The Austin Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

This was just a really bad swim, although many felt it was a little long. When there's only 1 person under 20 minutes it's probably long. I knew I'd be one of the slower swimmers in the Open Division so I started in the 2nd row. Started out good and had lot's of clean water since everyone else jumped ahead.

Felt really good until the first turn and then my right eye was getting really sore. I got new goggles (the same ones I always use) but had pulled them a little tight. I was getting a brutal headache and just couldn't wait to get out of the water. On the return portion of the swim my hand hit a boulder on my catch. Didn't hurt but it sure caught me by surprise.

I never seamed to get into a really good rhythm and I was just happy to get out of the water because my head was pounding.

Don't be a dumb a__ and use goggles you haven't used before... Even if they are the same goggles.

It's a long run to transition so this timee is about average. Not super fast but not slow either. I could barely see out of my right eye because my goggles were so tight.

Other than that, pulled my suit off. Grabbed my helmet and put my glasses on and jumped on the bike. Got my feet into my shoes no problem once I got up to speed.

It was really weird starting out on the bike with very few people on the course. I'm used to getting on the bike and passing a lot of people right off the bat. (That's what I get for being such a slow swimmer :-)) I wasn't sure if I was riding hard enough because it took me a while to catch up to other riders.

My legs didn't feel great the first lap so I just wanted to make sure I settled in. I picked up the pace on lap 2 and then on lap 3 my legs really came to me so I dropped the hammer.



Not much else I could do. I'm happy with this pace and it allowed me to run well from the get to.

Nothing fancy. Slipped out of shoes. Racked bike. Put on hat and shoes. Grabbed my belt and started running. I took salt tablets with me and took 2 with water as soon as I got out of T2.

I had a hard time getting into a rhtyhm so just tried to fight through it. At about mile 2 a woman went screaming by me. Dang, she was fast. I took in water at every aid station. By mile 3 I knew I was on the edge as my legs started to feel that cramping feeling again. I shortened my strides and kept the pace. As I took in more water the cramping feeling went away.

I felt much better on the 2nd lap as I got into a great rhythm and started to push since the cramping feeling had gone away. I wish I had separate lap splits because I'm guessing I negative split the run.

Not much, speed continues to increase with every race.

Just hung out with the guys. Grabbed some food and drinks. Always fun just to BS after the race.


Overall, I'm disappointed in my swim but happy with my bike and run. I knocked 6 minutes off my time from last year.

This was my first race in the Open Division and I'm glad I did it. Although, had I raced Age Group I would've been 1st overall Masters but 5 minutes and 1st in AG by 6 minutes. Open Division will push me to go harder and maybe I can get one of those guys to teach me how to swim. (Rob, are you reading this? :-))

One more sprint in a couple weeks and then Longhorn 70.3 October 25 and then it's all about IMSG baby. Kona or bust!


Love this venue and love Jack and Adams races!