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A Merry Life

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7 Lessons Learned From My First Triathlon

January 26, 2011 by Mary

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for details.

After a few days to sit with it and digest the accomplishment of finishing my first triathlon, I’ve come up with a list of the lessons I learned.

Contact TriWoman Series Point Chevalier Triathlon
Contact TriWoman Series Point Chevalier Triathlon

  1. You can do anything. A few years ago I never would have thought I would do a triathlon. I saw other people doing them and thought is was really cool. I thought *maybe* one day I could do one. I was never totally sure I could. But I did! In the last few months I realized you can do anything. You just have to set a goal and then work toward it.
  2. Anyone can be a triathlete. Hello, I’m a new ambassador for doing triathlons at any weight/size/capability. Seriously, if I did it then anyone can. If it’s something that seems interesting to you then go for it! I saw so many different types of people out there competing – triathlons can be for everyone!
  3. Achieving goals rocks. It’s been a while since I set and achieved any specific goals, so this was a big reminder that achieving goals is awesome! It’s very fulfilling to see all your hard work pay off by crossing a finish line (or any other result).
  4. No one cares as much as you do. What if you wear the wrong thing? What if you do the wrong thing? What if everyone knows you are a newbie?  Usually… no one cares. Honestly everyone cares more about themselves and what they are doing than what you are doing. So those newbie worries are almost always a waste of time because no one cares.
  5. People do care. The people that matter to you and care about you will be happy for you when you achieve a goal. They will tell you they are happy (or that they shed a couple tears, hehe). They will tell you they are proud of you. And that will make everything a million times better.
  6. Triathlons are amazing. Somewhere deep in my heart, buried under self-doubt and layers of fat, I knew triathlons were something I would enjoy. I don’t know how I knew that when I was so un-triathlete like, but I did. Crossing the finish line of my first one, and smiling all the way through it, confirmed what I already somehow knew. Swimming, biking, and running is fun. Everyone told me they were addictive and they were right. I can’t wait for my next one!
  7. It takes work to improve. I crossed the line toward the back of the pack. I had to walk some of the run. I know I can do better. I know that I can lose more weight so I can become faster and better. I know it will require a lot of work to improve and that is something I’m looking forward to. My first triathlon killed the nerves and now I’m ready for more work so I can improve and beat my own times and performances.

Clearly I’ve found a new passion/addiction/love in the sport of triathlons. I’ve only done one but I’ve learned so much already and can’t wait to do my next triathlon.

If you are interested in doing triathlons too, I strongly encourage you to just do it! As you can tell I’m not the fastest or best athlete, but I competed and enjoyed it. Triathlons really can be for anybody.

Here are a few triathlon related posts I’ve written to get you started.

  • My First Triathlon Recap
  • Beginner Triathlon Training Resources
  • Reading List: Triathlon Training 

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: Fitness, lessons, lessons learned, race, triathlon


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Comments

  1. Kendra (Voice in Recovery) says

    January 26, 2011 at 1:19 am

    LOVELOVE LOVELOVE!!!!! I absolutely love #1!!!! This is so inspiring for us out there who may doubt our abilities but you have shown that it is absolutely possible to do something if we are willing to work at it!!! It has inspired me to try run/walking again!

  2. Shelli Belly says

    January 26, 2011 at 1:59 am

    My first Tri is in 138 days. This is so far out of my comfort zone. I’m trying to put the picture in my mind cuz I haven’t been able to see myself as a triathlete. If I stay on target I’ll be down 60 lbs. and very well trained.

    Can’t wait Thanks for your post it’s reLly encouraging.

  3. pinkvision says

    January 26, 2011 at 2:58 am

    It is amazing isn’t it, once we do something that before we might have thought was hard, difficult, not-for-us etc, and find actually, we are capable and more! Your words made me smile this morning, thank you.

  4. Caroline Calcote says

    January 26, 2011 at 6:43 am

    Hi Mary! I am so inspired by your Tri achievement. I need to get a new bike (mine is so ancient and at the moment inoperable). Do you have to get a specific kind of bike to do a triathlon? I am possibly interested in doing a tri event one day, but I know I don’t need some super high-end racing bike. I would only be competitive with myself :) Just wondering in general what I should look at. I’d like a beach cruiser (I live near the beach in St. Pete, FL), but I know that would not be appropriate for a race. Thanks for any advice on bike shopping.

