My first OWS & mini triathlon attempt

I wrote this post weeks ago and then it got lost in the shuffle of races etc. My first triathlon will be in the morning (Saturday). I feel pretty prepared, but I am still anxious about the swim. I never got in a 2nd OWS practice session and my pool sessions have been hit and miss. The last two weeks I only made it to the pool twice.

Several weeks ago I did complete a mini triathlon on the same course that I will be on tomorrow. Essentially we did the entire course, but it was broken up. It was a lot of fun and definitely got me more excited for race day. Most of the women there thought I was a veteran triathlete- I definitely fooled them! Without further ado here is the recap of my first triathlon practice session:

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I did it. I completed a mini triathlon with some other members & trainers of Farmgirlfit. This included my VERY FIRST OWS!!!!! Let me break it down for you and tell you how it went, what I learned, what went right, and what still needs some improvement.

The swim:

Definitely had an “oh sh*t” moment when I first stepped into the water. Everything I had been working on in the pool the last two weeks was tossed aside and major nerves took over. I hit the water and it was surprisingly warm (it as 95 degrees outside), but there was seaweed stuff everywhere. YUCK. I started swimming and the panic commenced. I could not put my face in the water. I got a short distance out and still couldn’t put my face in the water. I made the mistake of thinking I could put my feet down, but I was already in deep water. Stupid silly me. Not sure why I thought I was in shallow enough water to do that?! I turned around and swam back to the shore so that I could regroup and make another attempt. I seriously needed to pull my sh*t together. Once I got back to the shore I practiced putting my face in the water and blowing bubbles. For some odd reason that helped calm my nerves immensely. I put my big girl panties on and attempted to swim out into the lake once more. This time with my face in the water. My second attempt was much more successful. I felt so much more comfortable and was actually able to swim. I did a couple of short out and backs and each time I felt more at ease.

What I learned:

I need to practice a couple more OWS before my race on 8/3. (This did not happen) 

Swimming will probably never be my strong suit, but I can swim.

I need to be able to get into the water pre race to calm my nerves, blow some bubbles in the water, etc.

I definitely will not need a wetsuit for the race. I can use my Brooks Infiniti Short Tights and just a sports bra and be fine. 

Women of Farmgirlfit

The bike:

The biking portion was AWESOME. I felt like I was flying. I know that I really wasn’t, but I just felt that good. I am feeling stronger on each ride I do. I know that running is my strongest area, but I really think that the bike is a close second.

We did a huge loop that ended up being 9.89 miles from Medical Lake around Clear Lake and back. I think that this will also be the same biking course for my race. If that is the case I am going to love it! Nice rolling hills and really scenic. I wish I was talented enough to ride AND take pictures. Maybe next time I will have some photos to share with you.

What I learned:

I need to check my tire pressure everyday. (Since then I have purchased a pump with a gauge on it)

Ready to bike!

The run:

We ran around Medical Lake which was just a touch shy of an actual 5K distance. I mapped it out and it ended up being 2.96 miles. I am a dumb dumb and left my Garmin at home. Probably a good thing because it makes me more competitive and I am trying to run more on feel.

Again, the first ½ mile felt a bit awkward, but then once I was in my running groove I felt great. The run is going to be the least of my worries.

What I learned:

Not to forget my Garmin on race day!

Ready for my favorite- the run!

In conclusion:

I had so much fun with this mini triathlon that Farmgirlfit hosted. It was a great learning experience for me and showed me that I can finish a triathlon with what training I have done. It was great to have some veterans there who gave me some good tips/tricks. I am learning so much about this new sport and I know that there is even more that I need to learn.

I am looking forward to tomorrow and checking off a 2013 goal and hopefully learning something about myself in the process. I have learned a lot since deciding to register, but kind of winged the training part. Next time I will actually get a training plan to have something to follow.

Let's chat:
What triathlon training plans have you used in the past?
Own a wetsuit? What brand?
Are you racing this weekend? If so, good luck!!!!!

--Tasha