Clear Lake International Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Good solid, steady swim. Breathing every stroke, right hand turns, HR was excellent. Drafted a bit for the first time, plenty of open water to pick a clear lane, just a bit of banging going on, not bad. Oyster beds 200 meters into swim tore me up, lacerations all over feet, hands, ribs.

Could push it a bit more, do negative splits, because I was past the 500 m turn, I was into a good rhythm, good breathing and HR. The swim was really good for me, first race at this distance, and I found open water and stayed in a clear lane throughout, very little banging except for at the end--quite narrow swim exit.

T1 just OK, took time to put on a Halo sweat band prior to helmet to keep sweat out of my eyes, sat down to slip on shoes, etc. Wasn't terribly concerned with a few extra seconds.

Age group rank 7 out of 22

Ride was pretty good for me, considering how little I've ridden the past month. I need to get in some longer training rides though.

Again, took a bit of extra time in T2, decided to wear a race fuel belt due to heat. Grabbed a sweat towel also.

Agre group rank 10 out of 22

Nothing, wouldn't have made a difference overall anyway.

Good ~8:20 miles for the first two, then...nothing. Legs were dead, never recovered from the bike and the heat. Miserable run/walk the last 4 miles. People cramping up, walking, dragging ass the rest of the way--me among them. No shade on entire concrete course.

Find a fall-winter-spring (anything but summer) triathlon.

Cold towel over the head, bottle of Gatorade, some orange slices, cold water over the cold towel on my head, light stretching, hot wings.


Heat, and lack of significant bike rides followed by 2-3 mile bricks.


Poorly organized.
1. Swim course unsafe due to unmarked underwater hazards and rock/oyster bed entry/exit. Gator nearby didn't come into play (thank goodness).
2. Transition exit/entrance for bike crossed over run couse, not safe.
3. Wrong time of year due to weather and water temp (high temps bring in jellyfish).