Mighty Mississinewa Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I rocked the swim. It was a "sudden" start, we were all standing around the water chatting, and the gun went off. We all looked at each other in suprise, and I dove in and sprinted the first 100 yards with nobody in front of me, nice clean water, and just refused to slow down any. Navigation was spot on, I even brushed several yellow marker bouys with my right shoulder. Water was on the cool side - they said 80*, but with the recent rain, felt like 76-ish - loved it. I was the 3rd person out of the water. What a great swim.

Not much, I guess I need to pay attention to the announcer, but what fun would that be? If I make it to swim practice some, I may be able to swim quicker, but it was a fantastic swim.

T1 time was included in the swim. Run from swim to Transition was in the 1:00-1:15 range, maybe 400 yards uphill on grass? I put my helmet on and slipped on my shoes at the same time, strap up, and hit the bike out.

I always feel in a panic in T1. I really need to probably practice it a couple of times the week before a race. Aside from that, it was a FAST transition, less than 45 seconds - maybe even 35 seconds, I may be able to save 5 seconds, if that, above what I did.

Had a small amount of side stitch and GI stomach distress issues, but for the most part I nailed the bike ride. I felt strong. Took a cappucino hammer gel when I hit the dam, drank the aero bottle of gatorade (2 scoops powder mixed with 32 oz water). Shifting was off - bike needs a tuneup. Great ride - I think I was the 4th person to leave T1, and got back about 15th or so. All in all, it was a great ride for me, I crushed this ride!

Need to adjust/tune up shifting. Try nutrition/hydration prior to race day (switched from Clif to Hammer gel. I also tried some EAS Catipult that was in the race packet on the ride up - nasty stuff. Ride lots before race week.

T2 time built into run time. Came off the bike fast, screaming into the dismount line, both brakes locked up, feet on top of shoes, feeling like a million bucks knowing I just kicked ass on the bike. I was able to actually run off the bike, throw my shoes on, grab a bottle of water and race belt. I sucked down a couple of gulps of water, and dumped the rest over my head.

I had about a 30 second T2, I don't know that I could have done much better. I did miss the trashcan with the empty bottle, but then again, this is triathlon, not basketball.

Ran, abeight slowly, the whole way. I initially had some calf cramping right off the bike, but that went away after 1/2 mile. I left everything on the course for this one, I don't know that I could have gone further or harder. My knee was good until 2.5 miles, when I could tell it was swelling back up. By the time I got done with the race, my knee was the size of a softball.

If you were not aware, Thursday, my right knee swelled up. Doctor did not want to poke it with a needle yesterday, so no real immediate relief - some cortizone to help the swelling - and I ran today. I did all I could today, but in the future, do not run in new shoes 4 days before a triathlon - which is why I had the issue.

Still ran a great time for me, for the most part.

Walked for a couple of minutes, grabbed a cookie and some water and went back to the finish to get pictures of everyone else.


My knee definitely hurt my run, I could have gone faster on it. Aside from that, I had a great race.


I love the venue - I hunt here as well. This was my second year doing this race, it's first rate, as is it's staff.