Denver Triathlon Sprint - TriathlonSprint

Faster than I thought I was going. Kept telling myself to just slow down and take it easy. I new it was the start of a long race. I thought I was about 75%, but the pace is one of my fastest. Still the area that I feel has most room for improvement. I have swam so much better earlier in my life. If I ever get it back, I should be one of the first 10 out of the water.

Maintain my free stroke for longer intervals. Overall a good swim. Great smooth water conditions, temp was great, but water was very dark. Almost like night and day when breathing. I really think I can shave 4-5 minutes off this time, but things just aren't clicking yet. By my best calculation is that the off stroke intervals would easily add up to 4 minutes. I have to be careful though. If I just push that extra 4 minutes, I will end up powering my stroke. I am trying to learn to finesse it, so I am going to have to be patient and allow form to gradually pull off the seconds.

No wetsuit. 69th fastest T1 of 204 competitors. I knew I was slow, I took the time to wipe off my feet and put on socks. However, I was one of the few people who seemed to actually run from the swim exit to my T1 area, and then again from my T1 area out to the mount point. Lots of people seemed to be walking by then. I just kept my slow little jog going. My bike sits too high to go under the bike racks, so I have to lean it to get it off and out. Also slowed down by transition rules. all T1 had to be bagged and dropped off in a certain location. This adds time overall, but wasn't a big deal. Everyone had the same potential for time loss. Just keep the pack up to a min. Overall, for my first race, pretty good. Front of the pack in T1 times. I'll take it where I can get it.

no socks, no drying of feet. less stuff to pack up on a split transition race.

I may have pushed a little too hard, but I really think it was the perfect amount. I just need to hone my recognition of what exertion levels I am at. Day after I am not really sore at all, but I sure did hurt crossing the finish line. Overall, a great ride, very fun. I burnt several others out while on the ride. I know there were two guys on MTB as well, that tried to keep up. They thought they had me when at mile 3 I slipped a chain. It was just a slight uphill, so I was back with them by mile 4, the turn around. Then at about mile 7 I dropped my water bottle. My initial instinct was leave it, Its a race. I instantly thought, this is not your A race, go back. So I did. That was about 150M or so back up the course and a stop. They passed me again. Then the gradient shifted down more. I picked up the rpm, and stomped on the pedals. Back in front with a mile. That's where the real down, and corners started. There were several roadies that weren't able to hang either. by the time we reached the lowest part of the ride, there were a couple of roadies that didn't try to attack me till we were going up the viaduct. I just let them and kept them within 10M. Then once it flattened, I would charge back by and spin down the other side. I set a PR for 10 miles at 37:00, I was just under a PR for the overall 14 miles.

Train harder on recovering at higher levels of exertion. Not drop a water bottle during the ride. I would say not drop a chain, but even the best tuned machine can do this on race day, so learn to deal with it faster. I did pretty well though. Just a couple of seconds lost there.

Great, fast, first T2, except I forgot to remove my cycling gloves, and had to run about 50 yards back to my area. I should have put them in my pocket, but I didn't. If it was meant to be I would have remembered it the first time. Flying mount and dismounts went great. Mount as a little rough due to tight course and lots of congestion. I just ran a little further down the road, and then mounted. I saw a couple of fast roadies come by, but most people didn't start to overcome the advantage until out on the course. :-), That is going to pay dividends when I get a roadie.

remove glove while mounted.

If I can learn to run a 25-30 min 5k, I could be competitive. Could have pushed harder in the middle of the run, but wanted to make sure I finished. Sprinted home the last 300, slow build to a sprint is more like it. I didn't want to leave anything on the table, and I didn't. I had to really suck it up for that last 300 or so. Hurt real bad, legs just screamed. I remembered Lance Armstrong's quote about pain lasting for 1hr, 1day, etc. and just pushed. I was so happy to see the ice bath once I made it to the after party.

keep learning to run. Push harder in the middle of the course. Keep training on how to finish with a strong kick, so I can go from further out.

Hydrate!!! Water, Gatorade, Muscle Milk. Probably two or three bottles of each, almost instantly. Ice cold wet towel over my head. Then back to the food, and signed up for a message before getting anything to eat. But wait, What's this? Ice baths? Awesome. 10 min in the kiddie pool ice bath before eating. That hit the spot. All races should do that. Ate two plates of bagels, apples, bananas, plums, oranges, and drank another Muscle Milk. Then a relaxing message.
Even after all the food and hydration, I was still only 216.9 when I got back home. My body was still screaming for more though, so I obliged it. It was earned.


My mind, a few bobbles in transition, and a few bobbles on the bike. Overall, I was quite relaxed, and pushed myself great for the first race. I set PR's for swim, bike and run. What more could you ask for.
If I can get my swim where I feel it should be, I will be a FOP swimmer, and if I can get to my goal of 10:00 run pace during bricks, I could be competitive in my as a Clyde, and possibly in my AG.


Awesome event. Hope it becomes a local icon. Volunteers every where you turn. Lots of aid stations and water. Super well organized. Post race party was lots of fun. Event needs to be stretched to 3 days. Day 1 kids tri and expo. Day 2, Oly and Sprint. Day 3, HIM, IM. Has potential to be legendary. Especially if HIM and IM include climbs in the nearby foothills. Racers and Volunteers were all very supportive, friendly, and cheered for everyone. Great atmosphere.