Old College Tri - TriathlonSprint

Official time was 04:43 but that included some run to the transition area. (My buddy FastToad clocked me at 04:20 wall-to-wall.) I went pretty easy on this swim not wanting to exit the water tired to save a few seconds. Swimmers were separated by 10 seconds and I passed two swimmers. One pass was at a wall so I had to flip-turn and go deep under the other swimmer and into the next lane. Nice to be able to hold my breath for more than a second. Loved the 50m pool. I don't think I've ever seen one in person before.

On a swim this short I should have pushed a little harder.

Basically a joke. Couldn't get my shirt on. Average of the people who beat me was 0:54 (0:41 faster). I didn't practice transitions once so I might as well have been wearing a clown suit. Didn't feel it was wise to have shoes attached to pedals so I had to run in my speedplay cleats which not good.

Everything.

Interesting ride. Chain was skipping a little which I never deal with. Eight ninety degree right turns which I never, ever do. My bike routes are out-and-back with zero right turns. Had no idea how fast to go which means slow. Got passed on most of the turns which meant coasting to get out of draft zone. Riding with people at similar speeds being careful not to draft is frustrating. I'd pass someone and then with no one ahead of me, I guess I'd loaf and someone would catch me. I'd have to coast to get back out of the draft zone. Then I'd catch him again. This went on with 2-3 guys many times for about half the ride until they tired. I think a bar end mirror would help me make sure I was less passable.

At the very end of the ride, I made the last turn and there was a car mistakenly in the bike lane ahead of me. The race folks were desperately trying to get the route clear so I was coasting. Then the car slammed on its brakes and I had to hit the brakes hard. Skidded badly and was a second from slamming into trunk at about 15 mph when I let the brakes go and shot though a one foot gap between the car and the curb. Scary.

Had only ridden my bike nine times in the previous four months so I didn't feel very strong. (I have been on a stationary bike regularly.) Since apparently, I can't remain on pace I need a tiny bar-end mirror so I can see people catching me so I can push hard before they get to the point where I have to let them pass. Be in better bike shape which is weather dependent for me. And it would be nice to ride a day or so before the race to make sure adjustments are correct. I wonder if the altitude change had anything to do with my gear cables out of adjustment...

It's hard to run with Speedplay cleats. Probably would have left on the run wearing my helmet if I didn't hear my nephew Braeden yelling for me to take it off. Average of the people who beat me was 0:46 (0:23 faster).

Everything.

Pushed hard. Really happy with this run. Had no idea how running outdoors at sea level, in a triathlon would be for me. All of my runs have been indoors on a tiny track, mostly after the stationary bike, or out in snow/ice. I've improved from my first time trial post surgery of 12:30 miles in a 5k, to 7:12 miles in about ten months.

Nothing.

None


Too easy on swim. Transition stupidity. Bike fitness and bad tactics. Car blocking bike course.


Great time. Had amazing support from family, old friends and new friends I met on BT.