This year’s triathlon season really snuck up on me! Our prolonged winter kind of had me in denial of sorts. Nonetheless, I completed the Westfield’s Sprint Triathlon last weekend. Here’s a quick recap of how it went and what I will be working on going forward.
Westfield’s Sprint Triathlon
I completed this tri race in 2017 and had a huge PR mostly due to my much faster bike times. I did not have as many opportunities for outdoor riding due to cold weather this year. However, my rides the last few weeks were pretty solid. I felt pretty confident going in. My recent run + bike bricks were also pretty good.
Race Day
Rain was predicted but luckily we were spared and awoke to temps in the mid 50’s. The Westfield’s Sprint Triathlon takes place at Rec center with an indoor pool. The bike and run take place in the surrounding area. I easily found my bike rack at set up my transition area.
Met up with my friends for a quick photo before lining up for the swim. Triathlons are always more fun when you have friends along for the ride.
The Swim- 250 m snake swim
A fairly short swim even for a sprint. I felt comfortable on pool swim and was in and out in just over 5 minutes. Because the swim was in an indoor rec center, the transition time to get to my bike was a little long.
The bike- 12 miles
With temps in the 50’s, I opted to shimmy my wet self into a jacket for the bike. I had a little trouble getting out of transition but once I got going felt great. Maintained about 17 mph pace. A little slower than last year’s pace. Chugged some Gatorade and had a handful of Honeystinger gels before heading out on the run.
The run- 5K
Always my most challenging leg of a tri race and this day was no different. I have no idea why but I got a horrible calf cramp about a minute into my run. I tried to keep running and ignore it but ouch no such luck. I pulled over to stretch on the curb a few times but it did not help at all. This has never happened before and I have no idea what caused it. Normally, this would have had me in tears, but I did my best to get through it and get to the finish as best I could.
This first race of the season showed me that I am a little rusty for sure. Overall, I am happy with my effort. While I am disappointed with my run, there really was nothing I could have done. I am excited for the rest of my triathlon season. Thanks for hanging in on a long recap!
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Congrats on a great race–it had to be tough to run with that cramp. What’s next for you?
I have another tri in 2 weeks and then another in July. Excited to get out more on my bike the next few weeks.
You did AMAZING Deborah!!! You should definitely be extra proud of yourself!! I’ve always wanted to do one of those types of races, but haven’t ever had the courage to do it! You did awesome girl!!
Thanks they are lots of fun and definitely a challenge for me every time. Think you might tri one?
That’s interesting the swim section was inside and everything else was outside. Congrats Deborah!
Yes this time of year, the pools and outdoor water areas are still too cold but the weather is perfect for the bike and run.
Congrats on your race! Sorry to hear about the cramp, those are rough.
It was rough and thankfully has not happened to me before so I was not sure what to do
Oh, bummer on the calf cramp! I do think once that happens there’s not much you can do, and I don’t know why they come on.
I have no idea why I got one. It’s never happened before
I would have definitely liked a short swim like that. I’m not too familiar with triathlons so I will ask, is that 8 hours on that clock or 8 minutes?
Sounds like you had a strong race even with the cramps! Congrats! Do you have anymore tris planned for the summer?
That time was actually the time of day 8 in the morning. The entire race takes me about 1 hour 20 min or so. Yes hope to do 2 o3 more this summer
That wasn’t long at all! Do you think you could have been dehydrated? Or maybe not enough carbs/potassium/magnesium in the days leading up to the race?
Ugh. I really hate those unexpected cramps (not that any cramp is ever any good).
Glad you had nice weather. Anyone who can do three sports in one day is my hero!
I honestly have no idea why it happened. It’s never happened before and I did not change anything. Annoying but nothing I could have done at the time. Normally, it would have me so upset but I feel like it was out of my control
This year’s race season really snuck up on me too! Great job with the tri – hopefully the weather stays nice (but not too hot) the rest of the season 🙂
Yes amen to that!
So odd that you got that calf cramp but like you said, nothing could have been done. You did your best and sounds like overall you did really well. Hell you got out there a did it. I hope you have the best of Mother’s Days! Will both your kids be around to enjoy with you? Either way I hope you are spoiled rotten.
ah you are so sweet! My daughter is not back from school yet so my son will have to do double duty this time.
I think it’s fantastic that you do triathlons! Way to go! Don’t beat yourself up on the run, you finished and you should be proud! Love the smiling face!
