City of Gold Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swim went really well - I started out well, at towards the back and right side of the wave - took off well and navigated very well. Didn't have any luck finding a fast set of feet to follow, so I wasn't able to draft at all. No real issues with the swim - no problems rounding the bouy, actually passed a few people from the earlier wave - then right at the end the speedsters from the wave behind me caught up to me.

I can't think of a single thing I could do to have improved my performance.

Long run up the boat ramp - added about 30 seconds or so.

Bike went really, really well. Took just a second to get clipped in, then attacked the first hill (really steep). Used the Aero drink set up this race and loved it. When in the aero position, you don't even need to think to take a drink - just drop you head a bit and slurp away.

I played back and forth with a couple of riders most of the race - and we passed lots of riders. On of the riders was a 23 year old blond, very attractive, with a two piece tri suit on (and not much of a suit, either). Eventually, her 25 year younger legs won out, and she pulled away. On the last downhill, pull the straps of my shoes loose and did the "slip the feet out" routine, rather than unclip - that worked really well.

Nearly a perfect bike ride - only thing I need to improve is my hill strength. There was nobody that could hold my pace on the flats and the downhill - but I would get passed just about every serious uphill.

T2 went really well - only issue was finding my spot - I ran up with my bike, looking for my blue backpack - got to where I thought it was, and there was a blue backpack - but it wasn't mine!!! After a couple of seconds of indecision, I spotted my backpack - just a couple of spots over.

Brighter towels to mark myspot - they used to be bright orange, but they have faded.....

About mile two mile water bottle decided to jump out of my fuel belt - and I stopped, backtracked and picked it up. That probably cost me at least 15 or 20 seconds. Oh, yea - one spot where the trail forked, there was no volunteers to direct - so lost a few seconds trying to remember which way to go.

Walked around, drank a chocolate milk, then after about 30 minutes had lunch (served at the race). Stayed for the awards ceramony, and what do you know - I PLACED THIRD IN MY AGE GROUP!!!! This is the first time I have placed in a "real" triathlon. Walking up to pickup the award (a very cool hat) was an awesome feeling!!!!


More hills - both on the bike and the run.


This is a great "local race". Great raffle prizes, cool technical shirts, water bottles, and a very well run event.