Heritage Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Walked into the water and positioned myself in about the 2'nd or 3'rd row, in the center. Our wave was the males 39 and under.

The horn went off and I immediatly spotted a path where I'd be able to pass the row ahead of me if I got the chance. It never materialized.

This is my first race where I had my Garmin quick-release bike & wrist strap for my Forerunner. I decided to wear the wrist strap (without the Forerunner attached) throughout the race so I wouldn't forget it or have to mess with it during transitions. After about 100m, the strap came loose and slid off my arm. I stopped and managed to catch it right behind me before it sunk. So, now, I'm treading water with one hand and holding my wrist strap in the other not knowing what I was going to do next. Then, I stuffed the strap under my shorts leg as if it were an empty gel. It seemed like I was treading water forever, but it was probably only 10-15 secs max. However, it was enough such that I'd lost quite a few spots and now was completely mis-positioned.

I swam pretty hard and started to fight my way through the back of the pack. I wasn't too aggressive, though, and had to drastically change my course to get around people. Then, I encountered those who wore themselves out after trying to keep up with the faster swimmers and were breast-stroking. My sighting was pretty good but I still stopped a few times to re-plan my route.

I rounded the first buoy in pretty good position and headed a bit to the outside to get some clear water. This leg of the swim was completely uneventfull and I was still passing people. This is also where I was passed by the fast people in the wave following me.

Coming down the backstretch, I started doing the lightning bolt pattern. I'd drift to the left, correct, then repeat. Looking back on it, I think, my left arm was a bit fatigued and my right arm was dominating, pushing me to the left.

Made it to the "shore" and waded through the water to T1

Leave the wrist strap in transition.

Oh, it probably wouldn't hurt to throw in an OWS in training every once in a while too.

I hadn't packed a small towel for transition, but I did have a cotton T-shirt. My plan was to use it to dry my feet. At the last minute, I ditched that plan and decided to bike without socks and would put them on for the run.

This was my fastest T1 ever, by a big margin (maybe my first sub 2:00 T1).

I really feared this bike. Since we've been here since Fri night, I've noticed that the roads were quite hilly. Not that there were too many, nor were there any climbs you might find somewhere that they have those "real" hills I keep reading about. But, they were all about double the size of the rolling hills around DFW.

I mounted my bike quickly and in stride, passing the two guys stopped being real carefull of getting on, made it up the hill to the top of the dam and then got up to speed. First thing I noticed was a female two spots ahead of me. My only thought was "how did she sneek into the male swim wave?". I passed the guy between us and then made it past her and settled in at a nice 22mph ish pace.

Came to the turn and was farily quickly greeted with the longer, not-very-steep hill. It was steep enough to keep me in the 13-15mph range and feeling it by the time I reached the top. The rest of the way out was pretty fast with a roller or two to make it over. I was passed more than I'd like, but I was very happy with my pace. Mostly, I'd pass going up the hills, then later on the flats, a group would come back around me. The female was in the group and it dawned on me that she was just that fast of a swimmer.

At the turnaround, I had an ave speed of 20.5 and was very happy with that (although I started my timer about 30-40 secs into the ride). Coming back was more of the same. It was about this time when I realized that there was NO wind. It was weird riding in all directions and not having to fight the wind. I was easily holding 22+ on the flats.

We made the turn and down off the dam road along the dam on the older road. I really didn't know where we were going so I just stayed in my place and followed. We had to go back over the dam road and this was the only time I had to get out of the saddle.

I'm very happy with my performance. If anything, I think I may have "settled" a bit too much. I probably could have pushed a little harder on the flats.

Not bad. I did sit around a bit deciding what to do with my socks. I ended up just stuffing them in my bag and ran sockless.

Have a real plan.

I didn't know what to think going in to this race. I had been sick, then didn't workout as I got a new job and had alot going on. I did run on Friday and it was my worse run all year. My confidence was surely lacking going into this race.

I came out of T2 at a nice easy pace. I have to work hard to keep myslef from running too fast at the start of the runs. It didn't take long to be in a nice groove at an 8:30 pace. I also was dealing with pain in my left shoulder, which I seem to get at every race. I fought through it without having to slow down and tried to push a little.

I'd get about 1/4 mile at a faster pace and then have to let up a little back to the 8:30 ish pace. That was ok, it's still early. Not long before I see Clint (jcbolton) and he is flying. Just before the turnaround, I see John (jcagg90) and think I have a chance to catch him if I can pick up the pace and run sub 8:00 the rest of the way. I try, but again I'm forced back into the slower pace. I go a little more and then try one last-ditch effort to speed up, but a stabbing pain in my right shoulder forced me into a walk until it subsided. Once it was gone, I was back at my 8:30 pace and was able to have some kick over the last 1/10 of the run.

Turns out John had an incredible run and there was no way I was catching him today.

I really need to figure out these sharp pains in my shoulders. It may just be a matter of doing more some high intensity training runs.

Ate some spagetti, oranges, drank some water and caught up with John, Clint, and Clifford; all who had great races.


My 2 week preperation was poor to say the least. My confidence was also very low, judging by my 10:00 pace run in Zone 4 on Friday.


This was a very well run race and pre/post race activities. I believe there were 4 aid stations on the run, 2 of which encountered both ways. I actually passed through some not taking anything.

My only gripe would be the lack of race specific (courses, wave starts, etc) info in the packet.