Cranberry Country Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

This was the most difficulty I've had at a swim start. The start area was between 2 flags and was very narrow. I got out, but not until after the first 100 yds. I felt pretty good after that, although my arms felt sluggish in the middle third. Then I got an extra boost of energy and picked it up!!

Start on the opposite side. I was basically on the outside because the girls there looked like better swimmers, but they weren't. Other than that, draft just a little bit longer.

I had trouble getting my bike off the rack and I had a crappy transition spot. The TA was kind of long and narrow and the chutes in and out ran the entire length, so T times are higher than normal, but I still was a little off. I also chickened out on the flying mount because I was out of sorts with the long Transition runs.

I don't know, but maybe try to bet my helmet on while stepping into my shoes??

I felt OK at the start. I got passed almost immediately by a girl who was SMOKING fast. Then I pretty much cruised through the little rollers. It was a tad windy crossing between ponds near the middle of the race and for a while I was going back and forth with an annoying guy who would speed up and challenge me every time I went to pass him. YEAH that's illegal!! Then with about 6 miles left on the bike I got passed by an obvious peleton of 6 or 7 people who were drafting, blocking, illegally passing and littering. The race official did 2 laps by and I though they would all get penalties, but 2 of the girls were in my AG and didn't get penalties for it. It was REALLY annoying. In fact there were only 5 penalties in the whole race and there was more drafting and blocking, people riding across the yellow line and littering than I have EVER seen in a race... Oh well! I think I could have pushed just a TAD more and still had room for the run. I also think I do better in the hills - at least on the road bike. I need a tri bike for these flatish courses.

Push a little more and get integrated shifting!

I did really well with this transition - flying dismount, running into transition area THEN I almost knocked over the whole rack trying to put my bike back on and then had trouble with my shoes and hat and - RRGGHH!

Pay attention better and rack my bike face in after the ride.

I started out pretty well, but got MAJOR shin splints for the 1st 2 miles!!! I have not had shin splints since high school! I did a 7:45 and 8:00 for the 1st 2 mile splits - THEN - I flew. Once the shin splits subsided I felt pretty good. Once I got to the 3rd mile I felt pretty good!!

Maybe try to push a little bit more. I really could have caught the girls in front of me!!!!!!!

Walk, eat, talk to friends and family :)


Lack of sleep - I DO think that this affected me with the travel and lack of sleep and delay.


My only disappointment was the officiating. The race official saw some of the drafting that was going on. They even doubled back and were checking #'s so I thought that they were handing out penalties, but there were NONE!! I guess I'm just used to officiating being a little different. I was SOOOOO careful not to draft or block and it definately caused me to slow down several times. Oh well!