My first race- triathlon report

juliabug
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My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 20:07:04 GMT -5 emilyj, Wines Not Whines, and 2 more like this

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Post by juliabug on Sept 20, 2014 20:07:04 GMT -5

Cliff notes at the bottom.

This was huge for me. Huge. In high school, I could barely run 1 lap around the track. I had asthma and was a slight, skinny kid. Since then I have failed out of C25K several times.

I've been swimming, lifting and doing yoga for about 15 months now. I'm a member of a women's organization and 2 months ago they announced that they were hosting a sprint triathlon. They emphasized that it was just for fun, exercise and camaraderie and not competitive at all. My friend, L (who has done several triathlons), and her sister, S, also signed up and we decided to stick together for the race. I loosely followed this training plan. My "A" goal was to run all of the flat, except the uphills. "B" goal was to finish in under 2 hours. "C" goal was to finish at all.

We went "serpentine" style in the pool and a woman started every 20 or 30 seconds in the pool. I was just ahead of S, who was followed by L. I think the laps were longer than the gym in which I had trained, but swimming is my best I passed a 3 people in the first 3 laps and settled into a nice pace. Towards the end, I noticed L gaining on me. I'm way too competitive to let her pass me, so I booked it my last lap to stay ahead. I finished the 400 yard swim in 10 minutes.

The bike portion was pretty good. The first 1/3 was mostly downhill, but several red traffic lights slowed us down. The last 2/3 were a loop that started with a steep hill. That made for a nice downhill at the finish though. I biked the 10 mile course in 47 minutes.

The runing course was through a park and wooded area, so we were allowed to wear headphones. I also shot a pre-written text to my friend (who was watching my kids) and my neighbor (who had offered to come cheer me on at the finish) to let them know I would be done soon. To my surprise my neighbor had looked up the course map and was waiting near the beginning to cheer me on. I was so excited and her support really lifted my spirits.

S struggled with the run and insisted that L and I go on after the first 1/2 mile. L is about 10 inches taller than I am, and I could definitely tell in our strides. I was trying for a 10 minute/mile pace, but we finished the first mile in 9:22. It got hotter and hilly after that though, so we finished the 5k in just under 31 minutes. L said it was a PR for her 5k in a triathlon. We were both trying to keep up with each other!

My kids, friend and neighbor were waiting for me. My 3 year old (who starts swimming lessons next week) has said several times that he is going to try really hard at swimming lessons so that he can do a triathlon just like me. He's also asked me several times if I won my triathlon. As far as I am concerned, I did!

Cliff notes:
400 yard swim- 10 minutes
10 mile bike- 47 minutes
5k run- 31 minutes

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bostonmichelle Senior Member Posts: 9,801 Likes: 17,461	My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 20:12:44 GMT -5 juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bostonmichelle on Sept 20, 2014 20:12:44 GMT -5 Congrats!! That is awesome! I'm glad you had fun and sounds like you inspired your son to get into swimming and triathlons.
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ktzmoh Senior Member Posts: 6,070 Likes: 10,390	My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 20:18:59 GMT -5 juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ktzmoh on Sept 20, 2014 20:18:59 GMT -5 Congratulations!!
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chw57 Full Member Posts: 3,439 Likes: 8,254	My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 20:47:41 GMT -5 via mobile juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by chw57 on Sept 20, 2014 20:47:41 GMT -5 Congratulations!!
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trigal Full Member I didn't say it would be easy. I said it would be worth it. Posts: 2,207 Likes: 1,631	My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 21:02:18 GMT -5 via Tapatalk juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by trigal on Sept 20, 2014 21:02:18 GMT -5 Congratulations!!
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thom
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My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 21:30:50 GMT -5 via the ProBoards App juliabug likes this

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Post by thom on Sept 20, 2014 21:30:50 GMT -5

It sounds like you blew right past your 2-hour goal! What a strong race for your first. It's awesome how you inspired your kids, too. A huge congrats is in order! WAY TO GO!

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kams Senior Member Posts: 8,378 Likes: 8,028	My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 21:44:44 GMT -5 juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kams on Sept 20, 2014 21:44:44 GMT -5 Congratulations!
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coconutbug Full Member Posts: 2,174 Likes: 3,753	My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 21:58:49 GMT -5 juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by coconutbug on Sept 20, 2014 21:58:49 GMT -5 Great job! Congrats!
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sadlebred Moderator Posts: 13,346 Likes: 17,448	My first race- triathlon report Sept 20, 2014 22:03:46 GMT -5 juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by sadlebred on Sept 20, 2014 22:03:46 GMT -5 Awesome!
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sassystace Full Member Posts: 1,942 Likes: 1,563	My first race- triathlon report Sept 21, 2014 5:56:43 GMT -5 juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by sassystace on Sept 21, 2014 5:56:43 GMT -5 Great job smashing your goals and having fun doing it!
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woowoo Full Member Posts: 1,811 Likes: 3,369	My first race- triathlon report Sept 21, 2014 6:00:12 GMT -5 juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by woowoo on Sept 21, 2014 6:00:12 GMT -5 Congrats! This is great. You are a triathlete!
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hannahb Full Member Posts: 4,348 Likes: 7,547	My first race- triathlon report Sept 21, 2014 6:08:15 GMT -5 via mobile juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by hannahb on Sept 21, 2014 6:08:15 GMT -5 Congrats!
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mandiespharm Full Member Posts: 1,430 Likes: 2,581	My first race- triathlon report Sept 21, 2014 6:41:18 GMT -5 via Tapatalk juliabug likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by mandiespharm on Sept 21, 2014 6:41:18 GMT -5 Congrats!
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My first race- triathlon report

Post by juliabug on Sept 20, 2014 20:07:04 GMT -5

Post by bostonmichelle on Sept 20, 2014 20:12:44 GMT -5

Post by ktzmoh on Sept 20, 2014 20:18:59 GMT -5

Post by chw57 on Sept 20, 2014 20:47:41 GMT -5

Post by trigal on Sept 20, 2014 21:02:18 GMT -5

Post by thom on Sept 20, 2014 21:30:50 GMT -5

Post by kams on Sept 20, 2014 21:44:44 GMT -5

Post by coconutbug on Sept 20, 2014 21:58:49 GMT -5

Post by sadlebred on Sept 20, 2014 22:03:46 GMT -5

Post by sassystace on Sept 21, 2014 5:56:43 GMT -5

Post by woowoo on Sept 21, 2014 6:00:12 GMT -5

Post by hannahb on Sept 21, 2014 6:08:15 GMT -5

Post by mandiespharm on Sept 21, 2014 6:41:18 GMT -5