Cape Henlopen Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

All I can say is Whoah! They were undecided on the swim until about 30 minutes before the race started. There were 5-6' waves breaking off shore and also close to shore - it was hairy. They looked and felt like 10'+. Saw a couple big ones actually break over the first turn bouy - yikes. I've spent tons of time in the ocean so I wasn't too nervous, but once I got out there I realized how rough it was. I never got into a swimming groove. I was very uncomfortable being rocked and rolled by the waves while swimming and breathing so I ended up doing a mix of water polo type swimming and breast stroking. Overall, I'm very dissapointed in my swim, particularly since I've made so much progress in the pool, but I can honestly say I gave it my best. I'm a good body surfer so I was eyeing up the waves coming in after the last turn and caught a monster. It took me half way to shore, but ended up breaking on top of me and sending me into an underwater sommersault (2 or 3 actually). It knocked the goggles clean off my head. Got up and another one knocked me under. I was spent coming out of the water. Poor performance for someone comfortable in the surf. Time includes a 75 yard sand run to the timing mat.


Practice in the ocean - lots.

There was about a 30 yard sand run from the timing mat into T1. I was exhausted from the swim and didn't rush it.

Nothing.

Very good bike for me. For anyone who hasn't been reading my logs or reports - this is on a mountain bike so cut me some slack. Got my HR down into the mid 150s which was better than my last race. Ate an Accel gel at mile 11. Drank about 20 oz water and a few sips of gatorade.

As always, get a road bike.

T2 is easy without bike shoes.

Best triathlon run ever for me. (I've only done three so that's not really saying much.) Felt great and would rate it very high on the effort level. Having done a couple races now, I'm getting better at judging how hard I can go. Finished very strong in the last 4-5 minutes.

Nothing - hopefully a full winter of running will bring my run times down.

Drank water, ate a banana and talked with Marianne, Bobby, Sherrie and Maddie. Stretched a little.


Poor swim.


Good race overall. Thank you Piranha Sports for having enough porta pots at this one. Very different feeling location from the other two sprints I did this year. The bike had more than a few turns and the run course was unique. Great race to end the season.