Trying the Tri

My first triathlon is Saturday in Jekyll Island, Georgia.  At approximately 7:30 a.m. I will plunge into the still primarily frigid Atlantic Ocean to swim 1/4 of a mile along with a couple hundred other triathletes.

I'm not worried about the swim.  A quarter mile is nothing; hardly worth getting wet. I am slightly worried about the transition following the swim as I'm sure it will be slightly chaotic and very wet.

Following the swim is 9.3 miles on the bike, on a course described as "flat and fast."  I think I can hold my own on the bike, though I never did spring for a super expensive road bike. My sister's hand-me-down mountain bike with smooth road tires added may stand out like a sore thumb and possibly slow me down, but who're we kidding, I'm not going to set any records no matter what bike I ride.  The Judy (Trek named it, not I) will get me out, around the island, and back just fine.

The transition from bike to run will be easier logistically, but more difficult physically.  I've been practicing by doing bike/run brick workouts once a week for several weeks now, but my legs still feel like lead when I hop off the bike.  I plan to walk for a good five minutes or so at the beginning of the run portion, until my legs start feeling normal again.  Then I plan to run as much of the 5k as possible, although I don't expect to run the whole distance.  It's an out and back course and should be flat too.

All in all, I should be done in just a little over 90 minutes.  I'm nervous, but excited! Send good thoughts my way Saturday morning if you're up!