Cranberry Trifest - Sprint Course - TriathlonSprint

Well, I swam all of 2 times since my last race on July 14, so this wasn't going to be a ground-breaking performance. BUt, I think I could have pushed myself more and been stronger mentally. After I rounded the far bouys, all I could think of was that I wanted to be out of the water. But then when I passed the last bouy and was headed to shore, I told myself to go 20 strokes and I did it. I still wasn't to shore so I continued another 20 until I could see bottom. I think I tried to break it down into stroke sets like that, I could have done more freestyle. As I was, I took breast stroke breaks and then I also did some lame doggie paddle and half breast stroke (I don't put my head in the water)

Well first, and most obvious, swim more than twice every five weeks. That would probably help. Two, push myself harder. I give up way too easy when I swim, I think because the feeling of fatigue or heavy breathing is way more disrupting/concerning in water, even though I'm not actually ever panicking or scared. It just makes me give up too easy. TRY HARDER!

I think this time is deceiving, because this was a good transition. BUt we had to go up a bunch of uneven, different height stone stairs (like 20 of them) to get from the lake to the above shore, then run down the length of transition, then into transition then, for me, past numbers 550 to 90 all the way to the back of transition (I thought with #66 I had a sweet spot. Turns out it was the farthest away. Awesome.) THen I got out of the wetsuit, put on tank top (swam in sports bra only), put on socks and shoes, helmet, sunglasses, race belt (so I wouldn't forget for run). I also had put my hair low for the swim (near base of neck) so that I wouldjn't have to redo my hair for the bike.

I'd like to find a way to bike and run without socks, because it slows me down. BUt it's probably a 20-30 seconds at issue. Probably would be better off practicing swimming then worrying about that.

I'm super happy with my bike. I think I rode a really smart course, pushing whenever I could, really hitting the hills hard with high cadence, low gear, and staying strong without getting burned out. I was also very happy with the way I drank without losing momentum, because usually I slow way down and don't drink much because it slows me down. I passed plenty of people. I tried to stay in a high cadence and not burn out my legs, I'm definitely getting way better at that. MY gear changes were also very smart. This is a great time for a tougher course.

Nothing really. I'll try to build on my speed and endurance, but that isn't something that could be done differently in this race. I will continue to get stronger.

Had a little trouble racking my bike (seat under then over the rack). My shoe change was ok and I didn't feel unsteady on my feet. Then I had to fix my hair, because I like a high pony for running and I can't wear it like that for bike. I did walk out of transition while I did that, so at least I was making forward progress :-/

Just need to keep making everything smoother and more second nature. Wish I didn't have to fix my hair but it's unavoidable...

This run went well too. Most importantly, it didn't feel like torture. I really made of point of starting out slow, because I wasn't actually going slow, just felt like it. I've made the mistake of getting confused and pushing too hard on my off-the-bike legs. It felt like I wqs shuffling but it was a 9:30, which I know isn't fast but its not a shuffle. THen I run the hill slow and steady, talking little steps and using my arms. I ran a really steady race.

I'm always afraid to push because I hate the feeling when I push too hard and feel sick (for obvious reasons). I do always sprint once I can see the finish line, and I feel like vomiting when I do. I probably could have run the last 1.1 miles a tad harder. But I was still happy overall.

wakled around woods, used the cold hand towel from the finish line (nice touch!)


Lack of consistent training (swim mostly, run a little).


I really enjoyed this race. It was exceptionally well organzined and well0-supported - they even had a 14 page race info booklet that was very informative. They assigned rack numbers for each transition space, which I think EVERY race MUST do because people can be idiots. The course itself was simple to execute and well directed. The pre-race info was just enough. Also, TONS of porta potties - KEY!!! I would recommend this race to anyone, and would definitely do another Sun Multisport event.