Cornhusker State Games Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Actual swim time was 9:57 + 43 second run to TA. Took in a good mouthful of water in first 150 meters. Had a bit of a coughing fit after that. Still did pretty well on the swim and knocked 1 minute off my time from the previous race. Part of this was because I lined up in the front instead of further back. Figured based on my last race I should be close to the front for the swim.

After turning into the sun I had a hard time sighting the buoy -and it looked so very far away. I was convinced the swim was longer than 500 M. I had to breast stroke and really look for the buoy for a while - cost me some seconds, but not too bad. I kept seeing the girl next to me breast stroking and for quite some time I thought she sure is sighting a lot. Then I realized she was doing the bs the whole time and keeping up with me!

No issues with being swam into/over. I like starting at the outside of the pack and working in. I will keep this strategy. Didn't draft at all during the swim. If the water were clearer I may have been able to do this. Just didn't want a foot to the face.

Just keep practicing. Swimming is rough mentally for me. I have to really concentrate on form. As soon as I don't I get really sloppy with my form. More drills in the pool because I want my ows to be under 2:00/100M. I didn't kick at all. Next time I'll add a little kick to my stroke. I also got a bit freaked out in the water at one point and sort of breast stroked for awhile, kind of a doggy paddle breast stroke.

Forgot my hydration pack with fuel in TA!! So this is the second tri and had nothing to drink/eat on the bike leg. Nice. Thought a hydration pack would be easier than drinking out of a bottle, but forgot to put it on while racing through the TA.

I need one of those fancy water bottles with a straw on the front of the bike.

No noticeable wind!! Took turns at a much faster pace than in my last race. Had aero bars on for this race - first time using in a race. Could tell it helped on the down hills. Got more comfortable with them each lap. Garmin had my average speed at 19 mph for the bike section (actually a shade longer than 20k). Pretty happy with that. My goal was to get over 18 mph on this course.

Realized I forgot my hydration/fuel when I reached the top of the big hill. CRAP!! My speedometer wasn't working for some reason during the race, so not sure how I was doing on speed during the race. My goal was to finish around 40 minutes, and I did, so I am happy with that.

Next time remember my hydration & fuel.

Just wasn't motivated to run quickly with the bike through the TA. Slow jogged. Took a few seconds to determine where my spot was as there was a similar towel about 20' before my towel that threw me off. And I thought my towel was going to be easy to find. I also took the time to try and suck down some Cytomax before heading out on the run. Thought this might help, but at this late stage of the race, doubtful. This time was the really slow compared to everyone else.

Go faster? Next time I would like it to be less than 50 seconds.

Running is my weakest link. Just don't like to run and my ongoing knee pain has sort of sidelined most run training for the last 1 1/2 years. Overall I was happy with my run. I wanted to run an 8:40 pace, and I did (8:35 official pace). I was concerned my lack of drinking and calorie intake would come back to bite me during this portion of the race, but I think the shorter bike leg (versus my last triathlon) and cooler weather helped with the run. I might have been able to do a little faster.

Need to work on my running. Clearly this is holding me back based on my standings in the swim and bike. Need to do speed work, speed work, speed work.

Ate a pancake. Chatted with friends. Tried to do a couple of stretches as a muscle in my butt was tight.


Mental mostly. Need to be ok with pushing myself.


Lots of drink stations on the run. Definitely will do this race again next year.