Mt First Race

After a year of hard work and a very big struggle to overcome my groin injury, I have had my first competition. The targets I had set out were completely forgotten as I was at the mercy of luck. It all depended on whether I would feel pain or not.

It was either luck or the cold water or even the adrenaline rush in doing such a fun and challenging activity that I felt no pain at all.

I finished my Swim part in 15:07 - a good time for a starter but definitely needs to improve as I had to breathe every 2 strokes instead of 3.

Although I almost tripped in the water before coming out, I managed to get the 3rd best time in transition 1 (28 seconds) from my age group and had a personal best bike split of 37:25; much better than I had ever anticipated.

 The last part, and the part which I usually dislike was running. However, on the day I was so happy with my performance that I just started running and thought of nothing else than having more fun. This is also the part I feel less confident and least trained so the time of 26:20 is definitely the area for major improvement.

I managed to finish in a total of 1:19:52 - a very positive outcome for a complete beginner. Looking at the race in retrospect, I now know better how and where I can reduce my times both with harder and more meaningful training as well as some gear upgrades in the bike portion. With this good result, I am now much more motivated to become better but I also must never forget to have fun - a key area for continuous motivation.

Here are the full results of the Triathlon Series Race 1:
http://www.bkarastjoseph.com/assets/files/Triathlon/Race%20One%20Results%202012%201.pdf

Anatoly

Latest Gear for Competition

With the countdown to just one week before the competition came the latest piece of equipment: a Birkirkara St. Joseph Trisuit

I have to thank my friend Keith for all this and the essential advice and help he has given me whenever I needed.

Let's hope my groin helps me too on the day :)

Swim-Run

A bit in Pain today but hopefully will be better tomorrow.

Final Preparations?

I wish I could say that I am refining on my preparation for 10th June. In reality, I feel that I have barely started. The last 4 months have been a constant battle against my groin injury. However, by the end of next week I might get to know what's really going on and hopefully get better to train.

Countdown to the Competition

Just two months from today, I will have my fist official competition. Given that I am still injured after more than 8 weeks I was talking to my physiotherapist about treating this injury by ultrasound rather than by simply self- healing.

My concern is that time is running out and I need to prepare well. He suggested that right now I should only Swim and nothing else. He does not agree that I should go there to compete but simply to see how it goes and whether I like it or not.

I want to make it clear that I am going to compete with myself and with the targets I have set out. I am working hard to achieve these goals.

http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/20-great-reasons-do-triathlon

From Zero to Triathlon Hero

As I approach my first Sprint Triathlon competition after more than 12 years in Volleyball I cannot answer the myriad of questions that pop up in my mind.

Getting to know more facts about Triathlon training simply increases the questions. They become increasingly complex with every answered question.

However, right now I am feeling hindered due to a leg injury which has stopped me from running altogether. I feel that running is my weakest area and am looking forward to get back on track as soon as I can.

My Cannondale with Shimano 105 Groupset