Patriots Sprint - Triathlon

Everyone else was walking to start and I knew that it was just barely deep enough to swim and I wanted to do that to get my rythym. But my heart rate still got really high and I had to breath every two strokes. The race director said to watch the current rounding the first bouy but I couldn't feel it. The water felt totally calm. I had to work around some people in the middle section, but I sighted well. The only time I might have felt a twinge of current was on the last leg going towards shore. I just felt like I was working harder than normal. I kept swimming as long as I could even though I saw people wading. Got out and checked my watch and say I hadn't started it!! Bugger. Guessed based on wave start on my time and knew I did okay.

Start watch. Get into water to calm heart rate. Swim pace was only okay, could have gone faster. Have water with me while wating! I felt thirsty down on the beach. Pack clear goggles just in case. My tinted ones were almost too dark,

I knew this was a long T1 (1/3 of a mile according to the Half race description) so I set out flip flops. I should have just run barefoot since I felt my ankles getting all twisted trying to run in them. My rack was also right by the bike in and bike out and I hadn't realized that we had to go all the way to the other end on the swim in. So even more time running in flip flops.I spent a little time wiping off the mud on my feet. Got on socks, shoes, helmet, glasses, race belt, and HR monitor strap. Was on my way out and realized I didn't have my HR watch. Ran out.

Scope the course. Don't worry about HR monitor. Drink water before getting on the bike

I was having some tightness around my right knee for the first few miles so I would stretch out the leg on the downhills. Think it was a tight hamstring pulling. Kept up an 18mp average on the way out, 19 mph on the way back...when I realized my friend was catching up to me. Hit some crosswinds on the open parts and had a little drizzle. The turn to the finish was NOT clear on the map and may have been mentioned during the pre-race talk (didn't go) but it was different that when I had done it before and was a surprise. My bike computer said the distance was 12.6 and my average was 17.5, so the slow parts may have come from the run and dismount.

Drink more. I ended up being okay because it wasn't hot, but I was happy with my pace. Scope out the finish. No clue how I would have known here, but will do so in the future.

I slowed to say hi to the family and kids. Legs were feeling a bit tired.

Move faster? Maybe grab a shot block or two.

I said hello to one of the 12 year old racers right after the start and he just started chatting. It was kind of awesome because he talked pretty much the whole time and it gave me something else to think about! I thought I was going slow until I saw the first split and knew that was where I wanted to be. Friend passed me shortly after that :-P HR monitor kept chirping. I knew I was high, but I felt fine. Grabbed water at stop.

I felt great about this run. I have been running so slowly with my HIM training that it was nice to know I still had a little speed in me. I could have maybe pushed it a tad more, but was thankful to have someone to talk to.

Walked around. Got medal. Waited in line for some cheese pizza (yum). Got some fruit and snacks to share with the kids. Packed up and left. Watched some of the awards but left before we could hear that my friend, racing her FIRST race, got 2nd place in the novice category!!


Pay better attention to the course and transitions.


Love that there's so many collegiate teams at this race...and they they start FIRST. It's a great race for beginners and for folks who have raced for years. Lots of places to stay and things to do. Great for families to watch and join the fun. Hate the T1 run but know that there's nothing that can be done about it