SheROX Philadelphia Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

They had buoys on both sides to form a lane of where were supposed to go. The bridge we swam under had good grafitti so we knew which part to go through. They had kayaks and boats out there to watch us.

The start wasn't too bad, and I didnt see any kicking/fighting to get out in front. The women were all even keeled. I did have to maneuver around people a bit and did about 2/3 freestyle and 1/3 breast. I felt my sighting went pretty well, I didn't have to do breast to sight, but I did anyway to be 100% sure I was headed in the right direction. I pretty much stayed with the pack. In general, it is hard to get used to making slow progress during the OWS. Everytime I sighted the buoy's, I felt like I hadn't gotten any closer to the end. There were some choppy parts where I kept inhaling water, that's probably why I kept doing all the breast stroke.

The exit was well marked with a huge blow up canopy and they had two people helping you out which was awesome, cause the shore was rocky and steep.

Try to do more freestyle when doing OWS training. I never rely on breast stroke while training in the pool, but to keep myself on track in OWS I seem to revert back to it a lot. Try to get my cadence going a little faster during OWS - but that will come with more intense training.

No wetsuit. I ran out of the water into T1. Barely rinsed my feet off, just got the tops of them. Didn't dry anything off. Quickly put on socks, bike shoes, helmet, sunglasses and ran with the bike onto the course. Got my feet clipped in alright.


Run faster out of the swim.

It took a while to get my cadence up. My heart rate was still high from the swim and my hurry through T1. I got things going around the turn-around spot on MLK (around 1 mile?). My spedometer on my bike wasn't working which was a huge dissapointment, but I powered through. I just kept trying to get the next person. I felt like I passed more people then passed me, but that isn't reflective in my overall or AG ranking. I was able to take a lot of wide turns pretty good by hugging the inside and passed a lot of people that way. I know you're supposed to stay to the right, so I'm not sure if this is even legal.

I drank about 1/2 of my water/gatorade mix and ate 2 fig newtons, one at the beginning and one after the first loop.


I would have made sure the spedometer was working! It's something I never thought to check. I realized afterwards the sensor on the front tire wasn't aligned right. Obviously, I couldn't pace myself to know how fast I was going and know my limits, and I didn't have a good idea of how many miles I had gone to know how much further and how much energy to expend. My average was pretty true, if not higher, then my training though - especially when you take the hills into consideration.

In the dismount area, someone had fallen off their bike into the fence. I didn't see it, but she was still on the ground and people were helping her. However, the riders in front of me were either confused or looking at her, which caused a "gaper" delay. They were blocking the area from where the fencing ended and the entrance to the transition area began, so I had to maneuver around them once I was off my bike to get it over the curb and into the grass. I guess in hindsight, I was able pass them, so that is good!

I ran with my bike into the transition area. I got everything off and slipped my sneaks on. I have the elastic laces, so nothing to tie. I just purchased them the day before at the expo. Great investment! I ran out of T2 and felt pretty strong.

I'm glad I perserved through the stopped riders. There was nothing I could have done given the circumstances.

Run felt slow. I usually run hills while training, it can't be avoided, I live in a hilly area. It was nice to have a flat course after the bike. I tried to up my cadence a bit, but my HR would start to really go up, so I kept the slow even pace. I didn't drink any water during the run. I was pretty hydrated from the bike and before the race. I finished hard and ran faster once the finish line was in sight. When I crossed the finish line and stopped running I had trouble catching my breath and my emotions were a little out of wack - really happy but couldn't breath.

I did three bricks before the race. I am going to focus on these and try to do them at least 2x/month. With time and more training my legs will get stronger so I can do a better 5K at the end.

I walked around and didn't sit at all. Tried to stretch while in the food line and talking to my family. I drank a bottle of water before getting any food. I had half of a whole wheat muffin, a little bit of a chocolate chip cookie, bit of a whole wheat raisin muffin, yogurt and blueberries and an apple. Drank another bottle of water with food and kept drinking water all day (except the champage-vodka-mango schnopps-orange juice cocktail when I got home). My lower back hurt most of the day - but felt better the next day.


Making sure my spedometer was working would've helped. I performed at the same level as my training, if not a bit faster. It's unreasonable to expect to go any faster then that. I started seriously training on Memorial Day, so I am proud of my performance after 2 months.


Very well organized. Love all the free stuff. I did this race because it was all women and the free mentor's. My mentor was great - better then I expected! She was there at the finish line, had us over to train a few times, provided good info, and always answered questions.

I love the triathlon community, everyone is very supporting. I don't see the elitism I see with other sports. That may be just those I was exposed to though? It seems more "swim/bike/run YOUR race" then always win win win.

I thought the race was expensive ($115). I'd like to do it again next year, but that may hold me back.