Pittsburgh Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Ok- so the swim course was a bit odd. We had to swim out diagonally away from the finish line to round a buoy. I honestly couldn't tell where the other bouys were, and I couldn't see the other bouys and where they were relative to the finish line (not good). My plan was to start towards the back, NOT panic, and follow the crowd to guide me. It was comforting to chat with other newbies while waiting to start. I was nervous. I had drunken a lot of water/gatorade in the morning, but my mouth was dry. I was certain I was hydrated through. I have an injured right shoulder, a degenerate labrum (type II slap lesion) so I expected to experience the same pain I got during training. To my surprise I was pain free- adrenaline/endorphins are great painkillers! Anyway, I got kicked in the head few times at the start and I swam away from the offender to get kicked again by another guy and smacked by someone doing the backstroke. At that point, I was resigned to the fact that this was just part of triathlons. In fact I read so much about people getting knocked around in the water, I think I would have been disappointed had that not happened to me. In any event, I didn't panic and just did my thing. The water was murky and I couldn't see so well, so I picked up my head up a couple times to make sure I was heading out towards the bouy. I didn't have any indication that I swam too far downstream until I stopped swimming completely and looked around. I was still getting kicked and and there were legs in front of me so I figured I was on course, but I did realize the swim seemed to be taking longer that I had anticipated. The race was my first open water swim, so I wasn't sure what to expect or what my pacing was. As it turns out, I must have swam about 100-200 yards too far down river and I had to swim over and upstream fighting the current to get to the finish. Once I came to this realization, I just sucked it up and did it. I felt so happy that my shoulder felt ok and I didn't drown, I didn't care or really know if my time was bad.

Know the course. Practice an open water swim before doing one. I tried to practice in the Allegheny, but my friends were reluctant to swim with me, I wonder why :) Honestly, the rivers aren't that polluted anymore!!! What else- don't rely on others to guide me during the swim. Ask questions if the route seems unclear. Practice swimming with a swim cap. Perhaps use a wetsuit? Overall, I didn't realize my swim time was that bad- I felt good, no shoulder pain, and if hadn't overshot the finish, I probably would have had a decent time.

I really didn't practice transitions, but I wanted to make sure I was comfortable. I think it went ok, but I don't know if it will ever get easier to put on socks with wet feet.

Practice the transition!

I was looking forward to bike leg because I just enjoy riding! While training for the triathlon, I discovered a new passion- biking. I'm totally a bike geek now. I can't afford the high end bikes, but I can admire and appreciate them. At the start before getting onto the HOV lanes, I was able to pass a bunch of people. I also passed a handful during the stretch on the highway. It felt good passing all those people, but then it dawned on me that my swim time must have been pretty lousy otherwise there wouldn't have been so many people ahead of me on the bike. I think I made up a lot of ground on the bike though. I had fun on the bike leg! I chatted with folks, told them how I admired their sweet rides, and shouted words of encouragement to others struggling. The conditions weren't ideal. About 3-4 miles in, it started to rain. I hadn't ridden hard in the rain before, so I was a little concerned about wiping out. I also biked over those ridges on the sides of highways and I made sure not to do that again! I was concerned about the getting a flat the day before the race, but I blocked that out and just enjoyed. The ride to Perrysville was challenging at times, and I found myself down to 14-15mph on some of the steeper parts, but despite my slow speed, I was still passing folks, so I figured it was ok to be riding that slow. On the way back, I figured it would be a lot easier, but there was a nasty head wind. I crouched low to avoid the wind and missed seeing scenic downtown Pittsburgh. I still had fun and I was chatting with other riders during the race. Overall, it felt ok- I wasn't sure how good my time was, but I had fun.

Not much, maybe invest in aerobars? The day before the race, I drove the course. I read on beginner triathlete that it wasn't a flat course, but that didn't really sink in until I drove it. I'm glad I did that, because not only did I know the grades of the course but I felt confident I knew where I was going, unlike the swim.

It was fine. Nothing to really say. I threw off my helmet and sunglasses, racked my bike, and spun my race belt around so my number was in front. I took another swig of my drink and took off.

Not much- practice.

When I started my run, I felt like I nothing in the tank. I was sucking in air! It caught me off guard. I didn't think I was going to struggle this badly with the run. I could feel all the liquid I had consumed in the morning and during the race sloshing in my stomach. I momentarily contemplated walking, but then I thought about all the training and sacrifice I had put into doing my first tri, so I willed myself to continue jogging. I felt like a slug though. I really felt slow. I didn't want to think about my time, but rather just finishing with a smile on my face. At one point I saw a water station, and thought, "Great, this is my turn around point!" It wasn't. I joked with the volunteers and gave me words of encouragement. As the running continued, I just kept a slow and steady pace. I managed to catch a few people on the loop back and I cracked a few jokes with volunteers encouraging me as I trudged a long. I smiled and gave the the thumbs up or peace sign for the cameras. During the last 150 meters or so two guys passed me. From a competitive standpoint, it bothered me, but I was just having fun. The spectators at the finish line were great. Strangers were cheering me on, and I felt so good. The volunteers were wonderful as well. It turns out my time wasn't horrible, but not all that good either. I'll be honest, it stunk feeling like I had nothing left in the tank for the run and having two people pass me near the finish, but I still had a great time doing the tri! Also, it's incredibly humbling to see people much younger and much older going so strong in the run. Overall, I'm happy with the run- I didn't give up and walk, and I managed to pass some folks, and I only was passed by two people.

Hmm... Well I started training in March, and I think my running endurance peaked in May. Life got in the way and I decided to focus more on the swim since I felt confident in my run. I perhaps now should do a more balanced workout. I also would probably have gone on more outdoor runs vs treadmill, done more than 1 hill workout for the duration of my training, and started doing more core strengthening work outs.

Going over the race with new friends I made.


Familiarity with the course.


Considering it was my first race, I think it was well organized, and I had a lot of fun.