Toyota US Open Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I am so slow in the water, steady, but slow. I probably need some swim instruction. I don't think my form is all that bad and I sight and breathe okay. I did like the wave start - 4 athletes in the water every 10 seconds. That made for a lot less brutality in the water.

Wear flippers? Swim with a sun visor? I know that the water temp was low enough to allow for wetsuits but I can't justify the $300 dollars it would cost me and the thought of renting one grosses me out. It wasn't cold in the water but I am told it helps with buoyancy.

The distance from the water to the transition area was pretty long and I was in no mood for running. I took my time here, it's not like I was in the running for $60,000 anyway. I sped it up a little once I made it to my bike. I did make sure to count how many racks to my row ahead of time so I knew exactly where to go - smartness!

Go faster...

I really enjoyed the point to point race. It was a little more work logistically but made for a pretty cool race. Plus, it impresses people when I tell them I road from Cedar Hill State Park to the American Airlines Center.

I need to get some prescription sunglasses or some lasik surgery! Still not that comfortable going downhill very fast but I am getting better. My speed ranged from 8 mph to 29 mph - I think I need to be a little more consistent!

I would have been helpful if T2 was arranged the same as T1. I could not find my rack because I could not see without my glasses. I ended up asking an official to tell me where my number was because I could not read the numbers. I ended up way past my rack. But that is okay because it makes for a funnier story.

Put a big flashing sign over my spot? Once again, I wasn't competing for the $60,000 so I was not too concerned. I have lofty goals such as don't drown, don't crash and finish. Pretty impressive huh?

The only complaint I have is that on the way out I had to run past the finish and the food line! I was so hungry, I almost asked someone to pass me a banana! I felt really good on the run. It took about a mile to work out my legs and then I really picked up the pace (nothing too crazy, mind you). I was shooting for 30 min. so I was really pleased. I even felt like I could have run the 10k (but I wasn't down with the mile swim so no olympic distance for me). Very pleased with the water stations and friendly volunteers along the way.

I probably could have run faster but my lofty goals do not require this of me.

Drank lots of water, put a cold towel on my shoulders and tried not to collapse!


I suppose a personal trainer, corporate sponsors, top of the line equipment and the ability to quit my job and train full time would be helpful.


I really enjoyed this event. It was cool to compete with (or after in my case) the pros. I would definitely like to do this race next year, although it is kind of expensive (I have to help pay for that $60,000 first prize). Oh, and the shirt could have a bigger logo so people can see it better from far away and confuse me with some kind of super-athlete!