Music City Triathlon

check.

looking for some redemption..

I've only done the Olympic, but I have never thought the first part of the swim has been that difficult. IMO, the part where we turn back upstream at the end is way more noticeable. I actually feel like I am swimming in place at times. Having said that, I don't think the sprint turns back upstream. You will have to be more concerned with the cross current, and aim "upstream" a bit more on your final turn into the dock.

I will be there Saturday with my son for the kids Du and on Sunday I'll be working in transition.

If I recall, the sprint course goes upstream, then down without coming back upstream like the oly distance race.

I would pace your swim on even effort though.  Don't go harder at first.  When going against or with the current you won't be able to tell the difference if you aren't looking at landmarks on the shore.    When you go across the river, sight a little more often to make sure you are 'tacking' upstream correctly.

PSA:  remember that the state is doing construction on the downtown corridor.  This will affect your commute in and out of the race (not to mention the bike course).  Please plan accordingly. 

Team Magic's website has more details. 

Another hot one today. I was having a great bike (for me) and got a flat at the second turn around it was the back tire.  I changed it and about 5 minutes later I looked down and it was flat again. Must of pinched it or something. I said screw it and road the fine 6 miles on the flat. My legs where toast for the run after that but I still had a PR. Took 24 minutes off my time last time I did this one in 2010. The best part of the race was, after suffering through the run, right before I entered the finish shoot, there was my wife and 5 year old son. They wasn't supposed to be there. They drove from cookeville. My son got to run to the finish line with me. That was pretty special moment for me. I hope they got a good picture.

I assumed it was for one of two reasons. Either 1) I believe the sprint is some sort of a qualifier so they want to get the "leaders" on the bike without too many other racers on the course, and 2) They do not want too many bikes on the course at the same time. hey would probably have to wait for the last Oly swimmer to exit the water, which would delay the start of the sprint by 50 minutes to an hour after the last swimmer left the dock, versus only waiting 15-20 minutes for the last swimmer in the sprint.