Ridgefield Sprint Triathlon - Triathlon

I have been experimenting with increasing my turnover, which is something I know I need to do to push into the next tier, but ultimately I didn't want to mess with anything on race day, so I swam a relaxed pace that I knew would get me out of the water feeling absolutely fresh and ready to crush the bike. Navigation was good - started wide and didn't tangle with anyone. The middle third I was some 20 meters towards shore from the pack, which I don't understand, because I was right on the line to the next buoy the whole time. Only thing I could think of was that the middle marker between the buoys had floated out, and they were chasing it, but my gain, their loss.

Well, swim faster! I'm getting some video analysis this week to figure out what needs work besides just turnover. My issues are all technique, as I'm strong enough and swim fit enough to do it all day. I didn't work on the swim much at all over the winter, and not surprisingly it didn't improve at all. I've got the bike and run dialed in now, so it's time to look to the water. It's simply not possible to coach myself any further, I need some coaching.

T1 has a jog to the transition area. Honestly my best T1 yet. I don't have the exact split anymore, so it's rounded

Nothing, this was the model.

I crushed on the bike. I missed my goal time by a minute, but I'm not at all bummed. My new bike (QR CD01) is ridiculously comfortable and fast as hell. I geared one the hills too aggressively and cooked myself for a little bit, which I would say accounted for about :15 of recovery at a time when I should have been flat out, but it's hard to call it a mistake, it was a conscious choice, I knew the course, it just took a little too much out of me at that point. I was in the mix with the lead group the whole time and was hanging no problem. I've learned how to race the bike, and I'm very happy about it!

MINOR issue getting the shoes on, couldn't get the tongue to sit flat on top of my feet, it just curled under when I slipped them on. Some body glide will take care of it, but for a sprint it just wasn't worth messing with. I tried fixing it once or twice, but it wasn't going to give. If it were a longer ride I would have done something about it.

Pretty smooth transition, but for some reason my HR skyrocketed here. I *think* it's because I know the run course and was nervous with anticipation. I didn't have the same HR coming off the bike, I remember being pretty calm coming into T2.

Nothing.

My legs felt fine, but coming out of T2, my HR was out of control, and I was breathing heavily. No idea why, but I had to get it down. Trotted for the first mile and was setting up a lousy run overall, but the steep climb settled me down and I regained control as my body took over from my mind. Halfway up the hill I was back inside myself, and started running, and from that point on ran very strong.

Hard to say. There wasn't a fitness issue here, and from *where* I recovered my HR, I can only guess my mind was in control of my heart starting the run. I've done plenty of bricks and this hasn't happened before. I guess I need to get to a happy place coming out of T2? It was a little frustrating, because I have spent so much time improving the run and I really wanted to crush it, but it wasn't in the cards. Hard to be too upset though, I made the podium!

Hugs and kisses from my beautiful kids, and an apple, which was AMAZING.


the HR spike starting the run. My crappy swim.


More timing chip issues, thankfully not with me this time, but the splits aren't available so I don't have the exact times above. The RD looked pissed off after the race, possibly at the timers.
For me? Are you kidding? I made podium at TriRidgefield! This is a very competitive race and serious athletes show up from around the state. There were a few names missing, but nothing that would have changed my outcome. I am very proud of this race, a hell of a way to start the season!