Topeka Tinman Triathlon - Short Course - TriathlonShort Course

Swimming is my worst discipline, and it showed. Started with a slow pace on purpose to try to get rhythm. About 75m out, got a foot to the face and took on some water. Never really got my breath back, without flipping to back. Alternated between a decent freestyle and back to recover.

Swim a LOT, practice in open water, tough it out better. I had a lot more left in the tank than I thought I would going into T1

Slow out of the water to catch my breath, but I was able to jog up hill to transition area.
Just put on socks/shoes, jersey, helmet, glasses and moved to bike mount area. I had gel and water already in jersey back pockets.

Be in a bigger hurry with everything.

Didn't realize top 7 of 21 gears were not engaging for first 1/3 of race. finally got them working, and everything went smoothly. Drank 1/2 bottle of water before accidentally dropping it (luckily nobody was behind me). Still had bottle on bike with G2/water mix and drank most of that throughout ride. Took 1 gel (Powerbar Strawberry Banna, and it actually tasted pretty good) with about 3 miles left on ride, and powered through end of ride.

Get true road bike (used a hybrid) and speed up cadence throughout, and train more.

Rode bike in running shoes. Easily racked bike, took off helmet and put on visor. Finished G2/water mix in bike bottle, and took off.

Nothing. I thought it was a good transition.

Kept a decent pace while running, but took too many breaks to walk. I was just getting too hot at times. 2nd half of run, I felt much better and could have pushed myself a lot harder.

Train more.
Only one water/aid station at turn around, would like to have had one a little more often, considering the temperature outside.

Light stretching.
Water, protein shake, food and a beer.


Lack of training. Struggling at swim took a LOT out of me for the other 2 events.


This was my 1st triathlon, but it was fun and makes me want to do another one. This gives me a good base line to see what I need to work on (everything), and the confidence that I can definitely do it.