Cranberry Country Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

I got beat up on this swim! Got a kick to the sternum, grazed by some girl with super long fingernails, the works. I tried to draft, but couldn't really find a good pair of feet and most of these ladies were pretty bad at sighting. At the first turn, we started running into the prior wave, and there were a lot of people floating/sidestroking/whatevering. Felt like navigating a mine field. I couldn't really focus on form, but that's okay because my form is scary to begin with.

Find a better starting position. Think I'm going back to the left side near the front. And getting a better swim technique would be a good idea.

They had us run up the soaking wet granite steps this year. Yikes! Was pretty dizzy after the swim and into transition, but held it together okay.

My bike is a minute faster than it was last year, which I think is kind of pathetic, considering my volume is up a bit. Average watts were 137, which is comparable to my easy/steady long rides around here. Maybe I am not used to the flatter terrain? Felt very thirsty and slightly overheated for the last 5 miles of my ride, which definitely affected my overall performance.

Looking to be lighter, stronger, and riding a tri bike next year at this time.

I missed my rack in transition again and had sock trouble because I can't run without them. This was not the best transition and I should consider practicing them more often.

I'm not sure if I should be happy with this run or not. My run volume has been silly low because I was not allowed to run for 2 weeks due to some issues with my left foot, and since getting clearance to run, I have been running at a strict low volume/easy pace. So I basically went into this run barely trained.

The heat was really getting to people at this point, and so many were walking. Every walker I talked to said they were either overheated or their heart rate was super high. I had a completely different problem - my heart rate was only mid to high zone 2. Around mile 4 I noticed it had gotten stuck around 168, so I tried to push it up to around 176, which never quite happened.

However, last year, even though I ran the same course almost three minutes faster, I came out much lower in the standings among those in my age group and overall (2006 was 22/32 and 362/522 respectively). Which is why I am deciding to be mostly happy with my run perfomance.

Overall it was a good run, considering the heat and my training setbacks, but I know I can run faster. I need to learn how to push myself coming off the bike so I'm starting out at a decent pace.

I need to work on the mental aspect of racing, plain and simple. More practice with pushing my body in training. I know it will come together.


This is a great race. Keeping it in my plan for next year. They really need to get some better shirts though!