My Triumphant Try For a (Second) Tri

"So I did a triathlon... and actually finished it. Thank you Lord..."

After blogging on my unfinished triathlon last October 2010, I write this in good spirits.

Last July 23, 2011, after training a good 16 weeks or four months, I finished my second triathlon.

I have been swimming well and even better with a timing device. I used to accept a speed of a 1:45 for a 50 meter dash using the crawl at the Riverbank State Park which has a pool that has a 50 m pool open 6:30-8:30 AM on a daily basis. After doing a New York Road Runners Conservancy Run 4 miler with competitive Ms. Sharon David-Mora, I learned one can swim faster. After a week I timed myself of actually 1:08 for a 50 m high-speed crawl. I eventually found out I can swim using a breaststroke for only 1:22. The confidence grew in me as I realised for the NYRR Sprint Triathlon I would be doing I can actually finish it in 12 minutes just using the breast stroke. Now that is for swimming alone. Swimming in a group of slower swimmers is another I have yet to charge to experience.

I biked the 42 mile bike tour so I am all set for endurance. However, I reminded myself this is a Sprint level triathlon so sprint only equals speed. Now I am thinking of getting a new and faster bike.

Running has been least of the problem after attending NYRR running classes every Tuesday in the summer months. I did two 4 milers and I actually cut my pace down to 9:30. For the running class that puts me in the advance intermediate group; one level below the competitive group.

Transition times are as important as I have been forewarned. But I took that as a water break besides a time to change into the the next sport. However, after reviewing the results, I took 4:45 for my T1 between the swim and bike! That is a tad too chilled.

Anyway, the point is I finished. The swim may be in a pool and only 400 m but I did it. And I did it first among closer peers.

We'll see from here. Hopefully, I can do an open swim session soon.