Island Lake Triathlon Presented by Cadence Cycle - TriathlonSprint

This was my first good swim of the season. I still can get better, but I finally did a swim that I'm quite proud of. I really sighted a lot, kept my cool, and didn't play head games with myself. I just kept an easy pace and tried to negative slipt the race.
On the way out to the first buoy I couldn't see, so I hung on to a swimmers draft and tried to stay insconpicuous, but he noticed me at the second buoy, so he and I sprinted towards the end. I beat him and had him by 10yards or so, but unfortunately I was lead when I stood up and he beat me to the pad by half a second. On the results sheet, it shows us as tied, but he really beat be on the beach by a yard or so.

Just practice more sighting, and keeping a deep pull. The wetsuit allows for a deeper stroke than in the pool, so I need to practice that way.

What a sloppy transition!
I asked a volunteer, "is this the mount line?" and someone said, "yes", so I mounted, only to be yelled at a minute later, "get off the bike!" with the mount line being 5 yards away. Those 5 yards were a full minute of wasted time, as I had to get off, then my shoes fell off. One of the buckles came loose, and it was total chaos. I think I got passed sitting around in the those 5 yards.

I need new shoes that don't unbuckle, and I need to bring rubber bands, not TAPE to do the bike set up.

I took this bike ride too easy. I didn't push my cadence up.

I need to do more hill work to prep for riding hard, not just comfortably.

I really had a good transition, but then went out the wrong exit. I must've lost 10 seconds or a bit less.

I don't know what I can do but I need to keep a clear head in transition. I have a hard time thinking straight when I'm tired.

I thought I was running hard because I was feeling the pain. However, when a friend started catching up, I stepped up my pace by a minute per mile. Then I felt great. No more pain. My form improved. I didn't push it until the end!

I need to add a gear to my repertoire. Gotta do speed work! I got to keep my form. My form broke down on the pavement. I practice only on trails, but I need to mix it up.

Chatting with friends.


I don't think well when I'm exhausted. What sort of training is there for my brain without oxygen and doing complicated transitions.


Good race. I can't wait to do it again.