Thanks so much Gina really appreciate that. Have a great weekend
Did you have salt? I find sometimes after such a shock from winter to spring, the muscles aren’t quite ready for it. I added in salt for my recovery this training cycle because the warmth was giving me headaches, and Nuun wasn’t helping.
It’s never happened to me before so not sure if I needed salt or not. I hope it was a fluke thing!
What a bummer about the cramp! I had one like that at the end of the Paris Marathon. We were only about a quarter mile from the finish but I had to stop to work it out to even get that far.
Congrats on your finish! Nice to get that first one out of the way for the year!
It’s never happened before have no idea why! Yes happy to be back in tri training
The first race of the season always helps you know what you need to work on. I’ve never done a triathlon, I’m not a great swimmer so I’m sure I’d really struggle with that. I could probably do ok on the rest though.
It’s a fun challenge for sure. Maybe you will try it sometime
Well, I’m just so impressed with tough peeps who can do a tri and live to tell about it 😉 That is odd with the calf cramp. I have gotten them a few times, but it’s always happened like at mile 9-10 of a half on an especially hot day (probably an electrolyte issue), but that certainly wasn’t the case for you. None the less, you rallied and crossed the finish line. And that medal! It’s huge! Congrats 😉
Ha the medal is super huge for a sprint tri but I’ll take it! I have no idea why it happened it was so weird. Hoping it was a fluke thing
This sounds like such a challenging race! Good for you for getting it done! Those calf cramps always seem to happen at the worst times!
They sure do!
Congratulations on your PR despite a tough run portion of the race! I admire all of you triathletes!
Not a PR this time but I will be working on it for the next one
Congrats Deb! I can’t begin to imagine how rusty I’d be with tri right now. You really didn’t have good bike weather for very long. I’m sure your times will get better and better as the season goes on.
Thanks I sure hope so! It was a great start to my season and I am excited to see how it goes
Congrats on the race, but what a bummer about the cramp! Those can be so painful, it sounds like you did a good job working through it.
It was tough going for a while but happy I got through it
Congrats on your race! Sorry about your cramp, that sounds really frustrating!
It was but I did the best I could. Happy to have finished with a pretty good swim and bike
Way to go on your Tri! I had the exact same problem with my legs cramping on my run after the bike last year so I feel your pain. But you have a great outlook and all we can do is our best! I’ll cross my fingers for the next tri!
Really? Did you ever figure out why? Did it happen to you again?
I had thought it was because I hadn’t done any brick workouts and I also did a hard bike ride a week before the race. I wish I did know exactly what it was because I don’t want to feel that pain again!! My next one is the end of June and I’ll let you know how it goes.
Great I’d love to hear about it. I am going to do another one in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed for both of us
That’s so strange that you always get the cramp! But at least you know what to expect I guess? Congrats on another great tri!! You’re a beast, mama!!
It was my first time getting a cramp in my calf. I literally have no idea why. Hoping it was a fluke thing
Congrats on your race Deborah! You are really a inspiration. I’m sorry to hear about your race and cramp. But you handle it great. You didn’t give up in tears – that’s strong. 🙂
Thanks so much Natalie. I would be lying if I did not say I thought about it
Great job in your race, despite the calf cramps! I just did my first try of the season a few weeks ago and felt similar to what you said – rusty. I look forward to the rest of this season though!
Yes me too! Good luck to both of us
Sounds like a struggle but congrats on finishing! ! Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
Thanks!
Great way to start off the 2017 season! I always feel like the first race of the season is a bit rusty.
I had a cramp like that at mile 3 of a half marathon! Those last 10 miles were agonizing!
Cheers to a great season!
Cramps are no fun at all!
Sorry to hear about the cramping! Definitely not fun while running! Great job with finishing despite that though!!
Thanks so much!
Congrats 🎉 on your effort! What a bummer about the cramp though! Hopefully the next one will go better! It’s still an amazing accomplishment!
Thanks Renee I hope so!
What a great event! I like the the swim was in a pool. Sorry it didn’t go as well as last year, but seriously just completing something like this makes you a winner in my world! Congrats!
Thanks Julie!
Congrats on your tri! Sounds like you did great, in my opinion Deb! 🙂
Thanks so much! It was a great start to the season and I am looking forward to improving my times
Sounds like a great race aside from the crank calf …I assume that has gotten better? And what a nice medal! Congratulations on the first tri of the year!!
It is better but still a little tight. I have no idea what that was all about! It was a great start to the season and I am excited to make some progress