Smithfield Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I was a bit nervous at first because the people in front of me had said that they put in their avg 100 meter time and I put in my all out fastest 100 meter time. I didn't want to get passed in a pool swim so I was not feeling very confident.

I noticed how slow people look when you watch them swim. I must really look slow! But it seemed like the 15 second interval was working. I didn't see anyone bunching up when I got in the water. I started out WAY too fast. By the first 100, I had almost closed the gap on the girl in front of me and I could feel myself getting tired. Every time she flip turned under the line, I pretty much had to glide and ended up smacking her calf as she came under me. This only motivated me to push a bit harder. I did find out that I can't count. I finished the 150 and thought it was 200. Good thing I swim at that pool all the time and I know what each lane looks like...idiot!

At the final under the lane line flip turn, the girl in front of me conceeded and let me pass. But she stopped on the right side of the wall!!! I had to push off the center and then under the lane line. I saw that she was on my feet for the last 50. No worries, I passed someone!! Didn't expect that. I jumped out of the pool just like I had practiced the day before during my workout and felt great.

Nothing really. I jumped in the pool so that my top was sticking to me and I stayed relaxed. I thought maybe too relaxed.

Next time, I should keep an even measured pace which will help for longer races.

I have a confession to make! Today was the first time that I practiced putting my feet in with my shoes attached to my bike. I finally bought some Tri shoes this year. I practiced once on my warm up ride and went with it. Luckily, it worked. :P

I am wearing short socks this year because they are easier to put on than the higher socks I had issue with last year. Plus you can put them on standing up and not fall over if you fold them halfway inside out. I didn't have to sit down for T1 which means that I didn't have a chance to order a pizza which is my tradition in T1.

The cocky SOB that was behind me in the pool line telling me about how he raced in Europe all last year made a comment that kinda lit my fire. As I was putting on my socks he says, "Socks? Really you're joking". I just stated, "Blisters" and took off. I was determinded not to see him again until the run turn-around.

Nothing. This was my best T1 since I've been doing Triathlon. I amazed myself how quickly I got in and out.

I got out of T1 and a guy in front of me was having issues with his chain. He weaved and almost took me out. Partially because I was concentrating on getting my feet in my shoes. I got my feet in fairly quickly (around 50 yds) and was off.

My plan for this bike was to push as hard as I could and not let up. If I felt the Lactic Acid build up, I'd spin one lighter gear for about 15 - 20 seconds and put the hammer back down. I knew the course so I knew where I could let up and where I could crush it. I'm a great chaser, so I had lots of people to pick off. But I made sure to encourage them as I flew by them.

The first 4 miles were good with the exception of one person that felt like riding next to the double yellow line was ok. I had to yell twice and they finally moved over. I didn't want a DQ. As I approached the stop sign, I down shifted 2 gears because I knew the hill was there. Another guy who I was closing in on, unfortunately, didn't see it. He got caught in a huge gear (since it's right after a downhill) and was weaving. He said sorry and I said, "No worries, it gets us all". He smiled.

At the top of the hill, I could start to feel my legs getting heavy and people were not coming to me as fast. I really had to concentrate now. focus and keep driving the legs. I was pretending that this was a TT and not a Tri.

The scariest part of my ride came at the last left turn onto the main road back to the YMCA. It was a 'Y' merge where cars can turn both ways. Well, a huge truck was stopped on the left part of the Y where I needed to go. The Volenteer was trying to get him to go, but he was confused because bikes were flying towards him. There was about 3' on either side of him, a grass medium, and the right turn lane. I didn't make the most safe decision, but I chose to cut to the inside of him and hope for the best. Luckily I braked a bit because I came within 6" of nailing the back of his truck. I had the race goggles on...again Kids...Don't be dumb like DAN! That could have ended my race. But it did give me a huge adrenaline rush!! I knew I had just over 3 miles left so I pushed it again. Somehow, I had a head wind again. Go figure.

With a half mile to go, you go up an overpass and I got out of the saddle and pushed and pushed. On the back side, as I approached the dismount line, a cop was waving his hands trying to get me to slow down. I had already gotten out of my shoes but was still pedalling. I shot by him and then threw my leg over to the left side of my bike. Jumped off right before the dismount line and shot into T2.

I think I should have given the truck more berth. I probably could have pushed a bit harder on the bike, but not much.

I was in the first line of racks, so it was a fast T2. I tried to rack my bike on the saddle, but it fell over. I forgot that I had to use the Aero bars because of the ground being uneven. I got it the second time around. I threw on my racing shoes, grabbed my hat which had my race belt inside and was off. I actually stood there for about 2 seconds thinking I had forgotten something.

I put my hat on as I left transition and put my race belt also while I was running down course.

Remember how to rack my bike properly. Also, I almost dropped my bike coming into T2 because I was carring a bit too much speed. ;P

I shot out and was determined to push myself on the run. I could hear someone behind me but I refused to look back. Instead, I listended to the volenteers. If they say, Great job to you and then say it again, there is someone right behind you. Or if you hear, "Go Guys, etc" there is someone there. After the first 1/2 mile, I could no longer hear their foot steps, but I was determined to not let up.

Since it was a TT start, anyone can win. I had to push not only so that I could get a good time, but so that I could do right by myself and give an honest effort. I made sure I thanked every volenteer as I passed them becasuse they were doing a GREAT job. Right before the turnaround, I saw Nick...my rabbit. I thought if I pushed, I might be able to catch him. (Nick is a 19 yr old that swims with me at Masters. Great guy and can drop a 1:12 100 w/o batting an eye)

On the way back, I had already determined that once I got tired, I was going to switch to fast cadence and then give it all I had on the final stretch because it was about 1/4 mile from the end. My fast cadence worked really well as I got tired and Nan said she could see me smiling all the way down the street until she realized it was a grimmace! I've never grimmaced during a race because I haven't gone after it like I did today.

I did smile at Nan right before the finish line. How did I know that I gave it my all???

I puked right after I finished!!! Oh yeah...Tri-Berry Nuun tastes just as good coming up as it does going down. It was just a little bit though. I gave it all I had.

Nothing really. I do need to work on my running and do more bricks. But it's still early in the season.

I walked and hugged Nancy because she rocks!! I waited for Joel (TH3_FRB) to finish and then we went out for a 1 hr ride before the awards ceremony.

Plus we technically cheated because we helped a girl with her bike about 200 m into the bike course. Her chain fell off and she didn't know what to do. So we stopped, I told her to pick up the back, I put it on and off she went. All's well that ends well.


Nothing. I did everything I could and I had no complaints.


For an inaugural event, I was impressed with it. They managed an early season race, in a pool with 260 racers. Very good stuff. Plus the food was YUMMY!!!

The most exciting part is that I was the first Non-Elite to finish! How cool is that? And I beat 2 Elite Males too. Let's just hope it's not a flash in the pan.