Four States Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

This was my first wetsuit swim. The suit didn't bother me, so that was good. It was my second open water race, and so I am still apparently not that great with the mass hysteria of the crowded waters. It took me to the first bouy to calm my nerves and actually get into a rhythm. It then seemed like I swam the second 2/3 of the race in about the same time as it took me to do the first 1/3.

I need to stay calm at the start and not be overwhelmed by the kicks and bumps from other racers all around me. Also, just go with what is working. At first I was trying to maintain my normal 3 stroke breathing, but in the end switched to 2 strokes and did much better.

The first transition was OK in the transition area. I could have moved with more urgency but I'm always exhausted after the swim. Because the bike mount area was on the other side of where the lake had risen over the sidewalk just after the transition exit, I decided to clip my shoes on and position them with rubber bands. This was a last minute decision so that I wouldn't have to run that far or through a bunch of water with my bike shoes on. However, it cost me time that was technically outside of transition because I could not get into my shoes on the ride and had to stop, unclip, put on shoes, and then start again.

I guess if the run through water was still part of the transition, I would perhaps just carry my shoes through and put them on at the other side given my lack of experience in this area and the fact that I have normal bike shoes and not tri shoes with the different style of velcro/shoe fasteners.

I also needed to move with more urgency. It is a race, remember!

The lagoon issue created a difficult situation for me in crossing the water and mounting the bike while trying to keep my shoes dry and not running in them for that long. Coming back into transition at the end was fine as I can dismount from my bike and leave my shoes clipped without much problem. I also did not enjoy the headwind coming back across the dam. The rest of the ride was really nice.

I could have pushed myself more on the bike.

Coming into T2 went well. Dismounting, running across the lagoon barefoot, racking the bike was all good. I spent a few seconds eating a newton while putting on my shoes. Then had to take a drink b/c of dry mouth. Not the best idea.

move with more urgency. should have taken my snack in T1 to eat while riding instead of spending the seconds eating in transition and taking another drink.

Also need some yankz so the shoe tying thing doesn't take so long.

It was a great course. I felt great during the run. I was never passed in the run and passed several people myself including a 16 yr old girl. I felt good passing someone half my age until I realized she had already passed me somewhere once before since she started the swim in the stage behind me and probably still ended up with a better overall time. Oh well. :)

At mile 2, I increased my pace for the last mile. This was not hard to do as most of the course from then on was slightly down hill. I was hoping to pass several more in this last mile with my increased pace, but only passed one other person. Apparently all the others I was seeing on loop backs also increased their pace for the last mile.

Run faster. I had run a 5K the weekend before and did not do well at all there, so it made me timid for this run. I think I set my pace too slow. Even though I passed a few folks, I should have sped up a bit more knowing how good I was feeling.

Walked a bit, talked with my wife and boys.


I'm still trying to gauge how much energy to exert at each stage. In my first triathlon, I was spent at the finish line. On this one, I felt great all the way through, which probably means I could have gone faster in each stage.


This race was a great event. I will definitely plan to participate again next year.