Sylvania Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

swim was smooth. I started at the front of the wave near the outside. The nice thing about this race is that the first turn is about 650-700 yards away so it gives you space and time to swim during the start. The first turn puts you into staring right into the rising sun which makes it hard to find the next turn buoy. There is a good distance of beach run and run to transition.

I felt good just not very fast. I have only been spending 1 day in the pool every 7-10 days. I could go a bit faster ( my time was roughly the same as last year but with about 1/3 as much training) but the time is better spent on the bike or run.

went about 35 seconds faster than last year

ride without a shirt- my shirt got stuck on my wet bod. For some reason it never happens after wetsuit races.

The course is super flat so it should always be a prescription for an awesome bike. Unless of course a storm front moves through the day before and you get strong winds from the Northwest (thanks Michigan). The course was about 11 miles out into the teeth of the wind. When I am making a passing move at 16 mph and people are flying by at 17-18 mph the wind is strong. Of course it was easy to hammer at a 24-26 average coming back. I actually tied my best biking performance for this distance but it really wasnt fun. I would like to see what I can do without Mother Natures hinderance/help.

Draft (yes I saw you)

went very smoothly on the dismount. The transition area is good sized. I also paused to take a last sip of gatorade and get a fresh piece of gum

nada

Race day temp was mid 80s and high humidity thanks to a storm that came through the previous day. Nice thing about the course is about 1/3 is shaded. It was very hot and humid compared to what I had been training in since Ohio has been cool. I decided to walk the mile water stops. I ran the race in 8 mile increments as I self paced at that rate between stops. It was hard to run on the hot pavement in the sun and easier in the shade. I saw many people around mile 3 and on hobbling clutching a hamstring or calf. The run times also show a large amount of blowups (10 min/mile + times) than expected. I just kinda resigned myself to an average run because I didnt feel like cramping.

Not much- I wore a hat and white shirt so I was as cool as I could be. I walked aid stations to make sure I drank water (I cant drink and run. Still havent learned that one. I always end up choking)

Just some walking, snacks and beer.


Lack of swim training (swim), wind (bike) and heat (run). I can only really control one of those.


I PR'ed this by 3.5 min from last year. I was hoping this race would be my chance at sub 2:30 but it will almost always be wetsuit illegal (higher swim times) and the wind and heat this time derailed that idea. The race is still awesome though. My kids did the kids triathlon and fun run the previous day, my wife did well in the sprint. The venue is perfect. Plenty of volunteers. Quick race results (posted that day online and mostly at race site as it is happening). Beer truck. Nice system for packet pick up and body marking. Plenty of nearby parking.