Charlottesville Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Was my first experience with an open water swim. Usually feel very smooth and strong in the pool; had a much choppier stroke in the lake. Was anxious for the race and had higher heart rate/more frequent breathing consequently. Never really fell into a rhythm (very short swim) and feel I exerted myself too much for the result I pulled in. Still happy with where I was coming out of the water, esp. after not being in the pool for a few weeks pre-race.

Mentally relax more. Was chill, but anxious. Know being relaxed more is possible now i know what to expect. I'd start in the front again, but draft the lead swimmers and trust them to mark the buoys instead of doing breast stroke so much to find the course. Would also try and regulate breathing to every 5-7 strokes instead of 3.

Felt great running out of the water and into T1; very mentally focused and driven. Quick foot turnover to get to rack. Smooth getting socks/shoes/helmet/glasses on. Ran out of T1, clipped in okay but second foot took a couple of rotations. When training only clip in successfully the first attempt about 50% of the time. Was happy with T1 and bike mount.

Clip in the first time with both feet. Could have also had a quicker pace running with bike.

For starters, i never checked my odometer after the on-site bike tech pumped up my tires. So that wasn't working and i had no idea of my pace. I also hadn't trained hard on the bike for a few weeks leading up to the race. Weather, schedule conflicts and poor choices are my unacceptable excuses. The course was very hilly and i was apprehensive to fully exhaust my running/out of saddle muscles. Cycling muscles would've been fine to push, but hilly course=out of saddle for this inexperienced cyclist. Pushed hard, but definitely hit a few walls and had to gather my pair together. Got passed a lot and was not a happy camper. Kept on truckin' and improved gear shifting/hill strategy for the second part of the ride. Not thrilled, but accepting of my results since i still have a lot to learn and left little in the tank.

TRAIN HARDER, FASTER, AND MORE FREQUENTLY. Uhh...check my odometer pre-race (which i did, but not a second time)? Add aero bars to my bike to allow for better form/more rest. Change water to something with electrolytes. Preview course and train accordingly. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.

Am clearly not a baller cyclist, and with pressing concerns to simply remain upright while dismounting, speed was of little importance. Am proud to report i did not fall over (victory!) and even managed to run with my bike into T2. Upon further investigation, i dismounted too soon and probably lost some time there. I then tried to rack my bike saddle-first and had to turn it around. Shoes off (non-tri) went well, my hair stayed semi-acceptable post helmet removal, running shoes/race belt went on quickly and i passed someone who came in before me on the bike on the way out of T2. Overall, not too shabby and quite acceptable.

Ride further into the dismount area, maaaaaaybe learn to be one of those cool dismount people, rack my bike properly the first time.

I went into the run mean and focused. I had decided on the bike that absolutely no one would pass me. As an overall time, i wasn't too pleased with pulling a high 23 for 3 miles, but after looking at the stats i realized i was in the thick of it and could've probably been provoked into a faster split if those girls were within eyesight during the run. (I.E. my bike didn't suck *quite* so much). I decided about 200 m in that anyone i could see during the run was getting hunted down and passed. Legs were exhausted (esp quads) and about 1/2 way through my calves cramped and my stride got a lot smaller. Was focusing on tiny steps with a quick turnover. I know i can pull at least 7:40s but am extremely pleased with my mental focus and results. Left everything on the course, sprinted in the last 400m or so, and passed dudes (highly satisfying). Physically, could've been a little better prepared but my run training was about 85% where it should have been in the weeks leading up to the race.

Preview the course (didn't bc the park wanted $6 per person on saturday: absurd), learn mile markers, stay within eyesight of the lead pack on the bike to better hunt them down during the run, add calf strength to prevent cramping (electrolytes on the bike should help this, too), pick up the pace more the last mile, balls out the last 800, not 400m.

Oh, and teach the mom who let their toddler cross the last 20 ft of the course in front of me how to *not* have that happen.

1. Swallow bile and smile for pic. 2. Eat a banana. 3. Watch end of race, pack up car. 4. Beer. 5. Shower.


A cool down seems like a great idea.


Mental jitters at the beginning, not being familiar with the course, poor training decisions, general first-date awkwardness with the bike.


Small field (which was a plus for me), course had some gravel (which was being swept up as i cycled past), very well organized and homey. Am planning to return next year and i had a great time!