My First Triathlon at Lake Lanier Islands - TriathlonSprint

Approximately 1/4 mile from beach to transition before timing mat, so swim time includes a decent bit of time from that long stretch. Per my watch, I got out of the water with a swim time of 8:38 for an approx pace of 2:10/100 before heading toward transition/timing mat with a time of 12:04. Fastest swim in my AG and 6th of females! I was so pumped!

I 'tarzan' swam at first to get myself started in the wave start and feel out how chaotic it was going to be then tried to get into a rhythm as soon as possible, I was next to some breast and side strokers for a bit but managed to pass them and get out ahead in a break in the pack and find my rhythm. I had a great confidence boost when I caught up with and passed the tail end of the men's pack that started a few minutes earlier : )

This was my first OWS, so I am pleased with my performance. I swam at the same pace or better than I usually do in the pool, I wasn't thrown off by the group/wave start too terribly. I positioned myself in the middle of the pack at the start. I need to work on sighting, as though I didn't go off course much, I had no idea where I was in the water and attempted sighting but still could have been better skilled in this area. I think b/c this is a race geared toward newer triathletes the start wasn't quite as dog eat dog as it could be in other races. There were about 70 athletes in the wave, but it didn't seem too chaotic to me, which is different than I expected.

Smooth transition considering my stuff was in a plastic bag b/c of the rain so it was a little less organized/accessible that it would have otherwise been.

Nothing, smooth sailing for me! I had the fastest T1 in my AG!

Raining/drizzle the entire bike. For me this was a course I felt was going to be a challenge. This is my weakest area and I have only ridden my bike about 4 times outdoors (I do spin and stationary mostly in training b/c of needing the child center) so I was concerned with the hills on the course. I am very happy with myself, though I had hoped for a higher average mph, I am happy with how I felt riding, when I pushed my speed, how I managed the hills etc. I had one oops on the course when on the steepest hill on the course I accidentally shifted up instead of down and then was too slow to be able to gear down so I hoped off and ran with my bike for a very short distance as I was almost to the top, hopped back on and off I went. Not a stellar time to most, but for me this was great considering the rain and hills. Sipped a couple of times on my hydration. I even managed to do a modified flying dismount (I learned a flying dismount two days before with leg over the seat) My body went on auto-pilot from practicing it and did a modified version where I brought my right leg through the step through on my bike instead of over the seat (I have a wsd hybrid not a true road bike) and I never stopped moving. It was cool b/c it just happened before I knew what my body was doing!

Not have an air-head moment and shift up at the toughest part of the hardest hill on the course instead of down LOL!

Racked bike, took off helmet and glasses, grabbed race belt and a sip of water and off I went.

Nothing. Went smoothly. I probably lost 5 seconds b/c I borrowed my sister's water b/c my bottle's straw had broken/fallen into the bottle so I got nothing when I tried to sip. (her stuff was very close to mine)

This was a PR for me. I had no idea I was running at this pace. I picked up the pace a bit as I moved along and continued to feel good on the run. Raining entire run. No fluid intake - raining and cool so it was a nice temp and felt no need to hydrate during run.

Nothing, for me this was a good run. Part of me looked back and thought maybe I could have pushed a little harder a little sooner, but my pace was awesome for me so I can't be but so critical of myself.

slow jog and walked, quick stretch of hamstrings and IT bands.


Honestly, I think I did as well as I could have. No complaints considering I placed 3rd in my AG, total shocker! The fun part is that my twin sister who came down from VA to race with me finished 2nd. It was a good day!

I finished in about 4 minutes faster than I had made my 'hope' goal, more like 10 faster than I thought realistic. I had a great day : )


I have no major complaints about this race. Based on hearsay of a bit of disorganization in the past, I expected it to be less organized, running really behind and such. I found the day of to run smoothly. It is a laid back environment designed for newbie triathletes. The swim started a couple of minutes late, but considering the weather, not too bad. They still pulled off a good event despite the rain. There was water on the run in 2 locations (this was a complaint i had heard in the past) though b/c of the rain/cooler temps I didn't use it. Good course support with police, markers, cones/signage etc. I'd do this race again (Next Tri division next year!) and I'd recommend it to other newbies. My only complain is that the website isn't the most user friendly. It has most of the info one needs but it seems spread out and nowhere did it specify what time transition opened, though at packet pick up they were letting people know to be there at about 6:30.