LV Tri Club Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I started in the front with the fast swimmers but certainly didn't stay there! Started out as a normal swim, had to control my breathing but no anxiety attacks. Rounded the first buoy and wasn't feeling strong or develop any type of rhythm. Was just settling in when I got whacked by someone swimming the backstroke. I was inhaling air on my left side and he clocked my head forcing my mouth under water while it was open. I swallowed a shitload of water which caused my to start choking and was trying to get air. He said sorry and kept swimming on, I had to stay put for about 30 seconds to get my shit back together. Had this happened to me a year before I probably would have had a serious panic attack. Got back on track and headed to the next two buoys. Rounded the second buoy and headed home. I was able to drop the two guys that were swimming with me when we rounded the last buoy.
I was feeling dizzy for most of the swim, not sure why but maybe I was forcing my stroke trying to swim fast. I cannot do this in St George and must remind myself to go easy until I get into a rhythm or I will be swimming paddle boat to paddle boat.


I need to relax at the start of the swim and remind myself that I will be swimming for a little. This rush of adrenaline that comes over me when the start happens makes me want to go all out but I cannot do that. The swim is still a challenge for me but I have come a long ways to improving.

This is a guess on my time since they didn't track our transition times but built it into the leg before. Wetsuit came off easy but I struggled with getting my socks on due to wet feet. I used a towel but forgot to put baby powder in my socks which helps absorb the water.

I struggled with clipping in my right foot, this was a first for me. Since the bike starts out on a hill I decided to run in my shoes rather then use rubber bands. It certainly helped with getting on the bike but need to get better with clipping in my shoes.

Baby powder in my socks!

Work on clipping in my shoes on a hill.

The start of the course is uphill and once I got my right shoe clipped in I felt good. I actually passed like three or four people going up the hill which surprised me. Once I got to the top there is a nice downhill where I was able to pass one more person. I didnt wear a HR monitor but I knew my HR was high so I really focused on trying to get that down. I tried to stay aero in the beginning but I started to feel my gut acting up(I'm thinking from the big bowl of oatmeal I ate, I wont do that again!). Kept a nice pace and set a goal of not getting passed by anyone on the bike for the race. I stayed neck and neck with a guy why set up right next to me in the transition area, I would pass him on the hills, he would get by me on the downhill. I finally saw the leader and took notice of the time and location. I was curious to see how far back I was. Hit the turnaround and started the trek home. Finally made it back to the location noted earlier and realized I was only 6 minutes back from the leader. I couldn't believe that I was that close, but I knew that it was just a sprint race so 6 minutes was actually a larger gap then it seems. About 10 miles in I got passed by two guys which pissed me off but I stayed within striking distance so they wouldst get too far ahead on the run. Made the last turn back to boulder beach and started to think about my transition coming up. I usually "gun it" down the hill but had to use the brakes somewhat as I wanted my feet out the shoes so I could practice a running dismount from the bike. I did get passed on the downhill once more but I passed him at the dismount given my nearly perfect running dismount. I nailed it and was happy with the dismount which is beneficial in a sprint race where every second counts.

This was one of the better bike legs that I have had in a race and I was really hoping that it was going to be that way. I have spent much more time in training on my bike then I have in years past and I certainly saw the benefits of that training. It felt good to be a "contender" on the bike instead of being passed by everyone and their mother!

There is always room to get better and I know that I still have a long ways to go. The overall winner in my category biked 33:33 which was 6 minutes faster then me. That alone is proof that I have a long ways to go.

Was super happy with my dosmount and running with bike to the rack. Overall my transition was good.

I think for sprint races I will use yanks or lock laces for my Newtons to save a little time instead of tying my shoes.

Came out of transitiion and ran right past the the course, had to turnaround to get on track. Not a good start!!!

Once I got on the course I felt good but my gut really started to act up. It felt full and was jiggling, not what you want to feel on a run. I kept thinking that I shouldn't have ate that oatmeal. I kept telling myself it would work itself out but it was with me the whole run.
Headed up the hill and I felt good. A volunteer wished me good luck and told me to make the "shoes look good"! I promised her that I would! The hill was a little bit of a beast but I kept pushing, I didnt want to get passed on the run and certainly didnt want to get lapped by the leaders. I saw the leaders coming down the hill as I was about half way up which was motivation to get moving because I refused to get passed by the leaders. Made my way to the top, then the turn around where I got a little water to cool down and hydrate. Started on the run back down the hill and tried to pick up the pace a little. As I made my way down the hill the overall winner did get by me, but he was the only one. Got to the turnaround and started off on lap two. Felt better going up the second time and I tried to push harder. made it back to the top and then the turn around where I stopped for a brief second to get water and was passed by two guys, one who had an Ironman 70.3 jersey on. I quickly got back to it and kept pace with the Ironman. As I rounded the corner for the quick sprint home I picked up the pace as I wanted to beat the Ironman to the finish. He heard me coming and picked up the pace. I caught him with about 30 feet to the finish then kicked in the burners to beat him by 4 seconds to line! A little victory for me on the run... lol

About half way through the run I could feel a sore developing on my left Achilles and knew that my socks were not up high enough. The constant rubbing and friction actually caused an open sore and I had some blood dripping from my leg after the race.

A sprint race is no big deal for something like this, but in a half marathon that sore would be magnified 100x and could be devastating. I felt the sore and though about stopping to adjust my sock but I didnt want to give up any time. I would certainly stop and adjust my sock in a half marathon, but I also have to make sure that I get baby powder in my socks and vaseline in my shoes in St George.

Not much, had a half an orange and some water.


A full belly was not the smartest thing, I will adjust this for future races. I have never had that issue but I also have never eaten such a heavy meal before a race either.


A fun day overall and I am proud to see the LV Tri club make some great strides in their events from last year. It was fun to do a a triathlon for once this year and see how my 70.3 training has made an improvement from last year. I look forward to the Xterra race on Saturday and of course my first HIM in May!