Rattlesnake Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

My plan was to go out easy and really focus on getting into a good breathing pattern in my first 200 yards, which I thought would get me to the first buoy, and then pick up the pace. My breathing was really good and I couldn't have been happier. In hindsight, I could've picked it up a little earlier. My sighting was a little off, but I only wandered slightly off course on my way to the first marker. I sucked rounding that one, though. I started rounding and stopped too soon. Probably swam about 20 yards off course and then got re-aligned. For some reason I had the idea that I'd do my first 200 easy, pick it up on my 100 across, and hammer it for the last 200 home. I thought from the last buoy to home was going to be 200. Nah-ah. I did pick it up and sprinted home though, and ended up with a PR on the swim!

Better rounding and pick up the pace sooner.

Used a wetsuit stripper, but had problems getting my wetsuit off over my heels. It occurred to me later in the day that I didn't unzip the backs of my legs to help the process. I'm dumb! My transitions are slow and it annoys me. Something to work on.

Unzip the heels on my wetsuit.

Wasn't sure how I wanted to "attack" the hills so I thought I'd get out of the saddle on the shorter ones and spin up the longer ones. That lasted all of about 5 seconds on the first hill when I got out of my saddle. My legs called an audible and I spun up all of them. Got passed by tri bikes primarily. Since it was an open course there were some cars intermingled with the riders. No problems on the way out, but on the way back I got passed by a big pick'em-up truck on a downhill and it just so turned out that he couldn't pass anyone else. And then I got trapped behind him and had to hit the brakes. On a downhill!! If anyone heard swearing on the bike course, it was me. Sorry. Kind of. I forget the whole sequence of events, but near the bottom of a downhill, Matt (blackbud) came rippin by me with a nice, playful comment. Something about "I have gravity on my side to help me out." Enter an uphill. After dropping my chain and getting it back on (without getting off the bike), I spun past him with a playful poke of my own. I believe I said something like "I only have 7% body fat that I have to get up the hill." It was all fun and games and helped take my mind off the burn in my legs. The last two miles sucked (slow incline) but I got home in good time.

More hill training. More hill training. More hill training.

Couldn't get my stupid shoes tied right away, which annoyed me. Then just grabbed my race belt and hat and put that on on the run.

Get yankz.

I had two thoughts on the run. First was, wow this really hurts. Second was, wow do I ever have to pee. Bad! I only got passed by one guy on the run. I was shocked when I saw the 1 mile marker since I thought/hoped it was the turn around. The actual turn around felt like it was forever away. On my way back in I felt like I needed to boot and started coughing a little bit, which turned into about a 10 second pit stop off the trail, hands on my knees with my head hung down. I coughed and such and that was about it. No ralphing. I figured I had two options. Run or puke and if I wasn't puking I better get running. I was gonna run again even if I did bring the noise, though, so I just wanted to get it over. I saw Stacie, Ovetta, Adam, Matt, Jen, and Jon on the run, which I liked. Tried to say something encouraging, but I think I probably sounded more like Captain Caveman. I said "Good job, looking good" and they heard "unga bunga." Coming down the stretch was Adam's wife cheering (thanks Yvonne - sp?) and my friend JJ who was taking pics, which was cool, and Ben (TriForrestTri) and Rachelle (his wife). Then the final sprint, lots of cheering (also very cool) and cowbells, heard my name on the PA and I was finished. I could FINALLY go to the bathroom!

I need more bricks and more of an aerobic base I think. Up my long runs.

Had some water and hung out with my friend and the BTers. Had a couple beers and a little picnic, then waited for the awards ceremony.


Barring slight adjustments, I think I went as hard as I could on this course.


I had a great time at this race. Aside from it being well organized, it was cool to hang out with all the BTers before and after the race, as well as being able to see familiar faces on the course. Definitely helped ease some of the pain. I think it was a good BT day out there too with Mark getting an AG win, Ovetta dropping a ridiculous amount of time off of last year, Adam kickin butt on the swim, and other PRs abound. I'd do it again.