This weekend, I participated in the Arbour Lake Triathlon; my first Olympic distance triathlon (I did a Kids of Steel tri when I was 12 or 13). I completed the 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run in 2:49:20. Arbour Lake has a reputation for being a more difficult course because it is very hilly. I faired well on the swim and bike, but the hill running was tough—I had to walk a few. Overall, I place 9 out 15 in the 20-29 age group, which is a pretty high energy group! In the men under 40 group I placed 24 out of 52. Overall, a respectable standing for my first time.

Here’s some things I learned from my first triathlon:
(0) Prepare. Drive the running and bike route, swim the lake, attend the transition training seminar. Being prepared takes your stress down and helps you focus on the task at hand.
(1) Pack everything the night before and put it all beside the door when you are ready to go. Do not hang your wet wetsuit to dry in an out of sight location or your wife will have to drive halfway across the city to get it while you worry about whether she will arrive back on time.
(2) Bring a cell phone so you can call your wife to see how close she is to bringing you the wetsuit you need.
(3) Rent or buy a wetsuit that is meant for triathlons. I made a few costly errors in this department. First, I borrowed a wetsuit from a gracious, yet smaller friend of mine. I managed to break the wetsuit in two different ways, meaning I’m going to owe him some cash ($%^&*). So, hiding that disaster from a friend, I ask to borrow his shorty wesuit that was designed for wakeboarding. This suit did keep me warmer in the 12 degree water, but it wasn’t meant for swimming so it had a lot of drag.
(4) Hands are cold from 12 degree water so bike gloves are hard to put on. Maybe they aren’t even needed.
(6) Tri bars would be nice for my bike because they would allow me to rest while I cycle. Donations anyone?
(5) Plan to stick around. I missed out on an awesome, free meal of gourmet pasta and wasn’t able to stick around to swap war stories (hills, cold water) with other participants. Why? Father’s Day. Remember, it isn’t the race’s fault for planning the event on Father’s Day, rather it is your father’s fault . . . (don’t we blame our folks for everything?)
(6) And no religion too . . . The finishing line was a great moment, but honestly, it wasn’t a religious experience. Mostly, I had to pee really bad (should have gone on course) so I headed straight for the porta-potties after finishing. A good pee, on the other hand, is a one-hand-clapping hallelujah!

I really enjoyed my first tri (other than the near bladder explosion). Perhaps too much. Maybe I could have pushed myself harder instead of enjoying it so much.

So, my next goal is to do another Olympic tri this summer and shave 20 minutes off my time. I think that is very possible. I likely particpate in the Alberta Challenge in Edmonton August 24th!

I would recommend anyone try a tri. They are rewarding, fun, and a great mixup for the body!