1st tri.....errr..duathlon done!

Well, I just came back from my 1st "triathlon."  I am so happy I did it, yet a little dissappointed in it.  It was a mini-sprint.  We all went down to the beach and stood by the water.  Our turn around bouy was a blow up alligator..which I thoguht ironic since I was was afraid to encounter one in the water.

Anyhow, the race started at 6pm.  I made it there with plenty of time to get things set up and to walk around a bit, even hit the restroom.  I went down to the start line and waited for the race to start.  When they called the women we were up.  Off we took.  The problem was..............the water never made it more then 3 ft deep.  Everyone ran the .25 miles...this was exhausting in the water.  There was a good chop since we had 20mph winds out there.  I was so happy to get out of the water (I like to swim...not run in the water) and it was a .25 mile run to the transition area, half of it in sand.

Transistion 1 went very well.  I had a bottle of water on the bike I took and rinsed me feet before putting on my sneakers, grabbing the helmet and bike and was on my way.  I was about mid pack at this point.  We (sister and I) took off and started riding.  I lacked energy in my legs from the water and sand run.  I didnt get a really good start but made headway, passing a few people in the beginning.  As we headed for the 3 mile snake winding climb up the hill, I downshifted.  My sister laughed b/c she said she could see me stop on the shift, maybe even roll backwards on my mountain bike with nubby tires.  I made my way up the hill passing 2 more people.  We did the turn around and headed back.  On the climb we were facing into the 20mph winds.  On the way back I thought I would use it to my advantage and pick up some spped on the downhill....hitting 32.6mph....and closing in on a rider in front of me.  I did catch her and pass her....my issue on this was there was a car blocking my path talking to her for about a mile fo the course.....are they allowed to do that???  I feel bad b/c I told my sister to shut up and leave me about 10 times on the bike.  She was breaking my concentration talking to be.  I count stay focused on my plan.

OK...into transition 2...I was fast since all I had to do was drop off my bike.  Mind you...I have drank nothing yet.  I have an issue with running, as big as I am.  Last time I ran, i got some bad shin splints and havent really worked on my endurance.  So, in the running portion, i was passed by a few...but not as many as I passed.....which brings me to my question in a bit.  My sister stayed with me the whole time.  I did see people with ear phones in....I tought they weren't allowed.  I talked the entire run portion as I didnt trust my legs and didnt want to get shin splints again before my race next month. 

The guy came and picked up the turn around cone behind us and followed...  As another person came up to he dropped the cone, cutting thier course about .25 miles.  She was jogging, so she caught up and passed us.  We were the last racers in....this is where I was disappointed.  I didnt want to be last...but I was there.  I know there was a couple DNFs but still...that's the part that bothered me....besides the swim

I am overall happy to have the experience and have a goal for next month.  I need to back my focus off swimming and now look at my riding and I need to try running again.  I do it on the treadmill and elliptical at the gym....but I think it's time I hit the track.

I did learn that I need to rememeber to drink.  I didn't even have a sip of water the whole time.  I also learned I WANT a road bike....like yesterday!!!!