Philadelphia Triathlon in Fairmount Park - Sprint Distance - TriathlonSprint

Wow, this felt like my best open water swim by far!! Maybe my best swim of any type, ever. I never felt the usual panic feeling I get at the start, never felt short of breath, sustained my bilateral breathing with ease, and maintained a very straight course. Best sighting and navigation I've done by far. I wouldn't really say that I felt fast, but relaxed and comfortable. I didn't feel the need to push the pace too much as I felt efficient and was passing lots of swim caps from the 2 waves that started before mine. Came out of the water and felt only slight disorientation, and could start running immediately.

I could try to increase my speed. I was afraid to at the beginning because I didn't want to tire out and become short of breath and light-headed later, but during the second half I could probably have turned it on. Coming out of the water, I probably stopped 2-3 strokes too soon and started wading out from deeper water that probably cost me a few seconds.

I tore my wet suit on the run to transition :-( Don't think its a big deal where the tear is - for some reason (probably due to the slightly dizzy feeling I had), my velcro tab seemed to be stuck while I was trying to unstrap it and unzipper. I got frustrated, grabbed it, pulled hard and it came off in my hand. I only mourned for half a second and continued undressing. Wet suit came off a little slow, and I forgot to pull all the fingers out on my bike gloves for easier entry. My run in to transition was probably my fastest yet, all due to my good swim (potentially the swim warm-up) and not begin too disoriented coming out of the water.

I would love to solve my ulnar neuropathy issue and forgo the gloves, but even on a short ride like this my hands will sometimes go very numb and I'll have trouble shifting. I'm currently working with the fit guy at my bike shop to fix this. I should have checked my gloves to make sure the half-finger openings were fully extended - they were pulled back inside the gloves from last time I wore them. I do need a new pair, and this time maybe I'll look for some that come on and off easier. I still don't quite understand how to jump on my bike, either. With my shoes already attached, it seems a little hard to me to be able to jump on and keep up enough momentum to get my feet in the shoes without pedaling...and if my feet aren't in the shoes, the shoes are dragging on the ground. I tend to run to the mount line, hop on, strap one shoe in, start pedaling and place/strap the second foot as I'm going. I'm giving myself a higher rating than my previous races because I was actually able to come out of the water and start running at a normal pace (without stumbling) for the first time.

I'll credit my good swim again - my bike started off well, pedaling comfortably hard and pace according to my bike computer was where I hoped I would be. I hit the first hill and my strategy was to keep the hill pedaling as easy as possible so as not to tired myself out, but still like I was very slow up the hill. Most of the times I was passed on the first loop was usually on the hills, on the flats I did lots of passing, even some of those with tri bikes and fancy wheels. Still felt ok and was keeping the same riders who passed me on the hills coming down the hills and towards transition. I decided to take in a gel nearing transition and had some water. I definitely tired on the second loop and started getting passed by more fast riders and not keeping up with those I had targetted to keep in sight. Hills felt harder, even in my "granny gear" of my triple chain ring. Pace was definitely slower according to my computer for most of the second loop. Had another gel and more water towards the end of the second loop, also. Got my feet out of my shoes fast, dismounted and ran my bike to my rack.

Training. The engine needs a lot of work. I feel like cycling is my weakest part now. I think I may invest in some coaching - it helped big time with my swim. I also need to increase my mileage. Most of my training rides for this race were 14-17 miles, and I felt like one race I did well in last year I was doing more 25 mile training rides. I might also hold back on the first loop of the race a bit. Usually when I start the bike I'm still dizzy from the swim and I can't push hard at the beginning - this was a new experience being in full command of my faculties and I may have been a little exuberant at the start. In addition to cycling, I need to get back in the gym and work on more strength training to beat those hills.

My brick workouts definitely helped my body get used to the bike/run change. I felt like I had a normal stride as I jumped off the bike and ran into transition. Got my bike set up, fumbled with my socks a bit, shoes were on ok, but the right side of my number kept popping out of my race belt clip, and I lost some time trying to get it right. Took a last swig of water and hit the run course.

Grab safety pins and pin in addition to clipping my number on. I could probably have moved with a bit more alacrity, but I was feeling that second bike loop. Going sockless and getting quick laces would help, too.

I appeared to be moving fast as I was passing lots of people, but definitely felt the exertion in my legs, especially for the first mile. Kept finding a target in front of me to catch and pass. Also tried to keep another race in sight who had to have been going the exact same pace as myself, as she never really got farther ahead of closer. Slowed to drink a small amount of Gatorade and dumped a few cups of water on my head. Got passed by 2 fast guys around mile 2, but nobody else. Able to put in a pretty good finishing kick.

Hmm...at the time I felt like I wanted to stop running during much of the course, but thinking back on it I think I should have sucked it up and tried to push out harder. Trying to remember, but I think I may have had a mild side cramp at the beginning of the run. I shouldn't have stopped for the Gatorade - I think I hydrated adequately pre-race and on the bike, I could have saved a little time with that.

Walked around to try to find the food tent, while Liz fed me an orange. Found the tent and tried to eat, my stomach wasn't ready for more than the banana I grabbed. Had a couple bottles of water. Got my free massage :-) Stretched a bit, then broke down transition and packed the car. Came back to see the expo and the awards ceremony.


My poor cycling abilities. I have increased the amount of hills on my rides and that definitely has helped - especially on the first loop they didn't seem nearly as hard as they used to. I think some sort of coaching is necessary for me to improve. I also seemed to be forcing myself mentally and physically to keep moving and pushing more than I usually have to. Not sure if this is a product of training, less-than-ideal sleep schedule in the week leading up to the race or just one of "those days".


Race overall was very good - I loved the course and would definitely do it again. I have only 2 complaints: 1) Organization was good but not great, transition was supposed to be cleared at 7:45, and I know when my wave entered the water at 8:24 there were still a lot of people in transition and racers from the previous waves were already coming through. Part of this was lack of room next to the swim start to fit everybody easily, but it could have been done if staff had swept through like they meant it. 2) The food tent wasn't very well marked. It didn't open until about the time I finished, and nobody else seemed to have found it by the time I got there. It had no markings and there was a sponsors sign outside, part of which said "$19.99" in very large letters - which confused me and made me think it was a vendor the first 2-3 times I walked past. Just 2 minor complaints, otherwise a very fun race.