Buffalo Triathlon - Sprint Course - Triathlon

This was my first tri so I wanted to make it fun and did not want to ruin it with being kicked and swam over so I started in the rear outside (left) I am happy with my time but look to start differently in the future. After the first 70 yards the filed opened up and I found my speed to be faster than a lot of people in my wave so now I was having to find my way around them instead of just starting in front of them like I will do in the future. Again this was my first tri I elected to go around them instead of through them and quickly found myself about 10 yards to the right of everyone. I was off course and all alone, though passing people. I made a line towards the first buoy and from there found a mass of people hanging on to the buoy treading water doing the backstroke or breast stroke. These were all previous groups. I navigated the best I could but did get kicked a few times by breast strokers. Turned the line in and found more backstrokers or treaders. I was sighting every 6 strokes or so and found I was on top of a person every time I looked forward. about 30 feet from shore I ran into a line of people who were walking in, the water was about 4-5 feet deep. got around them and ran up to T1.

I would start in the front line instead of having to navigate around them later. I will also forward sight more often to avoid going off course.

Removal of cap goggles was awesome. I also had silicone ear plugs in but came out with ease as I practiced that prior. I had my wetsuit unzipped going up the hill into T1 and only had a slight snag with the left ankle because of the timing chip. I peeled it off and only added 3-5 seconds. My right leg was able to be kicked out just as I had practiced. I swam topless because of the weather so I had to put on my zip up cycling jersey. This added maybe 10-20 seconds as if I was wearing my tri top. as you mount the bike it is uphill. I did not get my feet into the shoes until after the uphill.

Possibly wear my timing chip higher so it will not interfere with wetsuit removal.

Course was open for me and did not have any traffic that have me issues. There was a sprint biker in front me who was veering back and forth going up a straight climb. As an elite or Olympic guy passed me they had a near collision. They exchanged pleasantries and I passed the short course biker without issue. I liked the challenge of the course and think my performance was good but I need to spend more time on the bike.

Climb faster and train harder.

Coming downhill i got my feet out of my shoes and on top. I got to the dismount line and realized my right leg had not been swept over my seat as I had practiced. I struggled to get my leg over as I had no momentum left and had to hop 2-3 times on my left foot to avoid a face plant. I recovered and ran into T2. My dad got a great video of it and made me laugh!

I practiced dismounting enough and had it down. I just failed to execute it properly.

I almost always run with a watch and if I am training hard I pay attention to my mile times. My legs took about 1/4 mile to get under me after the bike and from there I was able to maintain a comfortable pace.

I would push harder. I cam capable of a faster run time. About 1 mile in I realized I was going to hit my goal so I just enjoyed it. I am going to practice brick workouts and work on running faster.

Walked, stretched and drank some water and ate seom recovery food provided my the race.


Training. I am very happy how I performed overall. I just started running 11 months ago, started road biking in Sept 2012 and learned to swim in Nov 2012. I will get better with more time in each event and plan to bump up training volumes and intensities and try to get a better time next year.


I covered most in the report but this is a great event. I will attend in years to come. I got the itch and look forward to many more tris in the future!