Silver Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swim was relatively weed-free, which was nice. Started in the middle front, did a few dolphin dives, and followed someone’s feet to the first bouy. After the turn, I seemed to have a hard time going straight and kept having to correct course almost every time I sighted. About half-way through I was feeling very tired and sluggish, making me think I could have had a much better swim if I’d warmed up a little longer. After the turn at the second bouy, continued my pattern of zig-zagging and had to do a few more maneuvers to get through people in the previous wave. As usual, forgot to hit the lap button on my watch when I got out of the water (didn’t notice until about half way through the bike).

Longer warm up with a few faster strokes. Work a little more on sighting. Hard to complain about my time, but it didn't feel like that good of a swim for me.

Got my wetsuit off without too much trouble and headed out.

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The bike course felt really odd. There was a no-passing/no-racing construction zone about a mile from the start, which was a good thing on the way out because I dropped my water bottle and had time to stop, pick it up, and catch back up to the person in front of me (sorry to the guy behind me for stopping so abruptly). On the way out, it felt like the course was a series of small downhills, which made me dread the way back, which I assumed would be mostly uphill. My legs didn’t feel that great and I’m not sure if it was being a little out of shape from vacation or going into a slight headwind on the way out, but the way back wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. However, my legs never really felt that great the whole ride. Some jerk was passing people around turns and was drafting with 2-3 other riders when he passed me around the 3/4 mark, then he passed me again in the “no passing/no racing” construction zone.

Not take a week and a half vacation before a tri. Had only biked twice in the two weeks before the tri.

Was very exited to have my first transition under 1 minute! Skipping the knee braces definitely helped with time, though my right knee was sore afterward.

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Took about a half mile to get through the bike to run “lead legs” feeling and was able to take advantage of the downhill section of the first hill. I couldn’t really tell my pace and as usual, the first mile marker seemed to take forever to come around. Thought my breakfast might be coming back up at one point, but that seemed to pass. Then, I just tried to keep going as fast as I could. Was vaguely aware of my wife shouting out to me as she approached the first mile marker and I was looping back towards the second mile marker, but my brain was completely focusing on just keeping my body moving to the next landmark in sight. Pushed up the last hill and gained energy as I realized how close the finish line was. Gave an extra burst about 100 yards out and passed a few people, though one guy heard my footsteps and went from cruising speed to an all-out sprint for the last 20 yards to make sure I didn’t pass him. Must have passed the 4th place finisher in that last burst, since I only got 3rd place by 3 seconds. Was very excited to see my run time afterward, as it was my first 5K under 20 minutes (hoping the course wasn't short).

Not have nuts in my breakfast or cream in my coffee next time. My stomach wasn't too thrilled with my breakfast choices on on the run. At the same time, if the run isn't a suffer-fest, I didn't run hard enough.

Took advantage of the free food and massages. I love races that have massage tables at the end.


Taking a week and a half vacation just before the tri with no swimming and limited biking. Also, need to keep working on my biking. I seem to do pretty well on the swim and run, but my bike is lagging (relatively).


A really nice small (400 participants) race that is well-run. Good parking and easy to get to/from the event. Bonus points for having 8 massage tables there at the end of the race. Also, after the Rockford Olympic tri, I really appreciated a weed-free swim.