Island Lake of Novi Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

My "strategy" quickly became swim towards the people! :D Whenever I looked up to see where I was going, I saw no buoys, so instead I just swam in the direction of the people. If I saw people ahead of me, I assumed I was going in the right direction! Literally I hardly ever saw any of the buoys until I was practically right next to them. (This was more because of the type of goggles that I have.) I was generally feeling good. Once I made the final turn back to the beach, I got a bit too comfortable. I was getting into a rhythm and I stopped sighting. Then when I did look up, well, there were no people in front of me- I was slowly veering in the wrong direction! It felt like it took me forever to get back amongst people. Then the swim ended.

I was actually slightly surprised at how quickly the swim seemed to go by. Before I knew it, I was reaching the next buoys, and then well, the swim was over!

Even if I'm feeling good and in a rhythm, I must check in front of me to make sure I'm going in the right direction! Also, I didn't like that I started in the middle of the pack. For the first third or so, I was having to navigate through people to find space to pass people. I have liked it when I start to the outside so I can avoid people from the beginning.

When I was out in the water thinking about what I needed to do in T1, I realized I didn't completely set up my area. I had kind of just placed items generally thinking I would get back to it later to place it as I want it, but then I just forgot. Well mainly this was just my helmet not being where I wanted it, but still.

Otherwise, I just felt SLOW! The run to my spot seemed like it was forever. Not used to long transition runs. I probably could have run faster. Then I had a little trouble getting off my wetsuit...

But mainly, it was just I need to move faster, get to my spot quicker!

Really, I need to practice taking off a wet wetsuit quickly... but considering I haven't really been doing open water swims, I don't really see that happening... Also, I would just set up my stuff as I want it when I am first setting up, instead of saying, "I'll do it later."

Otherwise, the long run to the transition spot- run faster to it!

I think this was generally pretty good. I think I benefited from being in an early swim wave. Very few people on the bike course in the first loop which at that time felt great as I could just ride along. On the second loop there were a few more people but still generally not a problem.
Also to note, in the days leading up to the race, I felt like my legs weren't fully recovered from the Tour de France personal challenge after biking 21 days in 23 days, something I wasn't used to, which ended about a week before this race. So considering that, I think I should feel good about this ride...

I would have followed the girls who passed me with just a mile or two left. Don't know what I was thinking.

Nothing really too noteworthy. Just need to move quicker.

Go faster!

I started off feeling pretty good. (Or at least as good as you can in this situation...) When I looked down at my watch at the mile 1 marker, I had 7:09. I don't really know what happened after that. It's not like I was feeling ultra fatigued or anything. Generally, I think I got too comfortable. My breathing was labored, but really wasn't all that labored... in retrospect I just feel I should have gone a little harder.
Also to note, side stitches were not a problem today! (Hooray!) But, considering I feel I didn't go as hard as I would have liked, I am not sure if it's because of my food/drink choices in the morning, or because I just "stayed within my fitness" or whatever...
Oh, and hip did NOT act up throughout the race. Seriously, SO relieved!!! I was SO worried!!! But, we'll see how it reacts in the days to come...

Don't lose focus in the middle portion. Keep it going in particular during the middle portion. Finish strong.
TRY HARDER! I really feel like I did not push it. I finished feeling like I could have gone harder.

The ART specialist I see for my hip issue was providing the post-race massage, so being able to see him immediately post-race was kind of awesome!
Ate the post race food which included a sandwich, fruit (grapes and banana), and granola bar.
I tried to stretch a lot.
Biked a mile or so back to the parking lot.


Mental. Need to push. I know I could have gone harder, especially on the run, and probably on the bike and in transitions as well. The swim was fine, aside from not swimming straight. Because I felt like I finished with something left in the tank, initially I couldn't help but feel disappointed... But in the end, I think this race was a good learning experience.


This was a nice event! There were tons of volunteers out there.
They are making this race into a memorial for a triathlete named Jon Logan who died recently due to cancer. They will be renaming the race on his behalf for next year. He apparently was very involved in the triathlon community and he helped start up this race.