Nation's Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

The Potomac was a dirty river. You could see nothing in it, and light only diffused about 6inches down. But there was not smell and it was a clear and well marked course.

I think there were not very many canoes watching so many people. You could easily slip down and disappear. The water was a good temperature.

I would have a disposable water bottle and gu with me prior. I was thirty and hungry while waiting so long for my wave. Also, if I could I would have someone there to help me. That way I could keep warm and dry while waiting for me heat: wouldn't expend so much energy trying to stay warm.

I would get my wet suit earlier than 3 days before and get comfortable swimming in it. I practice swam in on Saturday and felt suffocated. So I opted out of using it.

I would do more open water swims if possible.

I didn't wear a wet suit, so my transition time should have been shorter. It was so muddy that I took the time to quickly rinse off my feet and then put on my socks and shoes.

I did not do clipless pedals, so I was putting on my wet running shoes. I did drink so water and started sucking on some Gu as well.


I would take less time messing with drinking and eating while transitioning. I may try the clipless pedals and no socks one day, but not ready for that just yet.

I really worked on the bike, and felt I had a really good ride. I pushed myself and maintained safety while on the course in the wet slick conditions. I was really able to make up some spots in my age rank. I moved up 69 spots from the swim.

I really think I did a good job with drinking and eating. Just enough to keep my energy up.

I would just train more on the bike, getting more comfortable with maintaining my cadence while drinking and eating. I am still not coordinated enough to keep up my pace and take a hand off the bike.

I think I would eventually try my clipless pedals. I think it will help with time T1 time and course help give me more pull and push force. My feet would slip off the pedals at times when I was cycling hard.

I did not have to take off my shoes, so I just had to really rack my bike and helmet.

I am not that used to racking my bike so I'm sure I could shave a few seconds off my time with just repetition.

I did grab my last GU and took off for the run.

I would just rack my bike and go.

I think I just need to streamline this part. The time was good.

My calves were tight for the first bit and my feet were cold and numb from the weather and bike ride.

But I felt pretty good coming out. I was able to maintain a good pace that I picked up a little bit after the half way mark. I felt comfortable on the run.

I would push myself more on the run. I had plenty left at the end. I think because I haven't done this before, I was worried about pushing my pace and hitting a wall at the end.

So I def would get myself out of that comfortable pace and really let my body do what it know how to do.

But I did sprint the end and got one more spot!

None: I just try to get some food, but the line was too long, and I was cold an wet.


I think having some holes in my training schedule. I was sick for 11 days and then got a new puppy the last week before. So I missed out on 18 days of training in a total of 60 days: but all in the last 30 days.

Plus I think just learning how to do the tri and be prepared. Things I am learning along the way.

Better sleep the night before, and keeping myself hydrated while waiting for my wave.


Rain delayed the start by 30 mins.

I think that having a food tent is great and serving hot food even better. But with over 4000 people, the one tent was just not enough. Too long of waiting for food, and too many people. I thought it was the worst part of the event. Not being able to just walk up and grab something after the race like a banana or cookie: you couldn't get anything!

Plus the were giving out these nice emergency heat blankets, but only had enough for like 50 people. Not very cool.

The festival events were okay. But really just not enough for such a large group of people.

I really enjoyed this race and they were very organized. The volunteers really made such a difference. I thank them all for their support and cheers!