Topeka Tinman Triathlon - Short Course - TriathlonShort Course

First announcement was made about an hour before the swim that wetsuits would not allowed. We tried to get that clarified as they said the water temp was 78 degrees which would have still allowed wetsuits based on USAT rules. But, we couldn't get any officials to get it cleared up. So, I swam without my wetsuit. My swim wave was really small and I let myself change my swim plan because of it. Instead of lining myself up at the side and to the back I was in the front in the middle. Shouldn't have done that! It made me go out way too fast and I died quickly. I was boxed in by three other swimmers and then got a mouthful of water and had to just stop to collect myself. I never really got back into my pace. But, I did finish it better than I started...even with a brief jaunt outside the buoys! :)

Wear my wetsuit even though they said we couldn't because I knew the USAT rules would have allowed it! Also, I would have stuck with my swim plan and not done anything different from what I had planned and practiced. I think I would have at least had 1:30 faster time.

Felt like my first transition was okay, not great. Since my spot was in the middle of the transition area I had to run my bike through a lot of area.

Just get there earlier and get a better transition spot

Took me about a mile or so before my legs felt like they were working, but once I got into it, I felt like I was going pretty good. Really wanted to hit 18 mph, but I'll take the 17.2!!

Not use my legs so much in the swim.

Came into transition okay but then had a hard time putting my bike in the rack. Felt bad because I realized after I left that I had put my bike in the wrong slot and probably was going to drive the guy crazy who came in after me and had to put his bike in a different spot! Ouch!

Grabbed my gu-chomps and taken them with me rather than trying to get them out of the bag while I was standing in transition! Duh! And I would have run out of the area faster.

Felt really great about my run considering how my knee felt from the knee surgery. There were a few short stints that I walked because I wasn't sure if my knee was getting sore, but I never did get any pain at all. I wanted to try and push it but knew that I was supposed to just be "participating" and not "competing" based on the doctor's orders!! So, I was really pleased.

Not a lot more I could have done other than not have knee surgery!

Did a little bit of stretching, but not enough. I wish I would have done more and had my Recoverite but I got too caught up in visiting with my friends and family! :)


My knee surgery obviously. My swim performance could have been better. I need to work on HOW I train more than how much I train I think.


I would rate my own race different than KLM's job on this race. It's a great course. A great triathlon to start the year and a great tri for beginners. But, KLM disappointed me again. For the cost of the triathlon, we got a very inexpensive cotton tshirt, a swim cap and a gu. Even the race bib was plain...they didn't have them printed with the Tinman logo which would not have been a huge expense at all. They do not allow any local businesses to participate which is unbelievable. And when they don't even understand and follow USAT rules, well, that is just unacceptable for a triathlon that is USAT sanctioned.