CSTS Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series - Race #2 - Triathlon

The swim is my favorite part these days, and I wasn't feeling nervous at all, really. I still put myself far out to the left to get started and took my time so that there wouldn't be too much pushing or bumping into people.

The first part of the swim was into the sun, and I did notice that I got a little off track (wide out to the left) because I was not sighting very well. Still, I felt strong and things went fine until the last leg of the swim. Right near the final buoy, someone in my wave but coming from behind started swimming onto my legs and hips. Every stroke it just felt like she was swimming with part of her body on my legs. I tried to keep my kick to a minimum, because I didn't want to accidentally kick her in the upper body, but it was a very strange thing - she was stuck to me like glue. Like she was trying to push me out of the way. I held my line and kept swimming harder, especially because she was pushing me toward a stopped swimmer from the previous wave who was treading water. The aggravating thing for me was that I was unable to outswim her forward, and she was unable to overtake me - so we were just swimming along with her pushing on my lower body for ... what felt like minutes (prob. around 1 minute at the most though). Unfortunately, all this put me straight on track for that stopped swimmer, and I decided that if I couldn't push this lady out of my way, I was going to have to go around the stopped swimmer on the left. I swam wide around, gave it my all and finished strong, but kind of mad about the whole thing.

Definitely get some tinted goggles for sunny days. Talk to somebody about strategy for protecting my space and holding my line.

I shaved a bit of time off of t1, so I am happy about that.

I felt like I rode well and pretty hard, but I got passed by many fit ladies out there. Right in the beginning, I was passed by someone in my AG, and I thought I would try to keep her in my sights - no dice. I felt again - like last time - that good strong feeling in the last 3 miles. Maybe I need a long time to warm up, or maybe I don't work hard enough throughout. Also, I didn't have any soreness or leg fatigue that I noticed even though I rode my longest ride the day before.

This is the leg I need to work on most!!!

Almost ran off without eating the nutrition I had brought along, but remembered it just in time.

I felt pretty decent on this run. I did take water at each water stop, a few sips, just because it was sunny though not terribly hot, but I had already noticed that I had been sweating kind of a lot today. Around mile 1.5, I felt like I was keeping a decent pace, so I decided not to try for anything but maintaining that pace. I know the last .5 mile is a drag with the out and back in the sun. Once I got there, I was really feeling like today's race had been a good one and just don't screw it up now. The last mile of this race was a 7.5 or 8 on an effort - I really was pushing, but I wasn't hurting, if you know what I mean.

Good run, not too much different, just work on fitness so that I get back to below 28.

When I finished and my daughter asked me how I did, I told her that if that race wasn't a PR, I'm never doing one of these sprints again. So, I definitely felt like it was the hardest and best I had ever done. It was a PR, just by a little bit.

Walked around, had some gatorade and water, then took off for home.


bike fitness, no doubt!


Great race, well organized - nice atmosphere and friendly people. I really enjoy this series.