This summer, after backing out the previous year and reluctantly forking over a $100 registration fee, I competed in my first ever sprint distance triathlon. This weekend, I will be competing, and hopefully finishing, my second.

Now, everyone knows that triathlons are made up of three separate events: the run, bike and swim.

What I learned the first time, that will hopefully help me this go around, is that there two more triathlons of sorts: a before and after. These can also be broken into three events.

Leading up to race day there is training, spending and regret.
Training is an obvious one, but considering my normal “workout schedule” involves going for a run whenever I’m not busy or tired, this was very different. Adding two more events and a test of my abilities at the end means that my mornings are earlier, my free time is severely cut and my nights are later.

(Let’s just say I know what the Lunsford Trail looks like at 1 a.m.)

Spending is something I didn’t actually foresee. First, there is the previously mentioned registration fee, and did you know goggles and a swim cap cost money? Did you know a triathlon suit costs money? Did you know a bike check up costs money? Did you know a USA Triathlon membership costs money?

Well it does. They all do. A lot.

The third event, regret, came about two weeks before the race. Now, it was nothing serious but I definitely thought about the possibility of drowning. I may have watch the video of Chris Legh collapsing 50 meters before the finish of the 1997 Ironman Triathlon and I definitely wondered what the heck I was thinking.

All these things aside, race day went perfectly and I soon experienced the wonders of the post-race triathlon: swag, eating and sleeping.

By far the best part of the experience was the free swag all the race sponsors were giving out. Seconds after crossing the finish I had a branded water bottle and a Clif Bar placed in my hand. After catching my breath, I perused the tents set up and was quickly given a tote bag.

And, oh, how handy that was.

I filled it with more energy bars and drinks. Coupons. Advertisements. Koozies. A toothbrush. There was even a masseuse on location. (Presumably for sore arms caused by tote bags.)

A Sunday brunch was next and this is the only time I’ll use the word “brunch” because I actually ate two meals worth. We’re talking 2000 calories of thick and hearty Cracker Barrel biscuits and gravy.

The last event, the sleep, could also be described as a hibernation.

It started on the car ride home and, aside from a barely conscious walk from driveway to bedroom, ended around the time that normal humans go to bed.
Through the experience, I learned that there is a lot more to a triathlon that what happens between the start and finish.

But that is exactly where I’ll be at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday morning and getting free stuff dropped in my lap at the finish line is hopefully what I’ll be doing at 8:49 a.m.