North East Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I started towards the back and close to the line. I just wanted to get into a nice breathing and stroke pattern. My sighting on the first leg of the swim was good. I stuck close to the line. However, after I made the first turn I didnt sight well on the next bouy (or at all) and ended up going out further than I needed too. I then picked up pace to get back in line and did the same damn thing again on the return leg!! So my swim was all off and didnt really fall into focus at all. I then saw a green cap which meant the wave behind me was coming on which totally through me off!

I need to work on sighting and swim more! Probably more open water if I can.

I felt a bit slow in the transition. The run from the swim exit to my bike rack was very long so my heart was racing by the time I got to my rack. Really nothing I could do about that so all in all happy with the transition. I havent gotten to the point of having my shoes already clipped into my bike so I am still straping on the shoes and running in them to the mount line. It works. I did opt to go sockless which wasnt a problem at all.

Nothing

I was very happy with my bike leg. I passed quite a few folks and was only passed once but I caught him and didn't see him again. I rode in the big gear the whole race so the hills were not bad. The bike leg definitely helped make up for my bad swim performance. Since I live in the area I ride the terrain daily so I am used to this type of course. I think that helped as well. I probably didn't drink as much as I should have drank though. My goal was a 20 mi/hr pace which I didn't achieve. However, given my norm power and ave power readings, I was extending myself phsyically so I am not sure if that goal was realistic.

Nothing. Just keep training.

My transition felt good. I ended up actually just picking my bike up and running with it to the transition area. For some reason I felt that I could move faster that way. Thankfully my legs held up or I could have looked really stupid wiping out! I also opted to go sockless for the run. I figured it is just a 5k and my feet couldnt get that banged up and they were fine.

Probably not run carrying the bike.

My legs felt stiff for the first half mile or so. Once I got out onto the main course I felt better. Although I found my mind wandering at times which slowed my pace so I need to work on staying focused. I am also really bad at grabbing water and drinking on the run. By the time I get the cup to my mouth there is very little water in it and the tiny bit of water I do end up drinking just makes my heart rate go through the roof because my breathing gets thrown off! I can see why people where those batman type accessory belts with squeeze bottles etc.

Overall I felt good on the run. I think I probably could have went faster physically but need to work on my mental toughness. With all of that said my overall pace was below my 8 min/mi pace goal so I was happy with it.

Work on focusing. More brick workouts to get used to the bike to run transition.

Not much of a warm down. I drank the bottle of water they handed me at the finish. I also drank several Miller Lites which is almost like water at Chesapeake Cycle's tent. The beers tasted good! I bumped into a few folks I knew from high school that I hadnt seen in many years so that was cool. I looked for fellow BTers but having never met anyone in person it's tough to identify people unless they are wearing BT gear. Maybe next time.

I was very surpised to see that I placed 2nd in my age group and 38th overall! Not too shabby for my first tri. Makes me motivated to continue to keep working hard and improving!


I think it was all mental. I am not sure how much having a cold and the lack of training for the 5 days prior had played into it either.


Overall great event. CGI put on a nice race. The town and volunteers were awesome. I will definitely do another CGI event.