Midwest Meltdown - TriathlonSprint

The swim was 50% longer than the typical 500m distance but my goal was to swim just as hard as the last race (500m swim). I ended up at 1:52 per 100yd compared to 1:49 per 100 yd so I can't complain too much. There was much more contact in this swim than the last one. I didn't seem to get a good swim "cadence" going. I did better going around the bouys this time.

Try to swim closer to the markers. Get prescription goggles to improve vision.

T1 was better than the last by 30 seconds or so.

Not sure yet. Some people talk about going sockless but I'm not sure about that yet. Just need to practice.

My goal was to exceed 20 miles per hour. Mission accomplished! There weren't any steep or long climbs as the course was fairly flat. I was off the saddle a few times trying to power up some of the short inclines. My mount and dismount were satisfactory given my lack of experience on a bike.

Given I've only been riding a bicycle since late May the only thing left now is practice.

This was my only mental mistake of this race. This cost me at least 2 places in the overall standings. I entered transition on row over than where my stuff was. I then ran my bike up and down that row wondering where my stuff was before I realized I was in the wrong row. Duh!! I wait until I get to my transition spot before I even touch my shoes so I suppose there's a better way (There's a field above called "Riding with feet on top of shoes?" so that's probably telling me something.

Run into transition during warm ups. Get it lodged into my head.

Legs were a little tight at the start, tighter than normal because I went out harder on the bike this tome. But my pace was exactly the same as last weeks tri (7:25 min. mile). Not sure if I could have pushed myself a little harder.

Not sure at this point. All I can do is train more.

Walked over to the refreshment area and had a banana, some strawberries and a diet Pepsi.


Experience.


This was my 3rd USAT sanctioned Triathlon and I ended up with a 3rd place age group finish (one in my age group finished top 5 overall so I get a 3rd place age group prize even though I was fourth) so I guess 3rd time's a charm. Not sure if there's any more for me this summer but I'll train from now until next year and we'll so how I do then. This event was organized and executed pretty well. Looks like some cycling and leg work is in order as well as swim and run. I have access to a great personal trainer (hopefully the budget allows) and my gym has a 25 yd pool, great treadmills and a great cycle class. I have no excuses when the weather's bad.