Castaic Lake Sprint Triathlon II - TriathlonSprint

i was out of breath swim as per usual , just focused on exhaling a lot so i would take it more air . Also focused in my glide and form
and sighted well . The big yellow buoy was visible every time i looked .
I stayed out of the traffic by swimming on the right and swam straight to the buoy , made a left turn and up the beach , its a steep run up but i jogged the whole thing .


the more races i do the more confortable i get .

i removed goggles as i ran up the beach , then shirt on , water on feet and step onto towel to clean up little rocks , glasses on, helmet on, spare tube and co2 into back pocket , put on bike gloves , gu into second pocket , socks and shoes on .
Then ride out of transition spot in first gear

tape a gu to the bike and leave the bike gloves behind in the transition bag.

jumped onto the bike and rode uphill right out of transition in first gear , a few folks were having issues with bad gear choices and susbsequent chain failing off as they tried to downgear while grinding up the short hill. The course has plenty to offer , false flats , uneven pavement , sharp turns
a few climbs , overall a good course to do on a roadie. Passed many riding tri bikes
in what looked to me like very high gear .
Over the next two miles i caught my breath and just hammered until i reached the prison at the top of the climb , its not steep but it has curves so its hard to figure out how to pace yourself , here knowing the course is a huge advantage , passed many on the climb including 2 Clydesdale so i guessed i was in 2 or 3rd place at this point
i had to slow down so i could catch my breath in order to drink some of my water ,

Get more sleep the night before , I misjudged one 90 turn at the beginning of the long downhill and approached from the wrong side so i had to break more than ideal and lost some time there.

Rode unclipped into transition and into the last rack passing a few runners
changed into run shoes and walked off with water and number belt and put it on as i was walking
Took my bike gloves off 1/2 mile before the end

Ride without the gloves

quick transition to the run and did the best i could to run faster , i was passed by no clydesdale but could not go faster and pass the one right in front of me .
I was around 2 mins faster than three weeks ago on the same course . My Biggest gain was in the run where i weight in 5 lbs lighter and dropped 2 mins or so off my time.

I placed fourth this week and despite my faster time there were 3 faster guys out there . Good motivation to keep training .

Walked and poured water on my head , went back to transition , changed and went back to watch the awards . Most in our club placed and picked up medals
One lady finished 2nd overall in the ladies with a smoking 57 minute time.


Biggest gain was in the run where i weight in 5 lbs lighter and dropped 2 mins or so off my time.

Total time Race 1 July 18th 69:47 Good for 1st place Clydesdale
August 8th 67:26 :) Good for 4th place


As always Castaic is a fun race , low key . Thanks to the Canyon HS XC students and coaches & LA sheriff for putting these races on .
And the use of the prison as a race venue . Unique ..