Got The Nerve? Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

The water was frickin' cold and I was REALLY happy to have a wetsuit. I also wore earplugs, which was a tip I learned from articles on BT.com.
At the start of the swim, even with going in the water beforehand, I was COMPLETELY out of breath for the first ~150 mt. It was hard to catch my breath - I was doing the side stroke and evenually got a rhythm doing the breast stroke. I broke into freestyle for the last 200MT or so, but only did one-side breathing. I did 6 strokes to the right, 6 to the left, then 8 breast strokes. Once again, I really had trouble getting into the rhythm that I have in the pool. I know it's an acquired skill to get OWS technique down - I still need to acquire it.

I think the really cold water added to my usual breathlessness that I have with OWS in the beginning. However, I think I need to maybe get someone to coach me with OWS techniques. Maybe an off-season plan.

The transition went great. I remembered to keep my goggles on my head, unzip my wetsuit and roll down the top half, then take the cap and goggles off. OVerall, no confusion with T1.

Maybe I'd move a little faster, but my methods were pretty good.

This was a tough course for me. After a while, I was getting upset when I saw a hill in front of me, because I was running out of gas! I took a gel around mile 5 which helped, but was at my race HR and breathing rate the entire time. Had enough water, though.

I need to 'get my butt back on the bike!' AND, pay attention to the course that I'll be racing on - re:hills - and train accordingly. I got complacent with bike training because I have been focusing on my running for the recent 10-miler I did in early May. Unfortunately, that totally screwed me over in this race.

I was so frikin spent after those hills.... I was wondering how I was going to finish the run! I walked from the rack to the exit.... running was not an option.

Logistics were smooth. Again, move faster.

My legs were shot after the bike ride. I walked for the first ~50 yards, then tried to get into a 'shuffle' run for the first mile. Once I hit the forest, I got a good rhythm for a jog. not at ALL at my max speed. At the halfway-point turnaround, I ended up run-walking the rest of the course.

This was CERTAINLY not my best run - but I know you're not supposed to hit a personal best on the run, or you didnt leave it all on the bike course. I definitely left TOO MUCH on the bike course! Learning experience for me!!
Oh, I coulda used some more water on the course, but I realize it's only a 5K..... but I needed more water!

I walked laps around the trans area, and finally filled up my water bottles to down a few 'gallons' of water. Grabbed some bananas, then eventually headed to my car and had a recovery drink.


I wasn't prepared for the hills on the bike course. That reverberated thru the run.


This was a well-organized race. I'd definitely do it again, for the reason that it was a well-thought-out course. The race director really did a great job of communicating to participants, before the race via email as well as at the end during the awards ceremony. As a new particpant, I was impressed at his passion (which was contagious) for the organization - that he is part of- that benefitted from this race. (The myelin project)

There were drink stations at the entrance/exit to the trans area, so I grabbed a drink after the swim and at the beginning of the run. Plus there was an icy cold bottle of water handed to me at the end of the run. I just think I need more water than the average person durnig a run.

Oh, and the participant tech shirts are really nice!

This was a great event for a great cause. I learned a lot - I respect the course as a great challenge - and I had fun (in an 'I want to cry if I ever see another hill' sort of way) ;)