My First Triathlon - Barefoot

JEFF CT

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Jul 15, 2013
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Hey- Just completed my first SPRINT Triathlon tonight. Great race. I have more work to do on my swim, but Im happy with the results.

I hopped out of the water with 23:25 for the half mile. Jogged up to the bike in T1 for 1:48. Got on the bike and despite some rain and slowing for some intersections kept a 16.2 mph avg, which is good for me. Hopped off the bike, and racked it, then ran out of T2 (still barefoot) and did the 3.1 mile run. The roads were a bit more pitted than I would have liked. Near mile 1.33 the road smoothed out on the out-and-back course. So I got about 1/3 a mile of smooth, warm, wet pavement. I was able to keep a 7:59 pace on the run. Overall happy with results.
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no wetsuit. I ordered one, but it isnt in yet. I like the idea of a really fast transition, but my next race is 2x the swim and frankly Im a little nervous about that part. I have been told "if you dont get a chance to try out the wetsuit before the race, dont race in it." its in the mail and cutting it close right now.
 
I just ordered one online and tried it on and it seems to fit great, going to take it out for a swim tonight.
I can't say I would recommend to swim a mile in it without practice but I have done it before. At the very least can you bring it to the pool? If its a full suit getting out of the damn thing does take some practice.
 
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HEY ALL - 2nd TRI coming up. Ive put in the time, just enjoying the taper. (brownies) whatever. I am not 100% ready, but as ready as I can be from here. The wetsuit was on backorder, but it came in this Monday. No time to test it out, but I have put it on once. I plan to practice on & off next couple days. Might be able to get a pool swim in just to check it out, but timing will be tight and its not really recommended for the suit. That reminds me- I think its the chlorine that is bad for the suit. I was in a pool this week that seemed.. salty. I wonder if they are using a saltwater filter system??? Anyway - I have biked the actual route 2x and today I was able to run the run route. Its not ideal, but Ive done worse. My feet arent 100%, but they should be fine. I got a couple sore spots on my run today. Mainly mile 1.6-2.6 is really rough. The rest of it has some spots of gravel where there is construction going on, and I hit one spot with broken glass, but it just felt like small sharp stones. So, the hay is in the barn. I'll just focus on my sleep. :)
 
It's easier to get them off when they are wet so if you can get it off quickly dry you should be fine I think.
I went for a short swim before I got inundated by seaweed in mine, swimming in it really doesn't feel all that much different in my opinion and I would just go for it. Unless the water is warm and you are comfortable swimming without one?
Salt water pools still use chlorine, but I can't imagine chlorine would really hurt it once or twice. Maybe it would void a warranty? Who knows you can always try it in the shower to see the difference.
Have fun this weekend? Its cool to see you doing it all barefoot. I biked one in flip flops and people thought it was hilarious, was gonna run it barefoot but it was on a gravel road.
 
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