mini-Mussel Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swimming is always my worst part of a tri due to severe anxiety. Usually I'm hyperventilating for the first 200 meters or so before I can settle down. For some reason, this race was totally different. Despite swimming in the pack (I usually aim for the back or the side), I didn't have any anxiety. This made for a much better swim. Shaved off 23 seconds from last year, but more importantly felt good doing it.

Once I rounded the buoy, perhaps I could have swam more aggressively. But I felt so good I didn't want to push it.

Also, I decided to remove my wetsuit in the water instead of in transition. Not sure if that was a good decision. 90% of it peeled right off, but the last little bit was tricky. Nonethless - - I didn't have to run in it, and I think that may have been a positive. So I think I'd do it again.

Best time in transition yet. Not sure how I could really take off much time. I had a great position in the transition area by pure luck of the draw.

Nothing

I actually thought I was doing worse than I ended up doing. There was a headwind going out, and it seemed like I was moving pretty slow. So many guys passed me (and they started two waves behind). It ended up that I was going 18.4 mph, which is exactly the speed I did last year. I need to figure out how to get to the next level on the bike . . .

Also, I CANNOT drink on the bike in a race. I just don't seem to have good enough balance. This is going to be a problem in a longer race.

Buy some aero bars and get that cool bottle that hangs between them. So I can just lean over and drink.

The only hold up I had here was that I really needed to drink. So I spent a few extra seconds doing that. This is definitely a place I could knock of 30 seconds if I was drinking on the bike.

Drink on the bike!

The run was the highlight of this tri. I knew I was close to a PR and was able to really push. I definitely had good energy. My rate was 24 sec/mile faster than I've ever run before.

Drink more on the bike.

I think the main barriers I have are:

1. Need to drink more water on the bike.
2. Need to work on increasing cycling cadence
3. If anxiety on the swim stays at a low ebb, maybe I can push myself more. I tend to merely swim this as opposed to trying to race it.


This race is sooo well run. I can't say enough good things about it. Tons of volunteers, a great course, so organized. Beautiful setting. It's got it all!