Tri the Parks Triathlon - Mistletoe State Park - Triathlon

This was a good swim for me. I felt strong the entire way and was able to push myself harder on my way back in. Sighting was MUCH improved since my first tri. The only dilemma is that they combined both male and female novices at the start. The guys tore out of there, but then many got tired within the first 150 meters and started to backstroke. I looked up to sight at one point and there were four guys shoulder to shoulder in backstroke. It was tough to get past them they took up such a wide swath of space.

MUCH better swim than my last sprint distance triathlon. Much more confident in my abilities.

Be more confident in my swim and push at the beginning rather than go out slow.

God I'm slow in transition. I try to get 'too' dry and really make sure I don't have sand anywhere on my feet. I've been wearing socks for the bike and run, but they were drenched after the bike. I think I'm going to start training without socks on shorter rides and not bother with them for sprint distances in the future.

Ditch the socks for the bike in the future for short course events.

I rode the bike hard. Riders were really bunched up. Since I was in the last swim wave, I was navigating around a lot of slower riders in earlier groups. I passed a lot of people, had my heart rate up, but wanted to push the bike to see what I could do. I was pleased.

I was happy.

Again...I was lolly gagging in transition. I took one last swig of water from my bike, not realizing that they were handing out cups of water just as you left transition and got onto the run course.

I also realized my socks were DRENCHED from bike. I don't like wet feet.


Stop thinking this is a knitting circle, get your shit and get OUT of transition!

The first 1.5 miles of the run were hilly...one hill I walked up and actually kept the same pace as those who were determined to run up it. The first part of the course was also on a trail which was marked with lots of tree roots. I've never run off road, so I was really careful with the footing. I find that it takes me a good 2 miles to finally feel decent on my legs after the bike. Mile 3 felt pretty good.

I saw two Novice women pass me between miles 1-2. It should have lit a fire in my belly, but as hilly as it was, I knew I would just get my heart rate too high and then I'd run out of gas. I just found my rhythm and kept chugging away at it.

The run will get there in time.

Walked around, drank some water, chatted with friends, got my bike and transition gear and shoved it in the car which was close by.


For sprint races, I just need to work on my run speed. I feel good about my swim and bike.


Well organized, well staffed. Exceptional volunteers (kayak support on the swim, traffic volunteers for the bike, and aid station/turn volunteers for the run).