Tejas Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Was 11:09 last year so overall I was happy with the swim. Goal #1 met. I can't say I liked starting in the last wave but no real complaints there as it didn't affect my race other than maybe it being a little hotter on the bike and run. I started the swim on the outside towards the shore and that was probably a pretty good idea as the group was a little thinner on that side. I was about three rows deep and was able to pass three or four within the first 100 yards and kept a decent pace throughout. I figured I probably pushed too hard and when I got out I knew I had swum too hard...my HR was 89% of my running MHR.

I powered through the swim and my technique, if I have any, is poor. In order to improve any further at any distance I've got to get some lessons and figure out what I'm doing wrong. Master's class is fine but it really isn't solving any problems.

Was 2:00 last year so Goal #2 was met. Running out of the swim was difficult and so a slow jog was all I could muster. Shoes were clipped in; all I had to do was put on the helmet and the race belt and I was off. Last year, I sat down to put on socks and shoes while in transition, which is what made the difference. On a sprint it really makes a difference if you ride/run sockless and mount/dismount with shoes clipped in.

Nothing.

Was 29:40 or 22.25mph last year so Goal #3 was met. New bike and more time on the road and trainer made the difference here. I had no idea how fast as I was going or my pace since the speed pick-up for the bike computer had fallen off in my garage and didn't realize it until I left T1. Oh well, roll with it. I got passed by a few and passed a few back on the ride. I did like smilford said and hammered it on the ride. I knew my run wasn't going to be pretty. I think it turned out pretty good. I felt okay coming off the bike but not great; I was getting tired.

Make sure I have my bike computer before leaving the house. Wonder if race wheels would help out much??? 2011 maybe?

Was 1:05 in T2 last year so again Goal #2 met. Overall, I decreased my transition times from 3:05 to 2:09. That's huge in a sprint. Took my feet out of shoes effortlessly and pedaled strong passing someone from my age group in the last quarter mile. That, and a quicker transition than his, made the difference between 6th and 7th in the age-group.....I literally finished 0.6 seconds before him. Once in transition, I slipped running shoes on and put on a visor.

Nothing.

Based on the achilles and ankle problems I've had over the last 10 months my expectations on the run aren't what they used to be. I still think that the 7:00/mile pace I kept last year might have been off? In any event, my goal was to keep it below 7:40/mile, which I accomplished. One guy from the age-group passed me on the first mile and I thought I could keep up for a while but after 1/2 mile I forgot about him and let him go. I didn't have the speed in me. I felt pretty well-hydrated so I didn't drink anything on the run but instead dumped 2 cups of cold water on myself at every station.

Last 90 seconds of the race I was running a minimum of a 6:30/mile pace and last 20 seconds was at 5:40/mile pace. I am happy with that alone. Too bad I couldn't have been faster longer....0:14 faster and I would have gone from 6th to 3rd place. Dohhhh!!!!

Hard to say I would train more for the run because that's what has led the achilles and ankle problems....keep up the track workouts...maybe lose some weight. I was 196 on race day morning, who knows what it could be if I was back in the low-180s. Overall, very pleased and no real complaints.

Sat for a while in the shade, walked around, talked with a few people and enjoyed the pizza, vitamin water, watermelon, cookies and soda....Head home and mowed the lawn.


Run fitness...nothing for 8+ weeks from late-January to mid/late-March. 2 taquitos and some hash browns??...did I mention I had hash browns too?


Everything came off without a hitch. Out-loud did a great job again.