Panther Prowl - TriathlonMini Sprint

My swim still isn't where I wish it was, but it's developing nicely... I probably should have just sprint this distance, but I didn't... live and learn.

Sprint through one this short.

Goggles off, Helmet, shoes on, grab the bike and out of T1. Went smooth the whole way.

I've been working on leaving my shoes clipped in the pedals... and I'm (currently) faster this way... so I'm not sure what to do. Run faster to my spot.

Sadly, this is where things came apart for me. I come to the red light at the bottom of the end of the technical part... there is a cop directing traffic... there is another guy riding in front of me. There are signs pointing straight, and signs pointing right...

..I think right is the correct way.

..The guy in front of me goes straight.

..The cop doesn't yell at him.

...I go straight. About 20 seconds down the road I realize this is not the right way. I yell at the other guy we are turned around. We both U-turn and head back onto the course (the right way)I am now mid pack... Time to turn up the pace. I put my head down and power my way back into 5th overall, pushing right to my limit about mile 7, however, the rest of the way is downhill basically, and I recover a bit through the technical return.

NOT second guess myself. I guess it's a bad habit you pick up riding with a group often...you follow the guy in front of you... oh well. It ended up costing me about a minute, but hey, I still had a pretty decent average mph ;)

As I'm coming off the bike the guy at the dismount line comments on what a strong ride I must have had. Thanks guy, you made me feel better about being an idiot earlier.

Running shoes on, I grab my visor, glasses, race belt and water bottle and head out...the wrong way! Crap! I turn around and head AROUND the bike racks, over beside the pool, into the pool's gate... which is, again, THE WRONG WAY! WTF. Seriously, if you are going to make Transition confusing, put somebody in Transition to tell people where to go. Finally, I get out on the right course!

Sigh... I guess it's my own fault. PAY MORE ATTENTION to where I have to go to get out of T2.

Ran pretty hard (for me) but when I saw that I was too far behind to catch the top 3 overall, I slowed down a bit (I had a 2 hour run scheduled later in the day... yes I got it in too) and pushed just hard enough to make sure I didn't lose any ground. Sprinted the last little bit as I was passed by one of the relay guys.

Nothing I can think of, it was a pretty solid run for me without going into the red.

Used the pool's shower (the pool was too hot) to cool down, grabbed some snacks and talked with the family. Cheered the others I had talked to that day, and took my bike back to the Truck. Hung out, had fun.

Waited around, got my Backpack for coming in first (AG) and headed out.


Time in the Saddle
Time Pounding the Pavement
Time in the Water

... and Intelligence ;)


For a Race Day Event... this one was a bit "thrown together" feeling. Usually everything from RDE is A+... this one needed a couple more volunteers and maybe some better planning on the Transition area. However, it is a first year event... I'm sure it will be better next year.