Emerald Pointe Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I was most pleased by the swim portion of this race. There were a lot of bodies in the water. I have never been in a race this big or had that many people in my heat. I think I planned my entry well. I waited about 10 sec for the aggressive swimmers to hammer it and then entered on the side. I stayed to the left side of all the swimmers and cut in a bit as I rounded the buoys. While I probably added a little time on, not having to thrash around in a group of people allowed me to stay the calmest I have ever been in a race. I ended up only being able to breath on my left side for most of the race. Everytime I tried to breath every third the water was really choppy to my left and made it harder for me to breath well. I just decided to swim how it felt best and get into a rhythm. I got bumped into a few times but nothing hard. I was really conscience of pushing my hands out during the stroke as to prevent me from getting kicked in the face. The best part of this leg was when I started to swim past some of the people in the heat before me. My watch said 8:30 when I stepped on shore. It was my exactly goal time for this race.

I would probably be a little more daring and edge into the group more, shortening the total length of my swim. I would swim all the way to shore and not stop just because I could put my feet down. I would have liked to do more 3 stroke breathing.

My body felt uncoordinated and I couldn't get my suit off fast. I had been swimming without a suit all summer so I little practice getting in and out of my suit. It wasn't that bad. The hard part was the horrible little run up the big hill just to get to the transition station.

Remain calm. Perhaps invest in some cycling shoes where the clips are in the inside and I don't have to run like a duck through transition. I still think a wetsuit is worth the extra time in transition for me at this point.

The course was MUCH hillier than I thought. This is the first race where I wore my clips. It helped so much with the hills but it really made me nervious when I was afraid that I could not get up enough momentum (sp) to continue climbing. At one point a car backed out in front of the person in front of me. We came to nearly a dead stop on a very tall hill. I was unsure if I could finish the climb but was afraid to do anything else because I would fall or have to walk my bike up the hill. About 5 or 6 people passed up as we tried to regain out speed. One time I was changing gears and it started slipping around. I finally found a gear that stuck and I just kept it in that until I had finished the hill climb because I was afraid the chain would come off if I kept trying to get it into the right gear. Such a novice sometimes! My goal was 18 mph and I almost made it.

I was pretty pleased with the course. Considering I had no idea how hilly the course was or have ever ridden in a race with so many people I am pleased with my time. I clearly need to work on shifting to increase my time and lessen my work level. I stayed in the big ring a lot. I should have hydrated better and maybe had a piece of protien bar while on the bike.

Ok- so took the time to put on socks. I had a sore starting on the top of my foot from last weeks workout and just didn't want the pain the whole run. Could have probably sucked it up and saved some time.

sockless???

Went flat on the run. My legs were tired from the bike and I was simply not as conditioned for this race as my last. I felt it. I thought my time was much worse than my goal. I had hoped to have a minimum of under 9mim. Last race was one big hill up and then straight down. I did 8:16 then. I think that I had a Gu on an empty stomach made me "sugar" crash. I felt like I was moving in slow motion. The fun stopped as soon as I hit the run and just never came back. No kick, no getting in the groove just sheer will not to stop moving.

I guess I would do a lot. I meant to eat a little at 45 min. Most people don't but I react to sugar strongly. I think a few bites of protein would have done me well. Having used less of my legs on the hills would have given me more energy on the run. I need to increase my endurance/ distance when I train. A combo of injury and only 6 weeks to train was not quite enough for me to reach all my goals this time.

Walked around with a water bottle and decided not puke in front of my kids.


Conditioning, my knee is still not great, needed to be willing to push through the pain more


I think for this large of a crowd the event went smoothly. I do not like that it is not a closed course. I saw at least one ambulance working on a biker and several water bottles spilled arcoss the course where there were more accidents. I also did not like the long walk from parking to the transition center.