Completed My First Triathlon

Today was the day...the day I did my first triathlon. I chose the Castaic Lake Sprint Triathlon (400 yd swim, 10 mile bike and 5K run) as my first because it was close to home and had a pretty easy course, as I was told.
We got to the lake about 7am and there were a lot of people already mulling around an jockeying for transition space. Grabbed a spot on the bike racks and headed down to register.
Got my race number and "inked" on my shoulder and calf and went and set up my transition area.















I met up with my friend from the running store, Bill and we went to the pre-race meeting. After the meeting we all headed down to the start and got into the water. The women started first with the men 5 minutes behind them. As the gun went off I waited a few seconds before proceeding in the water to let the crowd disperse so I wouldnt get kick or bumped. After about 100 yards, I felt that I was unable to get a rhythm going with the freestyle stroke so I flipped onto my back and did the back stroke for most of the rest of the swim. I could see that there were alot of people struggling with the swim as many were resting on the lifeguard's surfboards. I got out of the water and headed up to the transition area. Swim split: 8:22 (seemed like an eternity though)

T1 went well as I got my socks and cycling shoes on, grabbed a Gu gel and headed out. Spent the first mile catching my breath and focusing on what was ahead. Everything was going well until we hit the hill...we were told it was 1/2 mile hill climb that according to my garmin was more like 1 mile. The rest of the ride, I was able to make up some time until my chain came off the front chain ring. I stopped and 30 seconds later I was back on the road only to be passed by an ambulance with lights flashing and all. Rolled into the transition area feeling good. Bike time: 36:04

I changed into my running shoes, put on my ball cap and number, grabbed another Gu and bottle of water and headed out. I felt a little sluggish at first but then found my pace and kept going. I hit the turn around a felt good, but a bit tired. I walked for about 150 feet and drank some water. That helped me keep going and about 1 mile later...I could see the finish line. I crossed the finish line with a time of 1:18:24 (updated 8/10/08 official time) which was over 10 minutes better than my goal.
What a great feeling to cross the finish line feeling that you accomplished something that less than 3% of the population ever do.

I am thinking of doing another sprint next weekend but the swim really kicked my arse!

Link to all pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/bfrein/CastaicTriathlon