SIOUXperman Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Three people finished at once, so the line moved up a bit faster thn I expected, forgot to put the goggles down, and the swim cap wasn't seated on my head right. noticed the goggles after an attempt at a first stroke. A few one armed breast strokes to try and get the goggles situated. The bottom of the pool was weird, the wall seemed either too close or too far away depending on which end of the pool you were at. My stroke was off the whole time. The good news is that I managed to hop my fat rear out of the pool without issue. An improvement over last week.

Find a way to warm up. Make sure the cap and goggles are squared away when 2nd in line.

Took the slow option, hit the locker room (approved by RD for everyone) and changed into dry tri shorts, put on my new UA fleece tights, and long sleeve mock. On a budget and kinda new to cycling in sub-optimal conditions I don't have any proper waterproof gear.

Not much I could do. I wanted my core garments to be dry.

The bike leg was potentially the hardest, stupidest, most insane thing I've ever been through. 25+ Mph head/cross wind for the first half. Stinging rain, or sleet, rain shouldn't "ting" off your helmet. After the turn, it was pretty phenomenal. I'm guessing a 12 avg going out, a 25 coming back. Had to get over 25 to feel any wind in my face, but with the bit of the cross, and wet roads, aero bars went un-used. Need to get more confident on them.

Get more T.I.T.S using the bars. Considering this was was only the 3rd outdoor ride of the year, this will come.

cold hands and feet made this transition a challenge. Thank goodness I wore socks to the race, and hadn't taken my race bag back to the car. warm, dry socks.. #Winning didn't take off the now soaked fleece tights... whoops

take off tights.

Comparing to last week, I was only 18 seconds slower, which considering I had to STOP in the parking lot (just outside the transition no less) and take off my soaked tights, and fight them hanging around my neck the whole run is pretty decent. Oddly my legs were either numb, or by the run it had warmed enough... was not cold on the run. just wet, and tired, with legs filled with cement.

Take tights off in transition.

Perhaps more of a "Warm-UP" procedure. dried off, changed into dry clothes. got a quick stretch and rub down from the WONDERFUL Physical Therapists at the local hospital. What an awesome feature. Devoured a couple burgers at the post race mean that they provided. Hit up a couple local bakeries for devine baked goods and, of all things Tamale's, which made a wonderful dinner later in the evening.


Improper gear, inexperience riding into such a headwind, and COLD, COLD, COLD,


Excellent race, I'll be back. Wonderful swag, and door prizes!