Lexington Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

After about 200 yards I could no longer swim with my face in the water. Though the waves were created only by other swimmers, it was enough for my mouth to get full of water. The lake was flat. Maybe I was turning my head sideways as I was coming up for breaths, causing water to buldge up around my head more than if I kept it straight... I don't know. But I do know that it was nothing like swimming in the pool. And no, I did no open water swimming before this event! I learned a big lesson here!

Practice open water swimming, which I have been...now!

As it turned out, my cycling top was too small to be put on a wet body. A complete nightmare. It rolled as I tried to put it on, but I kept at it. I shouldn't have. I took about 2 minutes just to get that worked out. I was absolutely flustered! Never again! I'm buying a tri suit!

You guessed it...buy that tri suit!

I felt good after the swim, unbelievable! The ride went very well, especially since I was on my mountain bike. I had slicks on, though, so that helped.

I strongly believe that aero bars would have been a great help. I rode "hunkered down" but that only served to tighten up my already poor lower back.

I did not remove my feet from my shoes while on the bike. I didn't know about that one 'til later.
Also, I used regular laces for my running shoes. What a mistake. (rookie!)

Remove my feet from bike shoes while approaching T2.
Also, I will be buying "Speed Laces", or a facsimile thereof!

My lower back was very tight. I felt like I was running hunched over, but I wasn't. I survived, and expected I ran 10-minute miles. Actually turned out to be 9-minute miles. Good for me! I'm now 1 minute closer to my goal of 7-minute miles!

I have spent no time on my running, but this will change. If I can get my splits down to 7 minutes...I'll be competetive!

Walked with my wife, Teresa, and my brother Brian.


I would say leg strength. My cardio was surprisingly good, so now I know I can push it harder but need to put in some serious mileage in the running shoes!


Since this was my first tri, I can't give a good critique. However, I have raced alot of mountain bikes. This rated right up there with my MTB events so I will say it was good.