Goals for the LB Tri

In 2 days I will be participating in my first triathlon, the Long Beach Triathlon (sprint distance).  I'm so excited especially because I'm doing it with my little brother and two of my best friends!  It's going to be challenging and so much fun!  So here are my first-timer goals:


Goal 1. Stay afloat and don’t drown.
I’ve heard horror stories about other swimmers kicking you, hitting you, pulling you down, and even resting on you.  I swam the course last weekend so at least I’m familiar with it, but I swam with maybe 50 other people.  On race day there will be about 1,000 racers swimming in the water (albeit we will be going in waves, but still) so I am mentally preparing to get kicked, hit, and endure utter chaos.  Hence my goal to not drown.

Goal 2. Don’t wipe out while mounting/dismounting/riding my bike.
All my bike training has been done on a stationary bike with the exception of one long road ride.  Since this is only my second road ride and I’ll be hyped up with adrenaline, I need to remember take my time mounting and dismounting so as not to fall flat on my face (and if I do, I’ll laugh at myself and get right back up!)

Goal 3. Avoid getting DQ’d 
There are so many rules for triathlons that result in time penalties and disqualifications.  Here are the top violations in case you’re curious.

Goal 4. Finish (in under 2 hours?)
My primary goal is to finish!  My secondary goal is to finish in under 2 hours:  ~15 mins for the swim; ~ 40 mins for the bike; ~35-40 for the run; ~4 mins/transition.  I’m giving myself extra time on the run because I don’t know how my legs will feel after biking.  If I end up needing more time to finish the triathlon and it puts me over 2 hours, I’m totally OK with that.  My main goal is to finish.

Goal 5. Have FUN!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I am going to have FUN with this triathlon!  I’m doing this for fun, and what’s the point of doing something like this if you can’t enjoy it?  So even if I get kicked, even if I fall off my bike, even if I get a time penalty, even if I take way over 2 hours to finish, I am going to HAVE FUN!

So there you have it!  My first triathlon goals for the Long Beach Triathlon.  Tomorrow I’m picking up my race packet with my bro and bff, then Sunday is race day!  Wish me luck!