Discovery Bay Triathlon - Triathlon

Started off casually. Let the mob start ahead of me before swimming. Didn't care to get stuck in the washing machine. Kept effort steady, never really gunning it. Definitely had some gas left in tank when exiting. Happy with sighting and spacing.

Maybe push a little harder to shave off some time.

Forgot the magic effect of putting body glide on ankles for getting off wetsuit. Oops!! That slowed me down a bit. It was ~ 200 yds from water exit to transition area. I have chronic ankle issues, so didn't run barefoot. Also, I was took the extra time to put on biking gloves (too many crashes in my life -- worth it to me to protect the hands!) and I was using road shoes, which also cost a few seconds.

Maybe graduate to tri shoes and put them on after bike mount. Body glide on the ankles!!

Forgot my bike computer. So, no power, cadence or accurate pacing data! I had HR info from my running watch. Went on perceived effort. Rode pretty hard. HR sitting around 160 bpm. Happy with the effort.

Remember the bike computer! Drink more. I didn't drink once.

Not a bad transition time considering I had to remove road shoes after racking bike, ditch the gloves and helmet, throw on running shoes.

Maybe get tri shoes I could remove on bike pulling up to transition. Not giving up biking gloves. I could toss them on run and pick up afterwords.

Given that I've done absolutely minimal and low effort running to keep ankle issues in check, and that I did zero bricks leading up to race, I'm not entirely disappointed with results. That said, I"m capable of a faster run segment.

Get more run training under my belt to where I can start doing some speed work. Do bricks ahead of the race!

Post race snacks and water. Light stretching.


This was my first triathlon in 6 years (last race Philly Tri in 2011). In 2006 I had a packed summer of races which ended with my injuring both ankles on the runs. I've never fully recovered. Lack of running leading up to this race, with no brick workouts and speed efforts definitely kept me from having an optimal outcome. Overall, however, I'm pleased with my return to racing and I'm hoping to add a few more to the record books this summer!


Discovery Bay triathlon is a bit of a hidden gem Spring warm-up. In only it's 3rd year, I was impressed with how well the race was organized and with the number of volunteers keeping everyone on track during the bike segment. The swim is in totally calm water. Biking is a mix of neighborhood and local roads. Very flat with a mix of headwinds. Run was an out and back on packed gravel/dirt trail along a waterway. Mt. Diablo was dramatically prominent in the background on bike and run, which gave it a cool atmosphere. Very friendly low-key atmosphere. The Sprint race would be a great first triathlon and the Olympic distance is a great way to kick off the season. I'll definitely keep this race on my calendar moving forward!