In rugby when you score your first try, you are required to remove your clothes, either after the match or at the social and run around naked. This is the Zulu Warrior tradition.

Sunday, April 29th, I complete my first tri; a Triathlon that is! I competed in the Blaster Blast Triathlon held at the Colorado School of Mines. I knew that when I woke up and it wasn’t snowing that it was going to be a good day. It snowed at this event last year. I got to the transition zone around 8am and found a spot all the way in the back. Apparently the T-Zone opened at 7am and all the close spots were already taken. Since this was my first triathlon, I didn’t really care. I didn’t let it bother me and I focused on keeping things simple.

After I was set up, I took in a few more calories and headed into the pool area. They opened the lanes to warm up, so I did a quick lap and felt great. I stood in line and got my number drawn on my arm and leg. #1757, this was AWESOME and I think that’s when I really started getting amp’d up for the competition. The fastest swimmers started first, three to a lane, and once a lane opened up, another three racers started. I didn’t get into the water until 9:45, so it gave me plenty of time to freak out!

Finally, my turn to play. I jumped in the water and the lady asked me my number, I told her and she said ready, GO! and remotely started my timing chip. I was off to a great start, until one of the guys in my lane passed me. I had never swum with three to a lane and it was stressful. I tried to remain calm and just fall into a rhythm. Success! I finally got into a groove and knocked it out. Luckily, there were some nice volunteers to count my laps, or else, I’m pretty sure I’d still be swimming.

I got out of the pool 2nd in my group. I was definitely winded and my legs felt like Jell-O, but I got in and out of the T1 in a decent time. The first part of the bike was downhill which gave me plenty of time to zip up my jersey and take in more calories. I immediately ate another gel pack and four big gulps of EnduroxR4. The first part of the trail was extremely technical, so I was really glad I had ridden my road bike. I went out hard and started passing people. It was an out and back on the Clear Creek trail. I felt at home on my bike and pushed it pretty hard. I got to the turn around with a smile on my face, time to tackle the big hill back into Golden. I took in more calories and really hit the corners hard, I was feeling winded on the climb, but my legs responded amazingly when I asked them for one last push up the steepest part. I past four more people and caught a second wind near the T-Zone when I saw Stephanie Moose cheering me on.

I sat down and tore off the biking gear and put on my Moose gear, it was time to go catch some more people. The first part of the run was uphill. I felt sluggish, but when I saw other people suffering I pushed through and passed a lady just before the downhill. I was able to recover a lot during the long ¾ mile downhill section. When it flattened out I saw the guy from my swim lane that had gotten out first. I was feeling great, so instead of waiting I decide to kick it now around 1.5 mile marker. What goes down must come up, the second mile was back up the hill, but I was ready for it and it really played into my strengths. I opened a large gap between the other runners behind me. I came back through the original transition area one last time to some more cheering fans and it was literally all downhill from there. I sprinted the last 200 meters and caught an unsuspecting guy right at the line.

Whew! It was over, just like that. I got full body chills when I thought to myself, Ted, you’re a Triathlete!

Here are my RESULTS