I Competed in My First Triathlon and I am Hooked!!

Often after trying/doing something new or traveling to someplace I have never been - I think to myself "I should write down the things that worked and the things that didn't - the things I loved, and the things I was not a fan of." So the day after competing in my first triathlon - I am going to take the time to do that. It's really a post for me to refer back to, but if helps someone else out there - even better!

First off - I am hooked!! Triathlons are a lot of fun and physically and mentally challenging! I loved running a marathon (over 11 years ago) and honestly thought I would do more - but I haven't and now I would much rather focus on future triathlons!

What I loved about the triathlon:

The variety!! I loved pushing myself in three different events....that was exciting!
The transitions - it was fun in the water one minute and the next minute on a bike!
It's a group race - but you are really competing against yourself for the best possible time.
The Sprint was the perfect distance for me to start at - very doable......you can push your self hard and then still have energy to function for the rest of the day.

What I was not a fan of:

Getting knocked around by other swimmers.
Trying to take off my wet suit as fast as possible while exhausted from the swim.
Realizing that my ankle timing chip was gone - just as I was about to leave the transition area....GRRRRR...having to run back and strap that on was a serious bummer.
People passing me on the bike....that was no bueno.
The transition from bike to run.....the first 1/4 mile was brutal on my calves!

What I would do differently:

Get a better fitting wetsuit that only comes down to the calf (mine was about 4 sizes too big and when I came out of the lake I brought about 4 gallons of water with me!
Get better at swimming while keeping your eye on the buoy - I am sure I added at least 20 yards to my swim.
Invest in a road bike with a mileage/speed indicator
Focus training more on biking and then add speed/spring drills to running routine.

What I think I did right:

Choosing the Bonney Lake Tri for my first. Great Triathlon!
Having pull lace shoes - that I wore for the bike and run....no socks....saved a ton of transition time.
Having my number attached to a runner's belt instead of jersey that I would've had to pull on.
Having family/friends come to cheer on.....that always gives you extra energy!
Even though my wetsuit was too big - it still helped me to stay on top of the water and that really, really helped in my swim.
My husband Paul let me borrow his Oakley Thump sunglasses and they were AWESOME!! They allowed me to have music that keep me going and focused on something other than my side ache, cramping calves, and off and on nausea. :)