last Sunday I did my first triathlon , the Mountain Man, in Flagstaff,AZ. I got there early to get my things set up and get a good spot on the rack. After that I walked around and met a couple of people that I had seen at the gym. then I got ready to go swimming.
I got down to the start of the swim and did a little warm up mainly to see how the wet suit was going to feel, it felt OK but something wasn’t right but I couldn’t figure it out, oh well. I got out and walked up to see if my family was there and I only found my wife, the rest were on their way. when it was time to start I got in the water near the front because swimming is my best event. The horn sounded and we were off, I got out about 300 meters and I was near the front and still passing people, then I figured out what the problem was, the wet suit that I had rented, was a bit too small. I started having problems breathing I keep swimming but had to slow down a lot even going to the breast stroke to try and catch my breath. after about 200 more meters it dawned on me to undo my wet suit. so I did and everything got a lot better but I never quite recovered from that in the swim part. I kept going and finished the 1500 meters in 25:49 good enough for 35 out of 264. I got out of the water and there they were, my family was standing there in front and as close to the water as they could cheering me on.
T1 2:46 no problems
bike: I took off and was still a little phased from the swim but then I passed my first person, and then another I was starting to get my confidence back and then a guy on one of those fancy bikes flew buy me like I was standing still. but that was OK, I am sure that it wasn’t his first. someone told me before I signed up for this race that it was a good race it had some rolling hills, if mountains are rolling hills than they were right, there were some pretty steep hills I did OK going out, it took me about 45 minuets. I turned around and it was almost all down hill. when I got to the finish half of my family were waiting for me. the other half found were my stuff was and waited for me at the transition area. bike 25 miles 1.15:34
T2: 1:58
Run: the run, the part of the race that I had the most trouble with. I started out and my legs felt a little funny, but that is to be expected. I was a little bit excited when I passed a couple of people so I thought I was doing good for the first mile and a half, then I turned the corner and there it was a Mountain, not a hill; a Mountain, the next mile and a half was almost straight up the side of a Mountain. I didn’t think it was ever going to end, but it did and I got to the top and then it was all down hill. I picked up the pace a little and got to the end with no problems. and once again there was my family in front cheering me on. Even though that was the hardest run that I have done, it was the most enjoyable run I have been on.
run 6.2 miles 1.01:34
Total time 2.47:20
place 102 out of 264
It wasn’t the time that I thought I should have gotten but at lest now I have a time to compete against. I want to thank my wife and three kids for there support and encouragement . My dad, brother, and nephew for driving the 1000 mile round trip to see me compete and cheer me on , My grand parents for letting us all stay with them and coming to the event to cheer for me. I don’t care what any one else says, my family loves me more than your family loves you J/K lol. I like to thank 365 and the people who give me feed back and all the inspiring stories, it made training a lot easier.
the race was a good experience I am looking forward to the next one. Now I know what to expect, I can train a little different to beat 2.47:20
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