An update on my triathlon experience this past Sunday. THis past Sunday i did my first triathlon and while i really didn't know what to expect from it, what i didn't expect was to enjoy it so much. The swim leg was a little difficult because I have never experienced swimming in the ocean. When the gun went off i just ran into the ocean with the rest of the people in my "wave". I ran in against the waves hoping that once i went in a little farther into the water passed the waves it would get easier for me to use proper swim technique. But once I saw the swells that were coming my way non-stop and a few mothfulls of saltwater later I realized that proper freestyle technique was not going to be easy. Everytime i planted my face in the water i just felt the movement of the swells and couldn't turn my head to get that breath of air. So I ended up swimming the whole leg with my head out of the water, not the best form to swim in I know but I had to get through the swimming leg. When i came out of the water i was tired but wanted to continue.
The bike leg was really pretty cool I though. The scenery was nice and the course itself was flat, which is good cuz after dragging myself through the water a quarter of a mile my legs were in no shape to be pedaling up any hills. It took me 47 minutes to complete the cycling leg of the race but it only felt like 20 minutes. My mind was just caught up in all the excitement of being their that for the whole race time just went by sooo much faster.
The running leg was probably my best part of the race only because I have been running longer than I have been swimming or bicycling. AFter T2 I got off my bike and at this point for a short moment my legs felt like they didn't work but I started running as best as i could. The first mile was probably the hardest then after that i really didn't have that much trouble keeping a steady pace. Then when i could see that i was getting closer to the finish line I just really didn't feel too tired so I ran faster. And as i got closer I thought to myself "I didn't it, I am about to finish my first triathlon ever" it really was just such a feeling of accomplishment for me. A triathlon was something that i had been wanting to do for the passed three years but never really felt good enough to be able to complete one. So I practiced and i trained and spoke to people and I was just so encouraged by everyone's comments and tips. Now here i was, finally three years later, running as hard as i could with what was left of my energy to the finish line. Crossing that finish line really was such and awsome feeling. Not only did the whole race go by pretty quick but I was also impressed with how friendly the atmosphere itself was. I was talking to people who I had never met but when i asked them anything about triathlon they would just open up and talk to me like they've known me for years. The volunteers that cheered the racers on as they rode by on their bikes or ran by were also very encouraging.
For my first triathlon experience i loved it. It was so much fun and you get such a good feeling from finishing the race--it's awsome. I look forward to doing more in the future.:)