Milton Try-a-Tri - TriathlonMini Sprint

This was my very firat Triathlon every, so needless to say the OWS postion was going to be a challenge. I planned on starting at the back and to the outside looking for a clean line with little activity/interference/
The start was an OW start, so I was in the water wading/treading , whislt doing so I was chatting with other racers and didnt notice I had started to drift from my planned start position...deaviation # 2 from plan and costly.
By the time I noticed my positioning in the water the horn blew and we were iff tot he races and I was tight in the middle of the pack fighting it out for some open water...got to experience the kicking feet, being punched, slapped, kicked and mauled...have to say I am surprised I kept my cool and did not panic..that was my biggest fear having a panic attack. When things got tight, I did a few breast stokes to compose and then carry on with freestyle..this helped immensley.
I started out fast and by the time I rounded the second buoy, I was gased and struggling to keeep my face down and breathing correctly...pushed on thou and by the time I had about 75m left, I paid for going out to fast...employeed about every stroke I could think off to finish the swim.
Although I was diappointed with not maintianing a fresstyle stroke the whole time, I was pleased that I got out of the water upright and breathing...bonus.

Stick to my initial plan, pay attention at the start of the swim and stay to the back and outside. I think if I had done this I may have had a better chance of finding open water and a rhythum and a better 100m split. I was aiming for a 2:30.

T1 went pretty much as planned.....by the time I got out of the water and on the way to T1, I had mt wetsuit around my waste and focused on next steps.

I wore socks for the ride/run, I think I will try training without to see if I can omit this from transition.

Cycling is my strongest of the three. Rode very well passing a ton of people that dropped me on the swim. Made up a lot of time.
First race on my new TT bike, smooth ride and very comfortable.
For a short 10Km ride, it had its fair share of climns, not difficult by any means but good roilling climbs. Was able to push a bigger gear thrut the rolls which enabled a strong pace.

The only thing I would and should have done was packed some gels on the bike. Although it was a short ride, I could have used a gel before the run.

In short, I underestimated the nutritional requirements for a TaT. Lesson learned on the run.

Again, good transition and as planned.

Prior to getting off the bike at the transition line, I should have removed my feet from the shoes and run in my socks.

Transitioned to the run well and had no issues getting up to speed. i did have my garmin on but did not transition to run from bike so I was lost on pace...and could have pushed it a little harder even though I was running at my LT.

Push harder despite HR as my RPE was good and I think I mentally let me HR hold me back from pushing through.

Deviation from nutrition plan...missing my gel pre start of the race and then not having a gel available on the bike to make up for the pre race gel. This is not a huge limiter however feel I could have mentally done better nowing I had a gel in me at the prescribed time of my race plan.


I feel the course was just right based on my time training. I would say the bike and run were easy however given the struggle with the swim, this made it just right.