Last Sunday, I participated in a unique and perhaps, first of its kind triathlon. This threesome included a 5K run, a 7 mile spin bike ride and a 1 mile Stand Up Paddle (SUP) leg. I was immediately drawn to this as an opportunity to “tri” something new. Over the years, I have completed a number of traditional tri races and jumped at the new challenge.
Stand Up Paddle Board Triathlon Race Day Recap
This inaugural SUP triathlon was held in Reston, Virginia as a fund raiser for Core Foundation. Talked my good friend, Sue, into joining me for the race.
The run
Unlike a traditional triathlon, the 5K run would be the first leg of the race. There were approximately 125 individual participants and 25 relay teams. Race day provided warmer temps than normal in the mid 80’s. With a later start at 10 am, it was toasty out there. The 5K was a 2 loop course hilly around Lake Anne. Given how my runs have gone this summer, I knew it would be a challenge. The first loop went ok and then I walked for a bit around mile 2 but finished feeling strong and ready to bike.
The Bike
While every other triathlon I’ve done took place on a regular bike, this one was on a stationary bike. The bike leg was intended to be completed in under 30 min for the 7 required miles. Race officials set the computer on each bike as each participant started and completed the 7 miles. There were about 30 bikes set up and we had to wait about 20 min to get on ours. By the time we got onto our bikes it was quite warm and they were in the full sun at around 11:30 am. As I have been doing lots of Peloton classes lately, I was feeling pretty confident on the bike. Both Sue and I crushed our 7 mile ride at around 22 minutes each. Whew we were sweating buckets!
The Paddle Board
After about another 20 minute wait, it was our turn to tackle the SUP boards. We had come out and practiced on this lake a few times this summer. We were feeling pretty confident that we could make the 1 mile loop in under 20 minutes. I felt super strong on the paddle board and enjoyed passing a number people on the water. I may not pass that many runners these days but it felt good to on the board. We finished right around 19 minutes.
Final thoughts
The finish line was a little anticlimactic but happy to see it. We were feeling accomplished and starving at this point. Very well organized for a first time event. I loved having the opportunity to “tri” something new. After spending so much time biking this summer, it felt good to power through there and on the paddle board. We ended up finishing in the top third of all females. Not bad! Now to work on that run time for next year. Ever done a non traditional tri race? Would you rather swim or Stand Up Paddle?
Linking up Kim, Zenaida, Debbie and Marc
I think you know what I’d rather do! This sounds like a fun event. I hope there is something like that around here next summer. Great job!
We really had so much fun. It forced me to get into paddling more this summer which worked out really well for me.
This does sound like something fun to “tri”. I wouldn’t have liked all that waiting, but it makes sense given the need for bikes and boards. It’s great that you were so into something so new.
You should come to do it with me next summer! You would crush it
This sounds like such a fun event! I wish that it wasn’t so warm that day but it sounds like you handled everything like a champ, especially doing the bike in direct sun!
We really did have fun time out there
What a fun twist on a tri! Love the paddleboard component! So glad you guys had fun.
The paddle board was a fun change of pace
This looks like a blast. Glad you got to tri it out. I’m not a water person at all, but I think if I had to I’d so SUP v swimming.
that’s some amazing spin speed
The SUP was fun to practice this summer and took a lot of stress out of the equation for me
When I saw our post on Instagram, I was very curious how the SUP portion would work! I think it’s a really cool concept for people (aka me) that don’t want to swim in a traditional tri. I’ve never done a tri at all but I heard of one once where everyone had 15 minutes on a treadmill, stationary bike and swimming. You rotated through and saw how far you went in each.
Yes I have also done an indoor tri that worked that way. Those are fun too and a great workout
This looks fun! I’m not much of a swimmer and have never been on a paddle board… so I don’t which would be the lesser of two evils fir me LOL I’m always willing to try new things, though. Great job, both you & Sue 🙂
Thanks we really did have a fun time out there
This is a tri I could totally get behind! Such a fun idea. Great job!
It was such a fun change of pace. We had a great time
What an interesting idea! I wondered what the logistics were going to be when you mentioned spin bikes! I have never tried a SUP, so beyond the learning curve, I think I’d rather SUP. My swimming skills aren’t the best!!
It is a nice way for people to give it a “tri” that don’t like swimming
Aww how cool, I love that it was a triathlon that included SUP! I feel like every time I go SUPing it’s in not very calm waters and I’m about to fall, so I’d love to try it on a lake where the current is more chill.
It was so calm out there that we were not worried about falling at all
I’m not good at paddleboarding quickly, but I love it. This sounds like such a fun way to do a triathlon! I didn’t even know this was a thing! :O!
I believe this was the first of it’s kind of race!
Looks like it was such a fun time! I would love to learn to paddle board! Love the pics
It really was a blast so glad that we did it
Love your openness to try something new – I would try this too! Looks like a great time.
Thanks and it really was!
I love this spin on a triathlon! It looks like so much fun!
We had a great time!
Deborah, not sure if I have said this before but – YOU ARE SUCH A BADASS – I just adore how active you always are!!! 🙂
You are very sweet thanks! Trying to fend off the aging process as best I can 🙂
Oh my goodness…I bet starting the race that late in the day made it so much hotter with the hot temps. Way to power through!
It was pretty warm but we had a blast!
This looks so fun although I can’t imagine being on a stationary bike, outside, in the boiling sun! Well done to both of you!
It did get a little toasty out there for sure
I have been curious of doing a Triathlon for years. This definitely peaked my interest
I think sprint tri races are very doable for those that are already in shape. You should “tri” one
What an interesting concept! You know I love SUP, but we don’t have anything like this here. There is a SUP/footrace event in Key West, but that’s about 8 hours away and the SUP portion takes places in the ocean. That s whole different ballgame LOL!
Congratulations!
Oh yes the ocean SUP ing is quite different. Not sure they could do it effectively in the ocean
This sounds like a really cool experience! And it’s a good thing they had the run first I guess given the heat. Way to go on powering through the bike and SUP portion. That was smart that you practiced on that specific lake before.
Oh we were very glad that the run was first. It got quite warm out there
Nice job, Deborah! I didn’t realize the bike would be stationary bike — I could do that! But boo to being in full sun. 🙁
I’ve only done SUP once. I’ve no idea if I could finish in time or not!
You really crushed it — I smell another one for next year. 🙂
I definitely think you could do it! Yes, I’d love to do it again next year and do a little better on the run
That’s super cool. I’m a big fan of paddleboarding so that sounds like something that would be super fun!
You know it was super fun!
Congrats! Bummer that the bike was outside with the sun shining right at you. Oh and all of the waiting no bueno but overall still looks like a fun event.
Overall a really fun event to “tri”
Sounds fun, congrats! What a bummer that you didn’t have the natural breeze on the bike leg that you’d normally get.
No breeze at all but powered through!
How fun!! I wonder why they flipped to have SUP at the end? While I probably don’t ever see myself doing a tri (swimming makes me very uncomfortable) I think I would do a SUP tri! The balance and core practice would be great for trail running.
it was so much fun! we were so glad to have the run first it was hard enough that way