Naperville Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Somehow I managed to be the 8th one in my age group out of the water. Thank you TI or dumb young strength. I actually beat my father on my swim split, which was something I was very proud of. My goggles leaked right away and I had to side-stroke often to fix them. Thats the problem with an out of water start. My body and googles had dried and didn't allow much of a seal. I couldn't get a good rythym with the swim because there were bouys everywhere. And you turned 7 time, within the 400 meter distance. I think my arms were just ready to move, and I am grateful for such a good swim. 8th is great compared to being the 2nd to last at Dewitt, or whatever drowning place I was in.

I still didn't settle and feel completely comfortable in the water. I think the decrease in time was being more comfotable, but I could be even more relaxed. I didn't have the best form, though I've been working on it. I suppose I just need more race situations to deal with.

9th best T1, another good thing, I always thought I was slow in transition. It was a long run up to the transition maybe I was just moving faster out of the swim than everyone else. To tell the truth I don't even remember this. It was almost muscle memory I have no memories of, maybe I was a pro-triathlete in a past life. It worked out well though, just went for it and everything worked out.

I would like to try the shoes attached to the bike deal. I think I could pull it off.

I felt like the bike was going good, I was passing people and I felt like I was near the 20mph average. I must have been lying to myself. The bike was fun because of the two loops because you were constantly passing and feeling fast. To be competitive in the age group though you need to be in the 21 - 22 mph range. I need more miles and thats is what this winter is going to be, building the bike. I was feeling the flats though and I think I did all I could, because I could feel the cramps coming on at the end. The sign I pushed myself right where I needed to be. I slowed alot in the corners and their were a lot of them, but I got better on the second loop. I actually played a little cat and mouse with one rider the first lap, and was amazed when I realized he was on his 2nd lap. I was proud of myself for keeping up with someone that far ahead in the race.

I just need more work on the bike. If by next year I'm not in the 21-23 mph range, I'm not going to be competitive in the sprints at all. I like to lose my worries about cornering and just go all out. I know I can do it, but my nerves get to me and I end out reaching for the brakes. I think I would improve greatly with some guided training on the bike, such as positioning and cadence, along with overall strategy. I think the bike is where my most potential is, and the most time can be made up.

21st. I tried to dismount on top of shoes and run with shoes attached. It was a last minute decision, which probably shouldn't have been made. It all went well until I hopped off the bike and accidentally kicked one of my pedals and the other one spun around and the shoes hit the ground and fell off. Some nice volunteer returned my shoe to me, bless her heart. I also had to grab a drink of water and my race belt didn't seem like a worry and I took my time.

Practice something first. Matt could have pushed a little here, it wouldn't have hurt him.

This was terrible, If I would have ran what I'm capable of, I would have had a brilliant time. For some reason I just seem un-motivated on the run. I think its to much in my head of people just wanting to finish and how I should be happy to just be finishing. The run started great, but I finally got passed about a mile in and at the beginning of about a 2 mile stretch of the same road, and nothing was ever the same. I was just plotting along, like it wasn't a race. I even walked a water station, when I definitely didn't need to. Not even the usual Matt that feels like doing a cartwheel across the finish line at a full sprint. There was just something wrong in my head, while the physical body probably could have handled more.

Some mental preperation would work wonders I think. I don't know how to do it, but I think I would be better with it. Other than that, I just need to push myself and put myself in a 5k race mind-set. I'm capable of a 21.00, now I just need to do it.

No warm-down I was pretty blah. I had some water and 3 of 5 grapes before I decided to not be pleased with myself, but warmed up to myself later.


I need Bike and Brick time. I can improve my form on swimming, but in sprints the most time is not made up in the water. I have focused myself enough to feel confident in the pool, and as long as I maintain that I should be okay. It is time for the B&B. I think if I work at the bike, real hard I can be competitive on the sprint level in my age group, especially being at the younger end of it. Brick should be my life in order to maintain my first and one true love - Running.


I would have liked to have times posted earlier than 3 hours after I finish, but that could just be me.