Positioned myself on the outside for a relatively straight line to the first buoy. No real expectations here again with my swim. Last few swims at the pond have been a bit crappy and I've had some breathing issues.
Started off nice and relaxed and never had any major problems with bumping. Plenty of space throughout. First buoy came up rather quickly. When I started feeling a bit breathless I'd take extra breaths on one side rather than every third stroke. But about half way through I got in a good rhythm of third stroke breathing and felt pretty good. My shoulders did bug me about half way through but I think it was because I changed my stroke in the race setting and wasn't concentrating. Swam until my fingers hit the bottom and walked out. Actual swim time 13:44.

Keep working on my swim. Hope to build this winter.

I didn't start running from the water until I found a strip of grass. There was a lot of gravel and rocks, including some in the entrance to transition. At some point, I bruised the hell out of my left heel. Wetsuit off easy (ankle zippers). I planned on putting on a light jacket for the bike so this cost me 10-15 seconds. In retrospect, I probably didn't need it. Initial bike was dirt and then rough asphalt so it was a little hard to get up to speed to get shoes on. Right rubber band didn't break so I reached down and broke it.

Ditch the jacket.

Wanted to push this as I lose most of my time on the bike. Felt great for the first two loops and stayed aero a lot. Started to feel a little tired on the last loop and my right knee started to twinge (bike fit stuff I think). But I pushed through it and was happy. My cyclometer had me at 20.3 mph ave so I'm not sure what the discrepancy is.

Keep riding, keep pushing.

I probably should have just ran in my bike shoes as this side of the transition was a little dicey. I stepped on a rock and bruised my left heel and had to jump over mud with socks on. But quick transition (2nd in AG) and off for the run.

Scout out the transitions better.

Left foot was numb for the first 2 miles but I was running well and felt strong. Started developing side stitches at mile 1. Got worse at 1.5 and moved to upper right abdomen. Not really sure why as I drank very little on the bike. Last 0.5 mile tough with cramps.

Haven't had cramps like this on the run for quite awhile. Irritating as my legs still felt good and I feel like I could have pushed the run more.

Walked around, stretched a bit. Noticed then that my left heel was starting to hurt.


More swimming time but I'm happy with today's race. Bike is improving. Today was my first real ride with the new bike (cardinal sin #1) and new goggles (cardinal sin #2). Fortunately nothing disasterous happened.
Honestly I didn't have a great attitude coming in today with my recent bike and swim issues, Friday's cold weather, and the fact I was blowing my nose all day Friday. But I really wanted to get in a second tri this season so I stopped feeling sorry for myself and had a great race.


Inaugural race. Swim course was cool and water was warm. Criterium bike was interesting, plenty of spectators and some cowbells even. Closed to traffic (quite the coup!). Good run. Events on time and pretty good post events.
I took fourth in my AG but first place took third overall in the race so I think maybe I'm supposed to receive an award but I didn't stick around to find out.
September tris seem a bit dicey weather wise but this worked out perfect. 50 degrees at swim start and 60 at the run finish.