Summer Solstice Sprint Triathlon - Triathlon

I made the turn at the first buoy pretty well. It was crowded, but I thought I navigated the tight quarters fairly well. As I set off towards the next buoy, it looked like a group of swimmers were headed out to the middle of the lake. I thought, "where are these dummies going?" After a couple breaths, I noticed they were getting farther away. Out of curiosity, I slowed and lifted my head to get a better view. Turns out I was the dummy! What I thought was the third buoy was actually the first (sighting) buoy! I had to correct my course. I think I felt some pressure to get back on track and may have pushed my pace too hard. I really felt gassed, had to face reality, and flipped over on my back to try to catch my breath. After 15-20 seconds, I went back to freestyle and finished the swim. Despite my poor navigation and having to backstroke for a little while, I was shocked to see that my swim time was almost a full minute FASTER than last year!

My sighting was the biggest problem. I think I somewhat minimized the damage, but I still could have had a better performance if I had stayed on course. It was really crowded when I rounded that buoy, but I need to make sure I take enough time to know where I'm going. I'd love to rate this swim above average, but with my poor navigation I don't think it makes the cut.

I struggled some getting my wetsuit over my ankles. I completely forgot to apply some lubrication to my ankles. I got my right foot out pretty quickly, but struggled with my left foot. I also hadn't done the best job of setting up my transition area for T1. I got my suit off and my socks and shoes on, but then had to run completely around the bike rack to get to the side where my helmet and sunglasses were. I did do a good job of running from the beach up the fairly steep hill to the transition area, but other struggles made this less than a good T1.

Applied lubrication to my ankles and set up my TA in a better organized fashion. I could have helped myself out if I had set it up better in the beginning. I had meant to just squeeze around the near end of the rack, but during the hurry/excitement of the race I forgot.

I feel like I pushed too hard at the start of the race. After coming out of the transition area, you almost immediately get into an uphill section about 3/4 mile long. I was really pushing my pace. I was passing quite a few people, but I knew my legs were going to pay the price. By the 5 mile mark, I was getting little nips of cramps in my calves. I tried to take in some fluid and extra salt, but I had to back off my effort level/pace in order to avoid seizing up. I managed to stave off the cramps, but the damage had been done to my pace. I was about a minute and a half slower than last year.

My effort level was part of the problem, but the bigger problem was just a lack of training. My training has been inconsistent over the last month or more and it has affected how well I could perform on the bike.

Without having really practiced it, I tried to pull off a flying dismount. While I had done this before with my toe cages, I had never done it with my clipless shoes. Bad idea. I didn't get my feet on top of my shoes and both of them ended up getting stuck between the pedal and the road. I actually snapped the bottom of both shoes in half! At least I didn't panic and fall on my face, but the awkward handling of the situation undoubtedly cost me a little time. Otherwise, I thought I got into and out of T2 fairly well.

Don't try anything new during a race! How many times have you heard it?! It's true. I doubt it could have cost me more than a 5 seconds, but considering I lost out on one position in the standings by 1 second, it mattered from that point of view.

As is typical with me, it didn't take long into the run before I felt like my calves were going to cramp. I stopped for maybe 15-20 seconds to stretch them out and they never became a problem. I felt like I paced myself about as well as I could have. I did walk briefly at the aid station at the turnaround, but I picked the pace right back up. As I was coming to the finish, I peeked over my shoulder and saw someone coming up fast. I tried to sprint to the finish to beat him, but he passed me only 2 steps from the finish line! ARGH! I can always hope he was in a different age group. ;-)

If I hadn't walked at the aid station, I wouldn't have been passed at the finish. But I don't like trying to gulp water on the run. Sometimes I swallow a lot of air and it bothers my stomach. I generally walk the stations to make sure I get a full cup down and don't upset my stomach. I think the only real mistake I made was drinking Gatorade instead of water. I didn't need the carbs at that point, but the Gatorade didn't sit that well in my stomach. I don't think it cost me any time, it just sucked for a little while.

I tried not to pass out! LOL After catching my breath, I caught up with a few fellow tri club members. I also took a little time to catch a couple friends coming to the finish line. I grabbed some post race grub and then headed home.


Mostly it was a lack of training. I actually thought my result was really good considering how inconsistent my training has been over the last month or so. The biggest in-race mistake was my poor sighting on the swim. I did push a little too hard on the bike, but I managed to get through it and still have a pretty decent run. Actually, the run was my best discipline, so the bike pace didn't have that much of an impaft.


This is a good race and one I enjoy doing every year. I love the Friday night race time! It's a good venue and the post-race is pretty good. I just wish I was able to hang out longer after the race. But I wanted to get home to help my wife get the kids to bed, so I had to bail.