Back to the roots. I think I did a triathlon 18 or 20 years ago. It was the finnish championships in the sprint distance for juniors. I can’t remeber the exact year, but it must have been sometimes between 1993 and 1995. During theese years I was doing everything you could think of. I took part in cycling, duathlon, triathlon, athletics and wintertime cross country skiing. I was practically racing all year round. In 1996 I finally chose my main discipline, which was cycling.
Now I am back to doing everything again. I saw an add about this triathlon taking place in Al Khor. Al Khor is approximately 50km north of Doha. I registered for this fun event. 600 meters swimming in a pool, 22km cycling and 5km running. I had to go throught my head all the steps what such an event includes. Swim as hard as you can. Get out of the water, run to you bike. Get your helmet on and after that your cycling shoes. The real pros have their shoes already clicked to the pedals, I don’t. I am much faster not doing so. Run to the line where you can jump on your bike. Ride your bike and think of the fact that you still have to run. Do not destroy your legs. Come back and try to remeber you have to get off your bike in time before the line saying ”get off your bike!” Remember to run to your transision spot with you helmet on. Take it off only as you have put your bike away. Only then you can start to put your running shoes on. So much to think about as you are under stress 🙂
It was so fun though! I had such e great time and was having a smile of my face during the whole race. I really really enjoy doing all theese events they organize here winter time. Next weekend there is a duathlon. 5km run-20km mtb-5km run. My mtb is in Germany. What a bummer! Maybe I find a MTB I can borrow before Saturday…..
Pia Sundstedt 
Suomalainen sisu:)
Such a ‘fun’ article. I think I was re-living my first triathlon as I was reading this. Do this, go here, don’t go there, keep going, don’t stop, go faster. So much fun though! I did my first triathlon years ago too, 22 years ago! I feel old just writing that. But very grateful and pleased to still be involved with and still loving the sport as it continues to grow!