J-Hawk Late Bird Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

This part went awesome. I was flying, got tired, but was really going good and never died out completely. Was usually swimming about 11:16 for 500 yards, so I dominated this part. It went awesome. I had my family up in the seating area along with my Mom who was going after me, my father, brother (Taylor), and my fiance Theresa (rosy3987). Then when I hopped in the pool Scott (schmize) and his family came which was awesome. Seeing them got me really pumped up because Scott knows exactly what I was going through, and the more support the better. After my second or third lap i could hear my Father In Law yelling "GO MATTHEW" which meant Theresa's Family was there which was even better. So i definitely had my cheering section which was awesome for my first triathlon.

Not anything. Just putting in more time swimming next time for a longer distance, but I left nothing in my system after that swim. It was my weakest part, and it became my best.

I was really lightheaded after the swim and also just pumped that I finished the swim fast. I had Holly (hollyslu) right there taking pictures and cheering me on at the transition. I was just too excited at this point. It was my first transition, so I didn't have any experience on this part. I put my helmet on before my skull cap, which kept me warm perfectly on the ride, so I messed up there, and i forgot my gloves. Wasn't a huge deal but I was running into it, and took off running on my bike and went really good for my first one.

I would have it set up better for me not to panic or forget things. I would also go through the transition slow in the morning so I know what routine I need to do when it comes.

The beginning was not easy. I didn't have my breathing down at all. I was struggling trying to catch my breath and bring my heart rate down. At about mile 3 it was good, but the hills in the beginning were very tough. Once I got going it was great. I was just trying to talk to myself and keep me motivated to really go hard. Then I looked at my watch and knew my mom just started her swim, so out in the country I was rooting her on haha. Once I got to about mile 8, I did another gel and that helped, really gave me some extra energy. Was drinking water a lot and really started moving. About miles 9-13 i was doing right around 20 mph. It was great I was catching the hills perfectly and kept motoring. I got passed around mile by a man and a younger girl. It felt awesome at about mile 10 i just blew by them and never looked back. Had a lot of gas in my system for the end. Felt great once I saw everyone there cheering me on had nothing but a smile on at that point.

I would have taken it easier early instead of pushing through it because I could have made up time if i wasn't fighting my breath for a while.

This transition went really good. Racked my bike and took my gear off fast and switched onto shoes and drank some water and took off.

Nothing, maybe get some shoe laces that you dont have to tie, thats about it. Would also practice a smoother dismount off my bike but next time.

This was the toughest part. My legs felt like jello, and even Scott yelled that to me. It was great though coming out getting the high fives from everyone and that was a great motivation to push it all the way. The worst part is throughout the whole race I was alone, no one in front or back so pretty lonely. The first 1.5 miles was tough. My legs couldn't get going, but once I got after that it went really smooth. My pace picked up pretty good after the first mile and a half. Hills were tough, and every time i saw one i just laughed in disbelief. My heart rate stayed pretty consistent so that was good. Once i saw the finish line from a distance i gave it as much as i had and died just before the end. Coming to that finish line was just awesome. I had Monica a friend that goes to school at Whitewater, and all the crew there cheering me on. Just a great feeling running across that finish line and having my name called. It made the whole thing just awesome. It was a great experience, and i had a blast doing it.

I would train better for the terrain that i knew i was going to run. never really ran on grass not hills so i would have prepared myself better for that. other than that not much

First person i went and saw was my fiance who was the best supporter through all this. Then Scott and gave hugs to everyone that was there. My dad and Taylor were over rooting my mom when she got off the bike. And by the way, my mom finished awesome, got 2nd in her age group. She is in just awesome shape and great that we did this together. Great motivating factor. She turns 50 next week, i can only hope i can still do this at 50. I grabbed a banana stretched, and put some sweats on with a smile from ear to ear waiting for my mom to finish so i good root her on.


My inexperience. First triathlon, but for my first one i was very very pleased with my finish time. 1:29:23. I was going for 1:30:00 without the transitions and i did everything in less. Felt great to reach my goal and i have so much to get better at.


Will do this again, and i plan on it next year in the spring and fall with my mom and fiance.