Take on the Heat Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Seeded myself at 10 mins for the swim prior to the race as a ballpark estimate. As a result I would up being grouped with people that I probably should have been ahead of. I passed 10-15 people on the swim and did it in under 7 mins so I am pretty happy with that.

Next time I will put down my actual swim time and get with the right group. Also, I need to get back in the pool and start practicing my swimming. My time was good but the lack of effort I put into practicing this leg of the triathlon probably hurt me on the bike and run.

Since I had never done this before I thought it went well. I got out and got my feet dry enough to get socks on, jumped in my shoes, threw on the helmet and sunglasses and I was gone.

Dunno

I spent the first few miles trying to get on pace. It was windy in spots and I think my overall average speed suffered but I can't complain too much. I did pass some folks on main street at each of the two hills so that made me feel pretty good.

About 1 mile into the ride Jonathan passed me on his second loop. I gotta get a new bike.

Push it more on the first loop. I think I started out at too easy of a pace. Also, I should have used the tri-bars more.

I completely forgot I had bike shoes on coming into the dismount area. Jonathan and I had discussed it while waiting on the swim to start and he warned me to be careful since the bike shoes were slippery. I unclipped and jumped off and as soon as those clips on my shoes hit the concrete, I fell flat on my back. The volunteer was nice enough to ask if I was ok and right after I said "I'm good" I freaking fell down again. Women shrieked, babies cried, men pointed and laughed. Luckily I only had to go two rows in to get to my bike rack otherwise I might have fell again. Changed into my running shoes, popped a GU and hit the road.

Stay vertical and maybe work on getting out of my shoes while still on the bike. I need to do some research on that part of it.

I am by no means a runner, it's certainly my weakest of the three events. I'm getting there but I still have a ways to go. I only walked while drinking my water at each aid station (miles 1, and 2) but I think I could have done a faster time than I did. At the end of the race with about 200yds to go I tried to pass a guy and when we got shoulder to shoulder he dropped the hammer on me. We sprinted to the finish but I just couldn't catch him. Made us look like a couple of good runners to the spectators though. It also made me realize I had more left in the tank and should have picked up the pace sooner.

Keep up my pace through the aid stations and push it a little more. Also, I need to make sure I setup the chrono on my watch right. I knew what my lap time was but I had no idea where I was in overall time. I think it would have helped me out to know that.

Ran about 10 feet past the finish line and got mobbed by the time chip lady. She said she wanted to remove my time chip but she was pulling on my patella strap. After we got that straightened out I grabbed the first water bottle I could find and chugged it.


I'm pretty sure it was the threat of global warming weighing heavily on my thoughts as I ran the course. That or I just need to train harder. It's really pretty much a toss up.


For my first triathlon I am very pleased. My family came out to support me and my brother flew in for this race and was there waiting for me at the finish. It was one of the cooler things I have done and now I can honestly tell people that I AM A TRIATHLETE!