25th Annual Summer Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

They made us line up single file on the beach in order to get a headcount before we went in. I thought we would line up differently before the race started, but they pretty much started us immediately after they counted us. I was pretty far away from the straight line where the turn was, but I thought maybe that was a good thing since I would be less likely to get kicked. The water was about 75, I did not wear a wetsuit. A few people did wear them. The first minute or so of the swim was a blur, I was swimming straight, but the break wall where we turned was pretty sharply to my left. I re-sighted and got pointed in the start direction. I learned that it's pretty hard to get into a groove in that short of a distance. You never get enough separation. When we exited the water we had to run up the beach, then up another walking path before we crossed the timing blanket. My total time at the blanket so far was 7:53. I figure the swim would take me about 7:20 (didn't account for the run portion of the swim) so I was right on target.

Learned to sight better. Practice being able to pop-up and see where you are going without losing forward momentum.

My transition went really well. I put my bike at the very top of the transition area because I didn't want to run far in my bike shoes. I have speed plates and they are hard to walk/run in. I did happen to throw on my race belt at this time. I guess I didn't need to as I have numbers on the bike to, but maybe that would save me a few seconds on the next transition.

The bike portion was ok, however at mile 11, myself and some other bikers made a wrong turn and headed back up hill at this intersection where there were police but no one waving flags to direct us. We were almost 2 miles away before we realized our mistake. I was pretty demoralized at that point since this had never happened to me before. We turned around and headed back. My bike ODO read 17.4 instead of the 14.3 that we were supposed to have completed. My average speed was 20.9 miles per hour. Should have been higher had we not done the most uphill/into the wind section of the course 2 times. We should have realized we were off course when we started passing people on mountain bikes. The had a Duathlon that day also so there were a lot of bikes. Rookie mistake, I guess.

I need more time on the bike. 21 mph over 14.3 (in my case 17.4) miles is pretty slow. I would like to be closer to 22. Don't save so much for the run. This applies to shorter distance races, for me.

Probably won't change socks for the next race.

By the time I made it back to transition I was just pissed. The 2 other guys that were at my rack, whom should have been way behind me were already gone. I wasn't going to switch socks at this point, but I figured why risk a blister when your race is already ruined? So I changed socks and shoes and I was off. I am a pretty fast runner so I flew past a ton of people on the run portion. I tried hard but I didn't sprint the last 200 like I normally would do.


Run faster.

Walked around a little. Ate a piece of watermelon and a cookie.


Mentally demoralized on bike when I took a wrong turn. A little apprehensive on the swim. First OWS.


Surprised there was no one there taking pictures. Should have been more people directing bikes.