Triangle Orthopaedic Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I'm sure we all looked like idiots trying to get ourselves organized. We were numbered accourding to our swim times but with full wetsuits on you can't see anyone's number. Therefore lots of walking around asking, "what's your number?" It would have been helpful to have our numbers on our swim caps - but we managed to get ourselves to our spots on time, or at least the five people around me did.

This was the first time I'd ever done a TT start in open water. Not sure I'm a big fan. The contact that comes from a mass start doesn't bother me, plus you have a greater opportunity to draft. Thirdly it helps with navigation to follow the pack verses having to site the buoys in relation to the whole course. But since I usually can't stay with the pack and therefore have little opportunity to draft this wasn't much different than my usual swims. Duh.

Cold water shock at first. Took about 5 strokes before I committed to putting my face in the water. After a few minutes it was fine. I took the turn buoys very well but it was difficult to judge if I was bowing the straight aways or if it was the way the course was marked. Swam until my fingers touched then ran passed a guy on the run up. Always good to pass a 20yr old guy!

nothing. given my training level and lack of time in the wetsuit or ow it was fine. I was hoping for a time closer to 15 minutes but oh well.

Long run up the boat ramp to transition but ran the whole way. Was able to get the suit down to my hips so I'm pleased with that. I had the first rack at swim enterance/run exit so that was cool. Spent lots of time hopping around loosing my balance trying to get my shoes and socks on (too cold to go without socks). I lost the most time trying to get the wind breaker zipped and the arm warmers over my wet hands.

DougRob was working the bike mount station and gave me an equal dose of crap in return for the dose I gave him yesterday. Gotta share the love.

I've got to learn how to ride sans hands so I can get dressed on the bike. Managed to pull up the arm warmers on the bike but there is not way I could have zipped the wind vest. Especially the way it was sticking.

Man have I lost all my pop on the bike! Granted I've spent very little time on a road bike this season and it showed. I spent all last year working on distance training and severe hill climbing so I didn't feel warmed up and settled in until the bike course was over - typical.

The course was a challenging little 10.5 mile loop with lots of rollers. I'd do great on the descents - consistently was over 35mph on the downhills, but was dropping WAY down on the climbs. Plus the gears weren't changing well and would fall in-between the gears so I was spinning out of control at the base of each climb. Still doesn't make up for the fact that I felt like I sucked.

I could have done better if I'd trained more but whatever. Was hoping to hold an 18-19mph average but the climbing took me by surprise.

check it out baby! That's a Fatty T2 right there!!

This is where I knew I'd loose any chance for a podium. At these short distances you've got to be able to lay down a fast run and I can't do that. But to be honest I was really looking forward to this part to see how well I've healed.

Started off nice and easy just to get my breathing steady and my running legs under me. The first half was pretty much all up hill so it was steady climbing. Not steep but long and gradual. I was able to pick it up for the second half and negative split the run.

Since I was recovering from a foot issue I was curious to see how it would go. But I'm very pleased to say the foot felt fine, my core was very strong, and I felt the new strength and balance gained from trail running.

SOME DAY I"LL BREAK THE 30 MIN 5K IN A RACE. ggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Side note: wore the new tri suit from my coach's team and I loved it. It was so nice not to have all that elastic at my waist on the run from the shorts, tops, and race belts. Other than it having a white top (obviously designed by a dude - thanks) it was super comfortable.

not too much. anxious to try another sprint to keep pushing this part.

Lack of training on the bike, swim, and a busted foot for 6 weeks.


Goals going into this race were primarily to have fun, secondly to see how the run was coming. Those goals were met with spades therefore it was a successful race. This was a good reminder that just because it is a sprint it doesn't mean it's easy. I've been in such a distance mind set all last year that I forgot how challenging it is to try and go fast! I know I'll never see a podium due to my lack of run speed but I've made huge improvements in my running over the years so I'll continue to work and keep having a good time.