Tri the Parks - Blalock Lakes - TriathlonSprint

Started out to the right, about 30 across and 3 deep at the start so not too congested. No mass start mayhem (whew!). Took off and first 30 meters felt good, guy on my right was a little faster then all of a sudden, bubbles in front of me as he was cutting in towards bouy, sweet! so I latched on thinking drafting will be nice. Then as fast as the bubbles came, they disappeared. Apparantly he was not a little faster, but a lot. Rest of the swim, good. Then with about 100 to do, feel a tap on the foot, no biggy, 4 strokes later, another tap. So I thought do I kick hard to get him to back off? Since it wasn't bothering me and I didn't notice anyway, just kept swimming and ignored it. About 40 meters later, another tap. So at least I was able to drag someone around the course slowly!

Figure out how to draft but overall, felt fine.

Loving it. About 20 yards from swim exit so helps with T-times. Suit off, socks on, shoes on (I know), glasses, helmet, sprint. Didn't feel too clunky, no complaints. Still not worried about the shoes clipped in trick, I lose at most 12 seconds with the socks/shoes which is worth the peace of mind to not crash + future comfort.

Played leapfrog with 2 other guys from about mile 4-10, I'd pass on the uphills, they would fly by on the downhills with their deep aero fronts and real discs. My disc cover on aluminum easton 90's aren't as aero or those dudes are heavier than me (actually just plain faster). But come-on, my aluminum bike weighs 5 lbs more and wheels are heavier yet passing on the uphills? Must be because my gross weight (me + bike) = lighter?
Good/hard effort though and with 1 mile to go, I backed off and spun to get the HR back to normal and the legs rested for the ensuing run.

My favorite, dismount with shoes on, sprint through T-2, swap shoes and gone. Thanks Yankz! Two guys in front of me did their flying dismounts already out of their shoes and I beat them out of T-2?? So feeling good about my efficiency. One of them caught me at the run turnaround (so 10 min later) Overall was #6 in T-2!
Weird being in the first wave and coming into T-2 seeing all those empty racks with just a handful of bikes.

Not a thing. I think backing off the last minute on the bike sure sets up the T-2 and run well.

Didn't have the brick feeling of the legs so either getting used to the pain, or it is going away. Plugged along, up the first hill right out of Transition (glad I jogged the first part of the course) and felt winded so backed off. On the flats/downs, let the legs go, on the uphills, picked up cadence, shortened stride and plugged along.
Out and back so started to see the leaders come flying by, they were hauling, then had about what felt like 3 minutes of no-one til I hit the turnaround, at which point, there are a bunch of guys right on my tail. Uh-oh. 3 ended up getting me but none were my AG, damn youngsters (34/32) and then a 40 from the wave behind - ouch cause next year, I'll be in his AG.
Hit the line and ended up negative splitting the run, #Woohoo, that's a first. Only knew that after I downloaded Garmin since I didn't look at the watch during the race.

Nothing really, just walked around, ate, cheered on fellow racers, chatted with a few folks, etc.


First time at this location so you figured there would be hickups but the Park Series is super organized with plenty of volunteers. No hickups that I noticed, they do a great job.
Perfect place for specatators to watch the swim, transition, finish all from an elevated spot.