Hammonton Recreation Department Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Women 45 and above were in wave 4 so we got to see the first people out from wave 1 while we were waiting. It was quite exciting to see Andrew R. come out first.

There were lots of weeds in the water. You couldn't take a stroke without getting caught in them. I couldn't wait to get out, which is very unusual for me in the swim. I was going to say that this was the most disgusting swim I've ever done, but then I remembered a few other nightmares.

My wetsuit really kept my race outfit clean--well worth the difficulty in getting it off.

I swam into a lot of women from the wave in front of me at the turn buoy.

I had a heck of a time getting out of my wetsuit. I'm usually faster. Oh well.

I decided to go sockless on the bike. That turned out fine.

In 31 years of racing tris, this is the first time where the traffic officer stopped the racers and let all of the cars go first. He didn't let us cross until the road was clear. I had to be standing there at least 30 seconds or more but who knows really how long it was. I simply couldn't believe it. There went all of my advantage in the swim!

I drank 3/4 of one half Gatorade/half water bottle and took a GU.

Stacey entered T2 as I was sitting on my crate (yes, I sit) putting on my socks and shoes. I exited ahead of her. I could hear her yell several times behind me, "Linda, I'm coming after you." For a second I thought, "Should I wait?" and then decided 'nope.' My luck, I'd wait and then she'd take off and leave me in her dust.

I had Stacey breathing down my neck the whole run. I passed 22 people and I think 2 passed me. It was a difficult run. The first tri of the season is always the hardest.

Stacey had a comparable run to mine so she never caught me. Phew!!!!

I went to the transition area to get my camera.


I'm older...I'm getting slower


Bob Richey got stopped at the same spot I did. I don't think it's right at all that they make the racers wait. Linda R. said she had the same problem last year. Other than that, it's a great race.

Linda R. was so excited to win a door prize of sunglasses. And it was great to see Paula Smith again.