Smithfield Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

39/41 in age group. 430/493 overall. Lots of folks jamming up at the end of each lap.

Instead of waiting for swimmers in my lane to spread out after each turn, I should have kept swimming and passed the slower swimmers. I could have shaved off at least a minute, maybe two.

I think I pre-positioned everything okay. Slipped riding shorts on over suit. Put on long sleeve jersey. Put on socks and shoes. Walked quickly to the start and took off. Lots of mud getting to the start.

Forget about wearing socks. Swim in the same clothes I ride in (get a tri suit). Move more quickly to the start.

Age group rank 32/33. Overall rank 276/493. I was surprised by the hills. I live and train in this county, but have never trained on this particular course. I can go faster than this.

Pre-ride the course.

Again, this was my first tri and I gave zero thought to my transitions. I just racked the bike, tossed my helmet, put on my shoes and took off. Had a swig of water and a gel pack before starting.

Move more quickly to the rack. Know EXACTLY where my gear is (I passed it and had to turn around). Eat and drink on the run and not in the transition area.

39 of 41 in age group. 373 of 493 overall. This was a pretty good run for me. I was really stiff for about the first mile. After that I felt great... probably because the gel pack kicked in. I can improve this time.

Next time eat and drink on the run. Bring a throw away water bottle or just tuck it into my jersey. Run with my cadence counter and use chi focus.

Walked around, sipped water and talked with friends.


Experience. Also took two weeks off from training before this race. Not the smartest thing I've ever done. I felt like I was burning out. Looking back, I don't think I was eating enough.... felt burned out.


It was the BEST tri I'd ever experienced... and my first :)