Twin Lakes Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

13:39

Decided to go with the wetsuit (didn't last year at this race) and was glad I did. Started at the back of my wave, which was the second to last wave. We all jostled around a bit at first but then I found my groove right away. Just stayed calm and breathed to the right toward the buoys the entire first half. Made it easy to site. Didn't do a great job rounding the island as I was getting boxed in by other people. Found my groove again on the way back. When I had about a quarter of the swim left, I think I started catching more people from the wave in front of me. Had to fight for position and I felt too good to just hang back on a pair of feet slower than I knew I could go. Moved over to the left a bit and pressed on. Passed a few people and came into the home stretch feeling strong.

Michael said I was the second purple cap out of the water. I passed people from previous waves too.

This was better than last year's 14:59. Took me half that swim to find my rhythm.

Start at the front or closer to the front of this wave. Or project my time to put me in a faster wave and start at the back of that.

3:25

Not bad. Found my stuff easily, just had a ways to go to get to it. Of course when I took my bike off the rope it made the bike next to it pop off. Not because I touched it, but due to the tension/lack of tension. I fixed that bike and was on my way. Made sure to dry my feet and legs well. Last year my socks were SOAKED on the run.

Last year's T1 was 2:37. I think this year was longer as I had to run to the second to last rack from the swim exit to get to my bike and then run all the way back that way to get to the bike out.

Maybe put the speed laces in my sneakers. Have a towel that's easier to access (my stuff was on it.)

53:24

This is the same for every race, I don't train much on the bike so it's pretty much just survival. I'm ok with this. To me, it's a bit hilly here so I just did what I could without totally gassing my legs in anticipation of the run. Passed only a few people and just stayed out of people's way. This is actually a draft legal race but clearly no one is going to draft off me.

I took a Gu about 3/4 of the way into the bike.

Last year I went 54:54 so I did a bit better this year.

Cycle more? Get bike shoes and go clipless. I always say next year, next year. But Michael just put new pedals on his bike this afternoon, so maybe I'll look into some so I can get comfortable with them in the winter on the trainer. Or maybe even just riding around a bit this summer. We'll see.

0:51

My T2 was fast because my stuff was right by the run out. I cycle in my running shoes so I don't need to change, which saves time here. But of course loses time on the bike haha. I've gotten good at grabbing my race belt and visor and then fixing my hair and putting those things on while running.


Last year T2 was 1:43.

Nothing.

42:59

I felt great. Legs felt like bricks at first and I just took my time. Needed to pee, but was NOT going to stop. Felt too good and didn't want to waste the time! The sun was out but luckily it was cool out. Mile 1 seemed to come too quickly, and a guy near me agreed. I didn't take from the water there and kept going. Mile 2 also seemed to come too quickly. Took some water there. I felt like I was moving faster, but maybe my legs just loosened up. I was trying to use the lap function on my watch but I started it a bit after I crossed the run out timing mat so it wasn't perfect and then I never saw a mile 3 marker. I saw Michael's dad and gave him a high five. By the time I was at a mile 3.5 (ha) marker I was feeling good. I knew I could nail another mile. I took water at 3.5. I felt strong and was running evenly. I started picking up the pace and picking people off in the last mile. Felt strong coming into the home stretch and Liz and Michael cheered me on. Dug deep and ran harder and crossed the finish line feeling great.

I don't know that I was running as fast as the result list. I'm going to try to see if anyone thought the run was short. But regardless, I felt great. EDIT: A fellow BTer said he thinks the run was a bit short too. That's fine, regardless I was feeling good and prob doing 10 min miles or around there.

This was redemption for last year's 57:13. It was humid, I was undertrained and that run stunk.

Nothing! Haha.

Found Liz and Michael. Grabbed a banana, half a bagel and a nutrition bar. Tried some sort of blue sports drink with ice in it but tossed it and had my own Gatorade. The three of us went back to my bike and chatted a bit and gathered my things.

Liz headed home (thanks again for coming!) and Michael and I went to his parents' house, just a few minutes drive away. We had Spunky Dunkers donuts (a tradition started last year.) I mean, I did just swim Donut Lake. Hung out a bit then headed home.


I don't cycle, like ever.


Great race. It's Michael's hometown, but I'd do it anyway. Looking forward to hopefully doing it next year! I think this is the first time I've done a specific tri more than once. Was cool to compare it to last year.