Eagle In The Sun Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Passed a few people, was passed by a few people. No problems swimming with dozens of others doing the same thing. The time is a PR.

Holy cow, nothing had prepared me for this. When I got to my spot and sat down to put on shoes, I went Whoosh and just paused for 5-10 seconds - everything seemed to be in slo-mo. Regretfully they didn't time the transitions, so I don't know how long I took, so I don't know how much better I will be next time - but I can't be worse.

FWIW, the transition times were added to the bike times.

Have my shoes already tied and use a shoehorn to put them on. See the bike comments about the hazards of a poorly tied shoe.

Ignore the wooblies, I know T1 isn't where most people think of using the HTFU mantra, but I should have been screaming it to myself during T1.

My bike's engine had a bit of trouble getting to full power. The first 1/3 of the bike portion I just couldn't keep it in the highest gear, I had to stay in the six gear.

Somewhere in the second mile my shoelace (right shoe) got caught in the chain. I was lucky, I realized exactly what had happened at a glance and saw a nice spot to park just 100 feet or so down the road. I backpedaled the half rotation to have the lace easily accessible once I got off. I was real proud of myself for thinking the whole thing through and having a plan within 5 seconds of realizing the problem.

Then right when I got to the tipping point, almost stopped but barely moving, I put my right foot out like I always do when I come to a complete stop. Since my right shoe's lace was still attached to the bike, you can imagine the results. And I was right in front of a motorcycle sheriff who came zooming over to see if I was injured.

With the exception of the shoelace issue, more training is my first order of business.

I had a good parking space and I ride in my running shoes, so all it took was rack the bike and helmet on the ground and I was ready to run.

I was running OK until I got to the first water station (about 200 feet in). The asked "Water or Gatorade" and I shook them off. I changed my mind just as I got there and slowed half a step to grab water and something happened and I just couldn't run. Mental block?

Although I'm sure I couldn't have run the whole thing, I did walk/run the rest of the way, but I really think I could have run at least the first half mile.

HTFU. I'm unhappy with myself, I could have run more and walked less.

Hug my family, do high fives with everybody I know, wander around in a daze.


Self inflicted mental wounds.


This was the inaugural and even though it was my first tri, I could tell it was an extremely well organized and well run event.