I’ve always thought triathlons were for super hero's, what normal person can swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a marathon all in one day? I'm somewhat of a recreational cyclist but I've never been a swimmer or much of a runner, so needless to say triathlons rarely ever crossed my mind. Last year I started running a bit after work because I could run for 15 - 30 minutes and be just as tired as riding my bike for 2 or 3 times as long. At first I could barely make it to the corner but I figured it was a good way to stay in shape in half the time. Then I heard about a local sprint triathlon, I never even knew there was such a thing but nevertheless I still couldn't swim. Luckily they also had a duathlon section (2m run, 12m bike, 3.1m run) but I had never even run further than 2 miles without stopping and even that was a challenge for me. I figured I could do the first run, recoup on the bike and then give it my all on the last leg. Not the best strategy, but it worked and I loved it. The feeling I got crossing the line that day was like no other, I was hooked. Then as I watched other people finish I started talking to someone who was competing at Ironman Lake Placid the following month. I realized he didn't look much different from me, he was no super hero. It got me thinking and set me forth on my journey, could I do an Ironman? I signed up for a few more races that season and really started thinking about a triathlon, but I was still afraid of the swim. In the winter I took a Total Immersion style swim class and joined the local Y to practice. This weekend will be my first sprint tri followed by another sprint, Olympic and even a half Ironman later in the season.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions? I’m not trying to win, just looking to have fun and not make any big mistakes.