Hawk Island Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Lots of traffic from the AG before mine, and thus slower than expected (~ 8 minutes). Tough to sight due (no big buoys, just pillars).

Start farther at the front.

Quick off the wetsuit and jog to the exit, but - for some reason - I had a snag with my shoes and rubber bands this time (I leave the shoes clipped on and put them on as I ride). Fumbled and lost some time. Gotta work on this more in training.



Swim with shirt on. No need to waste time in T1 putting on shirt.
Practiced more the rubber-banded approach.

Major improvement over last year... by ~8 minutes (granted, I also didn't crash this time). Could have done better were it not for the T1 shoe snag and a distracted driver during the course who almost hit me (!), which forced me to a near stop at the base of a hill (likely cost me 30+ sec). Overall, happy because I am really new to cycling, and had virtually no base last season... so it felt great to have improved so much from last year.

Ride harder in training to kick more butt when racing.

Pretty much as planned. Race number ripped on right corner from belt/safety pin.

Need to get another race belt where snap buttons actually work...

Feet felt like rocks until turn-around point, which was unusual. GI unhappiness about 1/4 of the way in, but kept pushing.

Great event, particularly if you are a beginner. Great season opener for more seasoned triathletes as well. Just top notch event. Main suggestion is that they go back to the big buoys, as the short "pillar" style ones are tough to spot if not in the first AG in the water.