Tri for Fun #3 - TriathlonSprint

I started toward the front of the wave. No timing chips and they started waves based on age with 150 people per group. I swam well and did freestyle for most of the swim. I had to do a few sidestrokes here and there because too many people in front of me were slow and there was no place to pass them. 40% or more of the racers were first-timers. I wish more people would have started toward the back of the pack as my swim could have been even faster I think. Wound up passing a few guys in the wave that started 5 minutes before mine, that felt great! Loved seeing my 9+ minute finish on the swim, almost as fast as when I swim in the pool! Water was perfect!

Probably start right in front if I did this race again next year. Probably would be less frustrating.

Bummed I could not click my right ceat in. The start was straight up hill, so i was a little nervous about my shoe not getting in, it finally clicked rght before the climb, thankfully!

Get my shoe in!

The bike portion was a nice course, but there was some uneven/rocky pavement which forced me to slow down. Saw 4 people fixing flats and one guy with miles to go carried his bike! I offered him a tube, but he said, "no thanks". Passed a bunch of people on the bike, but everyone was all over the road, no one really was sticking the right side. I wound up riding on the tails end of a bunch of guys and there was no one behind me for at least 50 yeards or more. Finally got passed by 3 girls on the last mile,oh well, but a good ride overall.

Adjust my seat a bit lower, drink more

Almost started running with my helmet on, oopps! My bike was "racked" by leaning it against a tree.

Take the helmet off sooner

Had a horrible side stitch the entire run! It really sucked and I had to walk a ton. Was bummed because my knees were feeling ok, a little tight from the bike, but good overall. Maybe a needed more hydration on the bike? Toward the end of the run a girl I had met at the starting line (this was her first tri) passed me and said, "thanks for your help and words of advice! Come on we almost done" So I started to run again and I caught up to her and we sprinted in together on the finish line.

Not sure what caused the side-stitch, so I guess figure that out and prevent it.

Grabbed a piece of fruit and found Matt


The side sticth


The race started late by 15-20 minutes. It was fun, but with 1000 people out there and with so many not knowing what to do, was a bit frustrating. I'm no expert, but I guess too many newbies are not coming to BT so they know what to do even if it is their first race.