Heritage Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

4th in my Age Group out of the water.

USAT shouold require race organziers to start swim waves for swimmers with a current posted USAT swim time or a certified LIFEGARD 500 meter time. All others should start in a "open" category until they have an official USAT time. Age and Gender are really only necessary for post-race rankings and those times are organized electronically.

Swim starts straight into the sun. I cannot see the buoys to my far right. The first turn buoy is not visible from water level. But there is a boat that I can see to swim toward. A good start for me - would change quickly with struggling swimmers up front instead of in the back. I started way left to avoid everybody crowding the middle. First 50 meters, I thought I was behind a couple of really good swimmers, but soon realized they were out of gas. Now, I have people from behind swimming over the top of me, because the guys in front of me are floundering. I finally get by them. The guy to my right is fast, we are swimming the same pace, but he cannot swim straight. I can't slow down because the guys behind me are already tapping my feet and counting on me to keep the pace up. I don't want them coming over the top of me. Every other stroke, the guy to my right is coming down onto my right shoulder with his left downstroke. After a minute of this, it doesn't stop. He is wearing me out. [ He needs to practice closing his eyes in the pool - this will perfect his straight strokes. ] I am basically swimming with my left arm, because he is taking away my right arm. Big "gulp" of water. ( I really needed that breath) Shit.. Gotta stop, tread, breathe and let this moron go maul somebody else. I am spent. I've only been 200 meters. This is going to be a long half mile. I finally round the first buoy. Still slow and worn out going around Buoy #2. Now, I am in the home stretch--slow and sore and needing every breath I can get.

I made a crucial mistake on the home stretch back to shore. The triangular course angles back to the right. Instead, I swim straight in toward the beach and soon realize I am 50 meters to the left of the return buoy line. I can't believe that. How can I be so stupid. That will probably cost me me 1.5 minutes of time. STUPID..STUPID...STUPID.

Send 1000 e-mails to USAT and race directors to adopt wave starts based on swim competence. Male or Female or age do not matter in Triathlon. It would create a safer environment for everybody involved.

No real problems. Not in a realy hurry.
The run from the water was agonizingly slow.
Shirt On
Helmet on
Shoes On ---
Short Break---I am breathing hard

.....I am running-----click click click

Right leg over---got my first click
I'm riding.


It wasn't a great transition.
The equipment execution was OK.
I just needed to the 20 second break I took to get my breath.
Not sure I would change a thing.

I think I only averaged about 18 MPH.

I rode hard, but paid the price on some of the hills. The flats were OK, even though I only averaged 18-22. Since I knew the course lay out so well, I may have been guilt of saving some for the end.

I need to do more long steady climbs.

Probably my fastest transition ever.

Good approach to transition.... Good stop
*Ran at a moderat pace - under control
Helmet off. ---- Visor On.
Bike Shoes off --- Running Shoes On.
Away I go.


I ran in my shoes from the "mat" - instead of coming out of shoes and running with bike. Running in my bike shoes, I avoided any cuts or bruises from glass or gravel that I might have otherwise had. Apparently, I really didn't lose any time over another guy I came in with.

Moderate start.
About an 8 minute pace.
Mimicking my pedal cadence to create leg turnover.
Stopping at each water stop probably cost me 15 seconds x 4 times.

More miles in training.
I need to work on my speed so that my race pace is faster.
I typically run about 1:30 per minute slower than my fresh runs.

none


bad swim interference and my own navigational issues in the home stretch
better hill techniques - more leg strength



This was a challenging bike course. If you are looking for a PR, it ain't going to happen on this course; this course was my slowest Personal Worst. It really makes you work in the 6 hill climbs. 2 really steep "dam" hills -- 4 others that were just long and steady. Expect your average speed to be at least 2-3 mph slower than other courses. About 1 mph sacrificed for every 2 hills. Being in the right gear will make a big difference. If you gear down too low......you just won't go anywhere. Good luck. Never again.