Preparing for First Tri of the season

With Eagleman just around the corner I figured it would be wise if I did some type of triathlon leading up to it.  The last triathlon I did was last years Eagleman and I figure that going a whole year without being exposed to transitions and open water swimming would be a recipe for disaster.  Especially when I reflect on last years race where I was convinced I was going to drown before and during the race and then had some pretty slow transitions mostly because I took the time to reapply sunblock.

This Saturday I'll be headed to the Phoenix area to do the Tribal Sprint Triathlon (1000m swim, 23km bike, 5k run).  The plan is to camp out somewhere near the race Friday night as the race starts at 6:15 or for me at 6:17 as that's when the women's wave goes off.  The early morning is going to be rough but it means I'll be done before 8 so it shouldn't be unbearably hot out yet as the high of the day is going to be around 95.

I'm not really sure where I'm at right now in terms of my training I've been swimming more than last year but I am not as fast on my feet so those will probably balance out.  The biking I really have no idea about, I've been biking I'm just not sure if it's more or less than this time last year.  I'm hoping that the drop in elevation will make my efforts seem easier even if I don't go any faster.  My hope for the race is to feel comfortable with the open water swimming and then to try to push the bike and run as much as I can.  Hopefully, the results will give me some kind of an indication of how Eagleman will unfold.