Pumpkin Man Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Sometimes things go better than you expect, but this was not one of those times. I ddi not have luck getting my breathing regulated so I alternated strokes and just tried to be grateful it would be over quickly. I was NOT the very last one out of the water (my wave was last) but I turned around and saw her :)

Take swim instruction from someone other than my teenage daughters!

Took a while to get up to the bike running from the water up a grassy hill. Once at the bike I cleaned off my feet, put on socks which got wet of course, and slipped on sneaks (with yankz). Had to don a race shirt because my number was pinned to it(lost my race belt).I had trouble trying to put on my Garmin so I just put it on my handlebars and took off.

Dry my feet before putting socks on, but no big deal.

Perfect rolling course, dry roads, despite horrible weather reports and only one hill was actually difficult. Most of the passing I did was on hills which tells me that my training was not in vain - Yeah! I encouraged everyone I passed aand only was passed once myself by a silent old dude who couldn't handle being behind my 43 y/o ass. Good for him. Ok he was fast... I ate 3 Cliff Shock Blocks after 30 min and that did seem to help on the run. The bike was amazing altogether because I had truly expected heavy rain and had been very scared of falling. Instead, I had nothing but fun.

NOT WORRY SO MUCH.

All I had to do was change hats really, because I pulled the gloves off while biking and strapped on my Garmin on the bike as well. I use my sneakers for both bike and run but am upgrading next year.

Nothing.

I didn't realize how fast I was moving but I passed a lot of people. It was a great victory just to be running because I love to run. After the half way point, I started to cramp in my thighs but there was no WAY I was going to walk, so I just stretched out and pushed through it. Toward the end there were more crowds cheering, which was really fun and I was hurting so I needed the extra push. At the very end I did a sprint finish to pass two ladies just for fun. Yeah, it was VERY fun, sorry ladies.

Zippo. It was almost as fast as my fastest ever 5k.

Hugs and kisses with family and guzzling water.


Someday I will conquer my swim breathing issues, but today was not that day. Other than that, I sure did my best.


This was the first Pumpkin Man Triathlon here in New England, and I know there will be more - the outfit and sponsors did a great job. I would say next time that one of the vendors should remember not to forget the racebelts because EVERYONE wished they had them. AND I was disappointed that they didn't have medals for the finish line! For the registration I paid , I expected a medal :( boo hoo. But other wise, well done guys.