Carters Mangawhai Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Started at the back to avoid being swum over. Once around the first buoy was able to overtake many other athletes. Took about half the swim to feel comfortable. But once there things went well. I do think that I swim much smother in the pool, more OWS practice is needed.

1. Go for a pre race swim. OWS always seems to take a few minutes for me to feel comfortable. A warm up should help me feel good right from the start I hope.
2. More OWS Practice. I had wanted to have done 1-2 OWS already this year. his was my first.

Top half of the wetsuit was off before getting to transition. The bottom half came off easily, sun glasses then helmet on. Socks and bike shoes on. I lost a little time on the shoes, tried to do it standing up and got a little unbalanced. Un rack bike and jog it to the start of the ride.

Practice. I hadn't practiced at all, so am pleasantly surprised with how well it went. With practice I'm sure I can drop more time tho.

I know that I'm running slow at the moment, so my plan going in was to go hard on the bike and I did (and then survive the run). Possibly too hard up the hill out of transition. But kept pushing hard the whole way and finished 2 minutes faster than last years effort.

Take the first few minutes a bit easier. I think that the big hill to start with took a lot out of me, and I would have been better to save that energy.

Kept the bike shoes on until racking the bike. Slight difficulty getting the helmet straps tangled with my sunglasses. Other than that all good. But like T1 very pleased with how it went.

Practice!

Slow. Felt awful. But I was expecting that. Over took a few people, and got overtaken by some. Think I pretty much stayed in the same position overall. Walked through the drink station at half way.

Was surprised at the pace I finished with, I think it's actually shorter than 5km but I was only 1 minute slower than last year so happy with that.

I'm still easing back into running post calf injury. As I get my mileage back up the run will improve.

Short walk after finishing and a banana.


1. Weight, I'm well above fighting weight, and 4kg heavier than last year. I need to drop if I want to do well in this sport.
2. Lack of run training, Past experience tells me that I need at least 30-35km/week before I start running well. Still a few months away from that.


Beautiful part of the world, great scenery and a really enjoyable friendly/relaxed atmosphere about the whole thing.