Danskin Women's Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I am still struggling with the swim. I get a heavy feeling in my chest and have some trouble breathing. It takes me about 1/4 mile to find my stroke. I am not sure it is due to the wetsuit and open water or nerves. Probably a combo of all three. Despite the fact that I don't feel too nervous at the race. I wish I could translate my pool swim to open water.

I also did not plan on using my wetsuit this race, but thought I might not be comfortable in 72°F water. I wish I had stayed with my original idea, the water wasn't so cold.

Had to maneuver around a lot of people with pool noodles.

More open water swim training in wetsuit. Will buy sleeveless wetsuit for next year.

Kind of long run from swim exit. Crossing the mat there starts your T1, so hence the longer T1 time. got suit off quickly, helmet, sunglasses and bike shoes (no socks) on. Ran out.

Note to Danskin organizers. The bike racks were not high enough. Both my handlebars and seat were higher than the rack, so after unracking I had to try to lift the rack (with all the other bikes on it) to get my seat out from underneath. Might have also been due to rain in the last two days and the racks sinking in.

I was really happy with the bike. I finished in the top 7% overall. I stayed with my plan and it worked for me.

Hopefully next year go faster!

Dismounted as instructed, racked my bike. helmut, shoes off. Put on visor, race belt, sneakers (no socks), watch. Grabbed a swig of nuun and out the gate.

leave the watch.

The avg pace above should be 8:33 according to Danskin race results. I think the course was a bit shorter (4.8K=2.9 miles). In any case if this pace is to be believed it would be a PR for me. I am a pretty sucky runner. I was still carrying from the swim that heavy chested feeling on the run. I could never seem to get enough air into my lungs. I thought after the first mile it would get better, but it didn't. I was determined not to stop, but keep going. I stopped just briefly to grab a swig of water and then ran on. I somehow managed to pick up my speed to the finish, but boy was I glad to see it.

Not sure. I definitely will be trying to improve on my run speed. I do not think the 8:33 is an accurate reflection of my normal pace, although I am hoping to change that. Will do more brick work too.

sitting..lol and eating a banana


nothing really. I felt the race went pretty quickly. I definitely need more work on my comfort level in my wetsuit and some more speed on my run. I feel pretty strong on the bike, but would like to be even faster. It was a really good day and I'll be curious how next year goes.


This was my third triathlon ever, although the first one I signed up for. I applaud the fact that this race allows for all different ability levels and the fact that it is all women. However, it would also be nice, as a fellow participant in this race mentioned, that you could submit race times, so as to somewhat separate the more competitive racers from those folks just out for good fun. Only because you find you lose some time maneuvering around people who have trouble in the swim, or ride 2x2 on the bike path, etc.

That said, I really liked that this was all women and I will do it again next year because I did have fun!