1st Annual Havre de Grace Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

This was my 1st open water swim. Definately much different than lap swimming in a pool which I can comfortable swim 1.5+ miles with no problems. Kind of think I did panic a bit and had thoughts of turning around (the markers look so much further than expected), but did keep it going. Had to switch to breast stroke a few times which was quite embarising for me. I really think I just need a few more OWS in me to get comfortable with it.

On the plus side, looking at my Garmin GPS map, my tracing was pretty decent so I didn't get off course at all - swam in a good straight line for the most part.

More practice

T1 was good for me (still only my 2nd attempt at this). I had the top of my suit off shortly after exiting the water. Swim cap off and Garmin on (kept my Garmin under my swim cap) during the run to my bike. Stayed calm with no problems.

just more practice

The bike portion of the course KILLED my race. The course was extremely poorly marked. I've been racing bikes for over 20 years so I know how to read course signs and handle racing situations. My 1st issue was in the middle of the bike course I needed to turn around at one of the road circles since there was no direction markings which directed what exit of the circle to take (we were to assume to go thru straight). I had to guess. My 2nd issue was following the course signs took me and several others off course (doubling back on the course) and back up a major hill (this added 2:40 to my time). My 3rd and major issue was coming into the last mile of the course. We were to turn left back to the transisition area. There were no signs so I yelled out to the police officer directing traffic which way and he did not say....I went thru straight and he let me go so I figured I was on course. This took me 2.04 miles off course and and extra 5:30 of time (so now I'm at an extra 8:10 on the bike leg due to poor course markings)....so my 22nd position of 39:59 drops to 31:49 or 2nd overall on the bike which is more probably for me.....3rd on the bike was 34:02 which I was right at just eliminating the extra milage at the end of the course.

Not sure. Looks like many of the folks got the course right....as well as I know there were some that did not.....I did send a note to the course director with suggestions for improvements for nest year.

I was more upset at T2 due to the bike misshap than anything. Actually was going to call it a day since I know I'm a slow runner and figured my race was over anyway. Funny thing was I was talking to the guy next to me during T2 and told him of my bike mishap. He says to me "No big deal, its ONLY a race". My competative personality and I think to myself...dude are you crazy. It's only a RACE!

I felt much better off the bike for my 2nd Tri atttempt, but once again thought I was going pretty slow. No strong efforts as I just wanted to pace myself and see how I felt. Got "Chicked" by the winning female which put a damper on my Ego :) Run time/pace was actually faster than I thought it would be.

Nothing for this race, but my next race I may start to try and ramp up my running a bit and see if I can start entering my "Pain Cave" a bit deeper.

Had to leave right after my race to coach two soccer games for my daughters travel team.


Inexperience with OWS
Hugh mistakes on the bike course


This was the 1st year for this race and 1st for the director so it was a learning experience for them. No hard feelings about my race, just hope the improve the race for next year.