The First of many tris... - JP Fitness Forums

emartin10 · 08-29-2005, 09:49 AM

So I did it, I'm a triathlete, along with Fish and Nick. And it was freaking awesome.

I woke up at 5 am on Sunday morning to make sure I got some food in me. I have spent so much time reading and planning my nutrition for this race, and everything worked out perfectly. I couldn't be happier about the nutrition.

It was 34 degrees when we got to the race (it was in Steamboat Springs, CO). So I had my racing gear on, as well as basketball shorts, a long sleeved T-shirt, and then sweat pants and a hoodie on over that. Got marked, did a quick mile run, and on goes the wetsuit. We were afraid of the cold, so I used my quarterly bonus to buy a new wetsuit. And aero bars (I'll get to these). The water was about 65 degrees, and felt perfect. The swim was 3/4 mi. so a good distance. I was really worried about the swim, and I was very suprised. I told my girlfriend who was watching to look for me at about 30 minutes after my start. I was WAY off. I come running out of the water, and the clock says 22:02!! My GF almost missed me! It was the 46th fastest time in a race of about 450. I was STOKED! I beat my training partner, who is an incredible triathlete, by about 3 minutes.

So, I get to transistion, goes well, I'm cold, whatever. Jump on my bike, and I'm gone. I don't think my swim really registered with me until I started getting passed by the Pro Triathletes on the bike leg. And my training buddy passed me like I was on a tricycle with pink tassles. He ended up 14th overall on the bike - just incredible. So 20 mile bike, I averaged 19.8 mph on a rolling course, so I was happy with that. Could improve here though. I bought aero bars, but went out on a practice ride the night before, and just couldn't hold the aero position for the whole 20 miles. So I bailed on these for the race. This leads to my number one area to improve - flexibility! Oh, my bike split was 1:01:39. Very decent.

Transistion out of the bike. Good transistion. Off on the 4 mile run course. This started off on a downhill, and was an out and back. But what starts as a downhill, ends as an uphill. So the last mile was brutal. Again, I was happy with my run split - 33:01 - average of an 8:16 mile. Can't complain.

My goal was to finish in under 2 1/2 hours. I came in at 1:59:42! I sorely underestimated my time. But I'm very very happy. My training buddy placed 36th out of 450, 2nd in our age group (of 6). I placed 78th overall, 4th in our age group.

It was a perfect day, and I'm HOOKED!! I have already registered for 2 tris in Australia when I get there, and am looking at 2 more. I'm also looking at 6 in Colorado when I get back from Australia in April. I'm freakin stoked. I don't have pictures back yet - waiting for the professional photo company to put them up. I'll get them here STAT.

So I have joined the ranks of Fish and Nick, and would encourage anyone who has thought about doing a tri to do one. The Tri community is unbeleivably nice, I was getting encouragement throughout the day from EVERYONE. I think every picture that comes back will have me smiling like a 3 year old. I know both these guys, as well as myself, would be glad to offer any advice or suggestions, or lessons learned. Do it. So worth it.

twinsavsvikingsfan · 08-29-2005, 10:10 AM

Man, that is sweet!!! 34 degrees, huh? I miss living near the mountains. Congratulations. Can't wait to see the pics.

jim

ODB · 08-29-2005, 10:34 AM

E, dude!!! That is awesome. Ahhhh and the tri minions grow! I was going to do a sprint tri in September but it looks like it will not happen due to other obligations this month. I do plan on a century at the end of the month and two adventure races in October.

Again, great job! You kicked ass!

TrainingGirl · 08-29-2005, 11:38 AM

Wow! Great job!!! Your time was awesome and your placings too. I'm sure you will only get better with each race.

ODBSGIRL · 08-29-2005, 01:38 PM

E-You're a stud! And this from a guy who was writing about his first brick mere weeks ago. You should be extremely proud of your accomplishment. I think I'll buy you some tassles for your bike [img]tongue.gif[/img] I still want a honky horn for mine but Joe won't let me.

emartin10 · 08-31-2005, 10:11 AM

Aight, here's some pics. I think I look like I'm dying, since the run pics were taken at the finish.

Swim photos to come soon...

ODB · 08-31-2005, 10:23 AM

Great pics E! It looks like I may be back on for a tri in September. It's a sprint 500yd swim, 14 mile bike, 3 mile run. I think ODBSGIRL is going to do it too. It will be her first!

and the minions grow...

emartin10 · 08-31-2005, 10:24 AM

Do it. I know you've done a ton before, but do it. I want to do another one this weekend, but I think common sense might kick in and tell my body to rest a bit.

Or go ride my new aero bars. Hmmmmm....

ODB · 08-31-2005, 10:31 AM

I've got this nuts racing schedule about to happen:

Sept 9-10 - Work the Assault on the Spa Adventure Race.
Sept 18 - Sprint Tri
Sept 25 - Century Ride
Oct 8 - Adventure Race w/ODBSGIRL 8 hours
Oct 15 - Adventure Race Solo 12 hours
Oct 16 - Last Rites

emartin10 · 08-31-2005, 10:38 AM

LOLOL - wow! That's a busy few months. I'll be busy November - February I'm sure. Probably shoot for 3 or 4 tris down unda!

emartin10 · 08-31-2005, 12:23 PM

Here's a few more pics of the scenery at the race:

This guy was really pretty cool too. I passed him on the bike and he was super nice. And he had raised a bunch of money to help out the troops. Cool guy:

ODB · 08-31-2005, 12:34 PM

Pretty

FishrCutB8 · 08-31-2005, 03:15 PM

Welcome to the club, brother!!! Less than two hours is great! Looks like a sweet race. Now we need to get Lisa into the club....C'MON SISTER!!!!

One word of advice: Don't say, "Aight"

ninja · 08-31-2005, 03:22 PM

That's awesome!!!

Sounds like you felt just like I did afterwards. Just reading your story makes me want to do another one.

BTW, your time kicked my time's ass! (And the course was much longer.)

ODBSGIRL · 08-31-2005, 03:34 PM

I know I know, I'm working on it! I have been really worried about the ankle injury issue but I ran on rough trail some on Saturday with only a little pain and I ran yesterday with none (on a treadmill so it was soft running) Now all I have to worry about is the fact that I am totally blind and don't want to buy prescription goggles! I'm going to have to find a red swimsuit and follow it! It probably won't be pretty but I'll be in the club

Now, who wants to join me in the adventure race club HMMMMM?