Evergreen Lake International Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Horribly start to the race! Couldn't sight, couldn't navigate, goggles leaked. Not a lot of jostling which is good, but really frustrating for me. Had to stop in the first 200 yards to clear water out of my goggles. Had to clear them a second time before hitting the first bouy. Ended up pretty far to the right before coming right in at the bouy to start the second leg. During the second leg, I ended up behind the boats/lifeguards (the inside edge) and then way right (I'd guess I added 100-150 yards here). Spent a lot of time swimming all by myself and I'd have to really lift my head and pause to find the bouys. Rounded the second (again pretty close) and the third leg went better but I had to clear my goggles again. Rounded the last bouy and the final leg went reasonably well. Somewhere in here, a guy tried swimming over me. Really??? there are 3 swimmers in a 50-yard stretch, and after touching me 4 different times you can't find clear water?? A few hard kicks and I never felt him again.

While I'm complaining about this, my effort and my stroke were generally good, so it wasn't ALL bad.

Need some OWS and different goggles. In some respects, the 2000+ mass start at IMCcA was good because I could keep people on either side of me for navigation.

Nothing spectacular with transition. Dried off my feet, put my bike shoes on and then jog to the mount line. Got over the bike and had a hard time getting clipped in and moving.

Not sure this could have been sped up. Getting clipped in should have been easier.

Started riding and quickly settled into a comfortable effort at 21-23 mph. Couldn't really tell where the wind was (turns out, there wasn't any) and enjoyed the overcast conditions. Started passing people right away (thanks to the ugly swim I had). Had a few people pass me, most of whom I re-passed (some, several times). Had to call out "on your left" far more than I should have due to riders just riding along in the middle of the lane or going all the way to the left side of the lane to pass someone. Drank about 12 ounces of gatorade and a little less water during the bike.

I kept expecting to turn and start paying for the wind, but it never happened. Oh well, take what the day gives you, so I kept cruising at 22 mph. Hit 22 miles right at an hour along the West end of the lake.

NOTHING! This isn't my "A" race and I didn't want to hurt myself 2 weeks before my "A" race.

Stopped at the dismount line and jogged with my bike into transition. Almost ran past my rack (didn't). Put the bike away, took off the helmet, and then the bike shoes. Put on socks and my running shoes and headed towards the exit while putting my running hat and race belt on.

Nothing much. Wasn't using Yankz or anything, and making sure my socks are in place before jamming my feet into running shoes takes a little bit of time.

Hit the first mile at 8:00 and thought "whoa!!" (Pretty cool to still run that fast after the 22 mph bike split.) Next few miles were 8:15 or so and the last 2 back down around 8:00.

Passed a lot of people (weird, since the run is where I'm usually slogging along while everyone else passes me). Had a few people pass me, but no leapfrogging like on the bike. The ones that passed were gone. Just kept up a fairly steady effort until 2 miles to go and ran the whole way. Skipped drinking the whole way (which was reasonable given the weather).

NOTHING. I'll take 8-minute miles for an OLY. This run split is faster than my stand-alone 10K (I've only run one). Again, good tune-up for Vineman in 2 weeks.

Grabbed a water and a gatorade and walked around a bit. Chatted with friends and cheered a few more finishers coming in.


Swim was the big limiter today, but I was still 15 minutes faster than when I did this race in 2007.


Good race and a lot of fun. We didn't stick around long because we had to break camp and head to an after-race party.