Pumpkinman Triathlon - Sprint Course - TriathlonSprint

Starting strategy worked out well, although it was accidental (which means I can't really call it a strategy, I guess) However, I happened to be out about as far as I could be, warming up, when they announced that it would be 30 seconds until the start. I stayed out, treading water, which put me in front, but away from most of the pack to start. Started kind of slow to keep myself relaxed, and make sure my heart rate stayed down, as I wanted to avoid the moment of panic that I had experienced during Slam the Dam two weeks earlier. Felt good coming around the second buoy, but absolutely could not see the next buoy due to foggy goggles combined with looking directly into the sun. Swam blind a little bit, and subsequently went off course a little. Eventually just followed someone whom I hoped was going the right way. Once I rounded the third buoy, I could see again, and started swimming faster. Hammered it on the way back in, but began sighting off the bottom once I could see the boat ramp underwater, not realizing that the side of the ramp that I was following led to the right of the last buoy. (we needed to come in to the left of it) Had to make a mad dash straight back to get on course, which cost quite a bit of energy. Came out of the water breathing hard.

I would definitely put some kind of de-fogger on my goggles, and spend a little bit of time really examining the buoy position to plan out where each one is after the turn. Aside from that, I think I could have pushed it a little more from the start. I can do 1:50/100m in the pool, so I should be able to do better than 2:21 in a race.

I deliberately spent a little extra time in T1 due to the fact that I came out of the water feeling pretty winded. Pulled my wetsuit down to my waist right after I came out of the water and took in a Hammer Gel that I had in my trisuit pocket while I ran up to my bike. Drank some water to wash it down (it was disgusting) and took some deep breaths before taking off all my stuff and packing it up in the bag so they could move it to T2 for us. My bike was less than halfway up the transition area, so the uphill run with my bike to get out of T1 seemed to take forever!

I really could have done it faster if I had wanted to. I guess next time I will just push through it and not use the T1 time to rest. There would have been time once I was on the bike to rest a little while still moving forward.

I feel like I should have pushed it more on the bike. It was hard to know how much to really hammer it because I wanted to make sure I had something left for the run. The hills were tough, and I was breathing hard, but mostly I just really enjoyed myself, chatting with fellow racers and taking in the scenery. I did pass a lot of people, so I knew I was doing ok, but I think I can probably shave off that four minutes anyway. Struck up a conversation with another racer at the start of the big hill at the end, and kept it up almost all the way up the hill, which was helpful I think. The distraction does wonders!

I definitely need to get more comfortable with the downhill speed. I know I was on my brakes more than I really should have been. Being that I didn't get my bike until 3 weeks before the race, I really had no bike experience. Decided at the last minute to not wear my bike shoes because of anxiety over being clipped in. That probably slowed me down a bit, although it made my T2 super-fast! So maybe it came out in the wash.

Once again, this was a very long transition area, and my rack was very close to the opposite end, so I had to run with my bike for what seemed like ages. Had no problem finding my spot though, and the run was made much easier by the fact that I was already in my running shoes! Once I racked my bike, all I had to do was take off my helmet and put on my hat. Had one last swallow of Cytomax from my bike, and I was off!

Don't think I'll ever be able to top this time! :)

Felt really good throughout the run. At the very start, my right calf was cramping a little bit, but it worked itself out. Also had a mild side-stitch at the beginning, but nothing I couldn't deal with. Held back quite a bit heading out, and picked it up a little heading into the third mile. Passed a lot of people, but did get passed by a 10-year-old at one point!! Kicked it up into as close to a sprint as I could manage as I rounded the last corner, which was a little too soon - it was still an uphill quarter mile to the finish! Suffered through the last part and managed to pretty much maintain the pace, although it was painful.

I could have picked up the pace a little from the start, and I would also spend a little less time at the aid stations. I walked through them and stopped at the trash can to drink my water and throw out my cup.

Overall, it was a great event - very well organized and great post-race meal. Drank my icy cold water and gatorade that was waiting for me at the finish line, and then sat in the shade and ate some yummy chicken and pasta!


Could have trained much harder than I did, especially on the bike. Definitely will be more prepared for that in the future. Need to work on more long runs. My training focus overall has been very swim-heavy, being that I did not know how to swim at all 3 months ago!! Strength training would help my swim speed also. Aside from that, just my lack of experience with racing made it hard to pace myself properly and I think my lack of confidence in my own ability made me set the pace too slow.


Awesome experience for my first triathlon - had a really great time!