Clear Lake International Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Need to position myself better at the start. Part of it is confidence and second-guessing. I'm a better swimmer than I let myself think. I'd be better off near the front outside of the start.

Getting into a rhythm at the start was tough. Lots of breaststrokers to contend with and I have a bruise on my right wrist and a knot on my left shoulder to prove it. I finally weaved through the slow traffic and got to a nice spot of open water just before the first turn. After that I hugged the buoys the entire way. When I could, I put my head down and drove forward. I knew Nik was probably ahead of me somewhere so I kept pushing. Finally, at about the third buoy from shore, I saw her to my left so I went all out to the finish. That was good motivation.
Passed a good amount of the blue caps from the previous wave and also got around a handful of red caps.

Find a better starting position that suits my ability. Probably could have pushed harder earlier, but being the very first attempt at the Olympic distance, I didn't want to crash and burn. But I know I can push harder and have more in the tank for the rest of the race.

Need to get faster in transition. I think I try to do too much acclimating and not enough instinctual reaction. Really, it's not that hard. Helmet, glasses, socks, shoes and go. Geez. 2:21? Really?

Go faster.

Pleased with the pacing, but like the swim, I could have pushed harder. It's a "now I know" type of thing. Enjoyed most of the course with the wide shoulders and smooth surface for the most part. However, there were 2 sections of chip seal (1 was very uncomfortable) plus there was about 8-10 miles of total road on the course that was small/no shoulder and it was unnerving. Also had to actually unclip and stop at a major intersection that had NO police or volunteers. That was frustrating. Also had to slow down at another unmanned intersection and would have had to stop if the light had not changed as I approached.

Took in some nutrition at the 1-hour and 1:30 mark of the race...3 strawberry shot bloks each time, plus had some orange gatorade on the bike and 24 oz. of water throughout the bike portion.

One other note...my big pre-race anxiety was having to cross the Kemah Bridge. I had never over it and have never seen it, so in my mind it was a much taller bridge than I anticipated. But when we made the first turn, I saw the bridge and knew it was going to be a piece of cake. All those hilly training rides in Castell were more than enough to prepare me for this one. Put the red polka-dot jersey on my back because I passed more people on the bridge than anywhere else on the course! (although in the flats they all passed me back, haha)

Go harder. I should have at least averaged 18 mph on this flat course.

T2 time not posted in the race results, but I estimated based on my watch run time minus the race results run time. I think it's pretty accurate. Had to maneuver around Nik's bike to rack mine, so that slowed me up a little.

Leave a little extra room at the end of the rack where I was (if I get an end spot again in the future). Was a little cramped trying to grab the running shoes, race number and visor.

Pacing plan for the run worked well for me. Did 10' jog, 5' harder for most of the course. Next time I can definitely lengthen the time for the faster pace. Wish I had checked out where the run finish was because I could have started my finishing stride much sooner. Apparently there was still a lot left in my tank or at least the adrenaline was way up there, because I felt a lot better than I thought I would at the finish.

Start the finishing strides sooner, up the pacing intensity. Pleased overall though to complete the distance with ease.

Water and a cold towel (thanks to Nik & mom)
Tried to get some of the great post-race food, but there was very little to be found. There was some watermelon laid out on a park bench but I lost my appetite for it when I saw some half-eaten rinds mixed in with the rest of it. There was also a little mix of scoured through donuts and bagels but all I really wanted a couple slices of pizza or some of the hot wings that were hyped up, but there was NOTHING to be found. Very disappointed in that, so we went and got food elsewhere.


Being new to the Olympic distance, pacing the race was an unknown. I have a better feeling now as to how much more I can push. But I felt great at the finish and I conquered the distance. I can also attest to the training plan - BT Sprint-Olympic 12 week bridge...it was perfect!


Enjoyed the distance and most parts of the course. The volunteers who were there were great, but overall this event was sorely lacking volunteers. I cannot stress enough how disappointed I am that there were 2 major intersections on the bike course that were unmanned and that is unacceptable.

Also did not get to enjoy any of the post-race party. There was NO pizza or wings by the time I finished the Olympic course. Half-eaten watermelon rinds mixed in with the "fresh" watermelon made me change my mind about having a couple slices.