Tri the Parks - John Tanner State Park - TriathlonSprint

The swim for me was a huge disappointment and really cost me a top third finish; if not better. My approach was to start a little back knowing I wasn't the best swimmer and avoid the traditional kick in the head, but no luck. I don't remember my time and will input it later, but I was back middle of the pack, mostly because I couldn't hit freestyle stride until 200 meters. The start was chaotic! I did a breast stroke/doggy paddle due to the fact there were so many people. After 200 meters when things calmed down a little, though it was still rough I did ok. I think the winning time in my age group (25-29) was 9 minutes and change. If you are a good swimmer you will really benefit in this race as those out front could get into stride.

As I said in the long winded statement above I would start at the front and maybe wear a wet suit. The majority of folks, if not in all groups, then in mine had wet suits. Honestly the water wasn't bad especially considering the outside temperature at the time of the swim start. When I first stepped into the water I was pleasantly surprised and it was never an issue (pre-race was cold)!

Remember to bring my goggles and not be forced to wear my wife's.

Having not worn a wet suit this went well. The only negative was my goggles fogged up and I could hardly see making my way out of transition. I had a good placement near the back, so this helped.

Buy anti-fog goggles or anti-fog spray. Possibly attach shoes to bike first and ride without socks.

Short bike course and I made up a ton of ground, but not enough. I didn't really push too hard probably due to the fact that I was unfamiliar with the course. Miles were marked I believe 3 or 4 times, but the only one I remember well was mile 8.

Push myself much harder. The fact that my race pace was comfortable in a sprint is wrong. Possibly

Watch for speed bumps right at the end. They did warn us about them, but its still a pain.

The biggest issue I had and it cost me a minute or close to it was dealing with a race number. For some reason you have to have your race number on when you run, despite the fact that you have number markings on numerous parts of your body. The error I made was not having a belt number attacher and forgetting to attach my number. I ran about from the back of the transition area all the way to 20 meters into the running course and remembered I forgot my number, so I had to run back and wrestle with pinning the number on my shirt: BAD BAD BAD.

Bring running bib belt and probably learn how to run better in biking shoes (one or two people passed me with running shoes on at a full sprint).

The run was good, but again it would have paid to taken a look at the course first (hard to do traveling a long distance on a Friday after work). Plenty of water points, but less than half would take water in a sprint race. The course had more hills than I had expected, but I appreciated the challenge. I passed a good amount of folks and depending on how you see it you can generally see many of your competitors passing you on their way back.

Its more transition, but again make sure you have a belt you can attach your bib number to. I should have pushed harder, but was unfamiliar with the course. There were adequate mileage markers, so I really have no excuse. A good challenging course. About a third into the race I figured out my sock as half on and I was running on a bulge, no good. I need to find a way to run without socks.

I drank a lot of Powerade and immediately stretched. The race was well organize and had electronic print outs of the top finishers probably 15 minutes after I finished. I really appreciated that as I had to get back to my hotel and check out.


Wrong goggles (mis-preperation). Too many people at the start of the swim. Foggy running goggles and the lack of a bib belt to attach my race number.


The race was run very well and I give kudos to those that organized and maintained it. The faults of the race were my own lack of preparation and effort. All in all it was a good workout a good chance to see a new area and as always its great to be around competitors and those making efforts towards physical health.