Long Island Gold Coast Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Felt great. Started out slow, getting a feel for the water. NONE of the swim demons in my head for the entire swim. Just so relaxed and concentrated on keeping moving straight. It was nice to pass people and catch the wave in front of mine. Last time around I got caught and passed by what felt like everybody.

Navigation still needs work, though it's getting better. Swam relatively straight, but almost completely stop to sight.

Kicked hard once, no water swallowed.

Time included 150 yard run to transition.

Push harder. Confidence in the water is coming along nicely, so I should start pushing harder rather than going at a "just gotta finish" pace.

I took the timing chip off my ankle to remove the suit, which made removal so much easier. Probably cost me 30 sec. last race prying it over the chip. Remembered to put it back on!

Got stuff together and took off.

Need to practice, especially the mount. I run with shoes on, I should start practicing flying mounts with the shoes already clipped in.

Hammered it, for me, anyway. I passed my buddy early, then he got me just before second loop. Kept him in my sights but couldn't catch him. Gear changes miles better than last race. I passed a LOT more people than passed me and I didn't get passed by one mountain bike. That was an accomplishment in itself.

Felt great and fast. Rode pretty much on the very tip of the saddle and kept the legs pumping. Very comfortable and in control of the bike. Spent most of the ride in aero and getting much more at ease transitioning.

Need much more T.I.T.S, especially on hills. I need to get me some cycling legs. Can't expect much more considering I'm new to it, but it's a goal to work towards.

Need to practice drinking from the cage without slowing so much.

Did the flying dismount totally unplanned and without practice. Long and wide open into transition, so I undid the straps and got the feet out and on top of the shoes while approaching. Hopped off at the line and right in to stride. Very happy with that.

Fussed with getting the forerunner off the bike and strapped on to my wrist. Lost more time going back for a gel and swig of gatorade, of which I needed neither. Probably cost me 30 seconds all told.

Practice

First mile super tight. Almost stopped, but kept plodding. Loosened up out of the blue after a mile and just kept getting faster and faster. Went from getting dropped to passing 15-20 people for every runner that passed me. Finished strong.

Real happy with the run. Fast pace for me. I need to check the Garmin splits to see how the improvement was pacewise, not just by feel.

More bricks, I guess.

Waited for Nate to finish up and then walked around a bit. Got some water and hung out talking for a while.


Only had about 6 hours sleep in the 48 hours leading up to the race. Of that, the longest stretch was 45 min. Not cool. Worked a night tour, then had a daughter with a stomach virus. Bad combo.

Wasn't expecting too much today, but I surprised myself.


I really didn't expect much due to lack of sleep leading up to the race, but all that went out the window when I hit the water. Just felt great. Outstanding race for me. My goal time was 1:30 and I just blew it out of the water.

I just want to check the Garmin to verify distances. I think the bike was about right, but the run may have been 1/4 mile short. Not to minimize my performance, since I'm real happy with it, but to know for sure.