Danskin Women's Triathlon - Austin - TriathlonSprint

Lots of family/friends called my name and cheered me on - loved it! Slipped into my mule keds ran up the hill while putting stick sun screen on face, removed goggles/cap. Got to transition and had to rinse feet because all the sand still between toes.

Become a better/stronger swimmer. (Wish I had learned as a child.) I had 3 open water swim clinics before event but nothing could simulate the huge crowd of women swimming around, into and on top of me. I need to be more aggressive in the water and improve siting so I don't venture off course.

I need to speed it up a little more. Either forget the shoes at swim exit or something - get some tougher feet. Exiting T1, volunteers stopped us so that returning cyclists to come in for their T2. That was 30 seconds at least. Outside of T1 - just over the mount line, women stopped and got in the way. Some had trouble getting started - was almost hit by one.

I should run far ahead of women at mount line and get on bike.

I was more aggressive on ride. After the 90 degree turn at Blue Bluff - big hill. I had to go wide to avoid the cluster of women who stopped to walk up hill or were struggling to keep going. During the turn I had dropped to my center ring and backed off the small ring to allow me to climb at an easier pace (coaches advice worked). Got to the right after clearance and let other women pass. Climb was hard but dropping gears helped - asked the woman ahead of me if she was about to stop - that would have been disaster - no room to go around her on left! She moved over to the right and let me pass. Lots of encouragement given by other women - I encouraged some too. Rode past runners inside park fence - encouraged them. Judy yelled out my name and encouraged me - elt good to have the support. She was running strong.

Buy a road bike, do timed trainings, improve hill climbs, change from toe clips to clipless.

Before entering T2 - drank more from Camelback. I had left myself a note to remember to take off my helmet and gloves. Already had my race belt and number on. Didn't need to change my shoes. Grabbed my visor and cold bandana and ran out while I was putting them on. Opened Cliff Shot with caffiene to consume on first part of run.

Nothing.

Jogged an even pace for most of the run - walked a few short distances. My shins and calves didn't hurt like I expected - guess my rest did help. Lots of encouragement from volunteers and cyclists. I hoped to run the course in 35 minutes - met my goal. Before finish Judy ran with me and pushed me to sprint - so glad she did. I finished strong and it felt good.

Run more before the race - work on timing, hills and sprinting. I waited too late to start my training for the run and struggled with pain in shins/calves/hips with every run.

I really didn't warm down, went to stretch area and had volunteer helped me stretch. Walked around the tents/booths for freebies, lots of photos with Judy, sisters Becky, Sharon, and husband Greg. Thanked friends for support. Ate a little, drank a lot of water (should have drank sports drink.)


Not being an efficient swimmer, not siting enough. Mountain bike was heavy, not as aero dynamic.


This was my first Tri so I can't compare with others but I enjoyed every minute - even the 36 mins I spent in my very long, long private tour of the lake. It was a big challenge to complete in the time I thought I could do. My goal was under 2 hours - I made it in 2:09. I will do it again and improve my time and strategy during parts of the race next year. Thanks to hubby Greg, Sharon, Becky, Judy, Janice, Gabe, Ron, swim classmates, and others for the encouragement. It is fun (and hard) to be fit but worth every mile.