Grandman Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

WOW. The swim was WAY more physically challenging than i expected it to be. That being said, before the tri I was very nervous about doing the swim, race day, not nervous at all- surprised me. My husband said I did best in the swim (of SBR) and I did not believe him , but as usual he was right. The swim was HARD - as in challenging to do it right, no crowding or kicking

Practice WAY more and do some drills and other things to improve. Wish I could find a coach

Took some extra time getting my helmet on because it was too tight, took about a minute of fumbling to get it right. I did not sit on bucket. I did not even rinse feet or dry them - I was ready to get on with it.

Make sure my helmet is loosened to fit right on before race.

the good- I loved the bike. It felt very easy even with hills and I felt very physically prepared, I felt like I could have easily gone further. I passed several people. I was pretty happy with my time/pace, but not my rank.

I did feel slightly nauseated on the ride- I had some dates I wish I had ate one or two before the run but did not. I also did not drink enough on the bike, I just did not want to slow down to do it,

Biggest problem: I dropped my chain on he bike hill coming out of T1. II was in 2ed and needed to go into first, just as I was about to do this 4 or 5 friends who had arrived to cheer me on called out and I lost focus. I stood up (steep hill) and shifted and the chain locked up. It was stuck between the big first and second gear. By stuck as in I could not pull it out. I worked and worked and finally with some blood (literally) sweat and tears (not literally) got it. It cost me about 5 minutes :-(

Take my bike in for a check up before race!!!

Keep my focus on my race and not friends!!

Get clipless pedals!!!

Drink more on bike

I had had this problem with my chain before and noticed some other weird shifting noises in the last few weeks. I should have got it to a LBS. We have no local one but I bet I make the effort to get to one in the next week.

I was happy with this. Biggest thing that slowed me down was I stopped to blow my nose on towel. Ewwww I know but necessary

learn to blow a snot rocket :/

Also, I put on an extra shirt before run- would not do this again, I was too hot and took time.

VERY disappointed. I walked at least a mile.

For one thing my cheering section was there at the big hill again and being one that does not necessarily learn from my mistakes the first time, at their cheering I semi sprinted up the big hill. Stupid. My heart rate went way up. SO I walked the next mile off and on as my lungs recovered.

I also feel I was pretty spent after the swim and bike. I did not expect to walk any of this and was not happy about it. It made me realize I was not as well trained for this race/sport as I though I was.

train more, train harder, follow a training plan more consistently. BLOCK OUT ALL DISTRACTIONS during race!!!

I really felt like I was going to pass out after race. they handed me a PowerAid at the finish but I hate PA so did not drink it. I tried to speak to all my friends who showed up (about a 2 1/2 hour ride each way) .

I knew I needed some carbs or something quick. I found some pizza and ate a piece (no worrying about gluten for the moment) and a small ice cream someone handed me. I felt REALLY bad. My lungs were killing me.I could not get a deep breath. I am not sure if this is something respiratory I had coming on or from the event but I was ready to go, I felt completely spent. This sounds a little more dramatic than it was, no one really knew I felt bad except maybe my husband.


Undertrained and not as fit as I need to be. I know everyone has said 'first race, just make finishing your goal', but I really would like to have done better. I felt undertrained on the swim and run. Actually, after having a day to think about it -my pace was not too great on the bike so more training there too!

10-15 lbs of extra weight- it will be coming off!

I heard someone say last week Anything worth doing is worth doing right and if I am going to pursue this sport I want to do it right- or at least to the best of MY potential.


Well, best race since only race :) I will say the race was VERY well organized and there were a ton of volunteers. Course was VERY well marked. My son and several friends want to do race with me next year.