Mountain Man Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Started off pretty well. Got near the front and decided to swim otside to avoid having much contact. I hadn't done any OWS or even been in my wetsuit since the Mtn. Man last year. I had been doing my due dilligence as far as swimming, but OWS is altogether different. Felt good from the start,, but then the altitude hit me and my arms felt fatigued. I hadn't even rounded the first bouy yet.

Got it together and made the first turn. I sighted, but was still outside. No problem, it gives me a clear lane to swim in. Problem was, I kept listing to the left and getting further away from the bouy line. I sighted and corrected, but would then still drift. It was long, but I made the 2nd turn.

Picked it up a little as I made my way in. Finally, I felt like I got my swim Mojo and felt energized. Deciding to kick it in, I sighted one last time. I looked up and saw lots of folks walking out of the water. I had waited too long. DAMMIT

sight better, practice OWS, kick it in sooner. Overall, not a bad swim, but I expect more of myself in this discipline

Has a little trouble getting my socks on wet feet, but T1 was pretty good

I had hit the course about 3 weeks earlier to try and familiarize myself with some landmarks and hills. I knew going out would be slower than coming back.
It's not secret that this is a weakness, but I felt I had been working on it. While I expect to get passed, it was never the pelotons zipping by me that I usually have. Oh sure, I got passed, but I also passed people. Suprisingly, I passed people on the uphill segments and got passed on the flats and downhills.
I really am happy with how I went up the hills and this is definitely moving in the right direction. This is not the best I've done on the bike, but the best I've done in quite a while.

Not much

Ditched my helment for a hat, grabbed my sunglasses and laced up my shoes. I was going to run with a bottle in hand, but I left it in T2. Got to the Run Out line when I realized it, but didn't want to go back.

Running out of T2 with 2 girls, one of whom had a few cheerleaders. One says to me, "thanks goodness we can walk as soon as we are out of sight." Not for me today!

maybe remember my hydration - although I didn't need it with the aid stations on the course

Coming off a good bike leg for me, I wondering if I had legs to run. I felt really good, but with the altitude and everything - you just never know. I settled into a nice pace so that I would have the energy to run up the hill and use whatever was left in the tank for the return. First mile was an 8:20 and I was happy with hit. Pace slowed at 1.5 as I hit the bottom of the hill. I saw my pace climb,but managed a 9:08 for mile 2. Mile three is all uphill. I looked at my Garmin and saw (at one point), my pace at 10:00 or over - ugh. But I still felt really good and ended up with a 9:45 for mile 3. I should mention that I felt this stabbing pain at mile 1.8, but it quickly went away.
I made the turn and got ready to empty the tanks. Downhill mile was good. I was passing folks and hit a 7:55! The next mile was similar at 8:05. I was feeling great. Paced slowed a little for the last (8:16), but I got near the finishers' chute and the spectators told me there was no one behind me. Knowing I wouldn't be blocking anyone, I saw my family close to the finish line and grabbed my oldest daughter's hand. For the first time in 5 years, I raced to the finish line with one of my kids. Great feeling!

not much. I think I probably had a little gas left in the tank, but who cared. It wasn't a PR, but it was the best I've done and the best I've felt doing a triathlon in a long time. Aside from the swim, mentally and physically, I had an awesome race.

Looking through my other races, I PR'd the run segment of any OLY I've done. throw in the hills and the altitude, and I had an awesome run

Grabbed a bottle of water, lots of fruit and a muffin. Found my family and talked about the race. My wife got a great pic of me running with my daughter and I rested for a while before gathering up my gear and heading for home


not much on this day


4 years in a row that I've done the Mountain Man. Beautiful course and a great value. I will be back.