This past Sunday, July 28th, me(right) and a friend finished our first triathlon. After training almost two months, the day had come and the feeling of excitement and anxiety could finally been released.
There was no doubt, after running several half marathons and 5k’s that this race surpassed the anxiety of others. Read about it below.
Pre-Race
The biggest surprise was preparing the day before. The day before the race I went to pick up my race packet and to my surprise there were some things I needed to know:
- Rack your bike and equipment the night before:
- Bike
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Shoes/Socks
- Water Source (I used a Camelbak)
- Tire Pump (I carried a mobile one – just in case)
- Learn where your equipment will be stored
- Get rest the night before. Don’t eat like crazy. Lay out your outfit: tri shirt, shorts, goggles, cap…etc. Put it in a bag and don’t forget to take it with you.
- You will probably wake up early (I woke up at 3:30am to catch a shuttle to our first event at 5am). Give yourself plenty of time to double-check your equipment. And don’t forget your tracker. This tracks your time throughout the race.
- Don’t let anxiety get the best of you. You will be nervous, but so will others. Ask questions. Other athletes love to help.
- Lastly, remember you’re training to be a triathlete. Not just a runner and not just a biker. You will do something many people in your life will never do. Be proud!
During
Swim (750m – 1/2 mile)
The swim (in my opinion), was the most fun. I didn’t have any expectations for myself, and I just swam the best I could. Learning to swim takes time, so I didn’t expect to go out and blow the course away. Practice swimming properly, but if you feel the need, turn around on your back and just start kicking. This also gives you a chance to catch your breath without swallowing mouthfulls of water.
Bike (30K – 18.6 miles)
The bike is by far the longest event. But based on this race, it was the easiest event. Just pedal! The route that I rode had moderate hills, but for the most part it was just long. Enjoy the ride, and make sure you hydrate. You will quickly get thirsty, especially after the swim. Oh, and stay out of the way of the pro’s and don’t draft, even if you’re not trying to win.
Run (5k – 3.1 miles)
Naturally, running is the event I thought I would feel most at home in. However, the rumors are true, running 3.1 miles after biking 18+ miles – my legs felt like bricks! It took at least a mile for my running legs to kick in. But once they did, I felt much more confident in the final 2.1 miles. Also, a fellow triathlete had an extra gel pack she gave me. This helped restore some of the energy I lost and helped boost me toward victory.
After
Recover
Walk over and grab an apple, banana, bread and whatever else they have to offer while basking in the feeling of accomplishment and pride. As soon as you feel able, begin stretching. I failed to do this, and my body was extremely ungrateful. It’s worth the time and effort.
Final Thoughts
Do it! Like many of you, I shared the overwhelming feeling of anxiety and stress. I won’t complete it. I can’t swim well. I don’t have the equipment. These are all thoughts that flooded my mind. However, like many things, if you prepare and dedicate yourself – you will be surprised at the things your body can do. Overall, this was one of the greatest events I’ve participated in. The tempation is already there to sign up for another. Perhaps, I will. But for now, I’ll just be happy with finishing my first.
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