3 Lessons I Learned From My First Sprint Triathlon

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Going all-in as an uber-beginner triathlete.

The first time Maria (aka "Gugu") put on a tri suit it was because it was too cute not to. She was drawn to the print, the colours, and just how very bad ass the suit felt (hello, leotard queen).

But then, something else happened... a creeping feeling Gugu couldn't shake. And suddenly, from that moment on Gugu knew: she was going to sign up for her first ever triathlon.

A summer of training later (hilariously documented with candid honesty on her IG), Gugu successfully completed her first Sprint Triathlon. Here are the top three surprising things she learned from going all-in as an uber-beginner triathlete.

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1. Open water swimming humbled me

You might have been swimming your whole life, but it's not the same as open water swimming. Open water swimming is not for the weak. And it truly humbled me.

So swim, swim, swim in as much open water as you can before your triathlon. If you're wearing a wetsuit, practice in that too. Don't let the havoc of the swim portion take you by surprise.

2. Clip-in shoes need practice (on grass)

If you're like me and starting your triathlon journey at the same time as your cycling journey, then there are a lot of new things to get used to. Clip-in shoes take time to master. Practice, practice. Especially on soft grass. It's better to fall on the grass than the street. Trust me.

3. Don't look at the clock

Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about my pace. The goal was to go, try a triathlon, and have fun. That's the only way I would have been able to survive - and want to keep going with this sport. Forget about the clock and just go swim, bike, run as if it were you and a bunch of friends out there having fun.

Also, start with a shorter race. There are so many options out there, from Sprint Triathlons, to even 'Try It' style mini-distances. These are perfect to get a taste of multi-sport racing, without committing to the full ordeal.

My last words: Enjoy it, have fun, meet new people, and just have the time of your life!

Maria Khachfi is a Brazilian-born, Vancouver-based athlete and Samsara ambassador. She creates content to help inspire other beginner athletes to swim, bike, and run.

Follow her at @callmegugu for more inspo and tips!