General Smallwood Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

A lot of participants wore wetsuits. The water was probably 73-75 degrees, so I decided to forego the wetsuit and just go with the tri-suit. Anything over 70 degrees, and I'm comfortable with my own padding.

I was in the fourth and last wave (women over 35, athenas, and relays), which left 12 minutes after the first wave. Since some swimmers from the first wave would be finishing right about when we were starting, they got us in the water at the same time as Wave 3. The water was only about 4-6 feet deep, but lots of hydrilla and grasses made it icky to put your feet down. Then our group had a dead fish floating in front of us before we started. We were all making jokes about not drinking the water! We watched the first few finishers from the first wave finish, and treaded water and floated for about 6 minutes before we were sent off.

I started out on the far left of the start/finish buoy, away from everyone else. I am claustrophobic, so the washing machine is not a good place for me if I want to keep my head. The hydrilla and grasses were freaking me out, too. At one point, every stroke I was in the middle of grass that came all the way up to the surface and wrapped around my arms and legs. I did NOT like that - but I think it made me swim faster to get away from it.

I picked a line from the far left of the start buoy to the first buoy and sprinted as best as I could straight for the first buoy. That worked very well and got me out of the grasses. I started passing a few people from the prior waves, did breast stroke around the buoys where there was traffic, and went straight for the final buoy with my head down. The race organizer had sunk a picnic table next to a floating dock so that we could get out of the water onto the pier. Two guys were standing on either side of the picnic table to keep it steady so you could get out, and a few other volunteers were helping pull us out. I thought that was an interesting and creative solution!

I was the first woman out of the swim in my wave (according to hubby)!

Nothing. I have always considered myself a swimmer (swam competetively year-round as a kid and I still swim masters too). This is always my best leg and my saving grace.

Since the swim was moved due to hydrilla to a different pier, we had a ~250meter run from the swim to the transition area. At the last minute, I decided to move my socks, shoes, and a towel down to the swim finish. I ride my bike with my running shoes right now, so I figured it would be better to get my shoes on first and then run to transition. It worked well for me, and I didn't have to run all that way with bare feet or flip flops.

I had a great transition spot - the very last rack near the bike start. I think I took too much time to make sure I had everything I needed, but better safe than sorry. It took me a little longer than normal to get my shoes in the cage and get started. I also didn't want to get in the way of any others who mounted their bikes much faster than me, so I stayed off to the right and out of the way until I could get going.

Be faster.

On one hill, I shifted down and my gears jumped and my foot fell out of the cage. So I walked until my quads stretched out a little and I had a safe place to get back on and start again without getting in the way of other racers going up the hill. Other than that, I didn't walk any other hills. Great for me!

I actually passed some people on the bike -- what a shocker! I stayed behind one woman for a while, making sure I was back far enough not to draft. Then I passed her and found a guy to follow for a while, again making sure I wasn't drafting.

The back half of the race was nice. More downhills than up and a lot of it was in the shade. Reminded myself to drink while coasting, so I think my hydration was good.

I would have done better if I had ridden the course prior to race day -- I was hesitant and conserving my energy not knowing what was going to be around the next turn or hill.

Instead of following, pick a person to pass and do it. Train more hills. Ride the course beforehand.

Until I get my own bike/shoes, I ride with my running shoes, so I don't have to change shoes in this transition. All I have to do is take off my helmet and gloves, and put on my visor and my race belt. I practice this each time I ride, so this was a good transition for me.

Nothing

The run out of the park was all uphill. That was hard, and the legs were not cooperating. I felt like my heart rate was off the charts, so I walked almost the entire first mile to get it down and under control.

Although the RD said there would be water stations at every mile, there was only one water station at around 1.5 miles that you passed, turned around a few minutes later, and passed again. Both times I passed it, I dumped one cup of water on my head and drank one. I realized that might be the only water station and unfortunately, it was.

After that, you were directed onto a gravel road that went into the back entrance of the park. Large rocks that shifted under the feet were not good for running and I was afraid of twisting my ankles, so I walked. The path turned into dirt, so I ran. Then it turned back to gravel, so I walked. Then it turned into a paved road, so I ran. Turned into a wooden bridge and I heard people at the finish, so I ran to the end. Hubby and Joe were cheering me on, and Joe's girls high-fived me at the last turn before the finish -- they are too cute!!! Grinned as they announced my name as I crossed over the finish line. My second sprint triathlon was done!

Get a fuel belt since water stations were not where promised. More run training.

Grabbed water, Gatorade, and an apple. Went and took a nice, warm shower after talking with hubby, David, Joe and Regina & kids. More water and sat in the shade while waiting for awards. My husband did not want to wait around long -- he was feeling miserable due to his cold and his back was not happy. Long periods of standing and sitting just kill him.

The race director said he would pass out the Athena and Clydesdale awards first, since they are always last. He also said that there was a mixup by the trophy company so they didn't have any trophies to hand out, so they would have to be mailed out instead. I knew there were only five Athenas registered, so I've been telling myself for weeks that I couldn't get less than 5th place (as long as I finished). I heard the 3rd place Athena's time and knew I had beaten that. Then I heard the 2nd place Athena's time and knew I had beaten that, too. Then he called out my name! Wow! I got first! I hugged hubby and went up to shake RD's hand and the other Athenas. That was so wonderful! I'm still grinning today!


Lack of training on bike and run. For my first season, I'm still happy with my performance so far.


I just want to keep training, learning, and having fun. As long as I'm still smiling at the end of a race, I'm a happy camper. Winning my division was a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed this race. Athenas rule!