Mark’s First Triathlon – Issaquah, WA – May 30, 2009
Mark (3rd from left) at the Issaquah Triathlon with friends from Team In Training
I participated in my first triathlon race in Issaquah, Washington, on May 30, 2009. It was a blast. The best part was having all my Team In Training friends there, some watching, most participating. April was away with friends Karen, Allison and Jeannie from out of state. But fortunately I was able to hand off Keir, Oz and Bowie to our good friends Bob and Rebecca for a sleep-over so that I could get up at 4:30 to get ready and head off to Issaquah.
I learned a lot at this first triathlon, like the fact that you don’t need to eat during the event like you do during a half ironman because Issaquah is a sprint tri. It only lasted an hour and 19 minutes! I tried to simulate what it will be like in Victoria by eating a Nutella and white bread sandwich on the bike, and I nearly choked and crashed! I won’t be using that bread again soon.
I also learned that swimming in a wetsuit is pretty darn fun! You float so much better than you do without a wetsuit, and the suit is so smooth on the outside, it must increase your speed by 10-20 percent – or at least that’s what I’m telling myself!
