Tri the Parks - Indian Springs State Park - TriathlonSprint

The start line was very wide, so we were very spread out. I placed myself towards the outside side, with one in fornt of me. We took off and surprisingly, we all spread out in the water really well. I didn't have anyone within arm length of me the first 100 yds. At 100, I looked up and saw a lot of purple caps in front of me. The wave did include all women 39 and under, but I still thought that was too many people, and I neeeded to start catching up, quick. About 200 yds in, I found some quick feet and just followed. It worked out well I think because I really had to pay attention to keeping up. If I stopped paying attention at all, they started to disappear. After rounding the last buoy, I lost the feet, so I decided to just go for it and make a b line for shore. The final drag I passed a bunch of men, which always feels good. Exiting, I had no idea where I was in comparison to the other purple caps. The swim included and terribl run through the woods to get back to transition. Mats were placed around, but I definitely ran on some dirt and sticks.

Push harder from the begining. Even though my swim volume has been down lately, I know I can be in the top quarter. I'm getting much better at drafting, but at the same time, I need to remember that it's a race and I don't want to be following people the whole time, I want to be passing people too.

Time was 4th best overall, and 2nd AG. The transition was situated on a large hill. This made it a litle difficult for me to run down, in bike shoes, trying to stear my bike. Transition was also pretty narrow. Not a huge problem, but not much room to get by others in the same row. Once out of transtion, a nice little jog to the mount line.

Nothing, 4th best time OA? I'm good with that.

Headed down the park road pretty quick, out to the main roads. As soon as I caught my breath, the climbing began. I did't really look at the course profile beforehand, which hurt me a little I think. Right around the 1 mile mark, the hills began. This hurt me. My legs like to warm up on the bike for a few minutes before they can really push. People past me as if I was standing still. It was quite frustrating, but I remembered my goal, and the was to push the bike at 90% the whole time. So everytime I thought I was falling behind, or moving too slow, I asked myself if I was giving 90%, and if not, reved it up. A big problem for me is that on hills, I reach 90% pretty fast. This continued on for 13 miles, with a couple fast flats in between. Finally, a moment of being able to keep up with people. The one thing I think I do well on the bike is to hammer the downhills. Too many people use it to rest, or are afraid to go fast if its too steep. And all I can think is "free speed!". As I got back to the park road, I got out of my shoes, and climbed the last little incline to the dismount. Overall, not a terrible bike for me, but this is still my weak area, and needs to be addressed if I'm ever going to move up in the ranks.

I think I gave just the right amount. For the bike, it's not a matter of trying hard enough, it's just that my legs aren't strong enough. I just need more time on the bike. Also, set my garmin to give me speed info. The auto multisport was preset and I didn't change it. Knowing my speed I think helps me a lot.

Decent T2. 15th overall. I had a stupid moment of racking my bike when I tried to rack it on the handlebars, which I never do, and realized that it doesn't really work, and I rack it on the saddle. Duh. I also tried using the garmin quick release for this race, so I had to take my garmin off the bike clip and snap it onto my wrist. This took me an extra couple seconds too.

Know that I rack my bike on the saddle? lol. Maybe practice switching the garmin, or come up with a better idea.

Hills, hills, hills. But for the run, I knew what I had gotten myslef into, I knew it was going to be rough, and I was prepared. Headed out over the grass, up to the pavement, and started down a little hill. Quick turnaround, the back up. Again, my garmnin wasn't telling me pace, so I had no idea. I tried to take it little by little and either keep up with the person in front of me, or pass them. I fixed my eyes on small markers and though, "just push it til there". As I made my way down the first campsite, I took advantage of the downhill, and just let my legs go. I knew the way back out was going to be a climb. I remembered some advice, to just push those giant hills, they aren't that long, just steep. So I did, I knew it would only be a minute and then I'd be ok. I actually passed a couple people on that first one. I grabbed water, had a few sips, and dumped it on my head. Refreshed, and ready to go again. By the time I got to the second simialt climb, people were walking up it. I refused. I gave it all I had a hammered the hill. When I got to the top and headed back in, I could feel the stomach and lungs bout to give in. I must have sounded like I had asthma out there. As we made the turn back on the grass, I knew that was it, and just sprinted as fast as I could. Once I saw the finish line, there was a guy maybe 20-30 feet in front of me. I heard a spectator yell out "you can catch him". At first I laughed, then I though, maybe I can. So some burst of energy that I didn't know was there came out, and I think I caught him. It was definitely a photo finish.

Not much. I've gotten better at running hills (there's lots of them on my regular route). The run is the sport that I know my limit very well. That limit is on the verge of hyperventilating and vomiting. And that's where I was the entire run. I can't ask for more than that at this stage.

Walked around, ate half a bagel, checked out the results, sulked at being 10th.


Limited time doing tri sports. Lots of time spent focusing on other fitness activites. But I'm not sure yet if that's something I would change or not.


Good race, well organized, good volunteers. However, I'm not sure this particular venue is the best for a race like this. Transition was very awkward. Parking is always an issue at state parks. And there wasn't all that much going on after the race. It is a relatively smaller race, though, so I guess that is to be expected. Good overall. I'll come back when I can climb better.

I'm still not sure I gave it my all. It's the next day, and while I can feel that I did something yesterday, it's not anywhere near what I thought I'd feel. I'm not sure that's the best way to determine my effort, but it's something. I'll be looking back at my heartrate, and seeing exactly where I was, and if it's where I should have been. Right now, I'm thinking I went to easy, which is really frustrating me.