Tri the Parks - Mistletoe State Park - TriathlonSprint

First racing OW swim. The crowd, excitement, and my nerves really affected my stroke. I was short and choppy, and breathing every other. I also used kicked more than usual than in my training. Didn't really notice until 2/3 way through the race. Tried to lengthen my stroke, pull hard, roll, glide, and breath bilaterally the last 100m. Technique really is important. OK for my first race, but I really would like to improve. Expected to have a much better time, as I easily swim 1:45/100 in all my practices. Still, I hopefully learned something which was my primary objective for this race.

Stay calm and focus on my swimming technique. Avoid getting caught up in the event. Hopefully will go much better next time around. Also, more interval work to build speed.

Actually went very well for my first ever. Mental rehersal helped a lot. Need to practice jumping on the bike and getting up to speed better before getting into shoes. Putting on socks is what slowed me the most.

May try to learn to ride without socks, at least in sprints. Experience will help everything else.

First bike race ever. I like the bike. Before starting triathlon training I had never really ridden a bike except for fun. I had a blast! I was very nervous before the race after seeing all the upscale triathlon bikes, but me and my entry level Trek did OK. Of course I was passed by a fair number of people, but I also passed(and re-passed) a few. It was fun to "reel in" the next rider in front of me. Especially on the hills, where I would downshift and spin up the hill, passing someone standing and mashing pedals. I had to coast a couple of times due to riders blocking me, but managed to get around them eventually. I also enjoyed getting up to 30+ mph on the downhills. I'm a long way from good/fast on the bike, but I hope to continue to improve.

Nothing really, except train more to build my base and increase my strength/speed. Oh, also need to learn to drink better while on the bike. I took in less than 8 oz of the 20 in my aerobottle. BTW I love my aerobottle.

Took my right foot out way too early, realized my mistake and kept my left foot in, albeit loose. Then, next thing you know I'm at the dismount line with one foot in and the other on top. Had to stop to safely dismount, and in the process dropped my left shoe. Picked it up and managed to jog on in and get my bike racked. Helmet off quickly. Slow into running shoes due to wet feet/socks. Grabbed hat and number belt and got them on as I exited for the run.

Know the course better, so I would better know when to prep for transition. May or may not try going sockless.

Ugh! Hills. I hate hills. I live in flatland. We have heat and gnats, but few hills. I started out pretty comfortable despite pushing a little harder on the bike than I intended. Right away we're going up hill. Finally a short steep downhill to a gully, then up a short but very steep hill (I've seen stairs less steep) back up to the road. I actually walked two steps on that hill before I made myself start running again. I had a short lived cramp in my right side, probably from the cold cup of water I took in at the beginning. The remainder of the run was hearing people come up behind me, and then watching them run around me and away. I tried to just keep an even steady pace, and overall my speed was very good for me, faster than any of my training runs to date. I just need more than 11 weeks to build my base and increase my speed. Nonetheless, HR training does work. Oh, and my knee bothered me not at all before, during, or after the run.

Nothing except maybe push a bit harder. My avg HR was the same as on the bike, so apparently I had a bit of reserve held back. Oh, and find some hills to train on.

Walked 10-15 min and stretched. 2 bottles of water, 1 banana, 1/2 bagel.


Lack of experience, and only a short time (11 wks) in training. As long as I keep at it improvement should come.



(Admittedly, my first race.) Excellent race. Well organized. The volunteers were very encouraging, and that was a tremendous boost whenever I was struggling a bit. The particicpants were competitive, but friendly. Except for the hills on the run, the course was great.