I got up the nerve to sign up for my first sprint tri this past weekend. It went ok, but not without a few obstacles.

First, I had yet to swim in open water, only the pool. I got in the lake to warm up and quickly realized that I was not as prepared as I thought I was. After jumping off of the dock, i was immediatley aware that I could not touch the ground. This and the fact that I had not worked much on spotting really messed with me. I was finally able to settle in a little, and figured I would do whatever I had to for 400m. It was a time trial start, which i was happy about. As my turn to enter the water approached, I went to pull my goggles on and broke the strap!!!!!!! I did bring an extra pair, but they were back in the transition area. Ran back and got them, got into the water dead last, with the nearest person 50 or so yds ahead of me. I managed to pass about 4 people, but really spent more energy than planned on the swim.

The bike was only 11 miles, some rolling hills, but nothing too bad. It went well.

The run was a 2 mile trail run. I understood that meant off-road, but was not expecting the terrain to be as rough as it was. My run time was terrible, as I went hard on the bike, then never really settled into the run due to constant obstacles, such as roots, stumps and numerous hills and valleys to negotiate.

All in all, I'm happy I did it. And now I know what I have to work on. Can't wait until the next one.

Congrats on finishing your first race!

Congrats! Way to keep pushing.

Congrats! You are a triathlete!!!

Congrats, getting that first one under the belt is crucial to know what to expect. You'll enjoy your next ine, and the one after that, and the one after that....

Last year one of the tri's I did had 1/2 of the 5K run on the beach. I really wasn't expecting that and it killed my run. I now am very careful to study the race course to make sure it will be a race I will enjoy.

Trail run?? This sounds like a race I would like.

What was the name of the tri?

They have three races, this one was called the Sharpshooter. They also do the Annie Oakley and the Showman Shooter. The showman is an 800m swim, 25 mile bike and 4 mile trail run.

Congratulations! What was the transition between the bike and the run like? I have found it unbelievably difficult to transition from a long ride to any respectable pace, let alone on terrain like what you've described. As a standalone workout, I can maintain about 7:45 / mile pace for 40 minutes, but off a bike ride over 20 minutes, I can't seem to get comfortable going faster than 9:00 / mile. With my first tri in September, I am wondering if you have any ideas about specific things you did or would have done to help with that transition. Thanks in advance, and congratulations again!