My First Triathlon


On  July 10, 2015, I wrote a blog post titled Fitness Trends I will never be a part of.  On that list was doing a triathlon. I never had any desire to do it. Perhaps I should revisit that list see what else I put on it.

In May of this year, I got an email about some upcoming races in my area. I skimmed through it like I usually do and started reading about this Triathlon. I was intrigued because this race was offering a mini distance AND the swim portion was being held in a HEATED pool.  I really don’t know why this interested me. I guess maybe I was looking for something different to do this summer.  So I signed up.  I signed my mom up too. She is always a good sport and goes along with my crazy plans..



    Saturday I embarked on my first Triathlon!

When I registered for the race, I was asked to submit a time for the swim portion.  Before registering, I had never swam laps before so I had no idea what my time would be. I left it blank. Usually in a road race if you do not submit a time, you are placed in the last corral or wave. That’s exactly what I was hoping would happen with me for the swim part.  Except that plan backfired. I ended up being the first swimmer in the pool for the mini tri.  


This made me nervous because I was worried about all the faster swimmers behind me passing me. I didn’t care if they passed me, but I was just worried about fast swimmers bumping into me, getting a face full of water, and just struggling to catch my breath. I was thinking the worse!  
Luckily none of this ever happened and I did just fine on the swimming portion.  The pool was heated and it was only 5 feet at the deepest end. This was the leg I worried most about and dare I say this is the part I enjoyed the most!



Next up was the bike portion.  There was a pretty long chute (parking lot and grassy runway) between the pool and the bike area. 

We were allowed to set up our transition area anywhere in between. I chose to put my things right outside the pool. I put on my socks, shoes, race belt, and watch and then ran through the chute to get my bike (where I had my helmet already hanging on my handle bars).  I hopped on my bike without incident and I was feeling pretty good!  Since I was the first of the mini triathletes to be on the bike, I was on the road for quite a while by myself. There were volunteers at every turn directing us which way to go, but there were times I questioned if I was going the wrong way.  Eventually I started meeting up with bikers who were doing the full triathlon distance.  I know I was most worried about the swimming, but I will say that the bike portion was THE hardest part for me.  I was NOT expecting as many hills as there was. They would just NOT stop.  I just kept telling myself  “keep going, DON’T get off this bike” even though I was tempted to get off and walk it up several hills.  I  was huffing and puffing like I was an air conditioner that was going berserk! Every time I came to a hill I thought “my mom is going to kill me”.  I was dying on these hills. I can only imagine how much she was going to struggle too.  It was my own fault for not incorporating hills into my bike training. The only time I rode up a hill was when I was returning home to my neighborhood which is situated on a large hill. But that was it. I was suddenly glad that I rode my neighborhood hill all those times instead of pushing my bike up the hill.

Anyway, I was starting to panic a little because I was more than half way done with the bike portion and I was in the middle of no where. I was expecting to see the turn around point and it never came. I thought for sure I had somehow gotten on the path for the full triathlon.  Eventually I came out a side street that lead me right back to the transition area. I was never so happy to get off my bike! I saw my dad in the transition area as I got of my bike and with what little breath I had left I just mumbled “Mom’s going to kill me”, as I ran by!



Okay, here came the running part. I was good now, I was home free! I ran through the grassy transition area again and to the parking lot where I crossed a timing mat. I guess this is where the run portion actually started, although I was told the running part started on the hill (yes another hill) behind the pavilion where packet pick up was.  I saw people walking up the hill and for some reason I thought there would be another timing mat up there ( I don’t know why I thought that except for the fact that all the runners in front of me were walking and taking their good old time getting there).  I started to walk up the hill too, until I thought maybe This Was IT, I was already being timed for the running portion.   Just when I thought that was the only hill, then came another one, and of course it was an out and back, So I had to do those hills over again.  



