Georgia Veterans Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Our age Group was the 1st to go off. I seeded myself close to the weeds in the front, but off to the left hand side. There was one guy that looked like a fast swimmer. He was in a skin suit and was flapping his arms like Micheal Phelps while he was stretching. My wife said he did inded come out 1st- by a long shot....

My swim was uneventfull. I got to the turn bouy in clear water and followed the counter clockwise course. The 2nd turn bouy came so fast and it was time to head back. The sun comes right over the trees as you head in, so it impossible to see the finish shoot. From pre race observation, I knew to aim/swim towards a clump of trees, which worked perfectly.

It was cool seeing my wife waiting for her wave to start as I was exiting the water.

swim more before the race.

This is a long transition from the swim exit to the bikes BUT- the timing matt is located at the entrance of T1, so the swim times account for 100+ yds of running to your bike. My transitions are simple. I wear my race number on my belt and wear it during the swim (under my tri shorts) and bring it out as I'm leaving the water. I just throw on my shoes, sunglasses and helmet and I'm off.

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I started the ride just catching my breath from the long run to T1. there where 2 guys that exited on the bike just in front of me and 1 more that had been out for maybe 30 seconds or more. I quickly passed the 2 guys that exited before me and within a few miles caught and passed the other guy. Around mile 9 I saw the lead guy and the motorcycle (this turned out to be the leader of the duathlon which was taking place in conjunction with the sprint tri). Caught and passed him and motorcycle followed me the rest of the way in. Kind of fun having an escort to T2. As I entered T2, I was in the lead- something that I've never experienced before! Some comments about the course- lots of twists and turns during the first 9 miles as you follow the river, so there are points where you have to slow down substantially or you will wreck. There is also sand in the road on some of these turns, so that is cause for caution as well. Mile markers were at every mile and volunteers were numerouse on the course directing traffic and racers. There are some slight rollers during the first 5 miles, but nothing too bad.

I got concerned that I missed the turnaround on the bike and was slowing down thinking about what to do- THEN I realized that the course was a loop! I DEFINITELY need to read the course maps!!!!

T2 was fast and easy. It was nice seeing no one else's bike in T2

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I started the run with the fear that I wasn't feeling strong enough to run a 19min 5k or under today and was worried I was going to get caught. I didn't feel great but went out hard. As I got about 100yds into the run, I saw the next guys starting to come into T2, so I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I hit my first mile at 6:03, so I knew I was running fairly well. At the turn around, I got to see where the other competators were- It seemed like a group of about 8 guys were fairly close together giving chase. I felt good about my lead but didn't feel for sure that I wasn't going to get caught until I hit the 2nd turnaround and saw that the next guy wasn't getting closer. Man that was a nice feeling. On the way in, I saw my wife and step brother heading out on the run course and gave them high 5's before heading into the finish chute.

I'm happy that I was able to run a 19min 5k but on reflection, this time is not going to be super competative when I do Santa Rosa on Oct. 4. I need to get back down to the high 17's where I was 2 years ago.

Ran out on the course and cheered everyone on. My wife had a great race and got 2nd overall female! I got to see some freinds from Cairo finish strong with their races and my brother in law complete his first tri.


not sure what it was, but I just had that dead leg feeling as I waited for the swim to start.


I highly recommend this race. As with ALL of Jim's races, Ga Veterans Triathlon is highly organized. Lake Blackshear resorts (the race site) at Ga Veterans Park is a picturesque location. The course itself is 'scenic' in my opinion and it's as described- 'a hidded gem' in triathlon in Georgia. We will be back next year if our schedules allow us!