    • Pubsgal says

      January 26, 2011 at 1:04 pm

      Just wanted to chime in here – I’ve done 3 sprint triathlons so far, and my bike is a 20-year-old hybrid with mountain bike tires. :-) The only think you truly need is a functional bike in good repair and a helmet. If you’re getting started and are doing this just for fun, I’d get something more general purpose than a super high-end racing bike. (One triathlon I did even had bike groupings – mountain bike vs. road bike – for each age group.) I think the only place it becomes more noticeable is at the longer distance triathlons or in events that are targeted toward the collegiate teams; if you’re going for a newbie-friendly sprint or shorter event, you’ll see quite a variety of bikes.

      • Pubsgal says

        January 26, 2011 at 1:06 pm

        whoops – “only things you truly need are” – blush!

      • Mary says

        January 26, 2011 at 4:27 pm

        This is right!!!

    • Mary says

      January 26, 2011 at 4:26 pm

      No way! You definitely don’t need a expensive racing bike. I just used my regular hybrid bike that didn’t cost a lot at all and isn’t specific for road racing. I saw other people using mountain bikes. Basically anything with gears would be good in the beginning!

  5. Jody - Fit at 53 says

    January 26, 2011 at 8:00 am

    Love this Mary & you are SHINING STRONG! We can all learn from this & you!

  6. Hanlie says

    January 26, 2011 at 8:16 am

    You know things at 24 that I am still learning at 42. Way to go, girl!

  7. Katy says

    January 26, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Beautiful!

    You have inspired so many people with this…and as always, I think the fact that you shared your struggles is even more powerful than telling people that you came in #1 and never broke a sweat.

    GO TRI!

  8. Thea @ I'm a Drama Mama says

    January 26, 2011 at 10:31 am

    I’ve got a couple tris under my belt and I agree 100% with ALL your observations. Never in a million years did I think I would be a triathlete, but now that I am, I’m never looking back. And bonus: It’s built in cross training, LOL!

  9. Pubsgal says

    January 26, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    Love this list, Mary! :-) I’ve felt especially heartened by item #2, too. At the triathlons I’ve done, there have been a variety of people who are different ages, shapes, and sizes. I noticed this at the 1/2 marathon, too. Wish I’d found the joy of triathlon at age 24 rather than 42, also, but better late than never! :-)

  10. Lisa says

    January 26, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    This is awesome! I love how upbeat you are about the topic. And yes–ANYONE can do it! People who don’t because they think they aren’t athletes are missing out.

  11. JaNelle @ mylifeasnickijay.com says

    January 26, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Hi Merry! I follow you on twitter, but this is my first comment on your blog – I just found you! I really appreciate what you said! I tell myself those things often. I signed up for my first 10K; Its in April. I’m super nervous because I’m not nearly at my goal weight. But I didn’t want to wait until I got “there” to experience new things. So I’m gaining confidence the more I see what my body can accomplish. Thanks for being a great example.

  12. Sheri says

    January 26, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    Great job Mary! I am really excited for you and this is a great story for others to see and hear!

  13. AndrewENZ says

    January 27, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    I think number 4 is one to really bear in mind. It’s the one we all drive ourselves nuts about but you are so correct in saying that no one gives a damn!

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention 7 Lessons Learned From My First Triathlon -- Topsy.com says:
    January 26, 2011 at 1:52 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mary Thompson, Chris Langdon. Chris Langdon said: 7 Lessons Learned From My First Triathlon http://bit.ly/efZ929 […]

  2. Five for Friday says:
    January 28, 2011 at 7:31 am

    […] 7 Lessons Learned From My First Triathlon (via A Merry […]

  3. Beginner Triathlon Training Resources says:
    January 30, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    […] people I interact with online had done a tri. I guess now I can add my own triathlon recap and lessons learned to the list for reading for newbies (or me for next time!)! So now there are recaps of all shapes […]

  4. 2011 Halfway Goals Update says:
    July 6, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    […] my first triathlon. (Triathlon Recap, Lessons Learned From My First Triathlon, Beginner Triathlon Training […]

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