Wilmington YMCA Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Where do I begin...the absolute best decision I have made in years was to wear my wet suit in this race (even though it meant a "technical DQ). Started off nice and easy and actually caught a nice draft for 3-400 yards. Around the 500 yard mark I felt a cramp in my (R) hamstring...slowed some to work it out and continued. 20 yards later..my leg says "NOT SO FAST my latex covered friend, you aren't going anywhere for a while". I stopped and skulled in the water and worked on the leg...that wasn't happening so I drifted over to kayak #1. Got control of the cramp amd convinced the Lifeguard that I was going on anyway. I started using my left leg more...my body said..."WTF...you think we are stupid...that leg ain't going to work either RubberBoy". Got to kayak #2...Worked on both legs and tried to decide if this was worth it at all. YES it was...I told her I didn't drive 7.5 hours from Atlanta to swim 700 yards and get out of the water. And so it went...kayak to kayak..or surf board, on and on until the end...btw..thanks for calling ahead to each other...the personal service of having the next person down the line looking for me and greeting me with "hey...how are your legs doing now?"...that was really a nice touch. Got my first DFL in my AG in the swim...probably won't be my last...but I survived and I proved some things to myself...GOAL ACCOMPLISHED !

Train for endurance in the water. Possible adjust caloric/mineral intake to help with cramps. Make sure I have some "thank you" cards in my wet suit for the kayakers.

One thing I would NOT do differently is to have the mental fortitude to continue on even though I was struggling...that decision made it worth all of the carp I went through.

Had about a .25 mile run on concrete from the water to transition so I stopped right out of the water, on the deck, and took of the suit...good call. It was easier to carry than to run that distance then try and remove it (it also gave me a breather after that glorious swim. While running to the bike area I ran with a guy that was struggling more than I was so I asked him if he was OK? He said "probably...I don't know yet" I remarked that being from Atlanta I could have taken the $50 entry and paid someone there to just kick my a$$ and saved 15 hours of driving and $300 worth of gas". He laughed...and said..Thanks..I needed to laugh. Got changed quickly but the legs wern't cooperating yet so that slowed me down some. Walked the bike out and started to ride.

Probably nothing...the problems I had were cramp related and that is not something I normally have to deal with...so overall...pretty good.

Wasn't able to start right out since my toe clips were too tight...forgot to check them. Got that fixed (about 1 minute of time). Continued on but it was evident that this was going to be a recreational ride at best. All I am going to say is...if I hear "ON your left" just one more time...somebody is going to get an a$$ kickin. I did pass one person in the middle portion of the course...but she was having trouble with her training wheels and her dad was running along beside her to help. Was able to pick it up in the last 1/3 of the course as the legs let up some, but the headwind did not, so overall performance was not great

Avoid cramps on the swim and make sure the bike is FULLY checked out and ready to go.

Best part of my race day. Handled transition well and got some encouragement from the very HOT girl racked next to me...of course she was packing up to go home but she was very nice and supportive (I probably reminder her of her father ((or grandfather ;) )

Nothing...maybe ask for her number or e-mail.

About an average run for me. I so much wanted to hammer this but I have been training at slower paces for the marathon and that added to the issues with the legs from earlier just didn't add up to a great run. I did pass 4 people, 1 was 61 y.o. female and the 2 others had flip-flops on so I not sure I can count them as victims. Had some kick at the end and actually caught a 38 y.o. in the chute. That felt really good.

Probably not much. I have not been focusing on this race as much as the marathon...as if you couldn't tell ;) so I can't be too disapointed.

Walked around and tried to find a quiet place to puke...just in case. Dr. Good Hands found me (she SMOKED her race...you GO girl) and we ate some bagles and cookies and waited with R for the ceremonies.


CRAMPS, undertraining.


The volunteers were great and everything was organized from what I could tell. Instructions were clear and locations were well marked. I would have liked some mile markers on the bike though.