Turtle Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

When I decided to do this event I kept reading how easy the swim was here. The current will push you down the beach and you will set a PR on the swim leg. The swim is my strongest event, I thought. After reading all the other reports I know some others struggled with the swim, too. I don't think it was the waves as I never caught one in the face. The current may have been going against us, not sure as I didn't have enough references to see if I was going backwards or not. I do remember at one time being beside the red bouy, taking 5-6 strokes and looking up and the bouy was still right beside me!

I have never been afraid of the water, never had a panic attack, never felt like I was going to drown. This was my first bad experience in the water. I couldn't get a full breath. I was treading water, floating on my back, breaststroking, anything to try and keep my face up so I could breath. This was only my second swim in a wetsuit. I did swim about 500 yards in it the week before in a lake and felt winded but didn't think it was the suit. I will swim with it again and find out. I believe the compression on my chest just made it more difficult and I was not ready for that. No more of my races this year will be wetsuit legal so looking forward to getting in the water again.

Swim without the wetsuit. I actually considered taking it off halfway through the swim. More distance swimming training.

Was dead coming out of the water and slowly walked up the beach, through the showers and into T1. As I pulled the wetsuit off coming out of the water I let my cap and goggles stay inside the sleve of the wetsuit. The suit came off over the timing strap easily. I took my time getting my shoes on, drank some gatorade and began the long walk/jog to the exit point.

I have to run through transition. I did it at my first event two weeks ago. I also need to practice the flying mount/dismount.

I loved the bike route. The flat course was nice. My plan was to ride the first two miles spinning in a lower gear and keeping it at 17 MPH. Then, for the next 9 miles, keep it at 18 MPH. The last 3.5 miles I wanted to push it over 20. My bike rides have averaged 15-16 MPH on the rolling hills around home so a goal of 18+ would be great for me.

The plan was going well for the first 11 miles. Then, as we turned the corner on the north end of the island I felt the headwind. My speed dropped to 15-16 MPH and I couldn't do any better. I was still passing people so that felt good. The 17.4 avg was ok but I wish I would have pushed much harder on the other side of the island where there was no wind.

On one stretch there were several bikes bunched up. A white van with a trailer was trying to pass them but couldn't with oncoming traffic in the other lane. I caught up to the van and was riding right beside his trailer. I wasn't sure what to do. The bikes in front of him were going slow but they were 3 wide, slowing passing each other. A guy behind me yelled "what are we going to do?" I said I guess we will have to squeeze by. So, we picked it up, hugging the white line as I passed the van. When I got to the passenger's window there was a boy sitting there with the window rolled down. I looked over at him, said "How's it going?" and continued around the van. Both me and the guy behind me went wide and passed the other group of bikes in front of the van.

I didn't expect the wind to be a problem as I rode that stretch the day before with no issues. Had I thought about the wind being a factor I could have pushed harder on the backside of the island but I might have been even slower with the headwind.

For me and my limited two months of riding I was pleased with the time.

Sort of walked/jogged to the oposite end of the transition area. Tried racking my bike with the bullhorns but it would stay. Had to turn it around and hang it by the seat. Took time to put on socks for the run. Slipped on my running shoes with Yankz and headed out.

Learn to hang my bike with the front wheel up off the ground.

Tried to just keep my feet moving. My son had told me the day before to just keep running, don't walk whatever you do. I used that as motivation but it faded quickly. I ran the first mile and was just under 10 mins. I knew I could go faster on the way back in. But then I let myself stop and walk. Big mistake. I walked for 2 mins and started back. Ran and walked again. Finally, with less than a 1/4 mile I tried to pick it up some. Not a good run time. I will be working on that over the summer as my wife is really starting to get into the 5K races.

Do as my son said, whatever you do don't walk!

Crossed the finish line, grabbed a water and found some shade. Went through all the tents and tried samples of different drinks and foods. Saw Coldfire and congratulated him on his Oly performance. He is an animal! Had a high school classmate from 30 years ago recognize me and we talked for a while. Her and her husband were in the race.

My wife and I talked to some other of the 5K runners she met. Unfortunately, she didn't get a chip so she didn't have an official time but by her watch she set a PR on the 5K!

I was disgusted by my performance in the swim. Felt terrible so we packed up and went back to the hotel. I felt sick and laid on the bed and passed out for about 2 hours. Got up, went to the beach with my wife, then back to the hotel for another nap. Finally, got a shower, removed the TriTats and went for some great seafood. After a good night sleep I felt much better Sunday.




Due to life getting in the way of training I have not put the time into it that I see many triathletes do. I will continue to train more, build up endurance and speed.


I was very surprised at the limited number of jet skis, kayaks, etc on the swim. I only saw two before we began the swim and never saw one once I was in the water.

Since I left before the post race activities began I didn't know that I finished 3rd in my age group until the results were posted on-line Monday morning. I have emailed the RD to see if they will mail whatever prize they gave for AG awards.

My wife has decided we are coming back in October for the Red Cross Tri and 5K. I will have revenge on this ocean swim and she will get her offical time on the run!