Pantellas Doc and Sok - TriathlonSprint

My time in the swim is only really bad when you compare it to other, proficient swimmers. But compared to my swim time two years ago in this same race (14:17) it was a stunning improvement. I knew I had gotten better at the swim but I really didn't know by how much. Two years ago I was a brand newbie (first triathlon.) I had trained for the swim in a lap pool doing bilateral breathing every 3 strokes. On race day I found I couldn't get enough oxygen that way and I switched to every other stroke on the right side. This year, I worked out a kind of combination; bilateral every third stroke, then every other stroke on the right side twice, then back to bilateral. It worked really well. Not too much congestion in the water, and I got out feeling great and not at all winded.

Since the swim is so weak for me, I tend to take it really easy, just try to survive it, and expect to make up my time on the bike and run. But as I've gotten a bit stronger , I think I can push it a bit more on the swim and go for even faster times in the water.

Had some trouble locating my bike as I hadn't bothered to pay attention to where I racked it. Suit didn't come off as easily as I would have liked.

Rack my bike next to someone who has one of those giant balloons on theirs.

Again, not a spectacular bike but a definite improvement over my 35:34 time two years ago. I enjoy the hills and I pass a lot of people on the uphill. My problem is the downhill. I just don't have it in me to go all out and fly down the slopes. I worry about a wipeout and I end up riding the brakes. For every person I passed going up, it seemed another one passed me going down. Discouraging.

I'm not sure I'll ever feel comfortable going all out on a steep downhill (I do have 4 kids at home who expect me to return from my races in one piece.) I need to get faster on the straightaways though. More time in the saddle is necessary.

This time I really couldn't find my stuff. Was searching around the wrong row, etc. Lost a lot of time this way.

Again, look for a big balloon and park my stuff right next door!

Ah, the run, my first love! I am so relieved whenever I get there. Finally, something I actually know how to do. No more fear of drowning, or wiping out. I'm on my own two feet, for pete's sake. I really enjoyed this run. Significantly improved my time of two years ago by over 3 minutes. Great running weather; overcast and cool. Had a great sprint to the finish.

Although I felt great on the run, I was a little conservative because I had pulled a calf muscle a week earlier and wasn't even sure I'd be able to do the race. Calf felt fine but I was a little tentative, expecting it to give out at any moment. Going forward , if I'm healthy, I think I could push it in the run a bit more.

It started to rain right when I finished. I didn't have a jacket and I was waiting for a friend - got pretty chilly.


I was too discombobulated in transition and I was too conservative on each leg of the triathon: the swim because I wanted to save my strength for the bike and run; the bike because it was a little slick and I was worried about wiping out; the run because I was concerned about straining my calf.


A lot of people won't even consider this race because of the swim, which, as I mentioned, is in a glorified duck pond. But if you live in the area, it is just too darn convenient to pass up. It is a great way to kick off the tri season, the organizers and volunteers are great, and it is really hassle free.