Steamboat Express Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Oh god what a swim start - a long line of women - so I placed myself behind someone in th emiddle of the row who looked like a solid swimmer - I knew it was going to be bumpy but didn't reckon on falling into a mud hole as I ran out, getting stuck and falling on my butt and then getting stuck behind slower swimmers as a consequence. On the plus side I felt that I did well to remain calm, focused and make up time.

In such a short race I wouldn't next time position myself behind anyone - just battle it out at the front. (Couldn't do much about the sink hole - just go unlucky there!)

This felt really slow considering no wetsuit but it was a decent enough T1 so I can't really complain.

I really tried hard today but that doesn't seem to be reflected in my speed! I did have to back off a little on the gearing - and was pleased with my downhill performance but just couldn't take it up to the next level. Admittedly my biking has been once a week lately so I haven't really spent much time on the bike and it showed. Still felt decent out there.
Did see an couple of unfortunate things - one accident (the guy was off his bike at the side of the road - he looked fine and thinking now maybe it was just a flat rather than an accident - I hope so). Also I overtook two girls on a hill who then passed me back on the flat - one looked strong (the other was just trying to hang in there - a little close but not intentional drafting) - anyway the strong girl who I was hoping to pass back on the next hill had a mechanical which probably put her out of the race. Her spare inner tube drop and got tangled in her gears. I felt bad for her but then it is race day and you have to be prepared for stuff to happen. Hope she managed to keep it together and get it fixed but I don't know since I don't remember seeing her again. The other girl feel back straight away at that point - maybe she offered to help - although I think she just got a surprise and hit the brakes out of instinct. Didn't see her again after that and no one else passed me (except a couple of OLY guys).

Spend more time on the bike (if I wasn't in off season/run training!)

An average T1 - fastest in my age group. Still it felt a little out of sorts probably because I haven't practiced since July!

More practice!

Legs were not happy on this run - felt very crampy and tight but I pushed through and of course at mile two they felt better. Did have a lot of water slosh in my stomach which was not good but wasn't too bad either. Caught a lot of guys on the run and realized I was in 3rd overall but couldn't hold on to that since the eventual 3rd place girl overtook me with about 0.8 of a mile to go! Tried to stay with her but couldn't - still I felt like I minimized the gap. Was a little disappointed with my run pace - I think I started faster but legs have been tired all week and not used to transition from biking at the moment. Will see how actual speed is next weekend at 5k race.

More transition running.

Talked to other competitors.


Lack of biking/swimming - I am in off season so mostly just running.


This felt more like a season opener race for me - felt good but can see gaps in my training. I think it felt like an opener race because I have not been swimming (shoulder tendonitis) or biking much (1/2 marathon and marathon training). I felt really good mentally though and I did try hard so pleased with that.