Swim
Comments: After a good start with non combat swimming, I started to feel something wrong with my breathing at about 200ft out. Realized I'm not breathing through my nose because I had running nose. Then thought of drowning in dark, deep lake overcame me and I panicked, hyperventilated. I got too scared even to put my face back in the water. So, I started breaststrokes but didn't go anywhere. I had to stop and think hard if I should give up and get help from a kayaker. The only thing kept me from giving up was the thought of shame and letting my friends & family down who cheered me and supported me. I told myself to go back to the shore on my own no matter how long it takes. I tried freestyle again but without kicking, just arms. This made easier for me to take a breath and was able to go for a while before the fear of drowning kicked in again. Then I'd stop to clear my sinus every 50 yard or so. At one point I was stopped by kayaker and was told that I was going off the course and she pointed me in the right direction. Boy, it was a long way but I was so happy to feel the sand under my feet. What would you do differently?: wear a breathe right, more ows practice Transition 1
Comments: Took longer than I wanted. Was disoriented from the hard swim. Put on a light fleece vest over my singlet which was good idea as the bike ride was bit chilly. What would you do differently?: not much. Bike
Comments: I pushed myself hard to make up the lost time on the swim but it was just longer than I had hoped. slowed down towards the end. What would you do differently?: Hopefully, this was my last race with my hybrid bike. Transition 2
Comments: As I got off my bike, my feet were numb. I was prepared to put fuel belt on the run but felt it was not needed, so ran out without it. It was good idea because they had great volunteers at couple aid stations to give you water & gatorade. What would you do differently?: not much Run
Comments: The numbness I felt on my feet had gone away soon after I got out the T2. Since my legs were almost not used at swim and I guess I rested them well towards end of bike, I felt great on the run. I felt a little clamp on my calf at beginning of the second loop but I was able to push and even sprinted to the finish. What would you do differently?: pretty happy with my run Post race
Warm down: sat down on the grass with my wonderful supportive wife and stretched. Ate delicious sandwiches, cookies, & donuts. They had very nice food and the ice cold water bottle at finish was really nice also. What limited your ability to perform faster: Having been bit under the weather. running nose. late arrival at the site. Event comments: I couldn't thank all the wonderful volunteers enough. It was my first olympic distance tri and a hard one (especially swim)but I was able to get through with great help from volunteers at aid stations who not only handed me drinks but also ran backwards so I could get them easily without spilling them and a kayaker who reminded me that I was going wrong way and pointed me to the right direction. The sound of drums from the marching band(?) on the uphill of run course was great help also. I never knew the sounds of drum could raise my sprits that well. They also had a nice raffle prizes of which I won K-swiss shoes & Road ID Gift certificate. I'd like to come back next year and do little better. Last updated: 2010-08-18 12:00 AM
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United States
50sF / 0C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 216/411
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 35/57
This was my first Olympic Tri.
Woke up at 6am. Ate PBJ sandwich, banana, apple sauce and drank a lot of coffee. Took a sinus pill as my nose was running.
Arrived at the race site at 7:25 a bit later than I planned. I had problem setting up my hybrid bike at my assigned area. Eventhough I'd read the race report of someone who had hybrid bike last year and knew they might have special rack for it, I couldn't find it and I wasn't thinking straight at that time. Ended up being called up through PA system to move my bike and stuff. The special rack was near the exit and it had a lot more room with few hybrids/mtbs. My ankle was too big for the timing chip strap so I had to go get another strap from Score-This tent.
Then, when I went to use the Porta patty, I left my ear plugs inside and couldn't find them. Luckily I had spare plugs, but this added more unnecessary stress.
swam about 100ft. water was clear and calm