'Tri The Rock' Triathlon - TriathlonMini Sprint

I've done a few pool swim tri's and this was the smoothest I've swum. To start, I dropped in at the wall and pushed off. It was quite amusing watching others start "style". There were quite a few belly flops by those that realized mid-dive that diving wasn't allowed. My goal for this swim was to swim hard enough not to bog anyone behind me down, yet also not waste the energy passing people. I also tried something new and started a conversation with Ester (the start timer) to give myself a little bigger gap with the people in front of me.

Once in, I settled into a nice groove early. At each wall, there was a decent gap both in front as well as behind me. The water wasn't too clear and I found myself actually sighting a few times to find the wall on the deep end, as I couldn't see the "|--" on the bottom. I made it about 4 laps when I encountered my first swimmer. As I pushed off the wall, I knew I'd catch him and hoped he'd let me pass at the next wall. When I caught him, I tapped his foot and he immediatly stopped and stood up letting me pass. Cool. I make it to the last lap and I'm right on someone. I had decided to just take it easy the last lap. Then I realized noone was coming "back" in this lane, so I moved to the left and passed him. Pulled myself out of the pool (it was nice to see the helpers waited to see if you needed help before grabbing your arms) and jogged out to T1.

Predicted time: 5:05, actual: 5:04.9 :)


Nothing, this was just as planned.

This was the first race I made it a point not to sit around watching others. Normally, I enjoy the chaos of others in transition, but if I felt to beat last year's time, I needed to make up some time in transitions. No socks, no drying off, just shoes, helmet, sunglasses, and go.



If anything, I could learn to go with shoes on bike. That would save the most time.

Out of the Y parking lot an onto the road, I immediatly paseed one and then got stuck behind a few others. One was not on the shoulder and there were cars coming from behind. So, the cars that passed me were waiting on the other rider and oncoming traffic. Finally things setlled down and I passed on the road and things were much clearer after the first turn.

I settled in behind one rider for a while. The pace was pretty good, but I felt I could do better, so I passed him on a hill. Now, I'm hammering up and down the rollers. After going up one of them, at the flat and couldn't go more than 10mph. My legs were cooked. I upshifted forcing to get going again, but all that did was lower my cadence. I pedaled at that speed in my self pity for a while, then regrouped and continued on. The stretch coming back was much better and I felt good the entire way. There were some nice 30mph downhills and I managed to keep a good pace going up the hills.

I made the turn into the neighborhoods near the end and started to limber my shoulders a bit in hopes I wouldn't get the stabbing pain on the run.

I think the bike was a bit short. I think something in the 13.8 range is more accurate.

Not have that 10mph meltdown. I suppose I could have stayed behind that rider a bit longer to get my cycling legs under me.

Another good for me transition focused on myself only.


I could have been more aggressive getting to the rack. Again, keeping my shoes on the bike would help too.

I made it out of transition and through the cross country section. As I was getting on the sidewalk, one of the volenteers yelled "looking good, you're almost finished". I think that was her chant to those going the other way, but I was pretty much alone here. I let out a loud "Ha" and she regroups and says "just a few miles away". I was feeling pretty good and I got a chuckle out of it. I make it to the mile point at 7:42. I have my Forerunner, but I had really not been paying attention to it and was caught a bit off guard at that pace. My calves are both a bit tight and I really don't have much range of motion in either ankle, but the left was worse. I continue on thinking I can hold this pace the entire run. I'm just hoping my calves loosen up. The best news is that I've not had any signs of any shoulder pain. It's usually the worse at the beginning of the run, so maybe that small amount of stretching on the bike saved my run. I see Reagan (rgill) coming the other way looking real strong and exchange grettings with him. Just before the turnaround, my left calf is twitching and feels like going into full cramp mode, so I stop at a fence and stretch it out a little. Craig (dockshock) is approaching and gives me some words of encouragement, as does the guy behind him. I get going and keep Craig in my sites all the way back until the cross county section.

After a few bad foot plants in the field, I took it real cautious until I got back to the sidewalk. The guy in front of me was taking the path where the runners start and I yell at him getting him back on course. I started to pick up the pace a bit as I run the final little loop and give what I've got left at the finish. Overall a great run and a PR run pace for a tri.
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Nothing, there are always struggles and this time they were minor and didn't linger. I'm very excited with this run.

Got some water and went talk to my family and BTers at the race. I ventured to the food tents were I was treated to croissants, burritos, smoothies, bananas, etc. The post-race food was better than previous years and a variety better than any other I've done.

Watched the other BTers: DerekL, KSH, tri_it_cajun_style, swatson (sorry, I'm forgetting some) finish.

Big props to docshock1964, rgill, and swatson for placing.


Consistent training.




This was my first race 2 years ago and I'll always make an honest attempt to race it every year. Jack puts on a good race and you know what you're going to get going in.