Tri-Forces Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swim was choppy since the tide was coming in towards us and our "buoy" was a kayak. Ran into underwater pylons at the finish since there were no markings as to where to come into the beach, but I came out of the water in 12 minutes according to my watch so I don't think my official time of 16:53 reflects the 3 minute delay in the female wave -- I think it should be 13:53 instead. According to a friend who watched the swim, I was the second female out the water. Woo hoo!

Wasn't worried about rushing. Sat down on ground and made sure I rinsed off my feet and got them dry before putting on socks. The part of the race I wanted to do well in (the swim) was done with - the rest was a long workout.

Bike course was not well marked and at one left hand turn where we had to cross threee lanes of traffic, there was no support at all and the signs were too small. Several riders went the wrong way and looped the opposite direction, so at one point on Route 4, we were on the right hand shoulder with riders coming towards us. Lost my chain on the big hill there. On another hill on Ward road, I bailed out onto a side street to get some momentum to finish the hill and turned too sharp and went down with toe clips still in. Got a nice gash on my left knee and bent up my left handlebar a little. Kept going, but stopped at one point, because it felt like my brake was rubbing against front tire. Fixed that and kept going. No support at last left hand turn where I had to stop at the bottom of a hill at a light and wait for a signal.

I walked up the first hill, and ran down the downhills. Once it flattened out, I did short run/walk intervals. It was too hot and no water on course, so I should have brought water with me. Run signage was off in the neighborhood. Several of us went the wrong way around one loop on the course. No water left at the finish. Wondering if I did the entire distance because 35 minutes would be a good time for me considering how much I walked.

Needed more brick training sessions. It took several minutes of walking to get my running legs under me.

Drank some coconut water (the only water they had left), ate banana. Got knee cleaned up in an ambulance. Went and purchased some junk food at a vendor. Went home to soak in tub, clean up my knee better, and drink a few beers.


Not enough time on the bike.


Luckily, I wasn't too serious about the whole thing and looked at is at a long training session. There were several other athletes who were VERY serious -- beautiful, expensive bikes. Lots of grumbling from the serious racers at the finish which was deserved.

This was the first year for this race, so hopefully they've learned some lessons. I would still probably do it again, since it's only 5 minutes from my house. I find that I much prefer the smaller races.

Results:
http://www.bluepointtiming.com/files/results/TRIFORCESAGEGRP.HTM