Emmett's Most Excellent Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I was the third fastest swimmer in the Athenas, which surprised me since I swam pretty slow. Loved the deep water start. I didn't know that was how the race was set up, but enjoyed the chance to acclimate to the water a little. I swam a decent pace, but got stuck in a slower pack that I couldn't swim around. A girl next to me was swimming on her back frog-style, and kept slapping me with her hand. I really wanted to kick her, but didn't.

wear a full wetsuit. I bought a vest at the last minute, because the weather had been cold and stormy all week, and I was worried about the water temp. The buoyancy really helped from getting too tired, and now I understand why everyone wears one.

I was a little disoriented, just like everyone warns, and my legs felt like jelly! I'm not sure why, since (again my swim coach would hate me) I didn't kick at all during the swim, but instead relied upon my pull.

I think in the future, I would have practiced this part more in my head. I felt like I went really fast, but 4 minutes is pretty slow. I also wish I had eaten something here. I felt ok at the time, but I ate at 6am, and by the time I got to the run, I was spent.

I felt pretty good on the hills, but I don't think I pushed it harder enough on the rest of the course. I forgot my bike computer at home, and have no idea what mph I was doing, but it felt slow. Several people passed me, almost always with an encouraging word, but they still passed me.

Bring my bike computer, and push it a little harder. I also want to upgrade my bike. I think this will help, at least a little.

I rode with my running shoes on, since I don't have bike shoes yet, but I stopped to trade my bike shorts for my running pants. I'm glad I did, but again, I should have eaten something here. I even had a Luna bar in my bag, but skipped it. The rack was full, even though they were assigned, and I ended up just leaning my bike between two others because I couldn't get my saddle on the rack. That ended up taking a lot of time.

eat and drink.

I couldn't find my stride, and I ended up walking more than running, about 60/40. Again, multitudes passed me, but always with an encouraging word. I wanted to quit about halfway through the run, but after an orange slice at an aid station felt a little better, and pushed a little harder. A friend came to cheer me on, and said "If you're still smiling, you can work harder." That little tid-bit helped, and I ran most of the last half.

Drink! DRINK! DRINK! I was so dehydrated, and I could feel it. Also, I would run/jog more than walk, even if I can't get my stride right. Just doing it will help find it.

grabbed my stuff, some free fruit and a slice of pizza took pictures with my fan club, and went home.


Ability. I am looking forward to continuing training, and seeing how much better and faster I am next year! Mentally I knew I could do it, but it took a lot of talking myself into it during the run.


I loved this race experience! I would definitely do it again, and I am so glad I finished. I would have liked to see drink stations at the beginning of the run, since I was out of water, and had to wait until the 1mile mark, but maybe that just means I need to bring more water. Nevertheless, highly recommended!