Lewisburg Sprint Triathlon

This past weekend I did my first Triathlon. I never thought this would be on my bucket list, because I don’t like to bike and  I'm not a huge fan of swimming either. But earlier this summer when my Mom and sister did their first Triathlon I did feel like I was missing out. Once I knew I had off for this one I decided to bite the bullet and sign up. It didn’t hurt that I got a coupon code either.  I didn’t know my work schedule until a month prior, so that is basically how long I had to train. However, I do run all the time and I teach spin class, so I thought the only challenging part would be the swimming portion. Boy was I wrong! 

I swam about three times prior to the race and had only done a few leisurely strolls with my bike that surely didn’t break a sweat.  My bike isn’t even a race bike, but a mountain bike. My dad kept convincing me to ask my cousin to borrow her bike or he would go out and buy me one. Of course I refused because 1. Who’s to say I am ever going to do this again and 2. I don’t want to ride a bike that I am not comfortable on and practicing with. 

That morning I woke up to thunderstorms and an email that said they were keeping an eye on the weather. I thought for just a second I wouldn’t be mad if this canceled. I would have like to just roll over and go back to bed when that alarm went off.  After breakfast and loading up my mountain bike we were off.  We arrived in plenty of time to set up my bike.  People had their race bike up on a rack and towels underneath by their bike shoes. I thought well this is silly why not just utilize my kickstand? And that is just what I did. In the meantime this man noticed me from the gym and came over to chat. He asks Is this your first Tri? I responded yes. And this is the bike you’re using (as he points down to my mountain bike)? I said yes. His response: No kidding? You’ll be pedaling a lot. I just laughed it off and continued getting ready.  

I saw where I was on the list to start and I wasn’t until 26 mins after the hour so I sat at my transition spot near the pool before waiting in line for my spot.  


Once it was my turn I jumped in the pool and waited for her to count down.  The pool wasn’t as cold as I thought it was going to be, however, we started in the deep end which was a surprise to me when I first stepped down and couldn’t touch. 


Once I was off I did much better than I thought I would and even passed a few people. It was up and down the same lane before crossing underneath to get to the next lane.


 Once I finished I quickly made it to my towel to dry off and put my shoes and socks on. I got to my mountain bike and I was off.

 One thing I wish I would have done was put different shorts on. I was really slipping around on my seat from my wet shorts from the swim.  In the very beginning I was riding that thing like I stole it, but that quickly died down. 


There were many hills and I just kind of got bored riding out through the country side with no spectators nor nothing to see but farms. I made it about 5 miles and then I decided to get my Ipod out and eat some homemade beef jerky out of my pouch my dad made me for the race. Those 15 miles didn’t seem like they were ever going to end. A few people did pass me. They were probably thinking to themselves look at this lady riding a mountain bike, what is she thinking? But I did see a few people walk their bike up some hills, something that I did not have to do. I knew the time I lost during the bike portion, I would be able to make up running. Note to self: teaching spin class a few times a week is totally different than road biking! 



I couldn’t get off that bike quick enough. I was so ready for the run, well so I thought. As soon as I got off my bike my legs felt like jello. I didn’t think I was moving very fast but when I looked down at my watch I thought to myself I am not doing half bad considering what I have just done. The run portion of the course was pretty flat. I wish the bike portion would have been where the run was and vise versa. A part of the run was in the grass, and since it rained the whole night before and that morning, it was very swampy and my shoes and socks were completely wet. By this time, I didn’t even care and just wanted to be finished. I did end up passing a few more people on the run that passed me on the bike so I was happy about that. 



Not even sure what my finish time was but it was a PR since it was my first and I am happy with how it went. After the race I grabbed a slice of pizza and headed back home to relax the rest of the day.  Not sure if I can say I will do another one again or not, but it is definitely a possibility. Never say never right?   -L

Ever complete a challenge you never thought you would even attempt? 



                                                  We are linking up with the gals from TOTR.

20 comments:

  1. I think its awesome that you did this! I would not be excited about the swimming or biking either. I guess swimming in a pool wouldn't be too bad but the bike would definitely make me nervous. It sounds like you did great. Congrats!

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  2. Way to go, Lacie! I don't know that I'd every attempt a tri since I loathe swimming. I would probably do ok on the bike and run, but still... the transitions would also make me nervous. I love that you tried this (pun not intended). Awesome!

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    1. Not sure if I will ever do another one. If so, I'll need a different bike.

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  3. I love how you just went for this with so little advanced planning - and you did great! I did a duathlon with my husband yearsssss ago where I did the run portions and he did the bike part and we noticed, as newbies, that his bike wasn't the same as most others, nor did we set his bike up like the more experienced riders, but hey, just like you, it all worked out. Good job on your first and congrats on that PR! :)

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    1. Thanks this one you could have had a relay as well. Something I did not know when I signed up.

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  4. Way to go Lacie! I am always surprised how jello like my legs feel after running. Spin class is not anything like riding outside is it?!

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  5. Congratulations! If you didn't have to walk your mountain bike up a hill -- I call that a WIN! I'm jealous you were able to use a pool for your swim portion. I swam in ponds; some with gators (I'm not kidding). But, I fell in love with the bike portion which led me to doing century rides. And I gave up that horrible swimming thing...LOL.

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    1. I don't think I would have been inclined to do it had it not been in then pool.

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  6. Congrats! I loved reading about you and your sister's tris. :) My brother has done a couple half ironmans and he is doing an ironman this fall. They are SO col to watch. If I ever did a tri, I can't see myself doing a half ironman. That's way too long. Maybe a quarter ironman? :)

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  7. Good job getting out there out of your comfort zone! I can swim (slowly) and run (slowly) but I don't bike. Not since I was a kid. And not interested in starting again, either -- it was never my thing.

    I've always thought it must be really uncomfortable to be biking & running in those wet clothes.

    I'm sure I would've at least looked at my time. :) But you passed people -- so you can't have been doing too badly!

    My race next weekend is pushing me out of my comfort zone. :) Now if the humidity would just break . . . .

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    1. Yes it definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realize you are capable of doing a lot more than you think you can.

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  8. Congratulations! Way to become a triathlete! I've done a handful of tris and there are always a few people riding mountain bikes so no worries. I even saw a lady once riding a rig cruiser with a basket on it. Haha!

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  9. Way to go on your first tri!! I've never done a tri because most of the ones around here are in nasty brown swampy water where you can't see anything and umm..gators. No thanks. I would be like you though, with a mountain bike as that's all I currently own. Congrats again!

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  10. Congrats on your first triathlon! I don't know how to ride a bike at all, so I would have a hard time competing in 1. Maybe someday .. my husband actually did his 1st last weekend as well.

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  11. Congrats! I definitely would have stuck with the mountain bike too - those road bikes with clip-in shoes scare me.

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  12. Huge congrats for trying something new and doing so well. I haven't taken the plunge yet but am intimidated by all the logistics.

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