Mid-Summer Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

I wish I would have used the wetsuit, as I think it may have made a small difference. I felt like the swim went well, I stayed in line with the buoys, didn't get beat up, etc., but when I came out of the water at over 30 minutes I was so disappointed. I was hoping to do it in about 28 minutes. My normal t-pace per 100 yards is 1:43 so I don't know what happened.

Wear the wetsuit, I guess.

Time includes a long run up from the lake. Zipped through putting on helmet and shoes, then took the long trek out to the bike start.

Nothing.

Pretty flat course, a little windy in spots. I was able to pass quite a few women, and only men passed me.

It was very sunny and hot and I didn't drink quite enough, although I didn't find that out until the run. I kept burping Gatorade whenever I drank any. Bleah.

Have 2 bottles on the bike, one with just water. Maybe try something other than Gatorade, although it seems to work well enough in training.

Trotted with bike to rack, changed shoes, then walked slowly to the drink table and then out to run. I was pretty tired at that point.

Keep running. I lost probably 10-15 seconds because I walked.

I wanted to keep an 8min/mile pace and I actually did pretty well with that. Took just a sip of water at the first water station (1/4 way) and about 1/4 mile before the turn around I started feeling dizzy and not quite all there. Made it to the water station/turn around at about 24 minutes. Stopped, drank some Heed (which I usually avoid because I am very picky) which was actually the best thing I could have done. I revived quickly after that, drank some water and poured some on my head.

Then I started walking back. I walked maybe 20 seconds, then began running again. I estimate that the total stopping time was about 1.5 minutes. I got back up to about 8:10 pace and really couldn't go any faster at that point. At the next water station, I stopped again, drank water, then walked a bit. Estimated stop this time--1 min.

From here, I couldn't get my running much past 8:30 pace and I did walk for about 25 seconds during a small portion of shade. I felt like I was running slower and slower. Finally made it to the finish with a respectable time, though. Getting 2nd in my age group(by only 6 seconds) with that run really surprised me.

DRINK MORE ON THE BIKE!!! I think I was a little worried about having to go to the bathroom so I didn't want to drink too much but with the heat I should have been drinking a lot more.

I probably should have kept moving also, but it is easy to say that now.

I ran across the finish line, then just kept walking around all the tents, up the hill, down the hill, took off my shoes and walked straight into the water. Ahhhhh, it felt so good. My family was just following me, wondering what was going on.


The heat, my lack of experience racing longer than sprint distance.


This was my first Olympic Distance race and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be back to do this race next year.