Culpeper International Triathlon - Triathlon

First open water swim in about a year where I really felt like I was on -- I was just doing it right. I was pushing, but not out of control fast and leading to blow up. I had good extension. I didn't run into or over anyone from the first wave. I found all the buoys. It was just a nice, fast swim.

I thought that I had a good transition. Compared to everyone else -- it stunk! I had the 10th fastest for my age group and 61st for the whole race. Obviously I'm doing it wrong and spending time on something I don't need to do. (I ran the whole way.)

I'm not sure. I found the bike quickly. I got out of the suit well enough. I need to just grab and dash.

I got passed a 150 meters into the bike on a steep uphill. I kept that guy in sight for 19 miles then repassed him for good. At 20 miles I got passed by Mike Stevenson from Ignite. We yo-yoed a couple times but he came in to T2 ahead of me. Other than that, I caught about half a dozen people and had the roads to myself.

Don't do a brick the day before. I had no spark for the uphills and was consistently dropped -- the elastic stretched extremely far -- on the uphill sections.

I think I futzed a bit too long with my socks. Speed laces helped. Did much better running with visor/belt in hand. Did not wear glasses because I didn't want to mess with them and that worked out well.

Every movement has to be faster. I was 9th for my AG but 77th overall with this time.

After about two miles I was pretty much in damage control. There were out and backs and the people in front kept stretching out further and further away -- I couldn't get myself up the hills. I actually felt pretty good on mile six -- it was mostly downhill or flat. Ate a Roctane at mile 3. Only drank water on course...about 3 times.

I kept running and working the whole way, but it was not an intense "I'm racing" driving type of work. When I started to feel really bad -- my mind went to triage instead of pushing.
Like the bike, I didn't have much spark in my legs.

A little stretching, a lot of fluids and then I went for a 2.5 mile run at 9:50 min/mile pace.


The organization was well done. There was a 15 minute delay at the start to let some more lake haze burn off -- good decision. There were bike support/referees on the bike course and sheriffs out helping with intersections. All in all, good all around with a friendly low-key atmosphere.
Pretty lake too.