Crystal River Triathlon Series - Sprint #1 - TriathlonSprint

Started left and about in the middle of the pack so that the current would take me towards the buoy. The start was horrible. Everybody just kicking and hit, way to many people for one wave. This is the worst start I've ever been in. Got into a groove and was trying to draft here and there, but people would start to swim over top of me or the person I was drafting would slow down because he went out to hard. Hit the turn around buoy and make the turn one a foot or so from the buoy, I was huging it. Spoted the finish line but the sun was right in our eyes, so just went from buoy to buoy. Stayed tight and tried to pick the pace up, but it was still really crowded.

Maybe start further up front.

Got into transition and just felt disoriented. Couldn't get my socks or shoes on. Didn't have a start head like I did at St A's. But did run all the way to my spot.

Practice.

My goal was to push the bike as hard as I could. Tried to keep my speed over 20mph the entire time and keep the cadence high. Was feeling good at the start and was picking people off left and right. Saw a small pack up ahead and decided to try to bridge the gap. By the time I got up to them they had fallen apart. Got past by the lead female at mile 5. Was almost at mile 7 before I saw the lead male coming back. Pretty much the entire time I was out by myself. Never really had a good pacer in front or anyone just sitting behind me. Saw my friend Brian after the turn and he was like a minute back, so I knew I had to push hard if I was to beat him. He's a pretty good runner.

The course seemed pretty accurate according to my odometer until the 7mile to 7.5 turn around. it was like an extra .15 miles each direction.

Nothing. Training will get me faster.

As I came in, I kicked my water bottle off my bike and had to go back to grab that. Otherwise, it was a really good T2.

Practice

Again, I just wanted to push as hard as I could until I either puked or had to slow down. I was actually feeling pretty good and just pushed as hard as I could. Was hoping to see my friend Brian on the way out so I could judge how far behind me he was. By the 1/2 mile mark when I didn't see him, I knew he was pretty close behind on the run. He was probably just getting into T2 as I was heading out. On the out run the crosswinds were feeling good. Got to the turn around and just before a girl comes up beside and says "good job, keep pushing" so I decided I would. :) She was cute and had a 21 on her calf, so I used her as a rabbit. I ran with her for a bit and we chatted, saw Brian about 45secs-1min back after the turn around and knew I had to push hard. Coming up to the 2 mile marker I pushed ahead of the little group I was in so I could get water. Didn't want to be the last one left out for no water, or have to stop to get it. Continued running in this little group until about the 2.5 mile marker. Myself and the girl picked it up and dropped the guy, we were gaining on another guy, who at the finish line I realized was in my age group. With about 200 yds or so to go, we all started pushing hard. I didn't have much in my legs for a sprint so I couldn't catch the guy and the girl beat me as well. Shook the guys hand and thanked the girl for helping me push my pace. She thanked me and said I helped push her too.

This was my fastest min/mile pace for a run every, so I am really happy with this race and run.

Nothing

Just walked around and found Jeff (Q), waited for Brain (cantgeTRIte), Sue (sue7013) Jess (Tri Take Me Away) and Wendi (G8RSAX) to come in. Went over and talked to my friend Chris, who was there with one of our professors Mark, who I talked into doing the race.


Poor transitions.


This is a great small race and keeps getting bigger. I will probably do the next 2 this season as well.