I am a Triahtlete - continue

WOW!!!

What can I say, yesterday was my first ever sprint triathlon, my main goal was to finish it - and I did that !!!

The feeling is just amazing. Starting with so much energy rush, and the atmosphere is just amazing.

As I expected, swimming was very hard for me. I ran with the first line of swimmers, just to get kicked, hit and squashed by them. I gradually ended in the last pack. I swam all kinds of styles, as long as it moved me forward - and it did. It took my 18 minutes to complete the 750m (just 30 seconds over my regular time) which I am very proud off.
As I didn't have a Triathlon suit yesterday, T1 took almost 8 minutes (I also use it to catch my breath). Than came 18km of bike on my 61cm Trek 1000 bike. Again, I pushed my self as much as I could, and finished at 45 minutes.
Than came the 5k run. When I went off the bike, it seemed that my legs had a life of their own. I couldn't even get to my transition area. I than switched to my running shoes, hat, Sweat GUTR Sweatband and went on running. That felt crazy. It was the first time I had trouble running. That was the most difficult run ever!!!
I came last in my age group 35-39 with a total time of 1:52:06 - but I am a winner !!! I did complete it, I did it. I am a Triathlete - and no one can take that from me now.

Today I got my first TriSuit - That alone will take couple of minutes from my total time, and I am just filled with tons of happiness.

I am a Triathlete !!!

I completed my first ever Sprint Triathlon couple of hours ago.
1:52:06
I will write more when I recover.

Combined practices

The more we get closer to our target date (November 12 - Eilat Triathlon). It seems that the practices get more challenging.
It's no more just a swim/run or bike, every 2nd session is now a combined practice swim/run, bike/run etc.

It's very challenging, and I love it, I love the running and biking sessions. Swimming is still hard for me, but lately I have figured some of it's secrets: Take on water !!!!  Don't just 'move' your hand in the water (which is what I initially did), PULL water, work for it !!!

on October 2nd there is a sprint race, my first one I will compete in. I am not sure I will do a complete one, and the coach is not sure we need to do it yet, I am still looking for a partner to do this with me.


Until next time,
Saar

9/11/2001 - A day to remember

Another year has passed, and the date keeps rise up only on it's annual calendar date. However, for 2977 families, this is not so. A brutal terror attack hit the US on that day, claiming the lives of 2977, but even more than that, marking a new corner stone in the way the world looks at Islamic Jihad.

This day was due to be marked in the history pages as the day the world woke up to a new morning, and it has.

I wish for the families, may their lives, as they know it today, will try to aspire, and honor the dead. There are no easy words to say, but be strong.

Salty water

Oh what a great morning. We had a open water practice today, I always knew that sea water are salty, but oh boy, when you swallow them it hurts :-)

There weren't many waves, but it's still one of the first open water swims that I had, so it's still needs a lot of getting around to.

I know I need to improve my grip, I think it's awful. I found a great tip to exercise gripping in front of the computer, and I will try to adopt that.

After the swim we had another run brick, that was great !!! I really enjoy the biking and running, and I think this sport is really for me.

Another brick in the wall

OH boy. I had today a combined practice, 20km bike and 1km running. It was the first time that I had such a practice. I am still uncomfortable with the change, but running after biking - OMG !!!

Ignoring the HR the was around 80%, and I couldn't take it down, it's a whole new experiance running with the biking pants. :-)

I also got another pair of bike to try, they are 2007 Trek 1000, they are a bit old, but they fit my poor budget of 200 USD. spending another 100 dollars, bot me a new pair of shoes, cleats and a couple of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/GU-Energy-6-Pack-Lemon-Sublime/dp/B001947S2O?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=saar-20&amp;link_code=btl&amp;camp=213689&amp;creative=392969" target="_blank">GU Energy Gel, 6-Pack Lemon Sublime</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=saar-20&amp;l=btl&amp;camp=213689&amp;creative=392969&amp;o=1&amp;a=B001947S2O" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. OMG, the lemon is soooo sour !!!!

I need to find my favorite taste, so I can feel free to use it.

I don't know if I want to use the <a target="_blank"  href="http://www.amazon.com/PowerBar-Performance-Recovery-Orange-1-94-Pounds/dp/B0019RVCY6?ie=UTF8&tag=saar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969">PowerBar Performance Recovery Drink Orange 1.94-Pounds</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=saar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0019RVCY6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" />, but again, I will need to start and get used to such things.

After a week of doing nothing !!! today's practice was great. Already looking for tomorrow's run !!!

Week update + possible bike

Wow what a week. Summer vacation has ended, and the kids went back to school and the kindergarden. This has kept me busy, with no option to practice.
I think that the major thing is that I am still not fully committed. I am trying to help the wife, as she already pointed out that: It started with 2 practices a week, and now it's already 5.  I can read between the lines, and I need to be there more for her, help with the kids, and the house.
As I am me, the family is first for me, so this has caused a delay in the practices.

Anyway, since Saturday's run, I didn't do anything yet, and I feel bad. Bad in the sense of weak, hurt, can't point out exactly, but I feel I need to do something.

Amongst all other things, I have been trying to find for me a pair of bikes. I am a tall guy (193cm) so the size that I need is 61-63, and these are rare as 2nd hand.

Some shop has given me the following pair to try, and I don't know if I should or not take them. They are not cheap, as it's an old style and version, and this bugs me.

It's Trek 1200, I think they are old, 5-6 years old?
There are Ultegra, Shimano 105, San Marco seat, but I don't know if these are good or not.
I also don't want to wait too long for another pair.

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I would love to know what you think, thanks.