As I was coming down the last hill, I saw my dad waiting on the side lines. I was so excited to see him.  Even with starting my Garmin late, I ended up measuring this course longer than it should have been.  I was really happy with my running effort during training and was surprising myself with better paces, but today I did not hit those paces. It wasn’t bad, it just was what it was.  

When I finished, they were just putting out refreshments under the pavilion so I had a banana and then later a slice of pizza.  I walked with my dad back over to the hill as we watched for my mom to finish.



We did not get medals and there were no age group awards but we got this great shirts!  I really hit the race shirt jackpot this year because all the shirts I've got were made out of that Really soft cotton and this was no different!

Even though this was only a mini distance Triathlon, I still swam, biked, and ran, and I am pretty proud of my efforts and so proud of my mom too. This is something that I never aspired to do but am glad I did it. I don’t think I will do this particular race again because I did not care for all the hills on the course, but if I can find a similar race that uses the heated pool for the swim portion, I may consider it!  I told my sister she should do this race next year so I think she’s putting it on her list! -M




We are linking up with Wendy and Holly for their Weekly Wrap!

59 comments:

  1. You absolutely should be proud of yourself! I would have been scared of getting lost on the bike, I'm sure, but then again I don't bike anyway. :)

    Congrats to you AND to your mom -- I think it's awesome that she does stuff with you. She's definitely a good "sport"!

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    1. She really IS a good sport. I asked her what our next adventure will be!

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  2. Congrats! It's funny that you said this was something you would never do. I've said the same thing so I guess you never know:) Sounds like this was the perfect race for you guys to do.

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    1. I also said I had no desire to run a marathon and I've done two! I've learned to never say never!

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  3. First in the pool would have done me in right there - you are so brave and I'm so impressed that you took on this challenge! Great job to you and your mom! Did she want to kill you after tackling all of those hills?

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    1. Actually, the ride was on country rodes and she was more mad about all the horses. She has an unexplainable fear of horses!

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    2. Oh, poor mom! Who would have thought about that when planning for a triathlon?

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  4. Congrats to you and your mom! That hilly course would be no bueno for this flatlander. How cool to go do something you once said you'd never do.

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  5. Congrats! I did my first tri last year and haven't had the desire to do another one. I found biking to be the hardest also...and it's also my least favorite thing.

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    1. I know I won't be doing this one again, but I'll never say never about doing another one (of this same distance of course).

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  6. Good for you. I am totally impressed by you and esp your mom. You would never get me to do one!!

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  7. Congratulations! LOL at finding your old blog post -- never say never, I guess. It sounds like you've been bitten by the tri bug!

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    1. Well, it's not something I'm totally in love with, that's for sure!

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  8. Congratulations!!! You totally killed it!! You should definitely be proud of yourself for doing what you never thought you would!

    And I am with the former you on not doing a triathlon. Especially because of the swim. I mean, I can swim but open water isn't my thing and ALL. THE. PEOPLE. is also not my thing. Maybe I should consider one that uses a pool? IDK. Why would I even say that?!?! lol

    And congrats to your mom, too!!

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    1. I would have never even considered this if it was an open water swim. The heated pool is probably what made the decision easy for me.

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  9. Very impressive! I would be SO freaked out to be the first swimmer, too. I have a tri on my bucket list, but that will be a long time coming LOL The swimming will really be my toughest part of the event. Congrats to you and your mom!!

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    1. Thank Kim. I thought the swim would be the hardest part but it was actually my favorite.

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  10. Never say never! Congrats on a great first triathlon. One of my friends did a local tri where you swim in a pool and she said it was great. Congrats to your mom too!

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    1. Swimming in a pool is the way to go. Even better if its heated!

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  11. I've been looking forward to reading this post...Congratulations! It cracks me up that you had triathlon on your "will never do one" list ;)

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    1. Yea, never ever had the desire because I didn't think I would be able to swim that far.

