Mooseman Triathlon Festival - International Distan - TriathlonOlympic

I was pretty disappointed with the swim. I never fell into my rhythm and came very close to puking 3 or 4 times. My arms felt tired from the get go and my wetsuit felt like it wasn't on quite right.

I wound up finishing the swim way slower than I know I could have. But I'm ok with that. My second open water swim and my first mass start. I'll chalk this one up to experience, or a lack thereof.

Get off to the side and swim my own pace. Even if it's slower at first, being able to breathe every 4th stroke is WAY faster than breathing every other stroke. Definitely get some more experience in the wetsuit.

Originally ran past the wetsuit strippers, but decided to go back and get some help. Would've been super quick, but it got stuck on my timing chip ankle!

Cut down my ankles and wrists on the suit by an inch or two.

Raceday was my first time seeing the course... which was kind of unnerving. Devil hill wasn't too bad. Reminded me of college hill in Providence. The line of bikes strung out up it was like running into a brick wall. I went around a few people. In fact, that was the general theme of the bike ride. Get passed by all the super fast looking bikes with disc wheels and aero helmets and pass everyone else on the uphills.

I felt great on the bike. Took it easy till after the devil, then dug in a little till mile 17 or so. Picked it up a little more there and at mile 23 started hammering, passing a bunch of people. I was very happy with how I did on the bike.

Oh, and I had to stop and pee at mile 1. Doh!

I couldn't take in any gel since my stomach was working overtime from the swim. I should have at least TRIED to eat one at some point on the bike. I also probably should've taken a bit more of the bottle filled with Nuun.

T2 was so much slower than it should've been! I changed and realized I had no idea where the run exit was. Had to ask some guy. That's a preparation issue that could've easily been avoided. Next time...

I did about as well as I expected on the run. My legs were pretty dead till mile 1 or so. Which is also when I had to stop and pee... AGAIN. Double doh!

It was hotter than I expected and I wasn't really prepared for that. I doused myself with water at every station and my pace would pick up. Then the heat would creep back up on me and I'd slow right down.

I negative split the course, which may be because of the hills. But I definitely felt better on the second half.

First 5k: 29:42 (9:35 min/mi)
Second 5k: 28:20 (9:09 min/mi)

Again, the lack of gel in my system was really starting to show on the run. I need to train the stomach to handle calories on the harder workouts.

Burgers and junk food, er... replenishment, from the cookout!


I felt a bit tired all day. Still sore from workouts or something, but I didn't feel quite in racing form. But that's ok. That's why they can't all be 'A' races. Perhaps next year I'll focus more of my training specifically on this event. It's certainly worth it.