Kansas City Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Almost lost it here. This was my first OWS in a group. I knew I was going to be kicked and bumped. I wasn't ready for people jumping on my back and grabbing me. It made me anxious and nervous. Also felt like my tri jersey was pulling me down. Ended up losing focus, taking in water, and panicked at about the 150 yd mark. Turned towards a life guard and was about to ask for help, but then I felt a sand bar. I paused, regained composure and let it clear out a bit. Took it easy the next 75 yds with some breast stroke mixed in with freestyle, and then got in a groove and swam the last 250 yds strong. Very glad I didn't worry my self out of the race.

Now that summer is here, I'll do some more OWS.

I'll stay back of my wave start next time and try to start in some space to avoid some of the congestion.

This was my first tri, so I don't know the normal set up, but the transition line out of the water where transition time started was a good 100 yds from the swim in entrance. Then once I got my bike, it was another 100 yds through the transition area to the bike out.

Decided to take a little extra time as well to regain some composure. Helped me settle down quite a bit.

The discipline I trained the least and was worried about the most.

Felt good, but I think I held back a little too much here. Kept the pace I was shooting for, but had more to give.

First thing I'm going to do will get over my hesitation and get rid of the cages and upgrade to clip ins.

Train some brick workouts.

Push it harder next time.

Not drop a water bottle.

The 100 yd run from the bike in to my rack told me a lot. Legs felt a little weak, but they were by no means dead or rubbery. This was the first time I felt I was going to be ok.

Already had my running shoes on so I just grabbed the race belt and went.

Took only about a half mile to wake my legs up. Pace for my first mile was fast (for me) and I was worried I wasn't going to be able to hang on the entire way, but as the run went I felt stronger and grew more confident. My only regret was at the point I realized this I just settled in rather than pushing the pace and trying to do something special.

Run faster. Much faster.

Smiled when I got my medal. Drank a bottle of water, and then hit the beer tent for a few. Who cares that it was 10:30a?


The lack of understanding of what my body could actually do when put to the test. I held it back rather than letting it roll.


Unbeknownst to me, I picked a rather big event for my first, but it was pretty cool watching the pros (including a US Olympian for London) tear it up.

I learned a lot.

It was pretty cool passing my family on the course 6 times. Couldn't help but smile every time I ran by their loud mouths.

My goal for this race was to break 1:45:00. I smashed that.