The Rookie Triathlon - TriathlonMini Sprint

Not bad. On the start it took probably 3-5sec before I could even start swimming due people having a hard time building up speed. It was very crowded and it was a very narrow course, so people were all over each other and I couldn't get any separation. One side of my goggles started leaking so I actually had to stop at one point and fix that. Then the turn-around was a mess. Totally packed as it was really tight turn, everyone was just slowly dog paddling around the buoy. Once I got on the back stretch I really was doing well and passing a lot of people. That part felt good...just not the first half. My goal was 6-7min and I was right there. So not horrible considering what happened.

Try to line up more at the front. Never thought I would say this but my swim speed has really increased and could have done better at the front.

Couldn't do too much differently. Improved by 11sec over last year. Transition was wet so had to take it very carefully running in the bike shoes.

I need to learn to have the shoes already on the bike so I can run barefoot through T1 and hop on the bike. Will work on that this year.

So I didn't know how to register the distance. It was supposed to be 11.2mi, but my Garmin showed it to be 11.4. I am very disappointed in my time if it was 11.2 as that puts my pace at 18.7 and I just felt like I was doing much better than that. The 11.4 puts me at the 19 which feels right for what I was doing and considering the 30sec lost for getting off the bike. I only got passed by about 10 people, and passed a lot more than that.

The bike started out on a bad note though. It was great the course dried out, but right out of T1 is the biggest uphill on the course. I was struggling big time and couldn't figure out why. Realized once I got to the top my rear brake was rubbing (kinda pissed I didn't check that), so at the top of the hill I got off my bike and fixed that. Probably cost me at least 30sec.

After that though I felt great and was cruising along. Road is crazy rough and was shaking the daylights out of me.

Check my brakes to make sure there is no rubbing going on.

Decent transition except one of my bike shoes came off my bike when running in. Lost a few sec going back to get it. Just like T1 I improved 11sec over last year.

Be more careful about shoe position when dismounting so they don't hit the ground and come off.

AWESOME RUN!! Can't believe I was going this fast but it felt great. I've never come close to this in a race before so I am super excited about this leg. Normally have people passing me left and right but only counted about 10-15 that passed me!! Can you tell I am happy!?

Just build on this and get even faster!

Nothing much. Drank some water, ate a burger and some ice cream. Chilled with the wife while we waited to get our bikes.


Little small issues on the swim/bike legs. Goal was under 1hr, but considering the bike was 11.4mi instead of 11mi that changed my time. SO overall I am super happy with this result and a good way to start the year!


Another J&A race that went as smoothly as possible. The atmosphere and post race food is great. You won't find any better in the area. I like the change in the run course and the finish line being moved to make more room. Great job J&A and thanks volunteers!