3 Little Pigs Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Gel a minute before starting. It through me off when she started me, I was expecing a 15 second gap, plus the racer in front of me was missing. Swam great the 1st 100, caught 2 guys fartin around at the wall and did like a football swim move to slide between them. Considering it was woman who started in front of me, I knew these guys were much slower. One made it race to the next wall, but after red lining a bit I put more distance between us on the next lane. I should have taken a better push off the wall, but I was rushing to get past them. Lost form and was probably wasting too much energy at the end. Tried to maintain a sense of urgency getting out and to T1.

Get a better push off the wall every time. Remember good form.

"Sense of urgency" was one of my goals for this race. Usually I catch myself resting in transition, but today I hope I pushed it and tried to recover a little on the road.

Nothing, but still need to be faster. I don't plan to leave the shoes on the bike, but I may be able to fasten the aero helmet with one hand while running (or at least walking) with the bike.

I was winded from the swim still, but really wanted to get up to 18mph and hold it there. The headwind was tough and I was having trouble getting to 16mph which was demoralizing. I wasn't sure if it was the headwind or the stale legs from missing my rides and runs this week.

Got stuck behind a tanker truck who was stuck behind a slower rider. This is one of the worst parts about traffic for me especially when I'm back with the slow swimmers who are often slow cyclists, if the traffic can't pass, I'm reduced to the slowest cyclist in front of them. I stayed back 3 bike lengths, but I was still getting a draft (it's a huge truck after all) so at least it was almost no effort.

Made the trun right hoping for a break from the wind, but it was worse. Turns out the headwind was not straight on before, but now it was. This was only my 2nd ride with the aero helmet and it makes a lot of wind noise. This is where the only person to pass me did it. His aero position was much more aggressive, but I think I passed him back later.

Left turn helped. The next left heading back was great. Instantly over 20mph and decided to try to hold it higher and did. Garmin says I was over 21 for the last half, which is crazy fast for me. My goal is to average 20 on the bike for one sprint this year.

Hit more traffic and cussed loudly for the 1st time at a race. This suv was stuck behind a cyclist and traffic backed up several cars, all the way to me. Then, we hit a passing zone with no one coming and this jerk still didn't pass. A truck pulledd up beside me like he was going to pass, but he was stuck behind other cars. Since now I was stuck to the right of cars I accelerated up to the other racer and fianlly the cars started passing and I could too.

Almost got stuck behind another tanker that stopped at the tracks, this is where I think I repassed the only guy to pass me. Probably because I was feeling much more aggressive. Then traffic backed up from the light where we turn left, but the cars were all going straight. Luckily I figured that out and slid up the left side. I was aiming for 44 minutes and it was going to be close.

Missed it by 0:25, but still a great bike split for me, although the course is short.

I need more power. Hills and wind always seem to hurt me more than others. Oh, and back in all that traffic mess, I should have taken my other gel, but forgot, both because I was distracted and because staying in aero position I don't look down and see it taped to the tube.

Almost forgot to take the helmet off. Leaving my rack is when I remembered the gel and felt the effects. I hesitated just a step and decided not to waste the time going back. I had a 5oz flask of G2 to help.

Get the gel before I leave the rack. Be faster.

Really had a lot of trouble getting my pace right. I was clearly crashing from the only gel before the race, the Garmin was set to bike, so the speed wasn't as helpful. Used HR to decide where to settle in. Almost choked on the hot G2.

Legs felt dead and I felt really drained, but I felt like I had a good turn over rate and a good plan. I skipped water stops with the flask, but being over heated I just called out for splashes of water. Got hit hard by 3 in a row in the face by only 2 volunteers, but its what I asked for and they enthusiasticly oblidged. And it helped.

Turn around took forever and once there I just didn't feel I could let it all hang out like normal. I didn't red line until a half mile out and even then it was a little conservative. I honestly thought I would blow up and have to walk in.

Push harder at the half way point.

Walking. I was in danger of puking so I nibbled on a quarter of bagle and sipped a Coke. As I got better I moved on to the chic-fil-a sandwhich. Then I went and thanked the volunteer that helped with the chip. The younger ones had been asking for it, but I just stood still recovering and he got it.


Lack of training this week, and a weakness into the wind. Possibly the forgotten gel.


I really like the race. It has a very friendly feel. Everything is well organized. The food after was great, plenty of drinks left. My kids didn't have their swim suits, but I think they opened up the kids pool/play area after we were out. There were 2 playgrounds and a bounce house the kids loved. Parking was easy and close.The only negative is the traffic, especially tanker trucks on a smalol portion of the bike course. This may be one of my annual races; great for me and great for my family.