Oshkosh Triathlon - Sprint Distance - TriathlonSprint

I had a good swim. I started front row far right side. There was a girl next to me who was quite a bit younger and had the shoulders of a speed demon. I paced with her for the first 100m and quickly realized that was not a pace I could hold we approached the back of the prior wave and sighting and navigation came into play "this isn't like pounding flip turns an following the stripe on the bottom of the pool young lady" Wow am I getting old? finished swimming my race. I do think if people are going to backstroke they should either have to wear neon green socks or swim in the outside lane. It is VERY hard not to run them over.

No wet suit for sprint races

Ah yes that little mental note about my bike not fitting under the rack forgot to account for the fact that the rack was empty at the time. Ready 1,2,3 lift the entire rack of bikes to get mine out. And why oh why can't I ever get my helmet buckled I am going to have to dedicate an entire training session to putting on my helmet

I should have racked my bike facing forward

Well it finally happened. I pre-rode the course last week I was sure I could crush the bike. I'm in the saddle, shoes are strapped tight, I'm through the rough patch of rode right at the course start, first sip of water, down in areo position Then the course marshal yells "watch the corner" That was it down I went. When I stopped sliding, my first thought was aw man I don't want to have to walk back to the car, I hate walking in bike shoes. I picked up myself first and assessed the damage. Left side of my body A-OKAY Right Side Ankle to shoulder RODE-RASH. Now the Bike I decided if the bike could go I had to finish. So shifting okay, seat twisted, but could twist back without loosening, front brakes okay, back brakes, not so much. Snapped the lever off. I hopped on pedaled for a few feet and decided if I am not dripping blood, I am going. Rinsed some more of the asphalt off my arm and were good. GO

NOT Slide trough any corners on my back.

Easy to rack the bike when the rack is empty. I took a little long screwing around with my Garmin again. That is now officially my training watch and my bike computer on race day.

forget the watch

I am once again embarrassed by the run. I had a goal pace of 7:00/mi and knew I would need at most 21:00 to place. I have no excuses other than I need to work on my speed training.

run faster

Met my family at the finish line. Finally got to carry the littles across with me. then just walked around a bit got some food. Packed up headed home. My wife and I were talking about how amazing it is about the difference a year can make. Last year this was my first ever TRI and though I did well last year I remember post race feeling like there was almost no way I could walk to the car. I have since completed several Oly's and (2) H.I.M distance races. So to finish a Sprint just felt good oh yeah except for the rode rash


Sliding on the asphalt


I like all the Midwest events. If there was one thing I would like to see improved on it would be the waves sorted by age group, or if that is logistically to hard have body marking add age group. Other than that very nice event.