Columbus International Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

I am not really sure what happened on the swim. I had usually been doing a mile in about 37 minutes so I expected to have a swim time a minute or two off that but I guess it was not to be. I had trouble seeing the turns due to the steam coming off the water. It also seemed like a lot of people had no clue where they were going. A number of times I had a good visual on the turn and then someone would come in from the side, angled way sharp and run into me. I seemed to help about 10 people redirect thier efforts to the right direction. I know I am a slow swimmer, so starting the time trial, and ending up about 30 athletes from the last olympic swimmer to go off, I was completely pre-occupied by the fear of being last out of the water. It took over my mind so much, I completely forgot to see if I felt faster with shaved legs (a first for me).

Keep the hair. I dont think it matters anyway!

I was happy with T1. I used balloons for the first time and it helped. I just about lost my bike in the Wendy's sprint and I didnt want that happening again. Not sure this is T1 related but I did have a problem with my sunglasses. I usually tape them to the handlebars but the morning air didnt let the tape stick too good, except to itself, so the net result was me fighting to get the tape off the glasses. I failed so they got tossed on 315. At least they were broke, unlike whoever lost that pair that I passed 5 times laying on the ramp to the highway. I am sure everyone knows who did the race knows the pair I'm talking about.

Nothing, T1 was smooth.

I was very happy with the ride. I drank all of my water so I needed to wait till T2 but it was only a short time. No biggie. I did one gel on the first lap and I should have done another on lap 4 or 5 but no water made that decision. I just figured to wait till T2 and do it then.

Nothing.

I dont like to complain but the IDIOT with across from me on the rack didnt rack thier bike but layed it across the rack, blocking me from being able to rack mine when I got there. I guess the solution would be to ride faster and get there first, but I got a little miffed at the time. So I tried in vain to rack my bike and then just left it lay in a simiar fashion as the other guy. It took a lot for me not to shove the other bike out into the isle out of my way but that would have taken even more time.

I would not even have tried to put my bike on the rack. It was pointless and wasted my time.

I am just a short fat guy. My running sucks. I was content with it because my normal 10 K time is 61 minutes so I only gave up 3 minutes due to the bike and swim. I'll take that. I did one gel at the beginning of the run and another at the 4 mile marker. It seemed to keep me going. The last mile was like every last mile I have ever done. But to do my first Olympic. In the last 200 feet or so I dont remember my legs, breathing, pretty much anything other then watching that finish line get closer and closer until it was mine. For my fist olympic I figured I might do 3 hours 5 minutes if I had a good race. For me to break 3 hours. I had a great race.

I would try to push a bit more in the last 2 miles. I was talking myself up to that during the run but it never really happened. I just kept the same pace.

Not much of anything but celebrating with family and friends.


My ability to perform faster.


Not really a race evaluation but I want to say to Bib 484, Tracy, you are Amazing!! Thank you for being so nice pre race and you brought it home to win women overall again!! Even though we just met that morning, I'm proud of you!! It's people like you that make me enjoy being a Triathlete that much more.