I looked forward to this afternoon all week!
The women’s Olympic triathlon was held today (at 4 AM; I recorded it), and when I had a free moment, I hopped on my indoor trainer, pressed play, and settled in to watch an amazing race with a literal photo finish.
Coolest race course ever! I want to do a triathlon in the middle of London.
The race was an Olympic distance (duuuuh!), which involves a 1,500 meter swim (0.93-mile), a 40K bike (25 miles), and a 10K run (6.2 miles). I finished my last Olympic triathlon in 3:11 – these ladies rocked it out in 1:58. Olympic athlete, I am not. I’m still obsessed with the sport!
My ride involved watching the race, doing speedwork, practicing clipping in and out, and tending to Henry.
Henry’s triathlon involved sleeping, dirtying a diaper, and nursing. Go baby, go!
All in all, I rode for about 30 minutes while watching the race. I was most impressed by the athletes’ very, very fast transitions – we’re talking a few seconds to go from the swim to the bike or the bike to the run. I take two to three minutes (but I’m horrendous at transitioning). I really enjoyed watching the event because the commentators were full of great tri tips for amateurs, such as:
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The white paint on the road is the slickest part; so if the road is wet during the cycle, proceed with caution!
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When you sight (look up) during the swim, don’t pull your head all the way out of the water – just look for the bubbles the athlete immediately in front of you created.
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Take in as many fluids as possible towards the end of the bike because it’s easier to drink while cycling than it is while running.
I was so pumped by the end of the race – and by my ride, which was my first time on a bike since Henry’s birth – that I finally signed up for my next triathlon. It’s a sprint event at the end of August. Watch out, here I come!
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
So glad that you are able to workout AND spend time with your sweet baby!
Way to go, Caitlin!
This reminded me of the time I nursed my son while doing yoga. I didn’t want to get out of double pigeon, but he really wanted to nurse. So…I just popped him on.
Motherhood is so classy.
I just signed up for my very first tri. Its in march and I am already nervous! Love those tips and will be reading all of your blog to get some more tips! So excited! Loved the olympic tri today too, glad my first one is a sprint though!
~Cat
His hair is totally RED!!!! Love, love love!!!
My very first tri EVER is next Saturday – I should’ve been watching this! Those are some great tips, too. Maybe I can find footage of the race online for some inspiration.
Also – Henry is just adorable. He rocked his tri
Henry is so cute!!
Wasn’t the tri great – here in Australia it was on prime time in the evening so I got to watch it live. The kids thought I was mad as I screamed at the girls as they sprinted to the finish. So proud of Erin Densham for winning bronze after heart surgery a couple of years ago. Go Aussies!
Wasn’t that so impressive?!
im excited like this for the marathon tomorrow. mimosas and marathon watching, sounds pretty good!
that’s so fun that you got to ride while watching! And it’s amazing how fast they complete the race!
Watching the Olympics is definitely motivation for achieving my own goals (although mine are far from Olympic caliber). Looks like a divine afternoon!*
I really need to get an indoor trainer!
That indoor trainer definitely has it’s uses!
awesome way to get in a workout!! watchings the olympics is so fun & inspirational. love that you heard some useful tips!!
Whoa momma…you look great!
I signed up for my first post-baby triathlon Halloween Weekend. The Monster Tri in Keller, TX–it’s always a fun one!
Thanks Marissa
Good luck on your tri!!!
WAHOO! Love it. I too am a huge fan of the triathlon! Way to do another one this month–goooooo you! I’m heading into doing a half ironman at the end of the month–this could be awesome
Must work on my transitions too!
Congrats on signing up for your first post-baby tri! I haven’t done one but am getting more and more interested in learning more and considering training. What resources have you found to be the most helpful when learning about it and how to start training and what training plans did you find helpful etc.
Thanks!
Just found all your fantastic posts and training plans etc. Reading them now. thanks!
I totally thought of you today when I saw it was the Tri. I said, that girl Caitlyn with the cool blog was most excited for this! The Internet is cool!
triathlon in london? possible! your hubby is from london, right?
what a nice race course color–it’s really for women, don’t you think? 
Hi Caitlin (& Henry too)!
Im going to london for my honeymoon and was wondering is you could let me know the hotel that you were staying at when you went there the other time?
Thanks! Have a great day ahead!
We stayed at a friend’s flat in London but at a place called McDonald’s Spa in Bath – which was incredible. Have fun!
It was so inspiring watching all the ladies compete. They rocked the race, and their transition times blew me away–less than a minute in transition is super efficient. My first-ever triathlon is this coming Sunday–yikes! I’m super excited and nervous.
You are proof that you can be a great parent and still get a workout in
You rock girl!!
Congrats on the fun decision…I love your energy, as usual!
Those triathletes are crazy! I finished my very first sprint tri today so I have a whole new respect. And it took me about as long as the Olympic finishers who did twice the distance. I guess thats why they’re in London right now and I’m not
Did you by chance sign up for the LKN tri? I just signed up for that one a few weeks ago myself – it’ll be my first one! Your series on triathlons was very helpful and is ultimately what gave me the courage to sign up for it. Hope to see you there!!
Lake Norman? Yes! We will have to meet up!
Well you have inspired me to try something different, we have 3 bikes in our storage shed that we’re too lazy to use (even to bikeride on the beach) and now i’m inspired to bring one of them onto my house to use for cycling. Can you let me know what kind of blocks you’re using to keep it stationary?
There’s a link to the trainer I use in that post!
I don’t know if you’ve already done this, but can you review what clip-in shoes you bought and why? I’m making the leap in the new few weeks.
I bought Specialized shoes because they were the cheapest at the store i was at
I like them though!
Congrats on your first ride! I think having a goal (the race) will be such a help and inspiration for you to get your workouts in while still having time with Henry!