Tri the Parks Triathlon - John Tanner State Park - TriathlonSprint

The first wave was all male AG up and through 35-39, so it was a large wave to start. The issue was that John Tanner Park has one on those hard yellow plastic float things that marks the swimming area (just like Tugaloo). This issue with this is that it cuts out in the swim line to the first buoy. That means the entire field is pinched together for the first 100 meters or the first buoy. The gun sounded, and we were off. It was WWIII to that first buoy. I was getting punched/elbowed/kicked/etc., you name it, it happened in that first 100 meters. It was bad enough that when I came up to sight, I let out a "WOO-HOO". It was the washining machine from hell, but I was loving it! Great start to the 2012 season!

After the first buoy the course turned slightly left to the far bouy. This slight turn was just enough to open the course, and if you could navigate you got away from the people still swimming straight. From there I found open water until I reached the 180 turn buoy. A bit more contact, and then back to semi-open water again. No issues for the rest of the swim, and I felt smooth in the water. Ended up with a 1:42/100m swim split, which I was a bit disapointed with, but definitely an improvement over my past swim splits.

Perhaps swim harder for the first 100 meters, but other than that nothing.

Short little run up a hill, and into transition. I was located close to the swim entrance, so I found my rack quickly. Transitioned and out the door.

Kick off my wetsuit faster.

Right after mounting, I quickly got into my shoes and up to speed. I passed an entire group of 10+ people are out the gate before exiting the park. Other than that, I picked off a person here and there, but was solo most of the time.

Good rolling course with nothing too extreme that called for getting out of the saddle. I did come out of aero on a few hills to fuel oxygen to the legs, but that is about it.

I matched my bike split PR, so no worries.

My general :45 second T2, so nothing big here.

Nothing, perhaps move faster?

Came out of T2 with my hair on fire, talking about wide open. I quickly caught up to a 46 AG'er, who was moving, so I latched on to his pace to allow the HR/breathing to get under control. Followed him around the lake, and on the back side we caught up to John Rutledge who looked strong. All three of us lined up, but about that time we got to the first climb and I pulled away. John responded with "Hey Coldfire", and I cheered him on.

Got to the unpaved section and tip-toed my way through that. My replaced ACL does not like running unpaved ground, so I was being a bit careful. After about .25 of a mile or so, the course joins a paved session again, so I continued to push. I was warned that there were hills on the backside, but I am glad that no one told me how bad they were. Holy smokes, I would guess there were about four solid hills back there, with the third one being the worse. HR was definitely pumping. I was caught in "no-man's land in this section, but the next group was within range up ahead. Made the turn and started thinking that I had not seen Frank. Where in the hell was he, I started thinking. Well, he was hot on my heels, not far behind me. I remember thinking he was too close for comfort, so I started pushing.

I was reeling in the two in front of me, and they started to splinter. I passed one guy on the hill in the unpaved session, and was gaining fast on the other guy. I started working the course, thinking I would catch him on the next hill, no worries. Well, since it was the first time running this course, I was mistaken. There was not another hill left. That was my first mental error, and my second was not dropping the hammer right then. I had plenty left in the tank, but decided to hold for another .1 mile, and then it was too late. Right before I went to make my move, the crowd alerted him that I was right behind him. Thus, before I could pull a sneak attack he dropped it into gear. I still could have taken him, but decided to follow him in. Mental error number three. As we crossed the line, I noticed the 31 on his calf. Son-of-a...........he was in my AG.



Give it one last push to get around 1st AG position.

Not much, grabbed a couple of waters and goofed off with Frank. Frank ended up taking 3rd in his AG (35-39) which was rockstar.


I ended up taking 2nd in my AG, 3 seconds behind 1st AG. The mental difference between racing long course, vs short course right there. My last race was IMFL in November, so the concept of going wide open was a change. Oh well, I will know better next time.


TTP always puts on a great race. Well organized, and great volunteer support. Definitely a quality series, and season opener.