St. Patrick's Day Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

this was the 1st race, so I didn't really know what to expect so I just jumped in and went. I put in a time that was on the low end of my expectations so I knew I could just go out and be comfortable. I caught the 1st person before the end of the 1st 50, and was basically alone until the last 50 where I passed 2 more, and got passed by one. I definitely am please with how i felt the whole swim. I was really comfortable, and not going too hard.

not a thing. first time out, I swam 45 seonds faster that I put in without working too hard.

I did not want to rush thru transition, so I ran to my space, and very deliberately put my shirt on, socks and shoes on, put my arm warmers on(I am so happy I did that)and full fingered gloves. Helmet and glasses on grabbed the bike, and ran out to the mount line. I had a little trouble clipping in, but once i was, I was good to go. I was really doing this!

I could have been a little faster, but I was more interested in being thorough, and deliberate.
I was 8th in 40+ Clydes...so I beat some people at it.

Since we live right at the course, we've ridden it many times before. I knew where I would be good, and where I would be working, so I was really looking forward to doing it.
The course was a little crowded on the first lap, mostly with people passing me, but it was all good, I was having a ball.
The first 4ish miles were cold! and by then I had already found the people who I would be riding around for the most part. I had found 2 girls who I would pass on the flats, and the downhills, and they would pass me on any of the uphills. It became kinda funny after a few times. I encountered a man and woman who were drafting for the entire 1st lap. a bit annoying, but I ended up passing them becasue she had bike troubles. Aaron was out on the course and it was pretty funny that he was stopping traffic for us, and when I went by, he would be stopping traffic, while cheering for me, and taking pictures. The 2 hills were not too bad. I was thankful for my triple chainring on the first hill, and the 2nd hill came so quickly after the run off from that hill, that momentum made the 2nd hill easier. I would actually pass some people at the bottom of the hill, before they would come back around near the top. the run off the last hill was probably 1/4 to 1/2 mile at 30mph. that was a sweet pay off. I felt great on the bike. Saw Andy and Kirk as they were on the run course on my 1st lap, and saw Marcy on the run course on my second lap around. I got my gloves off my hands and velcroed to the brake hoods with about 1/2 mile to go. Pushed my arm warmers down, and got out of my shoes. I was way too early getting out of my shoes but rather too early than too late.

Maybe push a bit harder. I was comfortable the whole time, never felt like I was working too hard.

No running into the transition for me. The legs were a little tight, so no hurries. The ground was wet from the swim out, so the socks got a little wet coming in. I fought getting my arm warmers off, but everything else went well. I passed a bunch of people at my rack who were having a picnic when I came in. Saw Andy and Kenny right there yelling for me, and that was nice!

Remember to take my Garmin off the bike and put it on my wrist. Other than that, nothing really. Maybe take a little drink before I run out. The more I do it, the easier it will be.
7th overall in 40+ clyde

I knew this would be the hardest part of the day and it was, but it wasn't bad at all. I had forgotten to take my Garmin, so I immediately knew I would be doing everything off of RPE, and I would have no concept of how I was doing time wise. Im a gadget freak so i was a little unnerved at not being able to know whats going on time and pace wise. I already knew I wasn't going to be paying much attention to my HR. Out of Transition my legs felt stiff, especially the calves, but I knew at some point they would loosen up....but who knows when. I ran a little, walked a little te whole way. I loved that since it was an out and back I saw Shannon twice, when she passed me, barely even breathing hard, and looking like she was having fun, and when she came back the other way, then Marcy, who looked great and was about 1/2 mile from finishing, and around the next corner saw Laurie who started yelling as soon as she saw me. She was rocking out there on the course! So I continued the run/walk feeling like I should be running more than I was. At about 1.25 miles, I saw a guy in front of me that I was chasing during the Allen RunBiTri race, but he pulled away from me that day. He had started 20 positions in front of me in the pool (about 1:40), and was now probably 1/2 mile ahead of me, but I now had someone to try and run down. My feet had finally warmed up, and I was running a bit more on the way back compared to the way out so I was happy! When I came off the trail, and over the bridge...there he was about 300 yards ahead of me. I took a quick walk break to recharge for the run into the chute. Saw Kenny, then started running. I felt the best on the run in, and I got within about 30 second of my mark, so I knew I would beat someone on the day! As I made the turn to the chute I had a huge cheering section. Marcy, Shannon, Andy, Kenny, Chris, Jim, Aaron, and Shannons parents were all there and had cameras and were yelling for me. As I came to the line Laurie was on the other side to take pictures of me coming thru. OMG I am a triathlete! Marcy came running up and I got a hug and a kiss, lots more hugs from our other friends there.

Trust in my ability a little more. i think my head was talking me out of running more than I did. I really didn't feel too labored at all. Im sure I could have run more.

stand there, recount the race, thank my friends for being there for me, and eveyone else. Had some accelerade (blech), and half a pancake. we waited around for the awards, since we had 3 people getting hardware, and one near miss.
Congrats to Marcy, laurie, and Danny for the hardware


weight, only 2 months of specific training, and the desire to feel good the whole way, rather than wanting to puke at the line.


I was really impressed with this race, and the organization. There were multiple volunteers at every turn, and lots of other places on the bike course. I saw the bike marshalls several times, and they did hand out a bunch of penalties. The announcer makes the experience lots of fun too.
After the awards a bunch of folks came back to the house for a nice little breakfast.
I can't wait to do this again!!!!!