T1 and T2 (twice).
At about an hour before the race, I did a little yoga stretching, then took a short warmup jog. When I came back, I applied round 2 of the bodyglide and put on my wetsuit. Before heading to the water, I double checked my transition setup. Then, I went and took a few warmup strokes in the water. It wasn't as cold as the week before when I went to check it out, but it was still cool and I enjoyed the added buoyancy.