Shermanator Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

They started us in the water where it was over 5 feet deep. This is no problem for me, but some of the other ladies were commenting that they couldn't touch. I jokingly said "all the ladies that can't touch out here should start waaaay at the back". That got them laughing.

I had looked at the times from last year on Friday night and the swim times seemed very slow. If I remember correctly, I didn't see one woman in my age group that finished in under 11:35 last year. I watched closely as the waves in front of us went off and there seemed to be a lot of congestion. There were some racers that couldn't even make it to the first bouy, which wasn't more than 50 meters from shore.

I'm not a super fast swimmer, but I can hold my own. I'd normally be a little nervous starting up front, but I thought this race gave me a great shot at finishing close to the front on the swim. I didn't want to get held up in the middle of the pack.

So I positioned myself in the front, but to the far left. When the horn went off, I shot straight for the first bouy. I worked harder on the first 200 meters in this race than I ever have before and my plan worked. I was able to get out in front of the majority of our group. Once I felt I had a good gap and some space, I slowed just a little to get my breathing under control.

Before I knew it, we rounded the far bouy and only had another 250 meters to go. Right about then I began picking off guys and gals from the waves in front of us. I swam until my hand touched the sand and then ran the entire (long) way to transition.

I'm happy with this swim. I worked really hard for the first 200 meters or so and got a good gap on most of the ladies in my wave. I finished strong and I felt great going into T1.

Not bad, not great. I always aim for transition times under :60. Today, I didn't hustle.

Maybe it's time I start practicing with my shoes already clipped into the bike. That would cut down at least 20-30 seconds.

I felt good to start. This was a rolling course and I felt slow getting up the hills. I averaged a decent pace, but just felt a little sluggish throughout the ride.

Work harder throughout...really push the up-hills.

Chris was there at transition taking pictures. Just as I was leaving T2, Mike was finishing his race! I got to give him a high-five just before he crossed the finish line. Very cool.

Move faster.

The first section, out of the park, was ALL up hill. It had to be close to .75 of a mile up hill. It took me a long time to get my legs under me and I walked. Once out on Sherman Lake Dr, I ran the majority of time (walked at the water stations). I felt ok for the last 2 miles and picked up the pace heading back into the park. There were a TON of people at the finish line and I saw Mike and Chris cheering for me. It was very cool.

More run training. I have been slacking big-time. And toughen up. And wear socks. I have a big blister on my right arch. Ouch.

I met Mike and Chris at Trainsition. We got some food, chatted up some friends and then made our way back to Mikes for the after-party!


Run training...I just need to run more. And I haven't been on my bike as much lately as I should be, so I think that is why I felt slow. Just more training in general.


This was a fun, little, local race. It was VERY cool that it was right on Mikes lake and the run and bike courses were through his neighborhood.

The park-area was some what small (not the park it-self, but the area where transition and the start/finish was), but it made it REALLY cool at the end, and even during transitions, with all of the spectators gathered around and watching.

I had a great time and I can't wait to do this race again next year.