I did it..I completed my first Tri

Well I set out on this quest back in the Spring. I wasnt sure if I could do this, but was willing to give it my best shot. I felt prepared, and ready , but you never know till you do it.

Well I arrived about an hour early, registered, and set up my transition area. Maybe someone was looking out for me, but I was at the end of a rack of bikes. I had plenty of space to lay out my stuff like I wanted. The weather was cloudy and overcast with the feel of rain

Now that I had my transition area set up I went down to the water to check out the water temp and conditions. I found the water to be warm than the air temp, but the water was extremely rough compared to what it usually is. The wind was blowing in such a direction that would cause a head wind. I started to wonder if this was something I could do.

Now I just kicked back and got my head ready for this quest by listening to my IPOD, and relaxing. I really didnt do any running or biking in preperation, but I felt great.

A few minutes before 9am the race officials attempted to explain the rules, but there was some inconsistencies among them. What a sense of confidence they portrayed. After the pre race meeting we walked down the road to the swim start spot. Once in the water, there was plenty of uncertainity of the actual swim course. The pre start whistle was not audible from where we were, as well as the gun was very difficlut to hear. Just before the gun someone said that we are suppose to swim with the bouys on our left. Well I just happened to be on the left side of the bouys. I wasnt able to get on the proper side of the bouys before the start, so I had to start with an immediate right hand turn and then get on course.

Well the swim, the swim was much tougher than I had ever envisioned. The waves and wind were difficult swim into. Numerous times I found myself drinking a good part of the lake. I was never able to get into my normal pool lap swimming rhythm, instead I had to swim with more of my head up, and then breath to my left away from the waves. Well as I am exiting the lake I find notice numerous people still behind me, and I am right in the middle of the large pack. Wow..

I take the short jog across the road to the transition and slip on my socks and shoes, put on my shirt, grab my helmet and exit the T1 area with many bikes still in the transition area. I get on my bike and start peddling, and then realize I havent got my helmet snapped. It seemed the whole ride I was in the 20-22mph range. I was passing some bikes, and I was being passed as well, but only by tri bikes. It rained most of the bike portion

Arrive back at T2, and feeling really good. Park the bike and take off the helmet, quick drink, and off I go on the run. I start off with a slow jog, but having difficulty with getting my running legs going. Couple hundered yards from the start of the run, I start walking in hopes of getting my running legs back. Well they never seemed to come back so I suck it up and start with a steady slow jog. I jog most of the first half of the run, and then at the turn around, I get a drink of water, and walk about a hundered yards in hopes of bringing down my heart rate and stretching out my legs. Well I get back to jogging, and it seemed like the next curve was suppose to be the last one. Well after each curve that I thought was the last one, I would walk a short distance. Well that allowed about 8 people to pass me in the last 1/4 to 1/2 mile.

Well in the Tri I was only hoping to finish and learn, but I managed to finish 73rd out of about 150 people. Overall I am very happy with my finish. I learned a lot for my next tri. I am waiting for the official time results to get posted, so I know for sure.

Thanks for all of your words of encouragement