Las Vegas Triiathlon - TriathlonOlympic

TERRIBLE SWIM. Because I got to the start so late I was on the Inside edge of my wave. I normally like to be on the outside and away from the chaos. But this time I was right in the suck. Seemed like I couldn't take 3 strokes without bumping into someone. So my breathing went downhill. Needed to take a breath with every stroke and it still seemed like I wasn't get enough air. Started getting claustrophobic and was getting an anxiety attack. Halfway out I had to roll over on my back to get my breathing and just like the Carlsbad Tri was telling myself that this would be my last race..

Once I got to the first bouy I had some space and was starting to breath better. There was a guy on my right that I kept in my site. I was using long slow strokes to make sure my breathing was controlled.

Definitely make my way to the outside of group, even if I have to start after everyone. I think I'm fast enough to get around most people. Even with a terrible swim, I was 8/22 in my age group, and my pace wasn't even close to my training pace.

After nearly hyperventilating in the water, I took some extra time gathering myself before the bike. No wetsuit to take off.

Just get out of transition fast and regroup on the bike.

Bike had an ominous start. Didn't realize that my bike was in a high gear when I jumped on. Clipped in, and tried to pedal and couldn't get going and fell over into another racer (sorry about that!). Not only did it take me 2 more tries before I got going ( I didn't fall those times), but I think there was a photographer that captured my spill.

** Also, the day before the race I discovered my back tire was flat. I decided to just patch the tire instead of replacing the tube. I was worried that the patch wouldn't hold with the stress of the heat and the race, and I didn't have my tire kit on the bike for the race. This was just an extra thing I didn't need to stress about.

Make sure my bike is in an easier gear when I set up in transition. More Hill Repeats, maybe some spinning classes or riding with others. Need to see how other people climb so well.

Felt really tired here. The last hill on the bike wiped me out and I was in no hurry to start the run. Sucked down a GU and sipped some water.

Still experimenting with my bike to run hydration/nutrition. Haven't perfected what works for me yet. I had to gulp a bunch of water on mile 22 on the bike (just made it up the last hill), so I felt waterlogged on the run.

BONK! I felt waterlogged from too much water on the bike, plus the hills (on the bike) really depleted my reserves. I knew after the first mile that I had nothing in the tank. Started walking after the first mile. Then I was running for 60 secs and walking for 30 secs.

More long runs, more 1/4 mile repeats.

Walked around and drank a couple bottles of water.


Doing the Olympic distance was a "last minute" decision. I had actually been following the Beginner Sprint Program but decided going to Vegas was kind of far for just a Sprint. As a result, my bike and run training were probably less than they needed to be.


After I crossed the finish line I was pretty sure that this would be my last triathlon. My swim was so bad. And the hills on the bike and run wiped me out. But I guess triathlons weren't meant to be easy. And I thought this course definitely challenged me, and in retrospect I did have a good time. So, I am already looking to do another Oly Tri before the end of the year. =D

Note - I am rating this course too hard for me/my ability, but I think this was a fun and challenging race. PLUS, I finally got a finishers medal! (my previous races didn't give out medals unless you were tops in your AG)