Danskin - Los Angeles County - TriathlonSprint

Strong swimmer but sick & wanted to conserve for rest of race. Water not cold on entry but felt that way ~250yd in and breathing difficult (maybe b/c sick but chatted w/other participants, esp. newbies, who felt same effects at about same distance regardless of time/ability/etc.) Felt much better after approx. halfway 440 yd (buoy) and passed many swimmers in my wave & one before (not impt. to pass, but no-one to draft off).

Swim in lake week prior (no chance this time). Warm up in the water. Gone out more slowly/evenly but overall go much harder Draft more. Smoother buoy rounding--don't have to do head-up breaststroke kick :) [confidence issue re. smacking into buoy/other swimmers]. More confidence in sighting--no problems, but still felt had to pop head up all the time first 1/2. Not done any breaststroke.

Slow & deliberate, fine for first standard tri T1 (first tri was reverse).

Confidence to run off swim (200yd to T1). Chamois not towel to dry off a bit. Put gel blocks in easy-to-reach bike bag (took time to stuff in suit pockets). PUT CYCLING JERSEY ON (not doing so is a regret from BOTH tris!) Bodyglide inside of shoes so no socks needed.

Don't really know how to ride bike--can't do drop bars, shift gears, or corner, etc. (my apologies and yes I stayed on the right!)

(obv) Learn how to ride bike, used toe straps/cages. Ridden course (no chance). PUT CYCLING JERSEY ON (cold, and forgot both tris!) Hydrated more/had more accessible snacks. B/C sprint tri, biked with trail shoes (stiffer than reg. runnies).

Fast trans for taking it easy & being very safe. Nice!

[If had cycling jersey on, taken it off].

Sweet run, rolling hills though (but I like 'em, and they shortened stride which really helped tight hammies/IT from bike). Ran ~5 min off bike, got some quad cramps, did 1:1 run/walk until last mile (ran through).

Worn trail shoes on bike (stiffer than reg. runnies but fine to run in for sprint). Had confidence to pick up pace earlier--no prob. w/running off bike, and had very neg. splits and lot of reserves at end of run/race.

Walked around for 15 minutes.


Illness; unfamiliarity with course and "normal" T1/T2 transitions (not reverse). Had run marathon less 1 month prior; did very little cross(tri)training before & after marathon (taper/recovery), then got ill.


DO THIS RACE. DO THIS RACE. DO THIS RACE. Done countless road races and 1 tri before, and all great but nothing compares to the incredible support and inspiration this race is, both as a triathlete and a human. Wept as last runners came in, and many stayed to cheer in last runner (it's a tradition and has rituals).