Tri the Parks Triathlon - Mistletoe State Park - Triathlon

2nd out of the water for my age group so I was content with my swim. Water temp was OK, possibly just a tad warmer than ideal for me. Course was in the shape of a large V which is not the standard for this particular race, due to water levels being higher than normal. On entry when I was about waist high I ended up walking into a small pine tree that was submerged so they weren't kidding about the water level.

T1 at this race is a bit of a bear. You have to run from the beach, up a hill around the bathhouse through the parking lot on asphalt which is a bit of a distance. Can be tough on the feet with all the pine cones and gravel. Once you get your bike you have to then run/walk the bike out of the transition area to the mount line and again, it is a bit of a haul. Can extend you swim "time" by a good 2 minutes or so unless you are a strong sprinter out of the water since the transition doesn't start until you make it almost to the bike racks.

Lost time to my age group. Not surprising as this was my first tri in age group status. Need to get more comfortable with switching from small to large ring to take more advantage of downhills.

Get more proficient with gears.

Well marked and staffed but it was tough. The humidity was high but thankfully it was completely over cast. My garmin was giving some issues so I was running by feel alone. Progressively sped up with each mile and managed to pass a couple of my age group near the end to make up some of the time I lost on the bike.

Don't run on the rubber trail. Get to the side. Try to drink more.

Eat oranges...lots of oranges.


It was a well run race. For me it was physically taxing due at least in part to the high humidity levels. Aside from that I think it was still challenging, especially the run.