The entire swim portion of this triatlon is a complete abortion! There is very little clear explanation of the correct course. You can't build a swim course that keeps bouys on the left for the first straight then have the first turn be a right turn..there is no marker to go around.

In terms of my specific swim, I just need to be stronger in the water. I was very pleased with my swim as my start was good and I was able to draft on a guy for the first 200M. After that I petered out and my HR skyrocketed causing me to breast stroke and flounder for the remaining 250M.

My T1 was smokin fast! I was faster out of T1 than the overall winner. I felt so fast coming out of T1 that I checked everything twice while on the bike because I thought I forgot something. I didn't it was awesome. If I had any advice I would say get a spot near the bike entrance. This was near the swim exit also and I thought it helped.

Nothing

This is a course that is just challenging enough. There are a lot of false flats that will trip you up if you aren't in the right gear. Also, there are some course management issues in terms of hard 90 deg. turns that go straight into a steep hill. Its important to always be looking ahead and adjust your gearing accordingly. This is a really fun bike course for the last 3-4 miles. Lots of rollers to take advantage of and really hall a$$. Keep a watch out at the end of the bike course though because the chute is at the bottom of the hill if you're not careful you'll be into the back of someone really quick. I recommend getting out of your pedals during the last straightway before the last hill. This way you can dismount a bit easier.

Nothing...When I dismounted I did a flying dismount and got some oohs and ahhs. It was possibly the highlight of my race. This bike course is fun.

I had a really good T2 for the most part. As I stated above, its important to drive or walk the last 2 or 3 K of the bike course so you know when to get out of your shoes. The chute is narrow coming in and you'll likely come up really quickly on someone that is fumbling to get off the bike.

I forgot to take the freshwave packs out of my shoes before I put them on. I probably should have been sub 1 min in T2 but I'll take it. I felt great coming off the bike.

This run course is what keeps people coming back. It should be called Franks Killer Hill(s). Being from the great flat state of IN, we don't have hills like this and I'm a less than stellar runner anyway. This hill whooped my arse!! I have to admit I walked for probably 50 meters of the last incline. Coming down though was good... I read on BT a couple of weeks ago that to master coming down Franks Killer Hill, you have to create a controlled fall situation and just keep your legs moving while keeping your body perpendicular to the hill. It sounds easier than it is but it worked. I was faster than I normally am running.

Run more this year

Chugged a bottle of water and walked back to the transition area. Then we went back to the Abbey and got the breakfast buffet..mmmmmm bacon


I would have liked to have added a half or mile an hour on the bike but I got a little complacent on the back side of the course and started to day dream.


I have to say that this was my best race ever (I've done 5 tri's in 3 years.) This race course has to be one of the best in the midwest for sure. However, the race staff is generally rude and there was so little description about the sprint swim that I've never heard so many conversations start with "I think we're supposed to...."They can do better with the swim but overall, I have to say, I'll do it again.

If you do this race, I would recommend staying at The Abbey and making a weekend out of it. Also make sure you get to the transition area early (5am) its first come first serve so you'll end up with your bike on the grass or perched up against a trashcan if you're late.