I started in the front row, all the way to the left. Had NO contact at all. Felt like I was swimming pretty straight - I never had to make a major correction. Sighted every 6ish strokes. Rounded the bouys and was totally tired! I was breathing every other stroke (instead of every 3 like while in the pool), but that was ok. I felt like I worked really hard and wouldn't have been able to sustain that pace for much longer. Then, ran up the BIG HILL to transition, taking off the top half of my suit on the way there.

Nothing, it felt pretty darn good. And to see that I got first in my age group?!?! Crazy!! I'm super proud of that!!

I got out of my suit pretty fast, I'd say no more than 15 seconds. the longest thing for me is putting on socks... I wear socks now for all my rides as I'm training long, and didn't feel like going sockless for the first time in a race...in addition, i'd need them for the run (same reasoning) so I just put them on.

get suit off a bit faster...maybe bodyglide around the ankles...

Never having done a sprint, my plan was to go hard for as long as I could, then see what happens next. Went out fast, but it was really windy. I don't know what my average HR was, but every time I looked, it was above 160 - way above where I usually train at (145ish). I was working hard, doing my best up the hills, trying to attack down them, using my front big gear as much as I could. For as windy as it was, I felt like my time/pace was good. With no wind, I'm sure it would have been a bit faster, but a good effort for the day. My legs were definitely feeling it by the end of the ride. Oh, and I think I drank too much, I was super thirsty - or at least my mouth was dry, so i drank about 1/3rd of a water bottle, and about 1/2 of a orange gatorade bottle (what I normally train with - so nothing new there) - nore on why I thought it was too much later

try to attack the hills more...

I have to tie my shoes by looping the ends through the loops...to make sure my heel doesn't slip - because if this, it takes me a bit longer to tie my shoes. other than that, helmet off, visor on, and off I ran.

maybe use those qhick lace things? If I do more sprints, I'll for sure look into it as tying my shoes took up most of my time

I had a sip of water just after leaving transition, at 1 mile and at 2 miels. Very small sips. I was thirsty, but i was breathing too hard to drink alot and i figured I'd be done soon, so I didn't really worry about it. I have no idea what my HR was, but my RPE was higher than what I normally train at. I actually passed some people and only got passed by about 4-5 women, most of whom were relay runners - so they were fresh. I definitely pussed myself and was at an uncomfy pace for me the whole way. At first, my legs felt weak and I was thinking alot about them, but then it got to the point where I was working so hard, i stopped thinking about my legs and was thinking about my lungs... I never walked though and pushed through the hills...I felt pretty steady the whole time. It really helped that it was mostly shaded.

Pushed it a but harder, especially at the end for the last 1/4 mile or so. but over all, still a good run for me.

Ran through the finish and stopped running and IMMEDIATELY felt nauseous. Someone asked if they could take my chip. I just held up a finger and walked away seriously fearing I'd lose it right there in the finish area. Made it to the trash can about 20 feet away and thought I was going to lose it in front of all those people. But, I took a few deep breaths, and was able to walk another 20 feet away, a little out of the way of all the people and puked my guts out. All the orange gatorade I had on the bike... yuck. Puked for a couple minutes, but then I felt like a million bucks! I was even able to drink a post race beer 15 min later!
Because Josh had to go directly to work from the race but not for an hr or so, we hung around and ate and were there for the awards ceremony. They divided the age divisions down even further (ie: 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc) and gave awards to the top 3 M and F in each. Low and behold, All of the sudden I hear my name!! I got 3rd in my age group!! (but 7th in the 30-39 digision) How fun was that?! I never stay for awards, and I've never even been close to placing. What a shock on my first sprint to do so well! I was totally blown away and happy that I happened to be there for the awards :)


I would like to get faster on the run.


Great job EC tri - good volunteers, adequate water on the run, good transition area. Way to grow the scene in Eau Claire! I'll definitely be back!
:)