Deer Creek Triathlon - Olympic - TriathlonOlympic

I shall call this section a2 + b2 = c2. Or "It is an f'ing rectangle people". My olympic wave was comprised of men 30-39. These men had obviously watched all the previous sprint waves go off. They also watched the elites and under 30s go in front of them. So when I rounded the marker buoy and hung a right I was suprised to see at least half the wave take off for the far corner yellow buoy rather than the typical counterclockwise around the exterior rectangle path everyone normally takes. I watched between sightings as they swam past a young woman in a kayak trying to get 20 guys to turn around and follow the course. Most of them ignored her. A few turned and swam backwards to the correct course (the honest folk). The deepest pits of hell are reserved for child molesters, traitors and course cutters. You know who you are - repent lest ye be damned. Other than that it was a good swim; my sighting was excellent, my stroke smooth and my breathing good. I tried not to kick at all and to save my juice. I felt good coming out the water. Beat my previous best here by over a minute.

Not much- thought I was going a little faster but the result is good for a first OLY and minimal swim training. I would like to bring the time down a minute or two by the end of the year.

I had to sit down to get my suit off which cost a bit of time but the spread between me and the top and me and the bottom was less than 40 secs so I am not too concerned about it. I spent more care with my feet to remove gravel and stuff prior to socking up. Went 40 sec faster than last year.

I felt really good about this bike. My place and time isnt very indicative of this but I still liked it. I have been learning to keep the cadence and adjust the gearing to keep it even rather than changing the cadence to conform to the gear I pick. I got passed by a people but also did some passing. Most of the passing occurred in the second half rather than first loop which was good. I nearly got blown off the road by a human cannonball with a funny helmet on mile seven (turns out it was Davidtris). I was pushing 23 and he just flew by me. I tried to keep up but that mother was cooking. I guess that shows the power of riding more than 4 hours a week. I did drop my chain at the base of the first hill on the second loop. I couldnt power up the hill with free speed from the downslope. Instead I had to stop prior to the hill, fix the chain and climb up. It cost me some time but nothing too much I guess.

Push a little harder, not drop a chain at the bottom of a hill. I havent got out on the road much this year but I am very satisfied with the way my performance felt (not so much with the time). I did go 40 secs faster than last year. My bike said 25.3 miles but who is counting.

I did a flying dismount and the volunteers said, "that was perfectly smooth". That made my day. 40 sec faster than last year.

I noticed during my brick training and my sprint tris I would start wheezing, my heart rate would just out of my chest and my legs would feel like junk. I made the plan to take the first 1-1.5 miles slower than I want to, get my heart and breath under control and gradually speed up. I think it worked. I was only passed by one person and just started chewing people up. I think I can go faster because I felt very strong at the end and my breath was calm and my stride was consistent.

I might wear a watch next time to check on the splits at mile 1 but I think I can guess by my breath and how my heart feels if I am going fast enough. beat my run time by about 8 min from last year.

drinking water, some light stretching (probably not enough)


I am satisfied with my performance. It was the first OLY distance of the year. I improved over last year at this race. Although I did not break any target goals for the year, I am very close and I did PR by over ten min from last year (mostly run) on this course.


Race was late but I expected that. The porta potties had toliet paper (nice). Small timing snafu that I feel a little guilty about- I was eating cookies and heard them call Davidtris and my name. I wandered over and they said "hey third place". I said "really?". I was handed a medal. I didnt think it was right but they had the computer in front of them. They said Davidtris finished first so I called him a hooker (bout 40 sec in front of me) and gave him congrats. I cant say I was surprised when I got home and saw the results were mostly correct except there should be a one in front of my finish. I dont know how they knocked out half the field but I now have a faux age group medal. My four year old likes wearing it. " I am a winner like daddy!". Aim high kid and someday you too can finish MOP.