Pleasant Prairie Triathlon - International Race - TriathlonOlympic

This was a great swim for me. I got out in front at the start and really went after it for the first 200m. Then I settled in and went after it for the last 200m. I found a pair of feet after the first buoy, and used those for the whole backside stretch. He was sighting great, so I didn't worry about it. I lost him after that, but really felt great out in the lake.

Nothing. I was shocked when I looked at my watch. I knew I was having a great swim, but was expecting around 27min. 5th in my age group of 96, very exciting.

First time in race w/ wetsuit, and getting it off wasn't much trouble. Also, my first time hopping on the bike with the shoes in the pedals. It went very smoothly, but took more time than I wanted strapping in once on the bike. I had practiced this about 20 times during the week, so I was hoping for a great T1 and got it. I was actually 1st in my age group!

Nothing. I moved up to 4th in the age group at this point, then I gradually started losing that position throughout the rest of the race.

Overall a great ride. I thought my race was over at about mile 2-3. I was getting passed while drinking, looked over my shoulder, vered to the right and my front tire caught the shoulder gravel. That was it, it happened fast, but next thing I know I was in the ditch. I picked up the bike, quickly got it back on the road. Watched all the bikers pass me by. Checked out the bike, looked OK, so I mounted it, clipped in and started to pedal. Well, I forgot to check if the chain was on, so I tipped over again (stop laughing - its not funny). PUt the chain back on, cussed myself out for the stupidity, and picked up my pace. This whole event seemed like it took an hour to me, but was actually about 2 minutes. I know this b/c my speedometer had me at 21mph, and about 2 minutes of missing time compared to actual. My knees were scrapped up, and so was my shoulder, but nothing to bad. I actually thought my race was over when it first happened, so I used it as positive motivation to just make up the time (plus I knew hangloose was probably right behind me!)

I really had a great ride, with the crash exception. I felt strong on the hills and into the wind and really kept a great pace. My quads were a little more taxed than I wanted them for the run, but the top of my knee (pain from crash) was what was bothering me the most.

Stay on the road :)

Pretty good transition. Could have been much better if I was able to get my left foot out of the shoe before dismount (whoops). Had to stop at dismount line, b/c everyone else did. Actually, I was 5th in the age group for T2..good stuff.

Just keep practicing the dismount and make sure I scout how much time I have to get the shoes off before the dismount.

My quads were sore from the bike, but my right leg was sore from my crash. It was like running with a charlie horse just above the knee. I also had stomach cramps in the middle of the run (part of the reason for the slow down). Take away mile 4 and my splits were right where I wanted them to be. I am happy with the run, considering my legs never felt good, and I hadn't done this distance before.

My wife and kids were at the finish line with the kids. I had told her that Hangloose was going to surprise his wife by getting shirts for the kids. She took that information, and surprised me, by getting my kids shirts, and she also had one on, too. You will see in the pictures, once I get them. I crossed the finish line with the two oldest ones. Very cool. My wife was super for the race. She knew how much it meant to me, and made it a great event, with as little stress as possible while traveling with kids.

Need to work on my run pacing and more importantly my run training. I was in the bottom half on the run (age group), so obviously the off season is going to see more running from the Schmize.

Watched the other BT'ers finish. Hangloose came in, and yes, he looked VERY disorientated. He stumbled around the medical tent, but started to come back to life after about 20 minutes of talking. Met up with the other BTers. Gatorade, water, banannas and talking with the other BT'ers that had finished their races.


Obviously the crash, overall pacing on bike and run. May need to re-evaluate my bike fit, just from the standpoint of where my legs were sore.


Definitely will do this race again. The people, volunteers, and entire race is very professional.