Pewaukee Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Going into this swim, I'd failed several times in the swim before. In training leading up to the race, I learned I needed a mantra. You know, one of those things you say over and over to yourself as you joyously stroke on to victory. "A mantra" I said to myself. "What should my mantra be?" I just couldn't think of something.

Now I do my best thinking in the shower in the morning, so one morning there I was - warm morning jet of shower water streaming down my back, soap my companion. I kept thinking..."A mantra - I need a mantra. But what?" I just couldn't think of it. I needed some inspiration.

Then, just as I felt fresh out of ideas and thought "I'll never have a mantra" I dropped my head in defeat. And then - like a gift sent from heaven above - I saw it. And there it was...my mantra.

So, I used "Long and Straight" as my mantra for this race and it worked. It kept me confident and comfortable throughout the swim. I may have finally licked my worst enemy.

Swim the entire race crawl. I used backstroke twice (for about 30 yards) and breaststroke just a few beats.

With 1300 finishers, I knew the transition was going to be interesting. What I didn't know was that we, the athletes from wave 26 would be screwed. Screwed in the swim in, screwed in the bike out, screwed in the bike in, screwed in the run out. We were screwed.

In fact, I later found out that our transition spot was actually so far away it was technically in Sussex.

But, what can you do? "It's the same for everyone" right? So, as I entered transition, I took full advantage of all that was offered to me. I quick stepped out into the street (narrowly avoiding a departing biker who clearly had a much more favorable Transition spot) and hailed the first cab I saw. I said to him, "Quick, take me to Pewaukee Triathlon, Wave 26 Transition spot, Sussex" and we were off. He wasn't the fastest cabbie I'd been with but we were OK. In time, we reached our destination, I slipped him a five and asked him to wait just a minute. I made my way into the hotel there, punched in the 15th floor and headed up. We only had one stop - a nice old couple with a picnic basket and a Schitzu. We exchanged pleasantries, and it was back up.

Finally - I found my way to the 15th floor, got out of my wetsuit, pulled on my helmet, glasses and grabbed my bike and I was off. Back down (no delays this time) into the cab (where we had a little trouble getting my bike in the trunk but it worked) and made our way back to the bike out. The good news was he dropped me off right next to the timing mat so I saved a bunch of time there. And when I went to pay him, he shook me off and said "Go get 'em on the bike!" I thanked him, strapped my helmet and I was off.

Could this tranistion spot be ANY further away? Jesus......

I've ridden this course before and really challenged myself here. I came in with the strategy of killing the swim (for me) and hammering it more or less all out on the bike and see what happens in the run. Mission accomplished. I knew I'd lost time from my transition but was still pleased with this ride.

Need still just a bit more TITS and I'll be good to go. Also add aero bars and clipless pedals :)

Back to Sussex. This time I was in luck though - my cabbie had experience driving in New York so he was blazing fast. I think next year I'll sign up earlier so I can have a transition spot with everyone else.

Sign up earlier

This was my slowest run to date. I came in with the strategy of killing the first 2 and seeing what I had left for the run. The answer was quite simply "not much". I fought through this thing like no other run. My legs were heavy and got no lighter as the race went on. Again I had the calf cramping at the first 100 yards and had to stop to stretch them. They didn't cramp again but I sure as heck gutted this thing out.

Train a few more bricks beforehand and get more consistent work in on the bike=improved overall race!

Met up with my wife, my folks and some donks and enjoyed their company. Ate (missed my window for recevery drink) and drank some water.


inconsistent training.


I enjoyed my time here and all the first timers didn't bother me much. It was actually kinda nice blowing by them on the bike. It was great to see Cwen, Kimk, DJ and the boys racin' (TTD, JMWebs). Met some other folks whose names escape me (apologies guys). Good day and good race. If it weren't for my Transitions, I would've been darn close to my sub 1:30 race goal.