Midwest Mayhem Triathlon - Sprint Distance - TriathlonSprint

The sprint distance was originally supposed to start at 8:30 but they moved it up to 7:45. No big deal I guess but I would have eaten my PB&J sandwich sooner than 6:30 had I known. I'm pretty sure our wave was the largest of the day (looked like 60+ people). I made sure to get near the front to avoid traffic. Rubbed elbows a few times but overall an eventless swim except for the last rounding bouy. It wasn't really a bouy but a white post (I think it goes all the way to the botton of the lake). Anyhow I thought I was clear of it and was swimming at a good pace with my head down, then bonk! I swam right into it. I've got a nice red spot on my nose where the skin came off. I'm wondering if any spectators saw that, it must have had some entertainment value at least. Anyhow I regathered myself and finished O.K. Still fastest swim split in my AG.

2009 Time: 12:10
2010 Time: 9:28

Big improvement over last years T1. Mainly because I went sockless this time.

2009 Time: 2:36
2010 Time: 1:15

Ummm, do it faster...

Last year I got a flat tire on this course so this leg was of the most concern. Clipped in and got under way fairly smoothly. I forgot how hilly this course was but that didn't stop me from getting off the saddle early on. Then there was the long gradual climb a few miles from the turnaround. I had gone months without using my small chain ring but this climb just played with my mind so I did it. Small ring in the front and just kept spinning. Then of course I went to the middle ring for a while then tried the small ring again. Oops, went too far that time and the chain fell off the small ring. Had to dismount and put the chain back on. I was going uphill of course. That cost me 30-40 seconds, maybe up to a minute. Thankfully that was the only major issue on the bike. I got passed by 7 or 8 guys with TT bikes, then passed one of them on another climb, he passed me back on a flat section/slightly downhill where he could take advantage of that nice aero position. I did pass him back on the run along with 3 or 4 of the other guys.

2009 Time: 1:03:13 (Flat Tire)
2010 Time: 37:25

Not go to the small chain ring. It all boils down to bike experience. I'm pretty happy with my performance given I only averaged 30 miles a week for the last 3 months or so.

Ran past my trans area by 30 yards or so, duh. Add another 30 seconds to my time for that one. Getting the bike shoes off wasn't the smoothest. Just need more practice.

2009 Time: 1:23
2010 Time: 2:22

Practice. Make sure I rehearse coming in from the bike into transition so I don't overshoot my landing.

I did this race last year and the run just didn't seem as hard then. Probably because I spent 20 minutes changing a flat tire so maybe I was more rested last year. I really felt the hills this time. At the last water station I had to stop and go back to get some due to a poor exchange between myself and the volunteer. I was so exhausted I actually WALKED for a few seconds. In my first 4 races I didn't walk a step. My head was playing games with me this time. Anyhow I got back on track and finished strong. I was hoping for a much better run split but maybe the extra off the saddle time on the bike took its toll.

2009 Time: 24:23
2010 Time: 25:05

Train more. Maybe more bricks? I need to get my body used to running after a long hard bike ride.

Drank some water, a Pepsi. Stretched the legs a little.


I believe this was the warmest climate I've ever done a triathlon in, so was that the reason for the slower run split? Not sure. About the time my run started the temp was about 82 deg F with humidity in the mid to high 80's.


Overall I think it was a decent event. There was one spot where they could have used a sign for the run, OLY this way, Sprint that way etc. There was a person there telling people verbally but I think a sign would have done the job. The signs used were great, just one more would have made it nicer.