Semper Tri Camp Pendleton Sprint Triathlon - Triathlon

Seemed way longer than 500m. Not confident lifeguards placed the buoys accurately after watching them do it. Oh well, we all swam the same course. Opted against using my borrowed wetsuit. Water was warm. Wore speedo and tri singlet like I've practiced at home. Started in last men's wave. Ladies waves start after last men's wave. There was a current making you drift a little to the north, but plenty of lifeguards out in the water helped direct people so they didn't miss the first buoy on the way out. Couldn't catch any waves in to help.

The ocean waves weren't big so not hard getting out. Tried to focus on form as best I could. Ran into a few slower swimmers. Forgot to sight often enough at one point and got a little off course. Lifeguard on a board helped steer me right. Going around the buoys was no big deal.

Slow transition compared to others, 29/33. Took extra time to get sand off feet and put on socks. Slid bike shorts up over speedo. Put cycling jersey on. Drank a bunch of plain water from an extra bottle I had with my stuff. put on helmet and put my cycling shoes with Look cleats on at my spot then jogged gingerly to the mounting area. Clipped in fine. Long gradual uphill from transition. Great tip I got off here, put your sunglasses onto your bike and put them on your face once riding. Had to wear your bib while on the bike so I had bought a race bib belt and it worked great.

Maybe wear tri shorts, tri suit or wetsuit for next time. Speedo was full of sand from the beach landing and didn't notice until well into the bike ride. Just grinned and bore in till the whole race was over. Maybe rinse before exiting the water or water bottle douche in transition next time. That might get the people downhill from you mad, though. Saw folks with shoes pre clicked into pedals but not sure if I'll ever try that.

Using road bike , no aero bars, standard helmet. No crazy mounting stuff. I don't need to get hurt at this age. Tried to give extra the whole ride knowing short bike route and that I wouldn't need to save very much for the short run. Passed some earlier wave folks. Got passed as well. Tried to keep pace with a youngster on a tri bike but couldn't. Very small hills here and there but mostly flat and straight. 1 aid station at the turn around. Roads were closed which was very nice. Had some sport beans at the 1/3 and at 2/3 of the bike route. Drank half of the electrolyte drink on the road, forgot to finish it off before T2.

I just have some general purpose tires on the bike. Next time, ask the wife for money so I can get some higher performance tires for the race. I think they would've helped me be faster with same effort. I might have drafted a little according to the USAT rules that were in effect but there was no enforcement or anything. Looking at the results and from my memory I don't think any gals passed me on the bike leg. A couple ran by me on the run but I was fairly happy with my bike time.

Had to dismount on an incline down. Felt very slippery with shoes on so dismounted, moved to the side and removed shoes, jogged in socks to my spot. Laced up the shoes, kept bike shorts, sandy speedo, cycling shirt and sunglasses on. Thought it felt like a fast-ish transition and that I must be forgetting something. So I stopped, looked and I thought, Nope, had everything. Took my extra plain water bottle from transition with me and drank on the way back up the long incline and ditched it later.

I suppose I could use some of those speed laces but I'm not in it to win it and this sport is costing me enough already. However the race bib belt was worth the $9.95 it cost just so I wouldn't have to try and fumble with safety pins on my clothes.

I'm not sure how fast I generally run out on the road. I try and train at at least 10 minute miles on the treadmill and I think this came out to 8.25 minute miles. Tried to take this part easier since I've cramped up while training in the past. Ran at comfortable pace. Passed a couple folks, got passed by some. Was trying to enjoy my first experience.

Tried to drink water out of a cup while running but got a bunch up my nose. I'll have to work on that.

Walked to the food and fluid station near the finish line but didn't feel it was totally needed. Drank some water and ate 1/2 a banana. Walked around the vendor area but nothing pertained to me.


Inexperience.
I was trying to be a good sport, to keep my competitive side balanced with respect and encouragement for other entrants. Plenty of folks getting out there and doing it that, like me, will never "podium" so lets keep it positive and try to give it the best we can.


2015. This was my first Tri and this was a great venue. Very well organized, good location and facility, plenty of volun-tolds and proceeds go to support a Marine Corps charity so win-win. Very forgiving course for first timer. No elitist attitudes from other participants. Lots of fun.