Boris Fernandez

Key Biscayne Sprint Triathlon Trilogy Strategies

            The Key Biscayne triathlon trilogies are ready to start. They have become a classic of Key Biscayne. These sprint races are very fast, and any mistake can cost you many positions in the final standings. That is why it?s important to have a sound strategy before race day. Here are a few hints that might help you.

            Get there early.  By being at the race site early you will be ready to tackle any last minute problems. You will also be able to get a good position for your bike in the bike transition area. This will allow you to save some important seconds that can make a difference at the end. Set you bike and running gear as close to the running channel as possible. That way, you will avoid running all the way to the end of the rack to get your bike. You will also avoid other athletes messing up your stuff in their hurry to get out of transition area.

            Get rid of extra weight. If you are confident that you can finish in under an hour, take everything extra off your bike (that includes water bottle cages). The race is so fast that you can handle hydration by drinking water before the race, after the swim, and during the run. Eliminate all extra weight from your bike so you can attack the bridge as light as you can be. The bridge is the defining moment of this race. If you are light and powerful you can really attack it and make very valuable seconds on your competition. But, if you are heavy, carrying all the extra weight, namely water bottles at a pound each, you are not going to be able to explode up the bridge.

            Attack the first mile on the run. The first mile of the run is the most difficult one, so attack it as fast as you can. Do not let you brain tell you that your legs are tired from the bike effort. At that point, it is more a mental game than a physical one. Will your way in that first mile. Force the legs to wake up. Imagine that you are running on fire and that the bottom of your feet will burn every time you touch the ground. It will be much better in the second mile. Do not lose the time in the first mile by allowing your body to slowly make a transition from one sport to the next. This is a sprint triathlon, everything is fast, and there is no time to think or judge. The last mile of the run is the time to take your body to its maximum capacity. You will know the feeling when it hits you. Slowly star picking up your pace, until you hit that feeling, stay there as long as you can and enjoy the feeling of transcendence afterwards. Remember, the worst that can happen is that you will fade from the effort but you will be a better person afterward for having given it your all. At least that is what a coach I had used to tell me. He said, "There are three stages in racing: pain, anguish, and agony. If you are not ready to reach agony you will never know your true self!". He may be right, he may not be, I am still finding out.

            After the race, do not stay there just talking or standing. Drink lots of water and go for an easy swim or an easy jog. That will help your body to recover faster. Take a shower and you?ll be ready for the post-race party. Enjoy the race to its fullest!