18th Annual Optimist Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Had a pretty good swim out and felt like I sighted very well and stayed fairly straight. On the way back in, it was very difficult to see much of anything because we were headed back directly into the sun. I actually found it to be an advantage though and didn't come up to "sight" very much, and just swam straight for the sun. Somehow I managed to swim under the line once on the way back, but corrected and kept on moving. The weeds were quite a bit worse than last year, but it didn't really bother me. This is the first swim that I have honestly felt comfortable during 100% of the swim and I'm surprised I didn't go out way too fast to begin with since I had no swim warmup. My goal time was 8:40-9:20, so I met it, but I still feel like I have a little more potential here.

Get a warmup in, and maybe push a little harder (stretch out a little more on the reach).

Had a GREAT T1. Probably only "wasted" 5 seconds by pausing and taking one deep breath before slipping socks on so I wouldn't fall down.

Can't really think of anything I'd change.

Had a great bike. The mount was about as good as I could ask for and I got up to speed quickly. I rode on top of my shoes all the way until I got to the main road. Pushed hard with the light tailwind on the way out and really felt it coming back. I don't know what my average was on the way out, but I'm sure I slowed a little on the way back. Felt pretty good though and only eased up for a short duration on the way back.

I'm sure I could have pushed a LITTLE harder, but didn't want my legs to be completely dead for the run.

Again, an Excellent T2. One of the fastest of the day. Dismount and running went very well as did racking and slipping shoes on.

Can't think of anything to change.

A very tough run. I knew that the pain in the first mile would subside, so I was pushing hard in an effort to run under 6:45 pace. Took water at mile one, bypassed it the way back around, and then got another drink coming back out of the woods. Slacked off a little too much around mile 2, but regained focus and started reeling people in again for the last 1.5 miles and finished with a very strong last mile.

I think I could have pushed a little harder throughout the run, but I always fear pulling/straining something, or cramping.

ate a few orange pieces, banana, drank some water, and then grabbed my Gatorade and socialized with family and friends while taking pictures of people coming in.


My digestive system was kinda screwed up from eating non-typical foods at the work conference on Wed/Thurs, which didn't leave me feeling the greatest and I think my body was retaining water from excessive sodium intake. Also, my legs really didn't feel the freshest like they have before the last couple races. I didn't maintain my consistent workout and eating schedule for this race and I think I could have done better.


Overall a great race. Wasn't happy with bike and run pace when initial results were posted, but now that I figured out they calculated the bike pace incorrectly and it appears the run is longer, I am much happier with my results. I'm still in shock that I pulled out a 20th overall and only 6th in my age group. I had a tough age group, but as they say, "to be the best, you have to beat the best".