28th Annual YMCA Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I undertrained for this! Being my strongest leg, it was prudent, but I could have made a better showing. The course this year was LONG - in years past I thought that it was 800 yards and came out in times between 9:00 (short year) and 11:00 (other years). I have pretty long hair at the moment and didn't put my cap on properly - lost it twice, took about 5 secs to get it back on each time but I made up the yardage I lost easily.

SIGHTING! I wish I could do this better, but I was just hauling and trying to use other people as a guide. In the top 30, you would think that the group would stay on course - wrong! I managed to correct myself several times.

More yards! I can handle it, I just have been focusing my training much more on the bike and the run where I have bigger gains to be made. However, a better swim will facilitate a faster transition onto the bike and benefit the entire race.

OK - the swim threw me for a loop. I overexerted myself so I used T1 as a chance to get my HR back down to a sustainable level. Took off the cap and goggles, put on my tri shirt and shorts with my number on them, then sat down to do the shoes. I felt like I was going to hurl! I don't think in the scheme of things I lost more than 1:00 due to this, but I can't tell (T1 splits weren't recorded!)

Bring a small stool to sit on when I clean off my feet and get my shoes on. I cycle in my running shoes, so I want to be careful that they are clean - maybe get a bucket of water to dip em in next time.

T1 was included in the bike split! 40:36 includes T1 and the bike, my computer gave me 37:25 (clock stopped during T2 after it was racked), so about 36.5 minuted for the whole course! WEEEEEE! My new bike performed admirably. After reading people'd comments, I turned off the spedometer and just kept up my cadence on the computer. Started spinning at 95 rpm and kept it there the whole way! I passed people, people passed me, I passed more people and some who had earlier passed me. I snuck a peek on the big flat section and realized I was going between 22 and 24 the whole way! I didn't know if I could keep it up, but I pushed and just kept the cadence going.

I surged up the first small hill and realized that I need to sit for the other ones, so I sucked it up and spun in my lowest ratio to make it up the hills. I probably was only doing 5-6 mph uphill, but I passed people anyways. After the uphill is probably the most rewarding downhill section I have yet found - lightning fast back into the park through shaded and open sections. I definitely broke 40mph (computer confirmed) and kept it going even as the hill began to wane. Apparently other people are better at riding downhill than I, and about 5 passed me going down this hill - funny, because I didn't brake at all!

Push a little more! This is a HUGE drop from last time, I'm super pleased. I know I'll be able to rock the bike even more next time =)

Haha all you biking shoed people. I just hopped off my bike and dropped my helmet, then off I went!

Get there a little earlier - rack position is really the only thing that would have helped me here.

After a hard bike, it took me a bit to find my legs. I found them though! I forgot my watch, so I don't know the mile splits, but I definitely negative split this thing. The first mile I had really short strides but fast, like my 95 rpm on the bike. I struggled to let me heart rate adjust to running. Mile 2, I developed a bad sidestitch and walked for about 10 steps, changed my breathing and it magically disappeared. Started to gather my energy by the time mile 3 started, you could see the beach again and people were cheering - the adrenaline kicked in REAL nice and I must have run a 6:30 mile or something. It felt sooo great! I kicked nice and strong for the finish and was all smiles!

More bricks at race pace - I've been focusing on run and bike volume. Once a few more weeks go by I will hold steady and practice speed.

Pounded lots of water, had some orange slices and walked around a bit. Stretched out and kept walking, took my stuff back to the car and walked back to the beach house for awards.


Speed hasn't been my focus at all so far this season. It was a good test to see where I am, I'll be prepared to be even more aggressive for next race.

Anyways, I SHATTERED my PR by over 8 minutes! I'm pumped; it's a sign of good training so far and theres more fun to come for the rest of the season =)

I will be picking swimming back up to my college level workout - I've been working closely with my friend to get him swimming, but my workouts have been only 1400-1600yds. Thats barely a WARMUP for what I can and should be doing.

Biking - more volume still, gotta get up to 2hr ride level before I practice really hauling.

Running - more volume, Boilermaker is coming quick! I'll work speed on short run days now, too.


This race is special to me - it was my first Tri back in 2002. The YMCA staff and volunteers were super helpful and very nice. I made a point to thank everyone I saw who helped!

Postrace took a while for the awards; they were given in random order, which was a little confusing but ok.