Tri the Parks-John Tanner Sprint Triathlon I - TriathlonSprint

I started way inside, deep water and a straight line to the first buoy. I was way outside everyone in about the second "row." Once we started I was doing fine, but getting progressively worse. The crowd was moving in towards the buoy and crashing into and over me. If I had the possibility I should have outswam the group and avoided the merging traffic-but I don't have that in my repoir. So the LAUNDRY MAT was open! From about 50 meters to 150 meters it was a boxing match. After that I calmed down, but blew alot of energy. Shortened strokes, useless strokes, being pulled back, being pushed down all made the beginning a pain. Once calm the backside of the course was uneventful-get into a rhythm, get going. Final turn and harder finish were on my mind. Shoulders didnt really bother me with fatigue, other than the beginning. I'm going to try and swim with cooling sleeves in training and see what that's like. Wetsuit sleeves arent restrictive they just feel different during recovery and such.

Ugh-nothing. I picked a good line. Line trumps comfort and Im not fast enought to beat the crowd or take a longer cleaner line.

My Rule number 1-Unless the distance is an issue-complete transitions in under 1:00.
So I got lost leaving the water. I ran UP the hill and across instead of gradual diagnoal direction to T1. I also had a time unzipping my suit (miniscule). Wanter to try the cap/goggle in the sleeve but sleeves were sticking and I forgot to try it after being lost. Once to my waist I was still out of transition and heading in.

SOAPBOX: HEY MORON SMOKING ON THE WAY TO T1-REALLY?!?!?! CAN'T YOU SEE WE'RE TRYING TO BREATH AND RUN A RACE HERE, HOW ABOUT SOME FRICKIN CONSIDERATION!!!!

Got into transition fine, found bike fine. Right (chip side) heel got a little stuck. I dont do helmet on suit off thing. Running out of T1 was good. I got stupid with the mount though. My shoes are banded in to do a step flying leap-but I stopped and stepped over like it was any ol' day.

Faster suit removal
Flying mount
Be under a minute

Iffy start seeing as I didnt flying mount. Got up to speed fine and got into shoes when I wanted. Only gat passed once early on and re-caught him soon enough. turns out I was passed a total of <10 times.
Apparently coldfire passed me somewhere on the course.
I was pretty much riding with a Felt rider, Griffin in a speedo, and a rider with his name on the back of his suit. Saw motorcycle officials about 4 times. Had a half full hydration bottle in the aerotorpedo for comfort, prevent drymouth.
MINIMAL traffic-and there was even a softball tournament going on at the nerby fields.

Flying mount
Push harder

Rule number 1:compliant.
There werent alot of bikes in transition when I came back in. I went down the right row, but was off by one rack-noob error. Lost maybe 5 seconds. Bike next to mine had been racked already-ON MY SHOES-ugh. Shoes pull on, grab race belt on way out.

Use a towel like in the past or place the tennis ball half like in the past. Noob.

Good exit from T2
Noce start on grass, caught one guy right away before the parking lot. Heading into the woods started to catch a "butt named" athlete. I think he was spending an awful lot of time adjusting his race belt to hang below his butt. So I passed him. then spend a good half mile chasing down the next guy-then I was ALONE. Mile marker one- still ALONE, water station- still ALONE, dirt road- ALONE, water station-ALONE. Saw empty cups on the dirt road-so someone is ahead of me! Onto the paved road--the ROLLING mental berating HILLY section. Finally saw someone ahead--on their way TOWARDS me. Great there goes the first place runner-I say "nice job." So I'm feeling better, the turnaround must be close-on the other side of the road I see the 2 mile marker. I think the turnaround is atop the next hill-it's not. Where is the damn turnaround?!? Another runner another another another-then coldfire-dammit! One more roller and Im at the turnaround. Can I catch him-yeah right-he saw me (and after talking with post race-his response was the same-aww crap there's Frank-run run run). So it was just head back with all Ive got. Going back was much easier, one ugly spot of heading back onto the dirt road. Passing a few more runners, saying "nice, good job, nice pace" along the way. Saw friend of mine Mike at mile 1 on my way back in, gave him some encouragement and continued to push. turned the corner at the aid station and passed my last person. Came out of the trees with no-one to chase but my ghosts.

Start a little quicker, it felt like I wanted to get my legs first then go.
Don't let my head get to me-mix of upset by hills and then being behind.
Run harder / faster.
HTFU

Water bottle from volunteer.
Pic from Emily and Izzy.
Stand around and talk talk talk talk talk talk.
Took 3rd in A/G.
Coldfire took 2nd in A/G. (by 3 seconds-in case he doesn't tell you in his race report.)

Home is where the real warm down began- the twin yuenglings were sweet on me, the homemade grilled pizza with chicken/spinach/feta/oliveoil/sundried tomoatoes cried to get in my belly, salad was a nice touch, and the cinnamon/vanilla/PB/crunchy/caramel ice cream was jum MmMmMmmm-now that's a warm-down


Boxing match, Laundry, slaughter fest in the water.
Slow bike start
Head games


THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
THANK YOU POLICE
THANK YOU BLUE SKY
This race was awesome, I did it 2 years ago-IN THE RAIN AND COLD. What a difference! I also like the new bike course. I'll remember the run more closely in the future.
Registration set-up day of the race was quick and chip pickup was also.
Bags (recycled grocery cloth bag)had cap, papers for other races, sponsor info, and a Hammer gel pack. (ugh I got tropical-wife gets that.
Swim course marked verbally during pre-race. (1st buoy 100 meters tomato buoy 50 meters, backside 200 meters to triangle buoy and 200 mteres to final turn buoy and last buoy to finish 50 meters)
Bike course marked every mile
Run course marked every mile
Medals for A/G and O/A athletes. Visors, bags, and plaques.
Cookies, oranges, bananas, HEED and water in coolers with cups.
Massages at nearby tent, Mix one at nearby tent, bike mechanic provided.
2 areas with restrooms and changing area. Outdoor shower.
Event started ON TIME. Awards started promptly at 11.
Results posted quickly at event and online within 1 day.
Photos talked about and we're told they will be up within 7 days.