Tri the Parks - John Tanner State Park - TriathlonSprint

OK. This was my first open water swim in a race situation. It was a lot crazier than I expected. Kept running into people and getting run into. Was trying to sight using breast stroke. I would find open water and start to swim and then someone would suddenly be there. Pretty much gave up on freestyle and ended up doing breast and elementary backstroke.

Swim more freestyle. Swim breast stroke as needed for sighting and if needed swim sidestroke instead of elementary backstroke as a rest stroke to allow sighting. Need to do some open water swims to get used to being in the lake. Although nothing can simulate the mess of people in the water.

Did not know I needed number on helmet. Found that out just before swim. So added number to helmet before taking off. Walked most of the way from the water to the transition area. Dried feet off, put on socks, grabbed shoes and bike and jogged to mount line. Put shoes on off to the side and off I went. Did not fall!!!

Make sure I knew exactly what needed to be put on everything. Jog from swim to transition.

Heart rate was a little high out of the swim but felt good. Rode pretty easy coming up the hill out of the park and continued for about 1.5 miles. Then I just started. I felt good all the way through and passed a lot of people. The best was at about mile 11 when I passed a 17 year old.

Ride harder/faster. I think with more training that my legs will gain more strength and endurance to go faster longer.

Unclipped before dismount and pulled shoes off at the line. Did not fall!!! Ran with bike to transition area. Helmet off, shoes on, pinned number on tri shirt and took off.

Have a race belt to pin number on.

Okay I was tired. Just started jogging at a pace that I felt comfortable at. Made it until the steep hills in the back. Ran as much as I could of those then walked as needed. Ran down the hills. Started running steady again at the turnaround. Passed my son coming the other way at about 2.2 miles. He asked my time and I told him. He was really trying to beat me and I could tell by his reaction that we were close. A guy was next to me and I told him that was my 18 year old son. He said cool that we were doing it together. I told him he really wants to beat me and that I was afraid he was really close and would catch me because he is a much better runner than me. He said well he has those hills coming up. I said yes but we also have this hill coming up and I will probably have to walk it. We went on for a few seconds and he said, wouldn't those be some bragging rights. Okay, that was what I needed. I did not walk up any those hills. I kept running. As a matter of fact I was finally felling good enough to actually stretch out and run a little faster. I made it up the hills and down to the dam. Several folks that had already finished were offering some very encouraging words. As I crossed the dam I could see the finish. I was going to make it. I began to run harder and started to actually sprint up the little hill to the finish. I had done it. I finished my first triathlon. 7 months ago I was out of breath just trying to walk 0.8 miles. Oh, and waited on my son to finish. Cheered him on across the finish line. We checked our watches and I had beat him by 3:30.

Nothing. Just train more and lose more weight so that I am not having to carry that 35 lb plate with me.

Walking around some, wait on son to finish. Water, banana, orange.


Look at my group. Masters Clydesdale. Over 40 and over 200, aka fat old men. LOL. Really need open water continuous swim practice. Need to continue to lose weight to make run easier. Bike is good just need more time and distance in the saddle.


Had a great time!!!