First off, if you have never done a triathlon before, it has three parts usually in this order: swim, bike, run. The triathlon I completed had a 1k swim, 30k bike, and 8k run. If you don't speak kilometers 1k = .62 miles, I'll let you do the math. The sprint triathlon at Callaway is 1/4 mile swim, 9 mile bike, and a two mile run.
I signed up for this triathlon about two months ago. During that time, I had already committed to training for my second half marathon, so I figured what's a little extra exercise. My sweet husband bought me a new bike in mid July, so I quickly started racking on the bike miles while running on the training schedule I have for the half marathon. Here's the fun part... I really don't have anywhere to train for the swimming. I went to a pool to train two or three times and swam laps for about 15 minutes (def should have committed more time to that)
So here's how the triathlon went. Woke up around 5:45. Packed up all the gear...there's a lot of stuff to remember for triathlon (another reason I just run - here's what you need for running: clothes and shoes) Here's what you need for a triathlon: swim - a swimsuit (I chose a suit that had shorts and a shirt so I wouldn't have to add shorts while wet), goggles, the swim cap (you get this when you pick up your packet), bike: a bike, socks and shoes, water bottle, helmet, run: shoes ( I changed them from the bike to the run - everything is wet) and a shirt (I added the shirt for the bib number - its not a must) extras: towels, water, GPS watch. So that's 13 things! Reminder you need 2 for running...
Here's a little pre-tri picture in the transition area. You can't really get the feel for what the area is like from this picture, but I'm including for pre-race fun.
After I set all of the things up in the transition area, I headed over to get body markings. Here's what body markings are: The one on my shoulder is my race number. The one on my left leg is my age. Here's my opinion on the left one - that is pure motivation for everyone else who passed this 25 year old. I have full respect for all of you :)
Then I headed to the swim start. Here's the before the swim and the after the swim
Yes I look exhausted.. I was exhausted. I was no where prepared for the swim portion of this and I was just thankful to be out of the water and headed to the bike portion! The bike was fun and challenging. It was a beautiful day and Callaway is a beautiful setting for this event. Here's some bike photos:
And finally after nearly 19 miles of biking, my favorite part - the run. It took me about half a mile to get my legs under me, but once I did, I was as comfortable as I am on any run. I don't run fast, but I do run steady. Once I'm in my pace and could run for a good while. While on the run, I went into "motivator" mode. I tend to do this on runs. I told one group of guys at the last water station that I believe God made me to motivate athletes not to be an athlete. I do thank God for giving me strength and endurance to finish the race though!
Here's some run photos. Most of these are towards the end.
And here's the finish line smile photo: My final times was 2:28:23. The swim was 22:20. The first transition was 4:10. The bike was 1:04:00. The second transition was 2:57, and the run time was 54:59. I had a great time. Not planning another anytime soon, but I'll never say never.
