I was actually really happy with my swim, it was faster than my last sprint and on par with or better than my training sessions. I just couldn't find anyone to draft. I passed a couple people either back stroking or breast stroking, certainly got passed by a few, but couldn't find anyone to pace with.

More swim training! It's my worst discipline by far.

SO happy I cut my T1 time from the last race in half.

Still need to work more on running out of the water, getting more of my wetsuit removed on the way to transition, and getting all my bike crap on faster.

It really didn't feel as slow as it was. Heat, more hills than I'm used to, sure. But I spent way too much time clipping in and getting going at the mount point - I think I missed my second shoe and stopped three times... Too slow climbing, and the hills really aren't much.
It should be noted that I switched to clipless pedals a few days before the race, and the race was my first road ride with them.

More hill work, more pacing strategy. I've ridden this distance a ton of times but in training I'm more focused on getting it done and finding out later how fast I was going, rather than pushing out of my comfort zone.
Plus, I REALLY need to corner better. I slow down way too much. I know I'm doing it, I just don't know my cornering limits and am terrified to reach them.

This was about the same as my last tri.

I think the biggest things I can do are to get running shoes on faster - lock laces!

Without my watch I had no idea how I was doing. It felt terribly slow. It was hot by that point, and the off roading was tough on the ankles - lots of loose stones. I just kept pushing and those mile markers came up fast, and wouldn't you know I beat my run time from my last tri!

More nutrition! I had a mojo bar about a half hour before gun time, then a few sport beans on my way to get on the bike, then nothing before the run. I figured the carbs in the vitalyte on the bike would be enough.

Had a pint of water, an orange slice, spent a little quality time with my feet in the ice bath, and borrowed some ice to put in my tri top. Then went for about a 1/2-3/4 mile jog to cool down.


Heat, nutrition, pacing on the bike, and a slow down in training in the few weeks between my first and second tri.


All in all I loved it. Great location, beautiful lake (even had a hot air baloon flyover on the swim), outstanding police and volunteer presence on the bike course, great camaraderie with other competitors.