Cranberry Country Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Inhaled water right off the bat. Calmed down and got into a rythm. I tend to pull to the left so I had to keep correcting my direction. My left calf started cramping in 2nd half, went away, but started coming back in last quarter. Thought I had it under control until I tried to step out of the water and my leg came close to a full cramp. Managed to fight it off and climbed up the embankment to T1

2 Things: Master Swim Class & figure out what I'm doing wrong with my electrolytes. I know I don't swim fast, but I can easily swim this distance.

I did some stretching in T1 that slowed me down. Other than that T1 was fine.

Get my electrolytes correct so I don't have to spend time stretching.

Couldn't put any serious effort into the bike without cramping. Started with my calf, then moved to opposite hamstring. Drank a full gatorade and most of a water by end. Started feeling strong at end. But... both legs went into full seizure as I stepped off bike. Had to lean against bike for several minutes before I loosened up enough to hobble across the mat for my bike split.

Damn cramping. That's the key to any improvement. Would also bring my bike pump, just in case of a flat. I was nervous the whole ride I would get a flat and not be able to fix it.

In T1 I questioned finishing. My legs were severely seizing when I put any stress on them. After awhile, they loosened up. I stretched. I was going to finish.

Not sure what I could have done at that point.

I got about 1/4 mile before my legs fully cramped again. I leaned against a tree and stretched. Then, I walked. Started feeling better and tried running again. I got about another 1/4 mile before cramping up again. It was basically a 6.2 mile walk.

?

Walked around. Drank gatorade.


I consulted a sports nutritionist. After going over things in detail he believes I started the race with a sodium deficit that what I took in could not have overcome. This deficit was cumulative from working out in hot weather over the days and weeks before the race. He also suggested I check for side effects from Protonix and Allegra. They might aggravate things.


This was a horrible race for me. I worked too hard all year for this kind of performance. But I'll learn from it and if they have a prize for most improved next year, I have a good shot. The saving grace of this race for me was the BTers there. They are a great crowd, cheering each other on, supporting each other. They made the race worthwhile for me.