Clear Lake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I felt a little dizzy before the race. I wasn't sure but figured it was nerves and hoped it wouldn't effect me once I got going. The women started 4 min after the men. I got in front figuring I'd be able to stay with the FOP for the swim. Out to the first buoy I felt like my heart was racing - I think nerves, adrenaline, and going out too fast. I tried to calm it down and get in a rhythm. Considered stopping - as I started to panic a little but decided to put my head down and swim. Took a couple of gulps of lake water - yummy - but was able to keep going. Once at the second buoy I was able to settle was over 1/2 way through by then. I still felt like this was a really solid effort and am happy with the results. Great experience, good distance, and really nice conditions. Not too many around me so didn't have to deal with getting kicked, etc..

Try to find my best pace and rhythm earlier. Maybe try some relaxation techniques before the swim. Train more in open water.

I was dizzy so walked to T1. I didn't rush and don't plan to this year. I took some sips of gatorade and water. I didn't dry off at all which worked just fine.

Nothing

I had planned to really push this but I was worried about the run so just tried to ride my normal pace, which I did. Really pretty area - lots of horses and hills/flowers, etc.. a nice ride. As I suspected I was getting passed by ALOT of people. I started toward the front after the swim, but this quickly changed. In fact, I passed three people a guy riding with his son who had a bike with I think one gear and a woman whose left pedal broke off :)

Maybe push a bit harder

This went fine except I almost ran out with my helmet on my head! Ann's Avatar of me come to life :) Again I just took it easy, changed my shoes and tried to drink.

Remember to take off my helmet first?

Well - My goal was to keep running. I walked I think about 1/4 of a mile which in hindsight I wish I hadn't, but remember at the time I felt like my HR was up too high. It was warm. I decided to run with my bike water bottle because they only had water at the turn around at 2 miles and I knew I'd need more I'm glad I did this and will do it again if it's a warm day - at least this year. I'm slow but finished, so I'm really happy with that. I haven't run this far since my mid - 20's so that's an accomplishment! It was funny - this couple was alternating run/walk - so they passed me (what else is new :) and then started walking - I figure I run slower than alot of people walk - but it turned out I passed them slowly on their walk- this was a theory my son had and I didn't want to have to prove him right! This being my first race I wanted to finish and I did - I'm glad I stuck it out. The people who couldn't pass me on the bike passed me on the run!

This is the seriously weak link. Biking I enjoy and know I'll keep improving as I bike more - but this is just hard for me. I'm determined to do a little better in my next race so I need to quit messing around and drop some weight - that will help and also I need to start running outside twice a week for 3 miles. I have a little over 1 mo until my next race so dropping 3 - 5 lbs is doable and running 2 x per week is doable - no excuses.

Met up with BT'ers - grabbed my Gatorade from my bike and drank that - needed to keep moving for a couple of minutes.


Just need more training on each discipline. More OWSing, more interval/hill training on the bike for longer rides, more outside sustained running, 5k or more.

Finish time is what was on the clock - not positive about each of the disciplines time - no timing chips so this if from my not so great memory. Swim time includes run to transition.

This was my first triathlon and I'm thrilled to have finished. It's hard to believe I finally did this at 46 after thinking about it for so many years. I didn't meet all of my goals, but met a couple and the biggest one - becoming a triathlete!! :)


The volunteers were pretty friendly. I guess I was expecting more water stations on the run but that could just be me. I really enjoyed the small town and community feel of the race. People were friendly. Packet pick up was really smooth. I liked the after race nosh - watermelon, oranges, bananas and bagels. I didn't see water but had my own. The kids tri was awesome and it was great to see a couple of 14 - 16 yo's out on the course with the rest of us. A really great day and great first tri experience for me!