I did it! I completed my first (sprint distance) triathlon yesterday. I was exhausted when it was over and for the rest of the day, but overall it was fun. My favorite events were in this order: bike, swim, run. The run was sooo hard even though it was only 3 miles. My feet felt like 2 bricks hitting the ground each time I planted them. The bike was 11 hilly miles and I enjoyed it somehow. Now the swim was the weirdest section of all. The water was super cold and I could not keep my face in it. I was just sort of flopping around out there. I finally resorted to swimming backstroke almost the entire time. It was the most comfortable and effective stroke I could do out there. I realized later that my breathing pattern was at hyperventilation speed and that is why the standard freestyle stroke didn't work for me. That and the fact that the water was so murky and cold - nothing like the heated swimming pool that I'm used to with the nice big black line on the bottom so I can stay in a straight line! My goal was to finish within the allotted time and that's what I did, so I'm very happy with my results.
My timed results:
I looked at other people's transition time from swim to bike and they were nowhere near my (long) time. I bet they didn't take that important step to moisturize their face after the swim and then had to endure feeling parched for the rest of the race. Too bad for them.
Nick was such a wonderful support to me during and after the race. I am so thankful that he was there and was so attentive. Thank you Nick! :-)
