Nautica Malibu Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I am ECSTATIC with this time, because I didn't train the swim this year at all -- I went to the pool all of three times since the end of June. The most important thing about this swim is that it was the most comfortable I've felt in a triathlon swim leg since I started doing this last year. Last year my time was 17:45 and that's when I was swimming 1:45 to 1:50 100's in practice. This year, since I didn't train much, in the few swims I did do, my 100 times were down to around 2:00... so I think I owe beating last year's time specifically to being much more comfortable in the open water, more comfortable getting in the water and through the breaks at the start, and better equipment. Last year I used a surfing wet suit. The tri suit made a huge difference in comfort, flexibility and buoyancy. Overall, very happy with the swim, but thinking with more training, and possibly some technique improvement, I can do better. Still this swim was very much a victory for me personally.

Train more... improve my swimming technique

OK -- so here's where forgetting to put my bike computer on my bike pre-race hurt me. I was doing great on this transition (of course improving on last year's 8:19 or so T1 was going to be easy, right?) Well, I was almost done and ready to head out when I looked at my handlebars -- no computer. And at that moment, couldn't actually remember where I put my bike computer (it was in my saddle bag with my tire repair kit, but that was not coming back to me in the moment.) So I think I spent at least 1:30 maybe 2:00 looking for it, then I said "Awww, screw it..." and headed out without it...

Well, obviously, put the bike 'puter on before the race... duh... or in case I forget it again, just go, don't bother looking for it...

Without my bike computer, I just concentrated on form and trying to remember to drink enough and take some gels at the turnaround. I also entertained myself by passing and being passed by three women from Warner Brothers. I would pass them on the uphill and they would pass me on the downhill... it was kind of fun. Anyway, last year's time was 1:09:15. So I shaved 7.5 minutes off... pretty cool. Last year I rode a hybrid and this year a road bike. I attribute most of the improvement to equipment.

Remember bike computer. Train hills more.

Last year's t-2 was 4:52, so this was another significant improvement for me. I attribute much of the improvement to better pre-race set up, experience, comfort level with transitions in general, comfort with my equipment -- so I'm happy with this.

Yanks -- will elaborate in the run comments section.

I felt great about the run overall. Only thing is, I tied my running shoes too tight in the transition and by the time I got to the 3/4 mile point my feet had fallen asleep. So I stopped for maybe 1:00 to 1:30 to try and adjust, with no success. My feet were still asleep at the 1 mile water station. Since I didn't want to stop and readjust, I just told myself that I wouldn't be able to feel the blisters if I got any, so it was a good thing that my feet were numb. Seemed to work. Even with the stop, I beat last year's run time by 2:22. I spent the rest of the run concentrating on my form, getting my knees up as high as I could, relaxing my neck and back and checking the Garmin to make sure I wasn't going too fast so I didn't totally die before the end of the run... those techniques seemed to serve me well because I had no side stitches, no cramps, and had a kick left at the end. The run course is also where you see the size and scope and impact of the Disney presence at Malibu. For the first 3 miles of the run, I was seeing a Disney jersey every three or four people. By the last mile, it was down to every 7 to 10, but they were still there. I tried my best to say "Go Team Disney" at every team member I saw. It was great! Cheering for others kept my motivation and energy up and was just really fun! Also, wearing a Disney jersey always gets you lots of "Go Disney" cheers from the spectators. Makes a difference... it really does.

Yanks -- I'm so particular about my lacing on my running shoes. I am going to get some Yanks tomorrow and start using them, perfecting the adjustment now. It's a little scary running with feet that you can't feel. Freaky...

As I left the chute, Jennifer Lopez was on the stage presenting her check -- over $150,000 I think -- pretty impressive. Got some fruit and waited for Todd. He went to get his wristband for the brunch, we took the team picture and went to get something to eat.

I had a great day. Overall, it was the most comfortable I've felt at any race of any kind since I started this whole athletics thing... I've never been an athlete. I was a cheerleader, and not an athletic cheerleader either -- except in college, I did stunts and some tumbling then, but mostly dancing, etc., so I'm new to all this. But this race, I started feeling like... an athlete. A triathlete, that is!!!


In my opinion, the Nautica Malibu Triathlon is a great race for any level of participant. They have ample volunteer staffing, great pre-race, during-race and post-race support, and it's really a fun event. I would recommend it to anyone from beginner to elite. What's not to love about getting to tell people that you did the same triathlon course as Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Lopez? And I BEAT J-Lo! by 16 minutes!!