North Mankato Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swim went well. Had to wade in a bit slow to let the two in front of me get going, but things sped up quickly. Thought it was funny though, cuz the two in front started swimming right away and I was running beside them as it was still rather shallow.

Just need to get more time in the water.

Had four or five people stop right at the end of the mats to mount their bikes as I was crossing the mat. I tried to go around to the side and jumped on my bike, but because I was at a different angle then ever trying before I was a bit out of sorts. I hurried, trying to make up the time I felt I was losing and ended up popping a shoe off the bike as I took off. I had to stop and go back, get it, put it on, pull the right one off the bike, put it on, all while holding up the bike, then get on and ride off into the sunset. I was fuming. Passed three people on the first 300 yard stretch and at least 8 more within the first mile, before settling down into an easy pace.

Not get so excited and remember that even if it takes a couple extra seconds to wait for someone to get out of the way, its better than forcing more things to go wrong.

Trouble at transition mats added some time to bike leg, not sure how much. Lookout hill got me a bit again. I watched as about 5 or 6 little guys blew past me and up that hill as I pushed the pedals at 8mph. Used the first few hundred yards at top to lower heart rate. Then picked up the speed and started catching the people who had passed me on the up hill. Hit 40+mph going back down Lookout Hill. Can't tell that the disc covers did me much good as my time was actually slower then last year. I do also have to account the mishap out of transition.

Hill work, lose weight, and could have done a little better shifting at the bottom of Lookout Hill. I was in too low of gear when I started pedaling, wasting some momentum.

Great transition. Everything went smoothly.

Nothing

I felt much better during this run than I have in the past. I felt relaxed and was able to control my breathing. I had the mindset to not let people passing me get me out of my game and it seemed to work as my run time was actually better than normal. I had fun racing with #122 for the final mile or so changing position two or three times. I was able to get him with a final kick in the last 20 yards or so, which felt really good.

Nothing on race day. I need to keep working on speed during training, and run the same type of race, concentrating on breathing control and running my own race throughout, despite what others are doing.

sat in the water for about 5 minutes to cooldown


Running is still my limiter, but I need to keep up with the bike and swim. I probably shouldn't have went on a 7 hour motorcycle tour the day before this race. I got way to much sun. I look like a lobster, but don't think I swim like one. Jury's still out on that one, my wife says. :)


Much improved race over last year. Many of the difficulties they had last year have been ironed out.