New Jersey State Triathlon - Olympic Course - Triathlon

Swim was much better than the steelman open water swim. Another competitor and myself quickly went out to the front and I pretty much was able to draft off of her through the second buoy. She did a great job clearing through the swimmers of the previous waves. I was so happy this was not wetsuit legal.. Even if it was, I would not have worn one. I felt more natural in my stroke in just the trisuit than when I had the wetsuit for Eagleman. I think I am going to invest in a swimskin to get the advantage of the streamline but without the constrictions of the wetsuit.

Given the minimal swim training that I did, I am very pleased with this split.

I really need to get my act together and start focusing on clearing transitions quicker. I was actually competitive in this race and my transition times are horrendous when compared to others. T1 and T2 easily cost me a top ten finish!

Stop dawdling and get out quicker.

I am just ecstatic as to how my bike has come together this year. Almost hit the 20 mph mark. It was a good hard effort. I definitely need to practice my cornering and sharp turns. Couple of times went way wide. Could focus on some bike handling skills in the off season, especially on the tri bike.

Nothing. Continue to ramp more hours and mileage on bike.

Again, really sucked on my transitions. Took forever to get shoes on properly and for some stupid reason, spent time putting on race belt while standing. Should have done that while exiting.

Practice ransitions

As much as running has improved this year, it is still my main area for further improvement. Really need to break that one hour barrier although this is the first time that i have gone under 10:00 minute pace for any triathlon race that I have done. I pretty much only walked through the water stations and during some of the little hills on the second loop. I did have a good last mile and really pushed it through he end.

Continue with the training,

Went through the mist shower and ate the post food- protein drink, pasta and chicken, watermelon and lots of water. Also took two advil.


To be honest, I became unmotivated after my Eagleman experience. To say that I did minimum threshold training in the five week interim period is a stretch. This is why I am amazed at this result and somewhat annoyed that I could have probably gone a lot faster if I had continued with some consistent training. I have one more race to go and will definitely put in the effort for the next three weeks. Am interested to see how I do at Steelman.


I have to give my kudos to CGI. I was somewhat turned off by CGI a few years ago with the Diva triathlon and Unite half marathon. However, this race was excellent and well organized. The volunteers are first class and am looking forward to doing this again. My only comments for "areas of improvement" are (1) could have used a water station at the "run out" transition. The fact that the next water station was over a mile out was pushing it, especially given the heat and humidity; (2) instructions to participants in pre-race information that they cannot hog the bike racks. Athletes need to understand that 7 bikes fit on the rack; not three to four; (3) awards ceremony was too late. My partner actuially won her age group but there was no way we could wait for an hour and a half until the ceremony took place. Once again though, great race!