Whitefish Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

2:01 faster than last year. This was a great swim. I sighted every 4th breath, which kept me on course. I've been having a serious problem with adding extra yardage to my swims this year, but I think I have the problem solved. I just wasn't sighting frequently enough. I felt really strong and confident on this swim. I battled it out a little, but just kept swimming. Some people were stopped and treading around the buoy, and I just found a small opening between them and kept on swimming... didn't even slow down or hesitate. Swam all the way in until my hands touched bottom. I stood up and unzipped my wetsuit while running to transition.

nothing

Transition times are included in the bike split. Transition went smoothly. I finally remembered to open up my new tri shoes before the race. What a difference that makes! There are some stairs you have to carry your bike up out of the transition, which slows things down a bit. Oh, and I got distracted by my FIL taking pics and couldn't get clipped in... how embarassing, and it cost me little time

Try not to be distracted and get my damn shoe clipped in :)

1:06 faster than last year. Pretty good bike split. I passed quite a few people early on and some passed me. My quads were cramping early on, I think because of the cold, so I tried to just spin them out and not push hard gears until the cramps eased up. I was pretty slow going up the hills... really need to work those. I also slowed a lot coming down around the curves. This bike course always makes me nervous because it is a winding narrow mountain road and is not closed to traffic. I told myself before the race that I was just going to gut it out and fly, but my nerves got the better of me.

Not brake so much coming down hill, but then maybe I would have wrecked like two other people did that day. Not really sure...

Went pretty smoothly. I saw my friend Teresa in transition and we commiserated briefly on our numb feet from the cold. Then, she was gone... she doesn't wear bike shoes so it was a very quick transition for her.



Not mess with the garmin for a sprint. It didn't really help me, and it cost me a few seconds in transition.

1:20 SLOWER than last year. I really need to learn how to run off the bike. I've also gained some weight since last year which probably isn't helping. The run sucked. I ran the whole way, but just couldn't seem to get myself to pick up the pace. My calves kept tightening up and I just wanted to be done.

Lose the extra weight I'm carrying around. Train more, maybe more bricks. Build my biking endurance so I would come into the run a little better. Just push through the pain.

Walked around a bit, Drank a bottle of water, Hung out with my family and friends under the gazebo and enjoyed the after race BBQ and beer in the rain.


No speed training and extra weight. I still have a long way to go, but I did improve my time from last year by 1:57. Next year my goal is to go under 1:30:00, hopefully Ironman training will help me out.


I love this race. It's a little local yokal race, put on by the owner of the Kalispell Athletic club. It isn't the most well organized race, but it all comes together by the start, even if that start is usually 30 minutes late.;) There's a great post race BBQ with beer, beautiful scenery, and great people. This was my first tri back in 2007 and I plan to do it again every year.