Overall, I was pleased with my first race OWS. Wetsuits were deemed illegal because of the warm water temperature. Practicing in the Schuylkill River certainly helped, particularly with sighting. I had some problems with people cutting me off around the buoys, but nothing that affected me significantly. I also started to get some foot cramps (left foot) at the half-way point, but I have been battling these cramps since I started swimming a few months ago...so they were expected. My time, although in the MOP, was good for me over that distance...it was about 3 minutes faster than I had predicted.

Nothing really...I was pleased that I had no major problems & didn't panic on my first competitive OWS. I'd like to go faster, but that'll come with more practice.

Had a bike spot near the rear of the transition area. Put on glasses and helmet & put on bike shoes; ran with bike to mounting area.

Nothing.

My biggest problem was that I lost focus somewhere along the way & left my gears on the small crank! I wondered how people were still gaining speed on the downhills when I couldn't do anything but spin...I realized it several miles into it. I think I cost myself several minutes by not paying attention to what I was doing. This all could have been circumvented IF my bike computer was working--the sensor got twisted on the trip to the event and I didn't realize it wasn't working until I was on the bike; I'm sure I would have noticed how slow I was going if my computer was 'on' during the race.

1) Ensure that my bike computer is working before setting up in transition. 2) Focus more on keeping my gears on the large crank...particularly when going downhill. 3) Be careful to not overhydrate...it affected me in the first part of the run.

Nothing remarkable here...took my time dismounting the bike because my legs were a little ragged, plus the rain had left everything kinda slick. So I was just being cautious.

Not much...probably would have been faster without the rain.

I didn't realize it while running, but I actually did pretty well in the run. I felt slow because I was battling calf cramps just after leaving the transition area (had to stop to rub it out) & then hamstring cramps nearer the end of the run. My race pace was about as fast as I've run since I started training this year.

Perhaps a quick stretch in T2 to prevent the calf cramps--they were terrible!

I just grabbed a bottle of water and walked about...talked to a friend & cooled down slowly.


The big hill on the bike really killed my legs...that was the worst part of the race & affected me most. After only 10 weeks of training for this tri, I was happy with the outcome.


The entry fee for this one was cheap ($75), so I didn't expect much. They advertised a "Goodie Bag" as part of your entry fee, but it only contained your tech shirt and a gel packet...not necessarily a lot of swag. Being a small-town venue probably limited the number/amount of sponsors they were able to obtain...but the price was fair for the return.