Tri del Sol - TriathlonSprint

I was surprised how relaxed I was during the swim. I even did some bilateral breathing for approximately 100 meters early in the race (not normal for me during a race). The only big problem was sighting. I found myself almost 75 meters off course toward the end of the race which probably added a minute or more to my swim time. I drifted left (left breathing towards the end of the swim leg) and did not catch it until it was too late. The lack of feet and arms in my face should have been an indication that I was not where I was supposed to be.

I am extremely happy with the swim. I knew I would not match last years swim time of 13:07, but my swim went really well considering the lack on consistent swim training.


SIGHTING, SIGHTING, SIGHTING!!!!

T-1 went slightly better than last year. Coming out of the water, I did a pretty descent job of getting the swim suit down to my waist and then getting the goggles, ear plugs and cap off. The run from the swim to the transition area was uphill, so it did take a little out of me just to get to the bike.

Run harder

With my running in doubt due to the calf strain, I really wanted to improve on my bike segment. I forgot to hit my computer when I first got on the bike, so I was unsure of what my pace was during the bike leg. I went out at a good pace and then picked it up around mile 3. However, I ran into two hills prior to the turnaround that kicked my butt. I was in my lowest gear possible and breathing hard, but used the downhill portions to make up time (I did not rest but kept peddling hard). I felt really good the last 1/3 of the race and pushed hard. All I wanted to do was break one hour (18.0 mph) which I did.

Train more, harder pace. Need to be at 20.0 mph or more next year.

I got out of my cycling shoes approximately 1/4 mile before the dismount point and did a good job of jumping off the bike and running around two people to get to the transition area. But then...WOW, first time ever that I had issues with racking the bike. Not because I forgot how, but because two, not just one, bikes were racked in my spot. One bike was racked with the rear wheel on my transition matt (when we started the race it was facing the other direction) and the second bike was just leaning on the end of the rack on all of my stuff. So, while holding my bike with one hand, I move (rather forcefully) the other two bikes out of the way and racked my bike. I don't remember much about how the transition went after that, I was a little upset.

I think I did a good job getting the helmet off and run visor on. I remember having to pick up my sunglasses instead of them being on my face, never should have taken them off. I also took a quick drink of Gatorade before I left the transition area.

Not let the little things (like other bikes in my spot) control my transition sequence.

I was hoping that my calf had healed itself (I did not run for two weeks prior to the race) but the first slight hill into the run, I could feel the left calf start screaming at me to stop. It was really tight at first and then the pain just started to creep in more and more. So, I decided to walk to try and decrease the pain. I started to argue with myself on whether I should stop or keep going. "It is just one race, it is no big deal", "You can turn around now and still see the leaders (Sam) finish". But I notice that as I walked, the pain decreased a little. So I ran a little more and decided to walk the hills (and sometimes a little more when the pain started to increase) and run the flats and downhill parts. The tightness and pain never really went away, but it decreased slightly. My body was still telling me to just turn around and walk back, but I really did not want a DNF. Before I realized it, I was at the halfway point and the quickest way back was to just to keep running and walking in the same direction.

It was definitely not the run that I was hoping for, but when I did run, I felt really strong (with the exception of the left calf). I was pleasantly surprised that my run time was only 9 1/2 minutes slower than last year, for the amount of walking that I did (about 20-25%), I was expecting to be much slower. At first, I saw the other athletes in my age group pass me and I was disappointed. Then I just told myself to run at my own pace. I am glad that I did not get a DNF and I did not make the calf injury worse.

I am really looking forward to next year's race so I can see what I can run this course in when I am fully trained and healthy.


Not be injured or walk any part of the run.

After crossing the finish line, I downed two glasses of watered down Gatorade (great mix, not too sugary). Caught up with the family and ate an apple on the way back to the cottage.


My left calf strain and lack of constant swim training.


Good race organization, but there could have been some more drink stations. The end of the race was a little hot and only 3 drink stations on a 4.5 mile run was not enough.