Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I was surprised that I swam as well as I did. I let the crowd go a little before I got in. Drafted ok, never got kicked although I tagged a few people...

I thought swimming would be my weakest part maybe take it a little easier next time to make my bike and run stronger...

I lost my goggles and hat on the run up to the transition area. Pulled them off and held them in my hand and pulled the sleeves down to keep them in the arm of the wetsuit but they still fell out when I was running...
I did not wear a shirt under the wetsuit(I didn't in training, heard many times don't change it race day) and it got stuck on my back when I put it on. Put on socks and ran to the top of the hill and then put cycling shoes.

Swim with shirt on under the wet suit and put helmet on as soon as I get to my transition area. Learn to slip feet into cycling shoes while bike is moving. Probably need different shoes, I have regular cycling shoes and don't see it as an easy feat(Pardon the pun) to get in them while moving. Also, practice cycling without socks to get used to it.

I dropped my water bottle halfway through the ride and consequently was not as hydrated as I was during training sessions for the run.

I need to train more for the bike, it was not as good as I was expecting. I shifted gears like a monkey humping a football. My bike rides have had much longer gradual hills, need to find a place with shorter steeper ones to help with endurance and work on my shifting. Practice without Socks.

I had my feet out of the shoes and pedalled to the dismount point. Hopped of and moved quickly to my transition area. Did a good job of getting the running shoes on quickly.

I debated about drinking some water from a bottle I had there and that cost me a little bit of time. Practice running without socks to cut some time in T1.

Decent run. Kept the same pace and lengthened the stride as I loosened up from the bike ride.

Train harder on the runs and pushed myself a little more in the last mile, mile and a half.

Walked around for 5 minutes, some stretching and gatorade.


Too much energy expended in the swim(adrenaline and first race ever) and not being hydrated enough on the bike to run well afterward.


Great first triathlon! Pretty much achieved all the goals I set for myself beforehand! Would definitely recommend it and will be back here next year!!