I Tri'ed

On Sunday, Michelle and I competed in our first triathlon. We had decided to do a triathlon early in the year after she suggested it for herself and me. I had never competed in anything other than running events so this was a challenge for both of us. As you may recall, we did a 25 mile bike event and a 5k together earlier this spring to warm up for the BASF Smile Train Sprint Triathlon in Wake Forest last weekend. The event, in its second year, is a Finish Strong Series race that included a 250 meter pool swim, 12 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile (5k) run. While I had no qualms about the run or bike, I did have concerns about swimming in a competition and the fact that the run is the final event after the swim and bike.

I have always enjoyed the triathlon concept and watched the Ironman from Hawaii on TV every year. We also have friends who have competed in sprint tris, a friend who completed an Ironman tri last fall and Michelle's best friend's husband completed the Ironman in France the year we started dating. Just like the idea of tackling a marathon, the idea to compete in a triathlon was fueled by knowing our friends who had already done the same.

The weather on race day was typical for this time of year but perhaps a bit less humid than normal. With a 7 AM start, we were granted the possibility of finishing before it got too hot. Our start time was a little after 8 AM due to our submitted swim times used for the staggered start lineup. Michelle and I started in the pool together which was nice so we could chat together until the last minute of our start. Two friends of ours were also in the race and had started earlier than us. Michelle's parents and a friend of mine also showed up to watch and cheer for us.

The swim went much better than I had anticipated. I was done reasonably fast and moved onto the bike. While I was no speed demon on my Trek sport hybrid bike, I still managed to pass some folks on the 12 mile hilly ride out of Wake Forest and into Rolesville and back. Michelle did equally as well on her bike as we passed each other just past midway. I think we both saved our legs on the bike anticipating the hilly 5k run. I felt good on the second transition as I switched to running shoes and took off on the run. While my pace wasn't fast, I managed to run the entire course, including the brutal hills and increasing temperature to finish within my goal of 1 hour 30 minutes. My time was 1 hour 26 minutes with a 27:09 5k at an 8:46 per mile pace. Michelle came in not long afterward and I was able to cheer for her with her parents as she completed the uphill 5k run.

We both had a great time at the race and enjoyed the training plan we followed for it. Now, we are considering doing another event with similar distances later this summer before I move on to a mostly running plan to prepare for my marathon and half marathon events this fall. I am happy to have finally completed a triathlon and I owe my wife for the inspiration to take it on. I am very proud of her for meeting her own goal and finishing her first triathlon with me. Also a big thanks to my parents-in-law for coming out to Wake Forest so early in the AM for us and taking some nice photos.