Tower Triathlon - Triathlon

I am really surprised with my time, because I lost so much of it looking for the strap with time chip somewhere in the pool. The plastic crappy strap attached to my ankle broke and fell while I was doing loop twelve. Next three laps I swam breast stroke looking for it at the bottom of pool. I stayed cool and patiently looked although pissed like hell. I was lucky to finally spot it and dived in. Final three laps I swam with the chip in my hand. The nice thing about the swim was that there was no risk of following swimmers to bump on me, because the next guy was allowed to jump into the water once I was done.

The lesson learned from broken timing strap is to get my own (reliable) one for next event. My time would also be much better, if I did not ask disoriented volunteer for spare strap. I quickly made a decision to keep timing chip in my hand low while crossing timing mat at the exit of the pool.

Long run from the pool to T1. I really took my time to dry out, changed to dry shorts and long sleeve shirt. After attaching timing chip to shoe laces, I run to bike out exit.

Not so much. I did not want to ride a bike with wet clothes on in the air temperature at low 50's.

I am satisfied with bike portion of the race. I was able to keep steady, fast pace as for my abilities. Most of the ride in aero position. HR also under control and monitored. The one obstacle was a wind from west side, slowing me down and forcing to reduce gears. Otherwise, it probably would be my fastest ride on sprint distance.

Put more hours of workout for biking and increase power.

Good transition. I did not waste the time drinking water, since I have hydrated myself well before the race and on the bike.

Nothing

Good run. I could run faster, felt very good after bike despite pushing hard, but my heart rate was getting too close to maximum. After adjusting the pace, it remained at 90 to 95%.

Nothing.

Jogging and stretching for about 5 min.


Slow swim portion of the race due to lost timing strap at the pool and slow first transition.


Good race for practice at the beginning of a season. It is my second year of doing triathlons, so I can anticipate some organizational flaws. The biggest one was, that there was no info or announcement that swim portion got way ahead of time.
As for first timers, if you want to get hooked to this awesome sport and experience very well organized event, I would recommend Pleasant Prairie triathlon in June.