Island Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

First wave was pretty big, so there was a lot of contact. Kept my goggles on and never got kicked too hard. Things opened up after the first 150 yards and I settled into a nice groove.

Sited as part of my freestyle stroke very well. For the most part a maintained a straight line was even able to draft a little bit. Swam hard the entire way, but was also very comfortable in the water.

Nothing, this is the best open water swim I ever had.

About a 100yd run from the beach to the transition area. Decided that toweling off was a waste of time (I'd dry off on the bike), probably saved about 30secs in this transition. No problem getting the shoes and socks on. Ran out of transition and started to hop on the bike, was told that the mount line was around another turn. Hopped off the bike, ran to the mount line, and then hopped back on.

Know where the mount line was.

Really wanted to push it on the bike. Right at the start picked off three people. Fell into a nice-pace/high cadence for the next few miles. Navigated the sharp turns fairly well. Near the end of the first loop this volunteer was screaming and jumping up and down like a mad woman for us to slow down. I could see that the next turn was tight, but it was also a quarter mile away. I think everyone ignored her--poor thing.

Got passed at the start of the second loop, jockeyed back and forth with this guy trying to reclaim my spot. Reclaimed it for good when we hit a strong headwind. Near the end of the second loop, same volunteer was dilegently trying to get people to slow down, people we're still ignoring her.

I thought the course was supposed to be 20k. As I approached the transition area, my cycle computer was reading a little under 12 miles. I figured we would make a right turn and do a small out and back to complete the 12.5 miles. Turns out the course was only 12 miles. So I was coming in full speed when some yelled "dismount here". Slammed on my breaks and barely got my feet unclipped before losing my balance.

Know how long the course is and where the dismount line was. Other than that a great ride (my fastest tri bike split).

Was freaked out about almost crashing at the end of the bike. Ran to rack and froze. I literally could not remember how to rack the bike. Was probably only a few seconds that I stood there, but it seemed like an eternity. Eventually, I snapped out of it, got the bike racked and the bike shoes off. Had trouble tieing my running shoes (really need to get some speed laces).

Not get freaked out at the end of the bike.

Knew that if I ran solid that I would smash my goal time. Legs were a little tight in the first mile but they loosened up nicely. Grabbed water at the one mile aid station. Did the first mile in 8:05, was hoping to average under 8:00min miles, so I picked it up a bit. Passed a couple people on the run, but got passed by a few as well. Ran strong the last two miles, felt great as I crossed the line.

Should have pushed a little harder.

Grabbed some water right away and walked around a bit. Grabbed a sandwich and some cookies (great post race food) and cheered on the remaining competitors.


Not sure anything did, my goal time was under 1:25:00 and I smashed that.


Well organized race, good volunteers. Don't think they have the off site parking figured out. Race started late because athlete's could not get to the start in time. After the race, ended up riding my bike back to the car as the shuttle busses were few and far between.