New Jersey State Triathlon - Sprint Distance - TriathlonSprint

Time from NJ State sprint '07 - 9:22
Time from NJ State this year - 9:52

I was with the Red caps or Wave 7. When they announced our wave I swam out to the blue buoy at the far left and lined up in the front.

Once the signal was given to start I went off and stayed left. I was lucky this time - everyone seemed to want to stay to the right and there wasn't anyone around me in the water. I was able to get into a great groove - breath right; 1-2-3 strokes; breathe left; 1-2-3 strokes. I was consistent with it the entire swim. I didn't stop to use the breast-stroke once. I passed a handful of people from the Powder Blue and Purple swim waves. My sighting was working really good. Once I got about 100 meters away from the finish I could see two Red caps getting out and there were another 3 or 4 in the water grouped around me.

I have spent ZERO hours training in the pool since probably about the end of April (although yesterday's race was the FIFTH race I have completed this season). So considering the lack of training this season I'll swallow a swim that was only 30 seconds slower than last year's race (not to mention that the 30 seconds last year really took a lot out of me).

I think this year's swim was better, maybe not faster, but still better.

As always - I can't stand the run to transition from the swim finish. I so wan't to walk for about a minute. Yet I forced myself to run to my bike rack.

Got my swim cap off first and then the goggles. Once I got to my bike I threw my helmet on and then my glasses. I always do these races with my shoes already strapped in. I ran - barefoot - thru transition until I got to the bike mount line (didn't seem like we ran a 1/4 mile to get there?).

Jumped on my bike and started peddling away.

Couldn't have done anything different really. Bike rack was at the other end of the transition area.

Now I am really disappointed about this one.

Time from NJ State sprint '07 (13.5 mile course) - 37:03 (21.4 mph)
Time from NJ State sprint '08 (11.5 mile course) - 32:49 (21.0 mph)

What a way to burst my bubble. Couple things made me think I would make the jump to 22-23 mph.

1.) My past 2 or 3 races I have averaged closer to 22.0 mph on longer distances.

2.) I made the jump and bought an aero helmet and rented a pair of Zipp 606 wheels.

3.) I figured the shorter bike course would allow me to blow thru this year.

If you add up all those three items it all equaled out to = A SLOWER BIKE TIME THIS YEAR!!!!!!!

Man-oh-man.

With that said - I did average 21.0 which isn't horrible and I did pass a lot of people (one gentleman did pass me and must have finished 20 seconds ahead of me).

I also normally use an aero drink. I lost my straw and couldn't find a replacement. One of my friends told me in transition - "it's only a 11.5 mile course. What do you need a drink for?" I happened to agree with him and not even take a bottle. It might have helped me a little.

Couple things.

1.) As I mentioned with my swim training - I haven't done ANY bike training this year except for my races. Not a spin class. No time spent out on the road this year as compared with last year. Not even any time on my bike hooked up to my trainer at my house. Nothing. No training.

2.) I am 240 pound and only 6'-0". Most of the Clydesdales I have noticed that finish before me are usually about 6'-4" and maybe 201 lb's (i.e. tall and skinny, muscular). That ain't me. I have to lose about 50 lb's if I want to make any real improvements.

I hated this too - I didn't check to see if the magnet on the Zipps' spokes was compatable with my Polar speed sensor. Turns out it wasn't. Didn't have any idea how fast I was going.

Everything with my dismount went fine. Got my feet out of my shoes in plenty of time for the dismount line.

I swear to god it felt as if it took me forever to get to the timing mat. It seriously added maybe a good 30 second to close to a minute to my bike time.

Once I hit the timing mat I walked all the way to my rack. Once I got there I didn't have any trouble getting my sneaks on.

Nothing. Don't walk from timing mat to rack.

Again - another part of the event I dropped the ball on.

Time from NJ State sprint '07 - 29:46 (9:37 mile)
Time from NJ State sprint '08 - 32:00 (10:20 mile)

Thing is - as much as I am disappointed about this time - almost every race this season (Parvin, Seas Isle, Charleston, Vincentown) my run times have been horrendous in the ballpark each time of 36 or 37 minutes.

32 minutes is my best time this season.

Legs were heavy at first, started to loosen up around Mile 1 and was feeling really good around Mile 3. Too little, too late. By the time I could maybe swing a 9:00 minute mile pace I was getting close to the Finish Line. Oh well. There is always next year.

Now the running I have no excuse for this year. I put in a LOT more running this season (except for the last two months) then I did for last year's race. Between the winter series at Tyler Park and all the 5k's I have run this year you would hope that it would carry over.

It didn't.

Only things left to do are to lose weight and run even more.

talked to my cousin and did some minimal stretching. Ate some grub from my race bag provided by CGI. Did I mention MINIMAL stretching?


Lack of training and FAT.


As always this race serves as the template for the way all similar races should be held.

The organization, amount of volunteers, course and just overall vibe/atmosphere that is present makes this a MUST-DO triathlon for everyone.

CGI also skipped the finisher medal for a cool running hat at the finish line.