Radiant Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

My best swim yet. Only had three minutes in the water before my wave start, spent it with my face in the water as much as possible - the cold water took your breath away. Started in the middle towards the rear to take advantage of draft in the choppy water. The strategy worked well, I was able to draft off two or three people for the first half. The second half I felt like I had a nice relaxed rhythm going and did a pretty good job picking a good line.

Nothing, I can't swim much better, especially in such cold water.

With the cold temps I planned on wearing arm warmers under the wetsuit, but with the wind-chill, I made a last minute decision to throw a jacket and gloves into T1. It took extra time to put on the jacket, and getting gloves on we hands took too much time. On the mount, my feet were numb - I had no feeling in my toes and had a difficult time getting my feet in the shoes while looking straight ahead.

The jacket was a good choice, but not the gloves - could have survived without them. Maybe put bike shoes on in T1 when feet are frozen.

Disappointed with this time, really thought I did much better. Was passed by about 10 people and probably passed an equal number. The wind was tough at times but felt like I was keeping a good pace.

Don't know, thought I gave it a good effort.

Pretty good time, got rid of the gloves - thought about shedding the jacket, but decided I could do that while running.

Nothing

Really disappointed with this. I don't get it, every time I looked at my Garmin, I was sub-8min per mile. Was shocked when I saw my time.

Not sure, gave it a good effort.

A little stretching and a beer.


Cold weather. Frozen feet and hands really affected T1 and getting into bike shoes while riding. Didn't feel my feet again until about 2 miles into the run. Last minute decision to add jacket and gloves in T1 - had never practiced putting them on. Maybe wear heart rate monitor next time to see if I'm really working as hard as I feel.


Although the number of racers was up from last year, there wasn't as much hype on the web page and facebook as last year. The race wasn't USAT sanctioned this year and it looks like the number of sponsors dropped way off. Still a good race, but the organization and promotion dropped from last year.