Sweetwater Triathlon - TriathlonMini Sprint

Short swim - not much to it really. I tried to start wide to avoid the early rush and it worked for the most part. I was a little concerned about getting crushed while making a hairpin turn around the buoy but the field was small enough that this was no problem. I worked my way over to the rope line about half way out and only brushed up against a few guys. Coming back in it was a bit easier, but I was breathing every stroke instead of my planned every other stroke pattern.

I have not done any OWS this year and have only been swimming pool laps for a couple weeks, so I had minimal expectations. Felt very winded even though it was only 200 yards - I guess it's the adrenaline and confusion of the starting conditions that get me tired so quickly (and lack of warm-up?).

I expected a shaky T1 and got what I deserved. The exit from the water consisted of running up the concrete boat ramp and over gravel, dirt, asphalt, and/or grass. Most of the experienced triathletes had set up far from the water but I wanted to minimize the barefoot run so my bike was close to the ramp. I ended up sitting down to put on running shoes and socks (still haven't invested in bike shoes or clip-ins). Not sure of my time here - my lap splits on my watch weren't working.

Get a real tri-suit so I don't have to put on a shirt while wet. Practice transition routine.

About what I expected on my old bike from the mid-80s (my wife's college bike actually). I think I was about +2 on the passing/being passed ratio so that is not too bad on an old beater. I passed a guy about Mile 7 and he yelled out, "hey that looks like my old Fuji". I told him if he had it 25 years ago it could have been and we had a laugh about it. There were a few hills (mostly gradual - nothing too steep) and I had a few shifting mishaps early on (front derailleur on the fritz) but I adapted OK for the rest of the ride. I guess if I am averaging about 17-18 mph on this old beater with running shoes, flat pedals, no computer, etc. I guess I am getting about all I can out of this arrangement.

Increase my commitment to the sport by investing in a better bike.

T2 was located at the registration/finish area. There was a small roped-off area marked "bike finish" but it was crowded when I got there so I just propped my bike against a tree, pulled the helmet, and hit the road.

not much - this is the only advantage of biking in running shoes I guess.

I had hoped for maybe an 8:30 pace but could not pull that off. Passed a couple folks in the first 2 miles, with no one passing me. I felt like the first mile was slow, but by Mile 2 I was in a good rhythm (although I did not have accurate splits). With about 3/4 mile left I started hearing footsteps so I sped up a bit to hold him off (did not get a good look at him though). That worked for a few minutes but then he made another charge and passed me with maybe 1/4 mile left. I tried to catch up but he held me off by a couple seconds. Turns out he was in my AG and he edged me out for 2nd. After we got the plaques he realized I was in his AG and he came up to apologize for edging me at the end - I told him no worries and congrats. He said he had had a horrible swam and was literally the last guy out of the water so he had a good comeback and bully for him.

Too many long, slow training runs to run fast in this sprint I guess. It helped my endurance but not my speed. Need to do track work to improve speed on a run like this.

Walked around; drank water and gatorade and ata a banana. Food was minimal and there was not much to do - this is a pretty low-key race. Loaded the bike and waited for awards. Did not see too many guys 40+ so I figured I had a shot.


I just found out about this race earlier this week so I just did it "on a whim" to use as a measuring stick. I have not been training on a plan with a race in mind - just getting out when I can manage a few times a week (maybe 2-3 runs per week, 1 swim per week, and very little biking). So I had minimal performance expectations going in and thus it is hard to be disappointed.


This is a no-frills race which fit pretty well into my schedule and worked out OK. There were at least one, maybe 2, larger and higher profile races in the area this weekend so the field on this one was pretty small. I was surprised to see that this was the "15th annual" edition because it had the look/feel of a race just starting out. At first I was not too crazy about the 2 transition areas being so far apart but I guess that enabled us to run some of the nice wooded trails so I guess it was OK. Bottom line is: it only cost $55 and I got 3rd AG so I guess I can't complain :-).