Tempe International Triathlon - Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swim was going well up to the first bouy but I just don't have the swim endurance yet to put a solid swim together. I have been focusing on the swim and it has gotten a lot better but I still have a long way to go. Had to back stroke a few times to get my bearings but didn't have to stop and rest so I feel good about this compared to where I was 2 months ago.

Do longer sets in training. I have been working a lot on form with a swim coach but I need to be able to go farther. Start my watch.

Not really sure where the timing mats were. All I know is that it was a long way from the beach to the transition area and I walked most of it which could be why it was so slow. I know I coul be under 1:30 if I put in the effort. I also forgot to unvelcro my shoes so that wasted a few more seconds. When I packed my bag the night before I said to myself that i better not forget to open my shoes. Stupid mistake but a learning moment for me I guess.

Run to transition from the water and do a better job of making sure everything is ready for the bike.

Since I had been focusing on the swim, something in my training had to suffer so the bike is what took the back seat. This was not a good course for me. To many turns and more hills then I am used to. Not a very hilly course at all just more then I am used to. Was able to pass a few people but got passed a lot since I was in the second wave I was easy pickins. I knew I was pushing to hard to try and get a good result but since I have not ridden much over the last two months I think it really hurt my run.

Train more for the course. Slow down so I can have a better run.

As I approached transition I swong my left right leg over to the left side and was able to just hop off at the transition line. I did however walk to my rack negating the good dismount I had.

I noticed today that a lot of people don't bother to get ready for getting off the bike or just plan do a bad job of it. Most come to a complete stop then get off the bike. I did see one guy that had pulled his feet out of his shoes but cam to a complete stop and then did your normal dismount.he got passed by 2-3 people with there shoes still on. Little things that you learn after the race are as important as during the race.

Run bike through transition

Right from the start I knew the bike had destroyed any chance of having a good run. I know I have a sub 28 min 5k in me but not today. There didn't seem like much point in pushing from the start so I just got into a groove the best I could. The first mile was slow (12ish min/mile) but I had planned a negative split so I was ok with it I was just not ready for it being that slow. began to feel much better as I got near the 2 mile mark and picked it up a bit. As I was crossing the bridge a guy from my age group passed me so I decided to give chase. I stayed a few steps behind him until about 200 meters untill the end and tried to give a good kick but he responded and was able to fight me off and ended up about 4 seconds ahead as I slowed down in the finishers shoot.

Train more on bike, not push so hard on bike. Have a stronger kick at the end.

walk around with wife and kids. Had an orange slice and some watermelon.


Stick to the plan. Poor training on the bike.


There were lots of great volunteers and the course was marked well. I am not sure what the 30 minute delay was for but I heard something about the streets not being cleared. It was nice to have some of the roads totally blocked to all traffic. I am sure it made passing me much easier. The volunteers were great and there seemed to be lots of food for the finishers. Kinda disappointed with the swag or lack of for this race. Not sure why every race I do I get a coffee mug. I dont even drink coffee. BTW if anyone wants some coffee cups let me know I'll send them your way.