Tri4God - TriathlonSprint

Since this was such a short swim, I decided I was going to swim it hard. It might be the only good part of the race, but whatever. I lined up just inside the buoy since I pull left, which put me outside the biggest part of the crowd (our wave was all the women and the relays, so a big of over 90 people). I got just behind the first line of people, and pushed off and started swimming as soon as the gun went off. The whole swim was a fight and a couple of times I had to hesitate to figure out a way around or through folks. I got a little beat up, but it didn't bother me. I swam fairly hard to the turn at the second buoy, settled a bit, but tried to not really let up. It shows. This was my best swim in forever, and I got under the 2min/100 finally.

Start at the front. I lost a few seconds since a few of the ladies in that front line didn't start swimming right away and I had to get around. Then, the first turn buoy was a mess. I might have been able to avoid if I had just gone off the front and let any faster swimmer behind me swim around if needed.

This was a good transition for me. I was about the middle of the age group. For some reason, I put my shoes on first and then my helmet.

Follow my regular plan...or not. I seemed to go faster for a change.

I was sure I would have a slow time on this course. I had ridden the week before, and it was much hillier than I was used to...by Jackson, MS standards. Coming in under an hour was a shocker to me (my bike computer still isn't working, so I didn't know actual distances or times). I did the first half "controlled" because I didn't want the hills to beat me up. However, on the way back, after I cleared the "big" hills, I rode the next several miles like a time trial. It felt great and I passed a ton of people.

Have a little more confidence. Not drink 2 glasses of wine the night before. Thought I might toss my cookies right around the halfway point.

This is an excellent transition...for me. Again, right about the middle of the age group.

Nothing.

Phew. I was tired. First half was a struggle to just keep running, but I didn't want to walk until I got to the aid station. Second half started with a little downhill, so that got me rolling, and I really started to relax and enjoy the run, albeit slowly, for the last mile or so.

Try to push a little bit harder earlier.

Water, pizza, cola, more water.


Mindset. I just wasn't planning on really racing this, but type A urges took over. I probably would've fared better with a better frame of mind at the outset. However, getting 3rd in my age group (1st place moved up to Masters first place) was a genuine treat!


The best volunteers at any race I've been at. A lot of them, all cheerful and cheering everyone on. They were great! This will be an annual event for me. Placing in my age group was icing on the cake! (Note: Overall rank is just overall women...results don't show overall for the ~340 participants.)