Triangle Triathlon - North Carolina Triathlon Series Race #9 - TriathlonSprint

Lots of kicking and grabbing in first half. May have slowed me down but parr for the course; probably can't use this as an excuse for my poor performance. I just havn't been swimming enough lately. Once a week for 1500 yds is just not cutting it. Almost 3 minuits slower than last year.

More swimming! Need to get to the pool at least 2 times per week. Probably unrealistic to get any more time. I can pick up the boy after work and take him to child care to give wife a break and allow me some swim time. Could also go some mornings at least until she goes back to school Aug 18.

Good transition! Still did not try shoes on peddle trick. Was not feeling competent when I practiced so I decided not to risk it in a race situation. I'm glad I didn't, because I passed a guy at the mount line who was at a dead stop trying to pick up his shoes snd fummbling around trying to get his shoes on his feet and remounting. He lost loads of time. However, I would like to learn it because I felt very uneasy running with the bike shoes on the surfaces leading up to the mount line. I did however do a very nice jumping mount. Did not lose time stopping and putting one foot on the peddle etc.

Nothing except I would have liked to learn the shoe thing but I'm glad I decided not to because I was not ready.

Had a little trouble catching my breath especially after the first hill. Had very fast and smooth turns. The new Limar Crono 05 helmet seemed to work well. I tried to keep my head up as best as I could to make the most of the aero effect. I did improve my time from last year by 24 seconds. I don't think I am in any better condition than last year and maybe not as good so it may be the helmet. Money well spent if so. My dismount was excellent. I slipped out of the shoes at the right moment and instead of slowing down too much and skipping the first step, I used the method I took note of in the transition video. When you swing your foot over, you step that foot through and in front of the foot still on top of the shoe and hit the ground running. I've never really thought to do this but it really keeps the speed up. The run to the transition felt much better with bare feet than with the shoes. Was able to run much faster.

Need race wheels for next season to squeeze that extra few seconds. Maybe I can get a little closer to our first place Master Clydesdale who always wins and always has a bike split no more than 2-3 mins faster than mine. Although it's really the swim he gets so far ahead of everybody on.

Again, a good transition. Come to think of it I did pass by my rack a few steps and had to turn back. I guess I could have been faster!

Try to get a better sense of where my bike is racked. This was kind of tough because they put our racks closer than some of the others and my bike was fairly deep in the rack. I had to really read the numbers good and some the the number cards were kind of turned the other way from the direction I was running so I couldn't see some of the numbers until I was past and looked back. I could have counted but I really don't have that kind of memory and you come from different directions for T1 and T2.

Pretty good run considering the lack of training. I drank too much water on the bike. I was sloshing from start to finish! Was very comfortable with the course this year. I knew where to make some time and where to hold back a little. On most run courses I have a hard time gauging where I am in the course and how much I have left. I strolled though the course the day before and had a good feel for it. I think this really helped.

Try not to drink too much on the bike. I would say run more but my ankle is killing me. I could barely walk after the race yesterday. Not sure what I'm going to do about that. I guess 20+ years of running in some form at 200+ pounds is taking it's toll.

Walked around a little.


If I would have had as good of swim as last year I would have placed 2nd in the group with the same times in the other segments. The swim would be the logical area to focus on right now considering my running issues. My cycling is right on target and I don't think I should increase my running because of the ankle and knee issues. Just keep consistant and make it up with the cycling and swimming and keep the weight in check.


I don't know what it is about this race! I live here and don't seem to be able to srike up a good conversation with anybody. The atmosphere seems kind of cliqueish(sp). Everyone kind of keeps to there own groups and there is no breaking through. Other races I have been to are not like that. I have met some interesting people and had some good and informative converstions at other races. Oh well, I need this race to get my 5 NCTS races and save the driving.