A first time racers first race report:

Turtleman Triathlon – Shoreview, MN

1500m swim – 37k bike – 10k run

I did this, my first race, with a swarm of future in-laws; aunts, uncles, cousins, all on different schedules, with no one in any particular hurry to do those small things: pick up packets, eat dinner, go to bed, get up, eat breakfast, show up for the race on time, warm up. I was going nuts, and really felt rushed. Anyway.

The Swim

I have absolutely no background in open water swimming. I literally did my first open water swim, really swimming, the day before the race (there’s nothing in Omaha I’d be comfortable swimming in). But from what I can tell it was a tricky swim for nearly everybody. Turtle Lake was really low from drought. There were a ton of weeds, muck, rocks.

I might have been doomed regardless of the conditions. In my excitement I shot out of the gate hot and heedless, and zigzagged all over the course. I probably swam an extra 500 meters.

I also learned that technique has to be a matter of muscle memory, because all the improvements I’ve made over the last few months were right out the window. Still, I made it. Swim – 33:18

T1

Ahh! I bought this damn jersey a couple days before I left. Nothing fancy, white, sleeveless, breathes well, it was on sale. Great right? If I should have learned anything on this site it is don’t do anything new or different on race day (there are other examples of this, but I'll spare you). I never tried to put the damn thing on sopping wet and got stuck with it half on. I tugged and tugged, and then tried to get it off and tugged and tugged. Finally got it off, grabbed shades and helmet and was off; 3 minutes and 41 seconds later.

Bike

I was a bit peeved at this point and tried to make up some time. The course was flat, and my Bianchi EV3 and I zipped around pretty good. Bike – 1:00:13

T2

I don’t remember what I did here except change shoes, but apparently I did something. Oh, I drained the rest of my Gatorade. Probably shouldn’t have done that. T2 – 2:00

Run

I was dead legging it for the first mile or two. And was completely oblivious to the mile markers that my girlfriend assures me were there. Beyond that, I ran and got better as I went along. Sprinted in, it was great! Run – 46:39

Total – 2:25:48
241st overall 39th in my age group

I was shooting for 2:20:00 and know I could have shed a few minutes pretty easily so I’m pleased. And really looking forward to my next race!