Nautica New York City Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

So I noticed the jellyfish when I went to pick up my chip - I talked myself into believing that my wetsuit would somehow completely protect me. I decided to start as far from the sea wall as possible and as back of the pack as possible, so ended up catching the good current and managed not to get kicked , or kick anyone (I hope). I panicked a bit in the beginning and had to flip over on my back for a few strokes of the elementary backstroke, only to resume freestyle and get stung on the face by a jellyfish. While they told us during transition tours that the current at the finish would be very strong and push us towards NJ - I was still surprised at how hard I had to swim towards the sea wall to swim in a straight line and not miss the exit. A thank you to the life guards helping everyone out of the water at the swim exit.

Train more (no excuse for monthly workouts rather than bi-weekly workouts)- learn to like swimming.

Having trouble accounting for all of the time I spent in T:1, the run to yellow transition was about 400 m, but still. I got my wetsuit off relatively quickly - socks and bike shoes on, shirt on, sucked down a gel and a few shot blocks and some water, and was off. Okay - maybe I did spray myself with suntan lotion, and wipe my face with baby wipes - but 12 minutes in transition????

Practice, practice, practice. Buy a tri suit.

The bike started off well - though the steep hill with turns out of transition was a bit hairy (need to tighten my clips - kept coming out of them on the hills). After a few minutes I started to deeply regret not having a cycle computer on my bike, it was very hard to establish a strong pace and hold it - very easy to get stuck in a slow pace line. The race organizers had warned us that the course would be bumpy - but I found it to be quite smooth. Overall an enjoyable ride - but I misjudged my nutrition a bit and my stomach was growling during the ride.

Buy a cycle computer - more training outside, no, spin class does not count.

I managed to drop my bike on my arm somehow during this transition - but got my shoes on, grabbed my hat, scarfed a shot block and was off.

Practice - not change my socks.

The run out of transition across 72nd Street was both horrible and wonderful - it was amazing to see so many spectators cheering, but 72nd Street is a slight hill, and I couldn't get into a running pace. CP is my home course, so on one hand it was nice to feel comfortable and know all of the mile markers - I also knew what was coming at the top of the park. And while it was substantially cooler in the Park - it was still blistering hot, and made the mistake at the third water stop of dumping a cup of water on my back - the majority of which ended up soaking my socks. I did manage to pass folks on the run - only thanks to my self imposed no walking rule, but was disappointed that I couldn't progress out of a jog. I also was kicking myself for wearing a hat - a visor would have been good - but the hat was cooked my head, so I ran holding my hat until I was able to hand off my hat to my parents at around 86th Street.

More speedwork and hills. Glide on my feet.

Nothing feels better than an icy towel at the finish line - amazing. Nibbled on a bagel and banana - drank 2 bottles of water, and a bit of a sports drink (I hate sports drinks). Stretched a bit, walked around, got a massage.


Time not spent outside on the bike, inexperience with transitions. Not following a training program.


Really well organized, wonderful volunteers. Great to be able to walk to the start and home from the finish. The expo could have been better.