Cherry Blossom Sprint Triathlon - Triathlon

As soon as I started swimming I steadied myself not to start out too fast leading to a blow up. I aimed for the fastest pace I could go and maintain for the entire distance. There were many first timers who hadn't seeded themselves well and were experiencing troubles swimming amongst other faster swimmers. At my first turn at the deep end a lady was clinging to the wall and I presume breathing hard and I saw several others doing the same at the walls. For myself I was feeling quite comfortable and set a good pace that kept me pretty comfortable and I was able to pass a few swimmers as well.

My time wasn't as fast as I should expect based on recent time trials but turns at each end of the pool were a bit difficult and cost me some time. I expected this and practiced but I'll need to practice more and probably push a bit harder.

I was just over a minute faster than last year and I should be able to knock a bit more time off.

I came out of the pool and out of the building and immediately wanted to go back into the pool. It was COLD! and in the shade so quite a shock. I ran carefully to the transition area and got to my bike and changed leaving on my wet tri shorts and top on. The sun helped a bit but it was still quite cool.
I ran (hobbled) to the mount line and got on the bike and got going.

I have room to maybe save another minute here even though I was faster than last year. I need to practice my transitions more seriously.

I was really slow on the bike last year and I was determined to ride faster! Unfortunately (or maybe a good thing) I pushed a wrong button on my Garmin and got no data and, of course had no idea how I was doing so I determined to ride as hard as I could.
From the start I was passing people - I NEVER - pass people and I seemed to be riding well. I kept passing people right up to my dismount and felt really good for the whole ride. I did get stuck behind some slower riders at one turn but once I got past them I was accelerating again. For the whole ride I thought I was pushing Zn 3.
I soon finished my 3rd loop and turned in to transition and dismounted at the line and ran into transition.

I was aiming for 28kph but I only rode at 25.8kph. I pushed hard and that was all I managed! Barely 2 minutes faster than the previous year. I'll do better next year.

This was a fast transition for me. I got the bike racked and I changed quickly. The temp was warming up but perfect and I ran out of transition then needed a quick point in the right direction and I was off.

I can still save some more time here and I will practice my transitions more.

This is a nice run route and I started out alone. Then I could hear someone running up behind me and I was trying just to keep running and not let them pass. I was surprised to realize they weren't passing me and then I realized it was just my bib number rubbing against my sleeve and I was alone.
I kept going and felt better and faster than last year. I wasn't fast but I was running fast for me. I talked back and forth with other runners and tried to keep up with anyone who passed me. Inevitably, many people passed me but I did keep running and I finally came out of the woods and up to the bridge then I crested the top of the bridge and it was all downhill from here. As I passed a soccer field a whole team of teen soccer players cheered me on "Go 173!!" Only 400m to go and I really appreciated their encouragement. I was going as fast as I could on the downhill and then turned a corner to the finish line and I was finished.

Again I was faster on the run than last year and I felt good at the finish. I still need to be faster than I was.

Saw all my friends and high 5's all around. High fived a few of the people I had chatted with in passing that finished around me. Walked a bit and had some juice.


Maybe I'm just a bit too laid back and I need to be more aggressive but I do enjoy the interaction with the other athletes.


This is a good fun race and a very good race for beginners. I recommend it to anyone to give triathlons a try.