Well well now! Today, i completed my first ever triathlon: The Dublin City Triathlon an oly!

It was far tougher than i had expected, mainly due to the VERY hilly course on the bike and the cross country run, which i wasn't used to at all.

My times were something like this:
1500m swim: 36mins (very happy!)
40k bike: 1hr20mins (quite happy)
10k run: 1hr2mins (devestated!!!)

I was absolutely dreading the swim and i have to say it was the easiest part. I was expecting 45mins or so, so to knock nearly 10mins off that time i was exstatic. Just before the end though i got terrible cramp in my right thigh and calf (the water was bitterly cold) and when i came out of the water i was very disoriented, but i got to my bike put on my socks, helmet, the whole lot and off i went. The hilly course was very tough, and the first lap really was hard. An energy gel later and some downhill and i was feeling much better!

The cramp in my leg however kept threatening if i pushed to hard, so i kept it light and spun up the hills. My time was fine, bang on what i wanted since i was using a mtb!

But then the run absolutely destroyed me. i just really had nothing left at this stage. I have done bricks, a good few, but nothing prepared me for this. I'm a good runner and I can usually run the 10k in <45mins, but GOD! This hurt! So bad, and suddenly my race became a survival event. I plodded along, was overtaken by everyone, after making up so much ground on the bike. I was really annoyed though, because i'm normally such a good runner, but i just couldn't get moving!

The official times aren't out just yet, but i finished in 3hrs2mins or so i think including transistions.

I just want to thank everyone here for all of the advice over the last 4 months. It really did help me through the training, I only hope i can sort out my running for next time!

cheers,

bouli