Napier Realtors Richmond Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I felt good in the pool. I started off a bit faster than I was planning on because the girl behind me was pretty fast. She passed me after about 75 meters and then I got passed by the guy behind her at the 100 meter turn into the next lane. After that, I was pretty much on my own. There was about a 15 meter gap in front of me and about 25 meters behind me, so I wasn't able to draft off of anyone at all. I got a little tired after the first 250 meters, which didn't surprise me at all. The swim did feel pretty good and I wasn't very tired getting out of the pool.

More training.

Long run from the back of the fitness center to the front where transition was. The ground was so cold that my feet were a bit numb by the time I made it to transition.

I actually sat on the ground to get on my shoes and socks. It was a lot easier than trying to stand and do it. I had a bit of a problem getting on my jacket and getting it zippered. It also took a little bit to get my watch and gloves on. Not sure if it was the cold or if I was just trying to put too much on in transition.

Be warmer.

I was really really cold starting on the bike. I was so glad that I had put on a jacket. After the first few miles, my legs had really bad pins and needles feelings on them and they started feeling number. My fingers were pretty numb too. I got passed a lot, but I was also able to pass a lot of people on the hill, which felt pretty good. Once the hill was done (about mile 7.5), my ribs started to hurt a lot. I assume it's because I was breathing so hard on the hill. So, I slowed down a little bit to get my breath under control a bit more. The rest of the course was pretty uneventful. I could definitely tell that it was getting warmer towards the end of the course. Really, I was surprised how quick the bike seemed to go.

Not be injured. Have warmer clothes.

Not too bad of a transition. Racked the bike, pulled off gloves and helmet. I put on my hat, which I didn't need to do in transition, and grabbed my race number. That I remembered I could put on while I was running, so I didn't waste more time there.

Get better at jumping off my bike. I'm always worried about falling on my face, so I don't usually try.

I was really hoping that I would be able to run the whole course this year. But, with my ribs already hurting going into the run, I quickly realized that was not going to happen. I ran for the first ten minutes (almost the first mile) and then was in a ton of pain, so I walked for the next fifteen minutes. Had a gel at the aid station at mile 1. I was able to run about another half a mile before I stopped again. I walked to mile two and had some gatoraide at the aid station. After the second aid station, I really wanted to run the last 1.1 miles. I ran, althogh it was pretty slow. I think it took about 11 minutes to do the rest of the course, but I was able to do it. I didn't feel too bad and I actually got a burst of energy once I started running again. I was so excited to cross the finish line, but I was also in a lot of pain after that.

No injury!!

Walking around and a bit of stretching. Had some pizza and gatoraide. Packed up transition and took my bike to the car. Hung out for the awards ceremony for awhile (it was running really late). Then I went home and showered and went out for a big breakfast.


Injury really prevented me from going much faster. I wasn't able to train as much as I wanted from the pain and I wasn't able to push myself as hard as I wanted to during the race. I know I was injured and that affected my performance, but I'm still really disappointed in myself and not beating my time from last year.


Lots of things were really disorganized this year. Packet pickup was a nightmare because all of the volunteers didn't know what was going on. Swim start was pretty disorganized too - lots of people starting out of order and confusion there. After the race, there wasn't a whole lot going on. Awards started about 45 minutes after they said they would. That was 45 minutes of sitting on bleachers in the sun. Not so much fun. I love the race, but I think there were too many people this year.