8th Annual Pocomoke Triathlon-2010 - TriathlonSprint

I just started swimming in January, so I'm brand new to this sport. I had swum the distance+ 3 times in the pool, but knew it would still be difficult. While my comfort with swimming has improved significantly over the last 6 months, I am still prone to anxiousness even in the pool.
The entire swim I was just wanting it to be over - I bordered on panic the entire time. I couldn't get into a rhythm because every time I would start to freestyle, I would run into someone and then would stop, doggie paddle a few feet and then try to start again. By the time I made it to the second buoy (about half-way) I had decided that I could do this and I would count strokes then doggie paddle, repeating the pattern until I finished. This worked pretty well, and I actually thought I might be able to freestyle longer, but I still kept running into the two people who were near me. I couldn't figure out how to get around them for some reason. I was very glad to be done and walked out of the water and up to the transition area in a bit of a daze.

I really just need more time in the water to build my confidence - the open water murkiness didn't faze me, it was just the actual act of swimming. I also need to figure out how to get around people - I'm not sure why I was so befuddled by that! I'm actually happy with my swim time, though - it was about 2 minutes faster than I expected, based on my pool swims.

I felt like I was getting everything done fairly easily - I pulled on my shirt and my running skirt without really even drying off. I brought my bike shorts with me as an option, but decided to go with the skirt because I knew it would be faster to put on. I also opted not to put on socks with my bike shoes to save time. This turned out fine - no blisters or chafing. The day before the race I decided to get a hydration pack because the forecast was so daunting. This went on easily. I also took time to take a quick swig of my sports drink and open a Jolly Rancher and pop it in my mouth.

I lost time in the walk up to my bike and the walk out of the transition area - need to work on running through that. Otherwise, I didn't feel slow with anything, though, based on my time, I obviously have room for improvement.

I rode my big old mountain bike, with lugged tires. I did change from platform to clipless pedals a little over two weeks ago, but I'm not sure that helped my speed any.

I was the last person out of the transition area, and by the time I got on my bike and got started there was no one in sight. Even on long stretches of straight road, no one in sight. There were times when I wasn't sure I was going the right way, but I would eventually happen upon an intersection where volunteers directed me. I varied from feeling discouraged and like I wanted to quit to thinking this was just one of my lonely training rides and I should enjoy the scenery. I really needed to be wearing my Garmin to track my pace - I had decided in transition not to take the time to put it on. I didn't realize how much I had come to depend on that to guage my performance. My actual pace ended up being over 1 mph slower than my average training pace. The other bad decision I made in the transition area was to put on my compression knee brace. I had twisted my knee two days prior to the race, and while I almost always wear a patellar strap during runs, I never wear any type of brace on the bike. I think the compression contributed to some cramping both on the bike and the run.

Finally, around mile 7 I saw someone in the distance. I was able to slowly draw closer to her, and eventually I saw someone else ahead of her. I was never able to rope them in completely, though.


A new bike, or at least new tires. Learn to spin. Definitely more training time on the bike.

Leaned my bike against the rack, as the guy next to me threw his bike helmet and Gatorade bottle in my space. Luckily, I was on the end. No problems changing shoes - I put on socks to run, though. I grabbed my sport beans, another Jolly Rancher candy, and took a drink of my sports drink, then took off. I knew where the run exit was, but then I wasn't sure where to go - many people were already done racing and walking across the path. I wasted several seconds trying to figure out where to go.

Determine beforehand where I should go once I get through the run exit, take a drink on the run with me. Not sure what, if anything, to do about the guy's stuff being in my space. Need to check etiquette/protocol on that.

This is my sport, but you would never know it. I did not expect the impact of swimming and biking before the run to be so significant. I was tired.
I started off across the grassy field at a slow pace and got out to the road okay. There were people coming back, and I could see a few people in front of me. About 3 minutes into the run, my left quad started cramping bad - this has never happened to me before. I tried to keep up my slow jog, but ended up having to walk. I folded the brace down off my quad in the hopes that increasing blood flow would help. I'm not sure if it was that or the sport beans, but after walking for a bit the cramp eased and I was able to resume running.
I out-paced myself very quickly though - I know I was dehydrated, trying to run my typical pace, and already exhausted - my heart rate soared and I couldn't bring it down even at a slow jog. I felt like I was running sprint intervals, even though I was maybe jogging 4.5 mph. I decided to run it the way I felt - I walked from one telephone pole to the next, then sprinted (a relative term by this time) to the next. A volunteer rode by and handed me a bottle of water - life saver! I continued my fartleks to the turn-around/water stop, grabbed another water, then walked an extra pole. Then continued the fartlek intervals, with increasingly slower pace. I walked extra as I approached the turn to the grassy field, then ran the rest of the way. That last 300 yds was the strongest I had felt the entire race!

I was happy with my in-the-moment strategy,though I had anticipated being able to run the entire course at typical race pace. As with the swimming and biking, I definitely need more training to put it all together.

Drank the bottle of water I was handed at the finish, walked over toward the food. Flies were all over the fruit, and I wasn't sure how long the sandwiches had been sitting out in the heat. There were cookies, but I really wasn't hungry for that. I walked over to the transition area and began packing up my stuff, then headed to the truck.
I had intended to shower before heading home, but I was just too tired to do even that. I just wanted to sit for a while.


Experience mostly - I had read that all I needed to do to complete the triathlon was to be able to complete each distance separately. While I fought self-doubt through the entire training process, in the end I was able to do it. I now know what I need to concentrate on in training for the next one.
I also need a new bike (or at least new tires)!


I can only compare this race to road (running) races. It was well-organized with very supportive and friendly volunteers. While I was concerned about where I was on the bike portion, there wasn't a way for me to get lost. Plus, I've never been all alone on a course before!
Regarding the drink stations, it would be nice if there were more, but there really isn't any place else to put them. You definitely need to have your own hydration.