Mooseman Triathlon Festival - International Distance - TriathlonOlympic

So the water was REALLY WICKED COLD!!!!!!! I actually could feel my oxygen consumption go up and had to breathe every stroke instead of every 3 - I did switch sides here and there. My face was so cold that I went to breast stroke just to get my face to warm up a bit. After rounding the buoy my core and face warmed up a bit but my hands and feet did not. In fact I could not feel my toes until 1 mile into the run. Thankfully they had wetsuit strippers because I do not think I could have gotten my wetsuit off! My hands barely got the zipper undone!
Even though I was ridiculously slow in the swim, even for me, I feel ok about it - I did not account for the current very well after rounding the bouy and added much yardage to my swim but I felt strong the whole way.

If I ever decide to do another frigid swim practice in it so that I acclimate better

I was so frozen that I had a really hard time getting my shoes on. I just persevered and then ran with my bike hoping to warm up a bit. Got to the mount line and got on.

learn to do a flying start. maybe.

I had fun and felt good. I did not try to kill it - I paced it like a HIM as I was using this race to peak for Patriot in 2 weeks. I definitely could have ridden faster and pushed it more - I was just out enjoying the scenery! I was cut off by cars 4 or 5 times - had to brake and actually stop. argh. and then at some crucial points (one in particular comes to mind) had riders NOT move over and had to brake to not crash....that was annoying but again grinned most of the ride and just felt strong and good. I did notice that my toes/feet were frozen the whole time - which bothered me a bit but c'est la vie

not a thing

My feet were still frozen so it was tough to get my running shoes on. I would like to learn how to get out of my bike shoes on the bike but will work on that for July and August, NOT Patriot in 2 weeks! I just persevered and got my shoes on.

be warm

So given all the issues I have had recently with cramping and gallbladder pain I just took it easy and had fun - felt strong and healthy and pain free!!!! only walked one aide station and that was because I had to get water in.

probably run harder/faster

does my 'bust a move' pirouettes at the finish line count? walked around hung out with the boys and other racers I knew


I was not trying to race this - using it as peak for Patriot. It was nice to feel good at the finish! I definitely feel strong at this distance, very different than how I felt last year! I really had FUN!!!!!! and I enjoyed the whole race!


Keith puts on a great race and I just had fun. Looking forward to Timberman and will sign up for Black Fly! Thinking the bike TT and oly.....The whole energy was great, so many volunteers, people on the lake cheering....I liked the whole thing.