Tri the Parks -- High Falls State Park - TriathlonSprint

The wave consisted of M 29-under which was about 60 guys. I wanted to go out hard to I seeded myself to the front. Maybe this was a mistake. I think this swim (for me) was just as physical as Ironman. I took repeated punches to the face.

I knew I was going hard and I thought I was making great time around the buoy. On the back, I had a good drafting position right on a guys feet. I felt like I was flying. I knew my HR was jacked up and the breathing was a bit frantic but I felt under control.

I was shocked to pop out of the water at 12:20. I was pissed. Looking at the times, I still think the course was longer than they said. It seemed like it was a really slow swim for most people.

More time in the pool? I might have started back a bit to avoid the chaos and swim around it.

HR was skyrocketing. Swim time includes a run up stairs and into transition. I had no problem locating and retrieving bike. I am still not convinced that I want to learn to jump on the bike so I just ran and got on it

Not much. I was shocked how quick it was

Well this didn't go over that well. My HR was still jacked up coming out of transition. Three of us came out together and played leapfrog for the first few miles. I tried to settle into a pace. I didn't feel like I was moving as quick as I would like but HR was in Z5.

The course was a bit hillier than I anticipated. It wasn't too challenging. My HR NEVER settled down below z4.5. Even on the downhills, I sat back and got breathing under control and nothing. It was frustrating for a while and then I decided to get over it. I knew I would be toast on the run but that was going to happen regardless.

I prepared for a flying dismount coming into transition, but the guy in front of me couldn't decide what he wanted to do. He was weaving everywhere which threw me off. I was out of the shoes but didn't trust him enough to swing over my leg AND try to steer. Well right when I went for it my shoe somehow came out of the clip. I hit the brakes and had to backtrack to grab it. I just hoisted the bike and ran to transition

Ride more in the heat to work on getting the HR down. I really wanted to pick it up a few times but there was nothing in the tank. Continue to practice flying dismount. Overall I am pleased with my bike. Plus my Garmin registered 14.2 miles and gmap confirms the distance. Argh!!!

I was one of the first 20 back in transition so I just threw the bike on the rack. I was irritated about the dismount but shook it off. I put on the socks and shoes quickly and made my way out

Put the garmin in multisport mode. I was fumbling with it too much

My run continues to be my limiting factor in races. My game plan all along was to go hard on the swim and bike, then hang on for the run. I also didn't know what my leg was going to do.

As stated, I knew I was dead for the run and I felt it the minute I came out of transition. I grew pissed by the number of people that passed me but there was nothing I could do. Heartrate was still in high z4. So I just settled into a comfortable pace and let it all go.




Ummm....well a non-injured leg would be a start. Cooler temps. And maybe some TRAINING!!!!

I was just hot after the race. I felt fine minus some irritation in my leg. I grabbed a few waters and went to the sports medicine tent to have them look at my leg. I later came back because it was still irriated. We hung back for the awards and then hit a BBQ joint before leaving town.


Lack of training. I haven't done any speed work in 6 months. My HR was high probably due to the heat and lack of exposure.

I am pleased with the overall results, just not all that pleased with my performance. I feel like I should be 3-4 mintues quicker without much more effort


I was not overly impressed by the race. I would challenge both the swim and bike distances. It was also a bit chaotic around transition where the course was still open. It was a small staging area for volunteers, specators and athletes. I was shocked there weren't any accidents. This doesn't go to say that I won't race it again next year.