The Lowell Mill City Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Followed OnTheRun's suggestion and wore the wetsuit to save some energy up stream. Felt too warm. Wave started every 3 minutes. We were the 2nd wave. While waiting for the start, heard the announcement of "no punching and no kicking to fellow swimmers". I said "how's about head butting?". A guy in front of me answered "that's like in soccer".

Race started. Timing chip got loose. Took some time to fasten it properly. Choked on water. Water was muddy and difficult to navigate. Sighting by looking at the shoreline. Start noticing some yellow caps (1st waves) around and was happy. Then saw some orange caps (3rd wave). Began to think I might be swimming too slowly. Tried to pull harder. Reminded myself I was swimming against the current for the 1st half. Rounded bouy and started to flow down stream. Saw swim end, got up, unzipped wetsuit while running. Official time showed 18:xx, minus 3 min and my swim time was a bit more than 15 min.

Try to draft more. People were all over the place. Got hit/kicked on the head, shoulder, arms, legs and feet.

Ran from beach, across Rte 113 (with police directing traffic) to the TA. Pulled out wetsuit, wiped feet, socks on, shoes on, sunglasses on, helmet on. Swollowed some Gu while walking the bike to the mount area. Mounted. Off we go.

Learn how to use the new HRM to get splits.
Need to learn how to jump onto a moving bike and start riding.

Passed a few people on mountain bikes at the very beginning. For about 1.5 mile I was the only biker on the road. The idea of taking the wrong turn haunted me. The bike course overlapped with the run course. Asked a volunteer (age 10?) if I'm in the right palce and she said yes. Then got passed by some people, and saw volunteers at turns. Guess I was ok. Focused on maintaining cadance at 85+ on the flat. Didn't really hit the brake at downhills :) Ate the remaining of the Gu at around 30 min of the ride, and drank some water, which was still pretty cool. Passed 6 people. Passed BY 12 people.

I'm very happy with my pace. Bike computer showed 43:20 over 12.5 mi. PB here at 17.3 mph.

Love my yankz :)

Need to learn how to jump off a moving bike.

Tried to keep my pace despite jelly legs/butt. Felt very slow. Saw Melissa (ms09873) on the course. She recognized my BT tri shorts. :) Ran with her for a short while.
The course felt long, as it was a 4 mi run, not the usual 3 mi for sprints. Had to run on the grass for a while, even though it makes me slower, so that I get some shades. Also it's softer for my lower back (due to certain monthly routine) A guy who passed me said he wished there was a "run current" like those in the swim. Ran the whole course, only to take a few steps at (every) water stations. Did I say it was hot?

Practice the bike/run brick more.
Learn how to use the new HRM to get splits.

Stayed by the TriFury tent to get some cover from the sun. Took my time to clean up the TA and walked my bike back to car. Grabbed some orange, watermelon and 1/2 bagel with peanut butter. Hung out with more TriFury people. Got a TriFury t-shirt. Oh.. didn't get the race t-shirt! Coz I sign up this morning. Never mind.
Waited to see my overall time and headed home.


heat.
My certain monthly routine that gives me cramp and lower back soreness. Or should I say being a female?
Longer run course. Felt like it would never end.


A relatively small race. Nice.