"See Me Tri" the Minocqua Triathlon - Sprint Course - Triathlon

Couldn't have gone better. Started out in a pack and banged around for a bit, but found a lane and just swam. First race with a wet suit...bought a new ProMotion suit for this season. Still getting used to it, but going good. I don't think it's a "perfect" fit, but mobility is good and no chafing happening.

Really nothing. Finishing 2nd out of the water was pretty amazing actually. Being only my 3rd Tri ever and being a Clyde, wasn't expecting that. Swimming is strength, but did not see me doing this well. Very very happy!!

Short run from lake to transition area. Finding my spot was easy as this is a small event (400 people) and I had a great end of rack spot. I had efficiently lubed up legs from calf down to ankles and that really helped the suit come off. Fumbled a bit getting on socks. It not too bad. Just average getting bike shoes on, tongue on second shoe got messed up and had to un-tighten, fix and re-tighten. Helmet and sunglasses on, quick sip of water and I was off. Just average at best, could have been quicker by 15-20 seconds.

Started to cramp in my right calf about 1/2 way through course. Issue if dealt with in past. Never fully cramped on bike and actually went away towards the end of the bike. Was shooting for a 20mph average and came up a bit short. Riding a new Tri bike (new for me, purchased a 2010 Cervelo P2). First race with it, but trained all summer, love the bike, my set up is not overly aggressive, but I was wanting a more comfortable setup until I was fully used to bike. Will slowly tweak to get more aggressive and hopefully gain speed. Also using very basic wheels.

Pretty decent T2. Bike racked with no issues. Shoes came off and slipped on running shoes (use Yankz laces). Put on race belt with number, and running hat. Took a drink of water and put on lip balm and took off.

This is where the race got me. The course is a trail run through the woods. I knew it was a trail run but was not expecting how difficult it was going to be. Hardest 5k I've ever run! Very extreme hills!!! I had to walk up 2 of the steepest ones...never had to walk in a race. My calf started to really cramp right away. Needed to stop and stretch out against a tree. Lost about 30-45 seconds doing this. It did go away within the first 1/2 mile. So yeah, course was brutally difficult for me. Being a trail run, even the down hills were difficult and I wasn't able to make up time from going up the hills because you really had to watch your footing and couldn't just cruise down the hill. My goal was to be under 9 min miles, so was way off pace.

Better hydration? Cramped up in calf again.


Liked the race in general. Beautiful venue!!! Run was a bit too much for me. I'm a Clyde (237 on race day..down from 255 in February!) and running is my biggest challenge. I'll likely do this race again, just need to be better prepared for the run!