John Tanner Sprint - TriathlonSprint

First tri of the season, for some reason I started at the back of my wave. I then proceeded to swim through or climb over most of my wave. I swam a lot this winter. I underestimated my ability vs my wave. I just wasn't thinking strategically.

There was hard rain and lighting 2 hours before. We were lucky to have gotten to start the swim. It rained a couple of minutes during the swim. We were lucky the swim wasn't cancelled due to lighting during the swim.

Toe the line.

T1 time, by my watch, included jog uphill from the lake. Left my florescent green rain jacket on the rack, so finding my bike was easy. In T1, I moved quickly.

Nothing. Nailed it.

Rain before and during made for wet roads and a few people spilled. If you're eating the rooster tail off the bike in front of you, you're probably violating a drafting rule.

I rode to heart rate. Well, I was above my usual LT for the first 4 miles, and finally shifted up and slowed down to let my HR settle. I gradually pushed it back up and I felt strong. Actually, this fit the course well. Go out hard, then settle in, pace through the hilly section, then crank it up for the home stretch.

Sipped gatorade throughout bike. Ate a gel with 2 miles to go on the bike, this worked well.


I should probably retest my heart rate LT.

Second race in new shoes. First time in these shoes with elastic laces and completely wet, everything wet, conditions. Took 10 seconds extra to get my shoes on. Otherwise speed through T2 was quick.

Experiment with different laces, or wet feet and socks/no socks. Today was no socks.

A strong chick passed me on the last mile of the bike. I followed her in to T2, and she was right in front of me starting the run. I tried to settle in to a similar pace. I was targeting 7:40's. We hit mile 1 at 7:15! I had to let her go.

More rain during the run. More rain, more fun. Wild conditions today.

I haven't run much this year. I was amazed how I slowed, compared to those just ahead of me, on the uphills. I stretched out and tried to gain it back on the downhills.

Train on hill running.

Found my way to the bananas, bagels, water, then to my car where I had a high protein recovery drink, then a recovery beer : ), and some dry clothes.


Muscular endurance. I was breathing well, breathing hard. My HR was at or above LT on the bike, so I feel like I was giving 100%. Mile 2 and 3 of the run my breathing, heart rate, and gut felt good, but my legs were hurting. I had a little mental let down in mile 2, watching people leave me going up hills.


Tri The Parks series puts on a good race. Post race: cookies, bananas, bagels, oranges.

What drink stations?! There were plenty, but with all the rain, I was just drinking what was running down my face.