Rumpass in Bumpass Sprint - TriathlonSprint

Didn't hear a countdown but happened to be looking across to 'Horn man'. Was in second line on outside. Set off relatively quickly behind lead person but lost him within 50 yards. Some contact but not too bad. Settled into comfortable pace and felt good to the first turn by which time we had caught the previous wave. More contact. Next leg across the current was more challenging as my natural breathing side was to the chop. Hung on around turn 2 only to then go seriously off course. Didn't help we were going into the sun. Lost everyone and looked up to see that I'd made a 120 degree turn rather than a 90 degree turn and was cozying up to cute girl with life belt. Strange I thought - what is she doing in the middle of the course. Then saw fellow racers some 30 yards away from me. Made it back on course and then steady to the finish. Overall happy with the swim but probably lost a minute with bad sighting.

Sight more frequently - find someone to draft off - breath bilaterally.

Major difficulties getting the wetsuit off and broke the zip in the end. Felt like I had a very pedestrian T1 but in fact was 8/35 in AG.

Practise more. Zip up and unzip wetsit before race to check it is working smoothly.

Managed to clip in quickly despite small rise out of Marina. Bit congested at mount line so pleased to get away and out of trouble. Then had a great bike : passed loads of people and stayed aero for 90% of the ride. Didn't get passed. Kept it comfortable near the end as was slightly worried I might not have left enough in the legs. Took about 5 sips of water all the way round from the aerobottle. First race with the Cervelo P2 - really pleased. Actually thought I'd gone round quicker than 20.7mph (guess there was a longish run to/from transition with bike).

Nothing

Had difficulty unclipping R leg - had to come to a complete stop.

If I were doing another Sprint this year might think about the 'leaving shoes on bike' option but would need to practise that ... a lot.

Took it easy up and through forest saw race leader come out of the forest as I went in - gave him a 'good job' in my best 'limey' accent. Passed a few initially and then got passed by 3 or 4 on the outward leg. Felt OK but nothing special. Was looking to save something for final mile. Ignored water stops. Return run picked up a little but didn't have much for acceleration. Took it relatively carefully through the forest and then down to the marina and only really sprinted the final 50 yards to the finish - got passed again near the end and glanced nervously at age as though I was in with a shout for a AG place : relaxed when I saw '25' on the calf. Almost fully recovered within 10 secs of finishing so definitely didn't push myself hard enough.

Do more 5k time trials to get that race pace pain barrier feeling. Just not experienced enough runner to know the pace I'm capable of and currently too wimpy to put myself through too much pain to achieve it !

Didn't stretch off - should have done so. Took in water and Gatorade. Picked up pizza but didn't eat it. Enjoyed the crystallised fruit and banana.


My knowledge of running race pace. Minor tweaks to T1. Finding someone of similar ability to draft in the swim. But I can't complain really.


Only my third triathlon so no much to compare it with. But as a Brit resident am always impressed by the smooth organisation of these types of events. Some good touches (e.g. Sat packet pick up, plenty of space it transition, unfussed dealing with early wave swim 'problem'.) I appreciated the tech T-shirt with funky logo (no need for race medals) enjoyed the crystallised fruit (!), announcer was really encouraging, and nearly everything around transition seemed to go well apart from perhaps some 'roping' issues with the crowd.

Downside is that the run is really punishing at the start and end. I'd read the BT race reports of 2009 race and did a recce on Saturday afternoon but it is literally a pain to run over that terrain if you are not a trail runner. The gravel was almost as bad on the way back. That's why I'm giving the race a 4/5 - otherwise very pleased with the event and my performance.