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  12. Congrats on your first tri! It sounds like you did awesome. Never say never! I have done exactly one triathlon. I enjoyed it, but am not in a hurry to sign up for another one. I am fine with the swim and run, but not so great on the bike!

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    1. I think I would have done better on the bike if the course was more flat!

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  13. Congratulations Tri Athlete! First in the pool would be intimidating but you rocked it! We swim in ponds and rivers around here with critters. A pool would alleviate those worries! LOL. I ended up loving the bike legs, even though all of them were hilly. It what led me to do the Century Rides last year. Most people struggle with the swim but you're so strong with that, I believe you should definitely do more of these! Thanks for linking!

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    1. I definitely would not say my swim was strong, but I was happy with my effort. Swimming with the critters would be a definite NO for me...haha

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  14. Congratulations on the achievement! I'm especially impressed with how well you swim. Sounds like you had an awesome time!

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  15. That's awesome! Congrats on your first tri! That's cool the swim portion is in a heated pool. I don't have the desire to do a tri since I never learned how to swim. Congrats to your mom too!

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    1. I think the swim intimidates a lot of people but I think with a little practice you'd be okay. In some tris if the pool is shallow enough some people even walk or aqua jog!

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  16. Congratulations! I'm proud of you!! This is something I've said I'd never do as well ....I also said I'd never do a full marathon, then I did two. Lol Never say never, right??? By the way... how mad was your Mom at you? :)

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    1. Haha, I also said I would never do a marathon and I too did 2 already!

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  17. Look at you! That is so impressive!!!! You are amazing! I always said I'd want to try a Tri one day... they are so intimidating - but you DID IT!!! & go Momma doing it too!!!

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    1. Yes, I'm glad that my mom did this too! I don't think she has a desire to do another one....or at least not this one again!

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  18. Great job! I love that shirt too. It's always nice when the race shirt is a good design and great feel.

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  19. Congrats to you and your mom! I always think there are more hills than I expected!

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    1. I try not to look at the elevation map ahead of time because I don't want to get too scared that I am dreading it...haha

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  20. Great job, girl! I'm glad you had fun! Perhaps the sprint distance next year? :)

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  21. Congratulations to both you and your mom!! that is so amazing! I hope the pizza was delicious!!

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    1. Yes it was! It was actually the first time I had pizza after a race.

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  22. holy moly!!! incredible that you signed up on a whim (with your mom - my mom WOULD HAVE killed me hahaha) and you DID IT! Amazing! well done!!

    PS This will stay on my list of things I won't do hahaha!

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    1. Maybe you will change your mind one day if you find the right race!

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  23. Sounds fun! That's cool that the swim portion was in a heated pool. My mom would definitely have killed me! I hope your mom enjoyed it :)

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  24. Congratulations!! How exciting for you. And race shirts are the best, right?

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  25. HOw much funnnn!!!! It's on my bucket list to do a mini triathlon like this-- although like you it will def have to be in a heated pool!!!

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  26. I remember you sister saying she had FOMO a couple of weeks ago so I think she will definitely be doing this next year! Well done to both you and your mum and I loved that you enjoyed the dreaded swimming part! Those bike hills would have killed me too, lol!

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    1. I'm pretty sure she is going to do this next year if it coincides with her work schedule.

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  27. Wow, that's awesome.. congratulations, hope to get that kind of drive also. Haven't tried triathlon yet but planning to have one real soon.

    Nhick

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  28. That's awesome! The only way I would do a tri is heated pool and if it featured rental bikes. Some here do. Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. And yes, I too love the pima cotton shirts

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    1. I actually liked having my own bike since I was comfortable riding it. Good luck if you do one!

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  29. I'm so glad you had a good experience with your race despite all the hills! Congratulations!! I loved reading about your experience although I don't think I'll ever do a triathlon myself. Is it weird I remember that blog post you wrote a few years ago? Hah!

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    1. I could actually see you doing a tri Karen. I think you would like it.

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