Alum Creek Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Probably the best swim I could have had. I usually have a hard time getting a good pull in OW because I'm so distracted. And I don't go hard enough. I tried to stay focused and did a fair job. Maybe because of the stronger pulling, I felt I wasn't swimming as straight as usual. I did draft for about 500 yards, but then she slowed down. Still as I was coming in, I felt I could have swum harder.

Swim a little harder.

I have been practicing the bike mount with no socks a LOT and this was my first chance to use it, and I think only my 2nd or 3rd race doing a moving mount. I still come to a stop before getting my foot on the shoe, but I think I did well.
I ran in T1. I was fast getting the bike out. There was a knuckle head nearby who was trying to mount INSIDE the transition area, about 20 yards before the mount line. I said something to him and a race official did, too, and fortunately he figured it out. Still I was worried about him being behind me when he did get on.
Shoes felt good with no socks, despite all my powder being screwed up by the rain.

See if it's possible to hop on while bike is actually rolling.

Felt GREAT! I had my Garmin on, but the right screen wasn't up and I didn't feel like changing it, so I just went by feel and went as hard as I was comfortable going, which ended up being good.
The pavement was wet, but that was OK for me. Everyone did wide turns, but no one did anything crazy, thank goodness. First loop was a bit crowded. Some time lost waiting to pass. Passed quite a few people and was passed by a handful, mostly Cervelo, one Felt B2 (yay) and a LiteSpeed. This is a new experience for me on the bike! Yay tri bike!
Passed quite a few, or caught up greatly, on the climb. Got passed mostly on downhills or flats.
The back stretch is usually a tailwind (in training) but today was a headwind. Lots of work. Felt good! Stayed aero mostly. My saddle was holding me back, as a few times I had to sit up to give my private areas a break.
My shifting was good. I shifted a lot! Now I see the advantage of bar-end shifters!

Nothing!

My best T2 ever. Not sure how I can top it!

Nothing.

Felt good. I concentrated hard.
I psyched myself up for the trail run, and that went well.
I had a hard time on the road when I was going AWAY from the finish, psychologically. At the turnaround I felt better. So on the next loop I decided to concentrate on that part and think positive thoughts about how that section was flat and not on grass.
Second loop, the trail run was a little tougher, as my ankles were more fatigued and I could hear someone behind me.
But the section going out on the road was better.
I was passed by a few people, but no one in my AG. I passed 1 or 2 from my AG. Passed some guys. Was passed by people older than me.
When I got tired, I tried to concentrate on good posture, and letting my legs follow from a solid core. Seemed to help.
A couple times going uphill I was a little nauseated. It was overcast, which helped a lot, and I poured some water on my head. Lots of water stations. I felt I was doing the best I could. Although I wasn't about to pass out at the finish and felt strong, I do feel like I didn't leave anything out there.

Nothing. Maybe better mental attitude toward difficult sections the first time around.

Walked around and ate food.


This was my maximum effort. As I get faster and go longer in training, I'll be able to improve.


Great job, Fat Rabbit!
Didn't even run out of toilet paper!
It's a good venue with a great beach and nice scenery and lots of bathrooms, even if there weren't a race there.

Oh yeah, and I PLACED IN MY AGE GROUP FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!!
3rd!!!!