The day of the race! Talk about nervous!! lol
You're going to think how the hell can you write so much crap on a race that only lasted 41 mins?!! So apologies in advance...
My 1st Race - Warwick Super Sprint - Sunday 28th September 2008
(200m, "10km", 2.5km)
I was advised to try and sleep lots on Friday night as I wouldn't be able to sleep much the night before the race. I did sleep fine though so that was the first panic out of the way.
What were my worries for the actual race day? Well:-
1) What if my bike fell off the rack on the motorway? (I've never used a bike rack before and borrowed one for the day)
2) What if I get a puncture on the bike?
3) Will people laugh at me in my trisuit?
4) Will I be able to get my swim cap on?! (thanks to a lady on a triathlon forum!!)
5) Will I get lost on the bike / run routes?
Got up at 5:15 to have a big bowl of porridge. (I still think it tastes minging even if I put half a pound of sugar in it!). I'd put the bike on the back of the car the night before to save me a bit of time and thankfully it was still there in the morning! We set off at 6am and got to Warwick just before 7 - bike still on the rack. Man it was foggy!
First impressions were that from the people who were there already, they mainly had mountain bikes so I didn't feel too out of place!
The walk to registration seemed to take forever. And it was cold and I'd lent my fleece to my girlfriend. (She doesn't do getting up before 8am so this was a bit of a culture shock for her. Bless her!)
Signed on and picked up my envelope of goodies. The only thing lacking from the info was a site map but I guess this was on the big screen in the gym so can't really complain. Went back to the car to get my fleece (she put her own one on instead. I'd have worn hers but pink isn't really my colour!) then went for my pre-race nervous poo. Nice!
Had a quick wander around the transition area and made a note of swim in, bike out, bike in, run out etc. I didn't realise that you had to run so far with your bike before you could get on! Had a quick look through the open door to the pool too. Nice bit of steam rising. Looked very inviting. 
Back to the car again to get my kit and bike and headed off to transition to set up. Bike on the rack, towel on the floor, helmet with number belt inside, trainers with socks inside and spare towel to wipe my feet. Sorted. Quick trip back to registration to get my number marked onto my arm and leg - 118. So 118 118. Got your number! If I'd have known beforehand I could have worn a comedy moustache and wig for extra effect.
Off to change into my trisuit. I've never been out in public in it before! Had a quick visit to the pool spectators area and then down to pool side for 8:15 ready for the 8:30 start. Or so I thought!! The first fellow competitor that I spoke to told me that there was a 30 minute delay due to fog. Fair enough I thought as it was pretty bad outside. I went to double check with the people in registration and yes, there was a 30 minute delay. We took up position by the pool anyway and just waited. And waited. And waited. Rumours were going around of a further delay. The fog didn't look any better. Eventually the fog seemed to just disappear when the sun came out. Finally there was an announcement by the pool. We'll be starting as soon as they come back from their drive around the course to make sure it's safe. So that bowl of stodge that I ate 5 hours ago was pretty useless then. Wish I'd have had my usual Weetabix!
The first wave of people started at 10am (instead of the original 8:15). I quickly looked to see how many were doing breatstroke. 2 out of 10. Arse. I'm going to look stupid. After a couple of lengths though 3 more had reverted to breaststroke too. Phew! One of the older guys had to stop after every length for a breather and we were all giving him good support. A real inspiration! The guy called for all wave 2 competitors. OK, so now this was going to be real! Quick dash for a last minute wee (how hard is that to do in an all-in-1 lycra suit?!) and it was our turn to line up by the pool. I'd already practiced getting my swim cap on! Into the pool - 3, 2, 1, GO!!
There were two of us in my lane (10 in my wave overall). I apologise to the girl in my lane if I kicked her accidentally! She was soon behind me though and I was in my rhythm. After every turn at the end of the length I seemed to kick (and be kicked!) by the woman in lane 3. After two lengths I was knackered! Damn, I'd got caught up in the moment and gone out too quickly! I'm sure I can manage 6 more lengths though. A few kicks with lane 3 woman later and the swim was over. Climbed out of the pool, swim cap in the bucket and jog to T1. Surprisingly I was 2nd out of the pool!
Stay calm and be methodical. Stand on towel. Race belt on. Helmet on. Wipe feet. Socks on. Trainers on. Is that it? Have I forgotten something?! Nope, quickly get the bike off its rack and run to the transition exit!
Struggled to get my feet into the toe clips as I usually ride in my other trainers, not my running ones! There was someone not too far in the distance so that was my first target. First surprise was that there were hills! Nobody mentioned hills!! There wasn't anything major though although I was down to 8.5mph on one of them! Managed to catch them up on the 2nd incline and saw someone else in the distance. Target 2! Another couple of miles passed and another person overtaken. Not sure why but my legs were aching. All as I could think of was how am I going to manage next week when the bike is 23km instead of this 10km one?! Quick look at the bike computer. 5 miles. 1 mile to go. Within a minute or so the entrance to transition appeared? Huh?! So the bike ISN'T 10km? More like 9km. Hey ho, get on with it.
Dismount (with a struggle to get my trainers out of the toe clips!!) and jog to T2. Got overtaken by another guy en route.
Stay calm again. Methodical. Not much to do this time. Bike on rack, helmet off and run!
Out of transition and over the timing mat. People standing offering drinks of water or orange? OK, I'll have some water. Open topped cup, water splashing around. I can drink that while running! Took a quick swig and it splashed up my nose and I inhaled it all and nearly choked! I don't want to stop so I'll forget the drink. That needs practice!
There was a married couple running not too far in front of me. My first goal was to catch them. They ran at a similar pace but I soon tagged onto the back of them and ran with them for 400m or so. Once past them there was the old 'swimmer guy' from before and another woman just in front of him. The run course was quite windy through lots of taped off areas. If I'd have had nobody to follow I probably would've got lost! One guy shouted "Go on! Chase them down!" at me. It's amazing how people can shout things and it makes you feel so much better! I eventually caught them both up and passed them on the stretch along the road. How much further?! Back into the school complex and lots of arrows to follow. Wait, that's the finish! Quick burst of speed and across the line! WTF?! There's a professional photographer there. What if I'm showing my 'O' face?!! (Thanks to people on the triathlon forum!!!) Try and smile!!!
So now I'm officially a triathlete. I was disappointed with my ride but overall I don't think that I could have done much different to improve my times apart from more training! Well, I hadn't swam, ridden or run since I left school 18 years ago until 9 weeks ago...
I was pleased at how smoothly the transitions went. I was even 2nd quickest in T2! Overall 10th out of 40 was better than I imagined I would do. Next week at Stratford will be a different matter...
I was also pleased with the glass 'Warwick Triathlon' tankard. Much better than a t-shirt that I'd never wear that's for sure. I don't know why but I was also a bit embarrassed at only having done the Super Sprint instead of the Sprint but you've got to start somewhere!
Swim - 4:47 (14th out of 40)
T1 - 1:35 (12th out of 40)
Bike - 20:52 (15th out of 40)
T2 - 0:26 ( 2nd out of 40)
Run - 13:51 (13th out of 40)
Overall - 41:33 (10th out of 40)
My conclusions are:-
1) Stay calm during transitions and they will be fine
2) Train using the gear you will use on the day!
3) No matter how old or young the woman, if you walk past them wearing lycra they WILL look at your nether regions! 
4) Super Sprints are alot of fun. Breaststoke, mountain bike, baggy swim shorts - you'll see them all there!
5) I want to do more!! 