Riverwood Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I was really nervous since this was my first event. Swimming is my weakest of events. I was passed by three swimmers within the first 200 yards. I was not able to "relax." Did about half freestyle and half breast stroke.

I need my swim endurance to be better. I need to relax and breathe.

I took longer than most at T1. This is because I have to wear an ankle brace that laces up. I feel that putting it on before the bike is quicker that trying to put it on after.

It could have been quicker, but no errors at this transition.

The swim was more tiring that I thought it would be. I had not done any brick training to include swimming and biking because of logistics. After the long T1 it felt good to get on the bike, a place I should feel confident. I was having trouble getting into the "rythm." I tried to eat a powerbar during the first three miles. This was a huge mistake because I ended up choking on the last bite for about a mile until I slowed down enough to take about a quarter of a water bottle drink to get it down. This took a couple minutes off my time. I passed several people up to the ten mile mark. I caught sight of Mark and caught him on a big down hill. When I caught him, I was out of steam. I went to downshift for the hill and my front derailer moved too far in and threw my chain. I stopped to put it on. When I tried to start again, it came off again and I almost fell. I have clipless pedals and it was hard to start going uphill. Once again I fixed the chain. I felt like I had lost a significant amount of time because most of the people I had passed, had gone by as I was fixing my chain. Later, when I checked the Garmin this incident cost me 1:45.

Don't eat on the bike.

I felt like this was going to be a good transition. All I had to do was rack the bike, take off the helmet and shoes, and put on tennis shoes. Check, Check, Check. As I am racing toward the T2/Run timing mat, Where is my number. I had to turn around and run back to my stuff and put my number on. I believe this should have been a one minute transition.

Put the numbers on at T1.

T2 blew my mind! After I forgot my number belt and sprited to get it I was whooped. I never could get in the rhythm. It was a very hilly course. I saw Mark at the turn around and told him I would never catch him. The end was terrible. You come up this huge hill which appears to be the finally, people are even saying "your there". Then you make a right, away from the crowd. Then a left and another left. I say to the guy next to me, "where is the end?" We had both been "running it out" but were running out of steam. The finish line was nice, but as soon as you cross it, you a in a street fair, what? I asked one of the volunteers where the drinks where and she said, "at the transition area" :( Luckily, my mom was there and gave me her water. All that aside, it was a great accomplishment to be done.

Dig deeper and find the motivation to run harder and faster!

Walking to the transition area and taking pictures with the family.


Endurance.


This was my first triathlon. It was a great experience. It was well organized from the parking to the last event. It was also a very nice and unique community. I will be doing this race again. There was a big crowd. Over 520 participants. I would recommend this race to anyone from new to experienced as a good race to schedule for next year. Also, the times were posted quickly.