'Tri The Rock' Triathlon - TriathlonMini Sprint

I felt really good going into the swim. I had seeded myself with a time of 5:15, but thought I could do a 5 min swim. I had the tempo trainer set at 1.10 for the swim. I was disappointed to see my time. I did not think I was going that slow. Although, I consider myself an average swimmer and 19/43 puts me right at the average. My seeding was perfect because I never caught the person ahead of me and no one passed me.

I just need more practice and work on my technique.

1/43 WHO'S YOUR DADDY! I was really focused on this transition. I started thinking about it on my last length in the pool. Normally I put on socks but this time I did not because I wanted to save all the time I could. The McKinney Sprint was the first time I did a race without socks and I had trouble getting both my bike and running shoes on. I think it was mom23 who told me about the baby powder in the shoes. The shoes went on much easier this time. Thanks Kelley. My sunglasses did fog up really bad. I could hardly see anything until I got going on the bike.

Put anti-fog on my sunglasses.(I have already done it)

My plan was to keep my HR below 150 and to set my computer to the average speed and shoot for a 21 mph average. The first half of the bike my average would get a little over 21, then fall a little below 21. My HR was above 150, but it was usually below 155(my LT) so I just stayed at the same effort. The second half was much faster. I was able to keep my HR at 150 and my speed slowly climbed above 21 mph. The last part, were you ride along the run path, I upped the cadence to get my legs ready for the run. For the first time, I did not have anyone pass me on the bike.

Nothing, I was extremely happy with this ride.

8/43, Again the shoes went on much easier with the baby powder. I had my tempo trainer on my visor. I was not planning on using it unless I felt like I needed the extra push. So when I put my visor on, I knocked the tempo trainer out of its holder and it started to roll across the transition area. I think the volunteers got a kick out of me chasing it because it got up on the edge, like a hockey puck, and it took a few seconds to chase it down.

Not take the tempo trainer chasing detour.

The game plan was to keep my HR at 160 until my legs got loose or until I hit the turn-around. After that, I would go as hard as I could. I had projected running at a 7:30 min/mile pace. So after chasing down my tempo trainer, I got mentally into the run. Even though I went harder than normal on the bike, my legs felt about like they normaly do. I was able to keep up the cadence and focus on my technique. I did a good job of looking 6 feet ahead of me rather than people watching. After the turn-around, it is a little uphill and then a gradual downhill for the most part. As I hit the downhill, I started to up the pace. I was able to maintain the increased pace and then sprint the last 500 yards. I do not have a time to prove it, but this is probably the first run were my second half was faster than the first.

Nothing. I ran faster than what I had projected

Walked over to the food tent to replenish. Then hung out with Reagen, Sue, Chris, Karen, and Jeff. Also talked with Joseph, his Dad(Gene?), Derick, and Laurie. When Reagen came back from checking the results, I got a little deflated. He told me that we were both 5th in our AG. Were did all these fast guys come from? I went 2 minutes faster than projected and I am not placing. We were just hoping that they awarded more than 3 deep. At the awards ceremony they started with the younger AGs and when they announced the 5th place finisher, Reagen and I immediately turned to each other with "Hot Damn" looks on our faces. There could have been a "moment" there but I think Reagen controlled himself since Sue was standing next to him. So I got my first official triathlon hardware.


I would have liked my swim to be faster, but we are only talking 30 secs.


Well organized and the food was awesome.