Madison Community Center Triathlon - TriathlonMini Sprint

my transition time was way too slow. i placed 119

not only did we have to run the bike out of the transition area, but also had to run it down the sidewalk 50 or 60 yards to the street before we could mount.

0. wear a tri suit with top
1. get there early to get bike on the front row middle
2. continue to wear contacts
3. only helmet, no headband (maybe put something in the helmet to absorb sweat.
4. have fuel bag or pouch and have energy bar open and in bag ready to go
5. wear sandal cleats
6. get/wear number belt
7. eat and drink on the road
8. get a hydration bottle for aerobars
DON'T
1. wear tshirt with number
2. wear bike gloves
3. wear headband
4. eat or drink while in transition area

my strongest event, i placed 114 instead of at the end. although not my best bike ride. it was my first ride with the aerobars in a good position. i couldn't hold the aero position very long. i rotated between aero, right aero lft top of dropbar, both top of dropbar. i felt like the seat is a little low, needs to be raised 1-2 inches. didn't have any chance to really ride it once i got the stem extender and adjustable stem in order to raise the handlebars and aeros 5-6 inches. they seem to be at a good height, now i need to find the right place for the seat and then learn to stay in the aero position throughout the ride. i passed a couple of people on the way out and then was passed by a number of riders as the fastest swimmers followed our group of athenas and clydsdales.

i started an energy bar in t1 and had it in my mouth starting the bike. bad idea cause it had peanutbutter in it and made my mouth dry and sticky. i spit about a third of it out once i was on the bike, but couldn't get to my water since it was in the left side cage.

ride in aero position, adjust seat, eat once on the bike, have aerobars hydration system to facilitate drinking

for some reason i was really slow in t2. i had to remove my glove and shoes. i got a drink of gatorade. once i was ready i started to exit the transition area the wrong way and lost a few seconds

1. fuel up on the bike before getting off (both water, gatorade, energybar)
2. no gloves
3. grab headband and put on while running
4. know which way to exit the transition area for the run
5. be focused
6. grab a water and don't worry about putting it in the garbage.

had a hard time finding my legs. i think that may have even played a role in my slow t2. i was surprised to find the run on a soft and freshly laid roadbase that had only had a few days wear on it. i kept encouraging all of the other runners, both those ahead of me and the couple that i passed. i was determined not to walk despite wanting to. i think my regular howlering of encouragement to others kept my mind off of the run. i was surprised by how long it took me tho. a combination of being worn out from the first two events and having the soft road.

get in better shape

still getting into shape. i raced today after 1 month and 1 week of working out after not moving for the whole winter and gaining back the 17 lbs that i lost getting ready for the South Sioux City tri last october. i only swam twice this year and only ran twice in the past 3 weeks


the race had a nice feel to it. the football team in their jerseys as volunteers were easy to identify. i would have liked to be informed about the dirt/gravel road. i liked the athena/clydsdale groups. i made all of my mat crossings so my times were accurate for each of the 5 areas unlike my first tri.