Tri the Parks Triathlon - John Tanner State Park - TriathlonSprint

This was my first lake swim, I didn't really know what to expect. The water didn't feel that cold but when I got in a little more to wait for my wave to start, I realized it was colder. When it was time to start and I was immediately immersed in the water my body tensed up since it was so cold. I couldn't see because there was so much splashing and waves, and I couldn't breathe because I was cold and water was flying everywhere. I originally planned to swim freestyle and do breaststroke when I got tired, but I did breaststroke the entire time because I almost panicked and was freaked out.

Look into renting a wetsuit, and somehow practice a lake swim.

I didn't want to spend too much time on T1, but I had trouble getting my socks on. That's what I spent the most time it felt like doing. Also getting out the water, I wasn't really sure where to go and ran a little off course to the transition area.

Wear different or no socks.

I had a pedialite-gatorade mix and gatorade to drink, I also had energy beans and more cliff bar shot blocks. those helped a lot. My left hamstring was cramping most of the ride and added into the hills, it was tough at first. Lots of great downhills and very pretty and scenic ride.

practice more hills

The line where you have to get off the bike came fast, at a downhill and volunteers were yelling at racers. I wish there was a better warning as to where we need to slow and get off at.

I didn't know which direction to go to go run!

I felt better prepared for the run because I knew what to expect since this wasn't my 1st triathlon, I practiced and hydrated enough so my legs weren't wobbly when I got off the bike. This was a great running course and the help of the encouraging volunteers was great.

Stretched and jogged a bit


The shock of the lake swim and the hills on the bike course I wasn't prepared for.


Great event overall, tough course but also very pretty and fun.