Alligator's Creek Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Decent enough swim. Had a foot cramp for the middle 100, but that worked itself out. Ended up passing one person who had very obviously overestimated their start time. Nothing bad, except they didn't stop at the wall after the requisite foot tap, and so I ended up passing a bit more...aggressively. Snuck between him and the lane line right after the turn, exchanged a blow each, and I was off. Not sure where the time cutoff actually is, as the chips were imbedded along with our race bibs.

I will probably submit a faster time next year, but all in all a pretty good swim. Estimated a 4:45 this year, and was ten seconds faster with a cramp and having to get around one swimmer. Probably a 4:25 or 4:30 submittal next year.

Transition times were included in the bike split, however, I had my MapMyRide going for the bike so I can back out the total transition time. This time is two-thirds of that, allowing for a longer T1 (which is typical for me).

Actual transition was out of the pool up some steps, out of the pool area, up more steps, and then to the bike. Probably 60-70 yards total? Then back down the hill to the mount line. Tried to take it very easy here, as the bike course has uphill right off the bat and I knew I wouldn't have a chance to get my HR down much there. Plus, with the stagger in the swim starts, it wasn't very congested in transition at all. Almost lonely!

Until I get bike shoes, nothing. I was happy with this one, and not having to put a shirt on (first race with the tri top) was great.

Wow, was this sucker hilly. Luckily I drove the course Saturday after getting my packet, so I at least knew it was coming. Absolute roller-coaster of a ride. The steepest climb was on the road north to Hwy P at about the mile 5 mark. The others weren't cake, but that was definitely the worst offender. Just tried to keep myself under control and really concentrate on taking in all of my fluids, which I was able to do.

After driving the course I had guessed my own time at 1:20-1:25, so I'm very happy with the 1:09 time. 16 mph is a very solid pace for me on this course.

This course may have been slightly beyond my ability, but I was happy that I was able to push myself and finish without having to walk any of the hills. Just need to train more for this course and I'll be fine.

Nothing spectacular here, just get the bike racked, helmet off, and get moving.

Not much, was happy with this one as well.

I was feeling pretty darned good for most of this leg. I was mindful of keeping my pace under control (or so I thought), and was joking and thanking the volunteers as I went so I wasn't horribly out of breath. Took half a cup of water at each station and poured one on my head. All was well until about the Mile 2 marker, were just like last race I started to feel my left hamstring cramp up on me. Similar to before, tried to take it a little easier and run through it, tried stretching it out some, but it finally seized up on me with about a half mile to go (the downhill part of the course, naturally). Stretched again at the top of the hill and then just went for it. Once again, the cramp subsided as I neared the finish line. I need to figure out if that is just due to the "finish line adrenaline" or if running faster is actually helping the cramp go away somehow, because again I finished with plenty of energy in the tank and was only inhibited by not wanting my leg to fully cramp up.

Not cramp? Given my finish time, my pacing is right where I'd have wanted it to be when you take out the times I stopped to stretch, etc (just under 10 m/m).

Lots of walking around and fluid intake. Food once I felt like it, then packed the stuff into the car and went back to sample the brewery sponsor's offerings. Chatted with a younger competitor while waiting for the giveaways.


Bike course was probably a little beyond my ability, and then moreso than that the leg cramping issues. Need to get this figured out, because it is definitely annoying to do well for 95% of a race and then have your body get in its own way.


Very good value race. I will most likely do this one again next year. Couldn't have asked for better weather, despite a few sprinkles to start the bike.