Venice Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I just started swimming in early June and have been struggling mightily until just a few weeks ago when "something clicked" and I started swimming much better. Still, this was my first ocean swim and I had only one previous open water training (on a lake). Swimming in the crowd and sighting were easier than expected. Course was definitely longer than 400M.

Go harder! Since it was my first race, my overall strategy was to restrain myself from going too hard, for fear of burning out early. I was especially conservative on the swim, since I have struggled so much with swim training. I could have gone harder earlier in the swim and still been OK.

I did not practice T1 enough. As a result, I didn't have the comfort of experience/practice to make me confident I had done everything as I was ready to leave. I ended up freezing for a few seconds, just standing still while doing an internal inventory before I headed out of transition. I could have run faster from the beach to my bike, but I was a bit unsure of where I was supposed to be going. I was pleased with the order/set up of my gear. Not bad for my first effort

Get tri specific bike shoes instead of the 3 strap type I wear now - this would have saved several seconds. Also, practice more so that I feel comfortable/confident that I have done everything. Between shoes, freezing and running too slow from the beach, I probably lost 10-15 seconds at T1.

I trained much less for the bike than the other legs (due to need to imporve my terrible swimming and need to run a fair amount for half marathon coming up the weekend after the tri). But, the bike was still my strongest leg, by far. Many places I was riding too comfortably and wanted to increase my pace, but could not because of the road congestion (see course comments). I also could have gone harder on the bike, but was too conservative, in keeping with my overall strategy. I also realized I need to get an areo water bottle. I did not drink nearly enough (and my fuel plan had me getting calories through Hammer Perpetuem in my water bottle) because I did not want to get up out of the aeros to pull and use my water bottles. I paid for my inadequate fueling/hydration during the run. I was second in my age group and my effort level in the bike portion was hardly a 3 of 5. I could have made up significant time here, but just blew it.

Go Harder! Drink more. Improve start by getting tri specific bike shoes.

ROOKIE MISTAKE!!! My T2 time was OK, but should have been less. For whatever reason, I neglected to untie the laces on my running shoes after I wore them last, which I never do - I always unlace and pull my shoes off, but for some reason I didn't after my last run before the race. I didn't notice or think about it when setting up my transition. Off with the bike shoes and went to pull on the running shoes, only to find the laces tied. AHHHH! Also, I lost some time coming into T2 due to congestion at the entry point. Between those two items, I figure I lost at least 5 second, maybe closer to 10. I used my spy belt as a race belt. My number was pinned on and my gel pack was tucked in the pocket. I saved time with that idea.

Obviously, untie my shoes during set up! Need to buy tri specific bike shoes and learn to dismount bike with shoes clipped in and then jump off bike.

My fueling plan had me getting calories and water on the bike. I got neither and paid for it on the run. My pace was pretty good, but I could feel the need for fuel. Plus, I didn't anticipate the overall impact of the humidity (even though I had trained in it/for it), and I was not properly hydrated. I used one gel pack about mile 1, but by that point it was too late to make up for the burn my body had already created. With proper fuel/hydration, I could have run faster. I had no chance to catch the 3 guys ahead of me and wasn't pushed from behind, which was probably fortunate.

Fuel/hydrate better on the bike. Start the run a little slower.

A quick swim in the ocean.


Lack of knowledge causing me to be too conservative in swim and bike. Lack of proper fueling/hydration. Course conditions/constrictions.


Everything about the race was quality, except the bike course, which borders on being a disaster. I simply cannot rate the entire event higher with that bike course. Also, I'm sure the swim was longer than advertised. Finally, the finish line needs to be visible to the runners as they approach. Here, we could not see the finish until less than 50 years before getting there.