Triangle Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Felt a few uncomfortable anxious "pangs" when starting out. HR felt like it was through the roof and I hadn't been in a mass open water swim start since last year. Settled into a groove and did well.

Have more control on the start. Inadvertently switched to bilateral breathing occasionally. Would be better off breathing from one side during such a hard effort. Learn more about drafting in the water.

Long run to transition area. However, I am just slow at transition. I have to get faster. Respectable transition times of 1 minute would have moved me up approximately 4-5 spots and into the top 20 for age group.

Practice more before the race so that my movements are more automatic. I am still spending considerable time thinking through each thing I need. Transition was better than last year in general, though.

I rode this pretty much how I planned.

I need to consider adding more electrolytes. My calves started cramping a little. I usually try to get my electrolytes from gel. I only took one gel about 3/4 into the bike. Maybe take a gel early or add something to my water.

Tying shoes is slow.

Get speed laces. Open shoes wider. Leave race belt clipped and pull on over head.
I saw someone running out and they just pulled the race belt on over their head. This will be much quicker. It's amazing how much my hands fumble with my HR up so high.
Practice, practice, practice.

I did fine on the run. Held back intentionally for training purposes. Still, Lack of brick training was evident. Not in that phase for my A priority, IMFL in November, so no big deal there.

Take electrolytes on the bike. Continued to feel cramping in calves and a side stitch during the run.

Yoga stretches.


Mid training for IMFL. No taper. This was a training day.


The swim distance should have been more accurate. I understand there will be a little variability because it is open water, but this missed the mark by a few football fields. I bet it sucked big time for a first timer without much swim experience.