Belwood Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon - TriathlonSprint

Beat 66 swimmers. In 55-59 age group placed 9/10. Was in with the 30-44 year old women - a large group, so thought I would have lots of clear water since they would be so much faster. I stood at the back of them but in the middle, thinking with no one behind me, things would be smooth. WRONG. EVERYONE converged in on me from right and left and was literally trying to swim on top of bodies. Couldn't move left, right or forward. Very disconcerting and could not even get a full swim stroke in. Got the HR going a little, but not crazy. Eventually got things going, but continually I would have people converge on me from both sides; everytime I felt someone on my feet, I would kick hard to get them off. By the first turn people were more spread out and half between the next buoy could see a couple of the fastest swimmers from the next wave going by. Fortunately none of the 3rd wave passed me. :)

Stay to either the left or right side of swimmers, even though I may have to swim a bit further. Can swim faster with clear water.

Maybe I should have just stayed more in front and then could have gotten a good clean start. I have heard several athletes reiterate this - saying it is better to let them try to pass than me having to try and climb over bodies. Every race is providing more and more experience in how to handle the different situations thrown at you in the water.

The 3.29 transition consists of 1.24 run from beach to timing mat and 2.02 in transition zone itself.

I ran with shoes on and will continue to do that when there is only a short run to mount line. Rather have the extra time in T1 than on the bike segment. My shoes aren't the greatest to get fee into when they are on the pedals and I fiddle too much with them and take too long to get up to speed. Save alot of time jumping on bike with the shoes on.

Not much; did run from beach to T1 but took a bit of extra time fiddling with my watch.

Placed 5/10 in 55-59 age group. Not a lot of difference between 2nd and 5th. Beat 154 people.



Not too much. Would need some input from a coach to tell me what I need to do to improve. My guess is just more bike time, especially in windy conditions.

I forgot to take my feet out of shoes - have no idea why, so added a fair bit of time having to run quite slowly with my shoes on and then having to take them off and put on runners.

Remember to take feet out of shoes. I am very good at this and my dismount is VERY good. Can run much faster with bare feet.

Placed 9/10 in 55-59 age group.
Well, it is quite obvious where I need to focus. I have no trouble running fast off a hard 10-15km bike but have not been able to do it off a 30km bike. Granted, I haven't had much running experience, and have just moved up to the long distance. Also have been letting the run training slide due to so much time on the bike.

I couldn't feel my left foot until 2km and between 2 and 4km my left shin tightend up to be very painful, but stopped at 3km to try and rub it out and by 4 km I was feeling my left foot and shin was good and had a good run for the last 2km; around 6:30 pace.

Despite all the above, and the slow overall pace, I am still happy that I was able to run the entire distance, having no issues with pelvis or hips comining off the hard bike and in aero position for most of it, and 7km didn't even seem very long; and only stopped to grab a water at the first water station. My breathing and effort level was on the easy, very manageable side.

Nothing. I just need to get back to running on a consistent basis. Also will practice more running off a hard bike.

Nothing at the race. It was very cold; weather was windy, overcast and spitting at the end of the bike segment. Sun tried to come out for a bit.


Note: all of the 'all stars' in my age group 55-59 showed up for this race; and I mean the best of the best - years of experience and top performers; almost embarrassed to be racing with them - placed 9/10 with less than a minute between 8th. EVEN if I get my running to a 6' pace, it would only place me 5/10 with this group of athletes.

Limitations: experience


Usual, consistent organization; Awards and door prizes are still too 'mechanical' for my liking - they just rush through them. The bike course was better than I had anticipated - I REALLY liked the old course but still hate the run. Would take hills over that any day.