Subaru US Women's Triathlon Series - Naperville - TriathlonSprint

What would I do differently?!
Um. Swim more. Gosh, I hope that helps. My g/f was telling me that her friend spent money on lessons and hit the pool like 3 times a week, and even that didn't seem to help much. I'm scarred.

Overall not too bad a transition I guess. I was just so disoriented coming out of the swim I was really wondering if I wanted to continue! The ground was wet and muddy but I actually sat down and got my bike shoes on rather than attempting to balance on wobbly legs. I took advantage of the grass lining my side of the transition area and ran on that with my bike shoes and bike. Clipping in proved not that big a deal after all.

Keep my wits about myself after the swim and remind myself that the best parts are yet to come.

I was really concerned though about going out on the bike too hard. Really concious of saving some oomph for the 2nd lap on the bike, and of course, the run. I taped a GU gel to my aerobars to have while on the bike. I ate that soon into the bike and felt pretty good. Also, something I'd never done before was actually drink while biking! I've never actually reached down and pulled my bottle out and put it back before while moving at 18mph. Not bad. To think that I really didn't push 100% on the bike leaves me wondering what would have happened had I did.

I'd push harder. Since this was my first triathlon I was really concerned about not having enough energy for the run. But with this first one under my belt I think I'll feel more confident on the next sprint tri.

Running up to the transition area was good. But when I got there, my space that I had was packed. I was a little panicked, then just racked my bike a few feet away in someone else's transition area. Hey! I didn't know what to do! No harm no foul, I figured. Also took a moment to have yet another GU gel, my third for the day. Oh. Also had to use the potty. Other than that it would have been an even better transition.

Not think about where to put my bike so much. Just put it SOMEWHERE. Duh.

When I got to the run the rain really started to come down. Terrential downpour! I can't really complain, it did feel kinda refreshing. There were about 4 aid stations. At each station I grabbed both water and Cytomax, and took a quick gulp of both. That went down pretty well, no complaints.

Push harder! Although I have to admit. I've never run sub 10-minute miles before. I really felt slow out there. All I could think of was to keep pushing past the stiff legs the bike gave me. Push push push, and never walk. Seeing these numbers, I really can't complain about the run. Obviously more of the right training will make me faster.

Cytomax, water, and Luna bar I got at the finish line.


I need to get into the pool to swim more. I just couldn't get comfortable in the water. Putting my head down and not being able to see the bottom, or lane lines really disoriented me, and made me lose confidence in an instant.


This is a great first-timer tri. Being an all female triathlon, EVERYONE is very supportive. Even if their passing you at the time. ;)