Callaway Gardens Sprint Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Not a bad swim for NO training. And I REALLY didn't train for this at all. I did walk about 50 yds total which I am not pleased with. Based on last year and what some other people did I KNOW that walking in chest deep water is much slower than swimming it would have been, so I am not dissapointed with the time.

Train.

Set up at the far end of transition so I wouldn't have to go as far with my cleats on. This worked out but it does make the run from the lake, in bare feet, a long haul.

I really pushed in T1 & T2 this year and even though I was only 10 seconds slower this year I attribute that to the fact that this year I was using bike shoes and last year I just rode with my running shoes. Everything went smoothly though and given the distance I had to run I was pleased with these times.

Train

I felt that last year I left something on the bike and after reading all of the race reports about people bonking on the run after pushing on the bike...well I coasted. This year I wanted to push a little and since I had a new ride that's what I did.

Well the plan worked for the first 6...then I was just holding on. I was actually averaging about 20.5 at the 6 mile mark then went downhill fast. Blah, blah, blah...more training...but I felt really good and I know with some TITS I can really do some good things on the bike.

T.I.T.S.

As I noted above I wanted to push in the Transitions and I went all out. But with the additional changing of cleats to running shoes and the fact that I had just nearly bonked on the bike this Transition time was not as good as I would have liked for it to be. This year was only 16 sec. slower than last....I'll take it.

Everything went smooth I just didn't have the legs to really press it.

There is one guy in our group that REALLY wanted to beat me. I beat him last year by 1:10 and I caught him on the run. He had hammered me on the bike but I caught him about 1/2 way on the run and passed him. This year he was loaded for bear and vowed to beat me....he never said anything....you just knew.

When I came into T-2 he was on the ground getting his shoes on and he looked up and saw me....."Oh, $hit" was all I heard. He shook his head and off he went. I peeled out of T-2 24" behind him....I had a HORRIBLE RUN....He beat me by 26". I have NEVER seen a happier person at a race than this guy.

I am soooo glad for him...but alas..it will be short lived for next year I AM going to train for just THIS race and I am going to BURY his a$$. I hate to do it...but it must be done to set things right with the universe.

Nothing. My troubles here were a direct result of bonking on the bike...and I know how to fix that.

I would have expected to have a decent run and I would have had it not been for the "Great Failed Bike Experiment".

Didn't have my watch on but I suspect I went about 4/1 Run/Walk. Never felt comfy and it was all problems with the legs. There is no way that I shouldn't be able to go 2 frickin miles without walking...but not today. Just couldn't do it.

So, I see no need to repeat myself...if you have read this far, you know the deal.

Hung out at the finish line so I could cheer and cow-bell for all of the other Oakbridge Tri Team members. Those guys did AWESOME. 40+ people, 90% first-timers and all finished up-right and ambulatory.

This is really what it is all about for me. I love to compete and to race but to help other people do something bigger than they ever thought they could do is a feeling that even winning my AG would not compare to.

The race is run at Callaway Gardens and the motto of our team is "Couch-to-Callaway. This is about helping people get off the sofa and do something with their lives. In the 2 years we have done this almost 100 people have started training/racing. Some have continued and some have not but they are still doing SOMETHING to better their health. That makes me feel very lucky to be a part of something cool.


All together now.......................LACK OF TRAINING.


Great race for first-timers and for those looking for a low-key event. Even though there were 1200+ people there is is run like a local event. Awesome venue and a great place to take the family for the weekend.