AMICA Try Andy's Tri - TriathlonSprint

The swim worked out well for me. Started in the middle, which was fine to begin with, but when I caught up to the prior wave, there was a lot of traffic. I think I got kicked in the head more than I had to. I felt the benefit of drafting.

Notes: Prepare yourself for the feel of the soft mud at the start. It feels GROSS... but warm, so you don't really want to pull your feet out of it. Very conflicting *smile* but mostly I stood in it instead of treading water before the start. The exit is built up with some concrete that is cracked and broken in a few spots. Its a little treacherous, but better than slipping in the soft mud. I heard some experienced racers saying to watch a hole on the left side of the exit. I stayed in the middle and did not confirm the hole (thankfully).

Should start to the far left side for less traffic.

I was disoriented coming out of the water and should have run faster to the transition area. Then I went down the wrong lane looking for my bike! I wasted time trying to wash off my feet and should have just toweled off. I couldn't resist the bottle of Gatorade and took a swig when I should have just waited until I was on the bike. What other excuses can I come up with? I don't know! I just wish I had transitioned faster!!!

Meditate on my transition spot so I don't waste time finding my bike. I need to get below two minutes for sure... 1:30 is possible.

I had a little trouble getting clipped in to begin with. Just to get my adrenaline going full speed a driver of an SUV jumped the policeman's signal and pulled out in front of me at the first turn! My brakes worked.. (I love my bike) and I avoided being roadkill. I had no further traffic incidents with cars, although I heard there was a car versus triathlete accident during the race - very scary stuff!

Spin class jump training seemed to come in handy with the various small hills we encountered and I attacked each one to keep my speed up. To begin with I passed a lot of riders and pretty much held my own through the second half, passing or being passed by just a couple of riders. This was a VERY fast ride for me. I'm pleased.

I wouldn't do much very differently. I need to practice popping a gel pack while going full speed. The extra boost seemed to help, but I probably slowed down a hair while fumbling in my tri-suit pocket.

Two guys in front of me blocked the way across the line and into the transition area. Nooooo! It probably cost me no more than a couple of seconds but it felt like forever. Then, I went down the wrong row again and couldn't find my rack spot. Aaaaarrrrrgh! Not again!

Place a lantern or flare over my rack position. Is that legal?

The start was okay, but my shins cramped up at about the 1/4 mile mark. I knew I had to just keep a steady pace and relax to work it out, so I worked it out gradually (glad I did the brick training).

At the mile mark I was passed by a 40 year old lady (age group winner) which didn't bother me much. I saw her at the first Tri I did and she's superhuman. Then I was passed by a 56 year old guy singing the US Marine Corps Hymn. Okay, he's a Marine, but maybe I should pick up the pace. At the 2 mile mark a 62 year old I must have passed on the bike segment passed me (age group winner), but seriously 62! I have got to build up some speed! Lots of others passed me and I passed a few.

It felt awesome when they announced my name as I crossed the finish line!

Hydration - It was a cool day and I skipped one of the water stations. I probably should have skipped another because I wasn't feeling dehydrated at the end of the race.

I'm not a runner, but my PB in a 5K is 8:05/mile, so to finish a Tri at an 8:42/mile pace makes me feel pretty good. I probably need to drop some more weight and compete under 190 lbs to be more competitive.

I kissed my wife, walked a little and watched the other competitors come in. I was really inspired by the blind athlete I saw finishing with a guide! There were several young competitors that were fun to watch. I'm talking 10 years old and younger! Post race food was good, with peanut butter and jelly bagels, Double Dave's pizza, a banana, etc.

I didn't forget to thank God for giving me the ability to do this. I spent a lot of time training for this event in the early mornings, just myself and God spending some time together. I'm in better shape now, mentally, physically and spiritually. I learned that Phillipians 4:13 is profound not so much because God gives us strength to try harder, but rather if we rely on His strength all things are possible.


I need to spend more time preparing mentally for the transitions and maybe use a trick or two to make them better, like a day glo ribbon on my transition spot! Overall, I feel like I performed up to the level of my training to date. This is a journey and I'm still growing. I signed up in May, never having competed in a full Tri before. Where I am now compared to where I was then is impressive if I say so myself.


These guys really know how to put on a race! I met some great people, including several from my home state that were sporting their Alabama colors. The volunteers were fantastic! Thank you so much if you happen to read this and you were a volunteer. I want to follow in your footsteps in the future. I loved watching my two co-workers, Kenan and Andrea, cross the finish line for their first triathlon! This race was definitely a highlight of my whole year!