Sand Key Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I was really nervous before the start, then we were off. I usually start in the back or to the outside of the pack. Well today I started right in the middle and put up a fight. I took a few kicks to the face, and I know I gave a few of my own. Rob started the swim, but Adam took over after the first bouy. Nothing malicious, just fighting for myself. I achieved my goal of keeping my face in the water. Half the time I was breathing on every stroke, but I cant swim if I cant breathe.

Just train more, and more OWS's.

I knew my next goal was to run the full 1/4 mile to TA, that plan collapsed about half way there. Thats when I checked my watch and noticed my swim was under 15 minutes (thats good for me).

Train harder!

I did what I came out here to do. I attacked the bridges. I fought my way up each bridge and won. My chain jumped off once, took less than a minute to get it back on. The road surface was less than desireable after the Causeway Bridge, lots of potholes and railroad tracks. At one time I saw a girl riding without a helmet. I did a double take and she did have a race number. I also saw lots of drafting and pack riding. Only found a couple of drafting penalties and no DQ's. Didn't see anyone wreck, so thats good. Acheived another safe jumping dismount.

Train Harder.

I thought I got out of T2 under a minute, but thats ok. I managed to find my rack right away. Helmet off and grabbed some water. Still had some GU taste in my mouth from the bike.

Nothing.

Coming out of T2 my legs were toast. I knew quickly that I was not going to run the full 5k. One girl ran with me for the first 1/4 before I dropped her at the first water station. Ok, so she grabbed water and I didn't. She soon passed me on the packed sand. I kept trucking along in the sand, very thankful it was packed instead of the sugar sand from last year. I got some water coming into the parking lot and kept moving. My legs were not too bad, it was my breathing. Soon I saw Colette (wife), James(son), and Diane (mother-in-law) at mile 1. Made a U-turn and back out to more packed sand/shell. This is where it gets lonely. No one around except the rush of people passing me, I noticed they all had R on their legs....Relay. No wonder why they look so fresh and clean. Made a turn back onto pavement. Saw a guy that look like he needed some encouragement. Complimented him on his calves and told him to smile. Photographer was ahead at the turn. That was a nice turn, I noticed it was the marker for mile 2. I took a look at my watch and realized I could easily finish in under 1:45. That put a little more into my stride. Couple of more turns and onto the trail running. This new layout really throws everything at you. I wanted to take another walking break, but I knew I could reach under 1:40 if I didn't stop. So I skipped the last water station and started turning my legs over like crazy. Last turn to the finish with 100 yards to go and I had nothing left in my legs. Atleast until I saw I could pass 4 more people. It was an all out sprint, passed the forth with ten feet to go. Well I saw her out the corner of my eye and we hit the timing mat together. I didn't mind, she started two waves ahead of me.

Train Harder.

Just grabbed water and did all I could to stay on my feet. Found family and passed on any thought of food. I was half way back to TA when I realized I didn't get a finishers medal. Then I noticed no one had a finishers medal. Oh well. I PR'ed by 16 minutes.


Out of shape and lack of sufficient training.


I never intended to do this race, it was a transfer from when MPM 2008 was stormed out. I might put this on my list for next year. I really know this course. Even though there weren't any tech shirts, beer, or finisher medals, it was still great.