SheROX Philadelphia Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

My plan for the swim was to go slow and steady. I've only swim in the pool about three times in the past month so there was no reason to try to overdo it. Some contact with swimmers around me but nothing punishing. No problems siting or finding lanes. Very relaxed.

My six-week 'taper' didn't help. (family comes before training so most workouts were dumped in the month leading to this race). I might have stretched my stroke out a bit more as well.

Nothing of note in transition. Luckily someone on our rack had a giant Hannah Montana balloon so finding the bike was easy.

Nothing.

My heartrate was too high on the ride (in the 170's though I tend to go high due to asthma meds). I wasn't familiar with the course so the hills caught me off-guard the first lap. The second lap was faster and more comfortable. I ended up standing on the hills to try to pass people and get to the turns before they did. The course was very crowded - people were all over the place. It was difficult to pass at times, especially when the carbon-fibers were trying to whiz by as well. I wanted to have access to my brakes so didn't spend alot of time in aeros. Just when you think you're clear to drop down, there are 4 geese in the middle of the road trying to cross. They look very large up close and personal.
I didn't see very many people in my age group, mostly people from the wave in front of me.

More riding in of course...more assertive on the first lap.

I got my bike caught up on the one already racked next to me over my stuff. It took quite a while to get them untangled without upsetting the entire rack.

Mind the aeros so they don't get caught.

I'm normally a slow slow runner, though I usually can do under 10 min miles so this was a slow run for me. It seemed the people around me were really shuffling - until the 20 year olds caught up and started passing us! First mile was stiff but that was to be expected.

More training. I need different tri shorts - mine really rode up on me the entire run...not fun. Hopefully I'm not in the back of someone's photo tring to pull them back into place

Got some food, gathered my stuff, and took the walk back to the car. I felt good.


Limited training in last six weeks.


There were over 1600 people registered for the race. If they all showed, it would have been even more crowded on bike course. Other than that - well organized, well-marked, well-staffed, fun atmostphere. Great first-timers race - very supportive and encouraging. Nice sections at bike turnaround and finishing chute for supporters to cheer on the athletes.