Nathans Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Seeing the course map on a piece of paper and seeing it person are two very different things. I was standing at the edge of the lake and looking for the '1st green bouy' that was the sprinter's turn point. It looked really, really far away. With only 4 minutes between waves, we had to get into the water right after the 1st wave went out. The starting point was quite a way from the lake entry point, so we all had to swim out to the starting line. I wasn't swimming out there really hard, so I didn't really make it all the way to the starting line before the horn sounded. Before we got in the water, somebody at the stairs asked about the swim path and one of the 'officials' said to go through the bouys. I'm not sure why I listened to that, but I started to head between bouys at the first one and had to be guided back outside. Fortunately, I was going to skim the bouy either way, so it wasn't much of a course deviation. I kept chugging along, doing mostly freestyle, but unfortunately, breathing on my right with every stroke. I told myself I wouldn't hang on to a kayak, but maybe the 2nd green bouy. I got to the 1st green bouy and rounded it in a mess of people, starting to see the women's wave behind me catching me...dang! I got to the 2nd green bouy which was the point to head back and held on to the bouy for maybe 5 seconds and then was back off. I did a little resting on my back a few times, but mostly kept moving, not sure why I was swimming so slowly, but I just keep ignoring my kick. Before the race I was thinking that maybe I could squeeze out an Oly distance, but that would have been disasterous! I kept chugging away and actually caught up to a few people in black swim caps that were the first wave, however, more and more red caps were showing up around me. Going under the bridge was a relief since I could actually tell I was making ground as I passed underneath. I got to the last bouy and started heading back to the stairs. It seemed like forever from the last bouy back to the stairs, but I made and got out of the lake with a little help. wow, that was a long swim! I started trudging to transition and saw my brother and my wife and kids, so I picked up it a little.

Learn to really swim. That says it all. 3.4 min/100 is dismal. Learn to swim. At least I don't lose my head. My wife said that there were a few people that had to be pulled out of the water before they even got to the first bridge.

Not bad, but I dorked around with my socks and drying my feet way too long for some reason and I don't think I got any more grass off my feet than I did in the first 10 seconds. Clean exit with the bike and off and riding quickly after the shoes were on.

Stop messing with getting all the grass off my feet.

Being such a crappy swimmer, I end up at the BOP in my wave and then I have to deal with a much more crowded bike course than I would if I had gotten out of the water faster. West of TTL it wasn't too crowded, but when I got back to the Mill/Rio Salado intersection, it started getting crowded and having to pass quite a few people. Closer to the turn-around point, but got even worse and some people were riding side-by-side, making it impossible to pass. After the turn around, I finally decided to make a few 'on your left' calls and pass a few of those people and get into some less crowded area. Kept going back and forth with #85 and #142 on the bike on Rio Salado, Scottsdale Rd and also along Mill and back. Got a little crowded at the entrance to the parking lot before the dismount line and ended up slowing down quite a bit early. Clean dismount into T2.

Swim faster! Get on the bike course faster and hopefully a less crowded bike course. Overall though, I rode well with 19+ MPH so not too bad. Some head winds when riding east, but it was tolerable.

Not much to say here, probably just need to get the shoes off faster. the MTN Bike shoes are probably not the best choice since I have to undo the ratcheting clip in addition to the velcro straps and that can take a few more seconds than is necessary. Probably skip taking a drink from my bike water bottle too since the first aid station is right out of transition.

Not much, skip the hydrate with my bike bottle.

Pretty typical run for me, but a little better than my std 10mm. I was a little sluggish out of T2 as usual, but I got into a steady groove and did okay. I felt my calves starting to cramp a bit and was worried that I was getting ready to have to walk. It ended up going away pretty quickly though. Got passed by quite a few of the ladies, including #85 that I was going back and forth with on the bike. My pace got a little stronger as time went on, but still not as good as I'd like. Toward the end of the race at the underpass by the rowing people, I got passed by a lady and what appeared to be her 11 year or daughter or something like that...a little depressing getting my a$$ handed to me by a little girl.

More bike/run bricks in training. I had been doing quite a bit of run/bike since the sun comes up late and running in the dark is better than riding in the dark, but this doesn't translate the same.

Smiled as I crossed the finish line and saw my family waiting for me as I came down the finish line chute. Grabbed some oranges and a few animal crackers. Shared a piece of pizza with Ali when I was carrying her around with me. Announcer at the finish line was on it for this race. got everybody's name called out as they crossed, so that was cool.


Swim, swim, swim. Say no more.


Nice shirt and other stuff in the race bag.