The Tugaloo Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

This was my BEST swim leg of any race. I pushed the first leg to the first buoy hard, did my fancy free - back - free turn (it was at this point I knew I was in for a good day). I drafted perfectly until the next yellow buoy...off two different people, off their hips. Smooth and strong the whole way. The last leg was good, but I did not finish as strongly as I wanted.

This is where the 'tude got surly. I looked down at my time and it was slow. I was PISSED and people at the swim finish knew it (sorry to anyone that heard my commentary). This course was long by 100 -200 yards. Period. Oh well.

Nothing. This was a perfect swim for me.

Excellent T-1. I was as fast as the fastest. Shoes were on the bike which made a huge difference because there is a longish run to the exit. Also, I ran the swim to T area hard. I passed a few people that were in the T area before me and I got out in front of them. I got past two people that were running with their cleats on. Nice.

I could have been faster in my suit off, helmet on, unracked. I think there is 5 or so seconds there.

Good bike compared to my AG peers. I wanted about .5 per mile faster to hit my target. The best part of the bike was thinking the course was much easier than past years. I really hammered a few flat sections. There was a point when four of us in a non-drafting line were hitting 30 MPH. I was spinning smooth and not killing myself. The down side was the few up hill sections that I was painfully slow.

I had one GU, one salt pill and 24 oz of GU Hydration.

I just need more miles and work on power. While I had two good months leading up to the race, I really need 6 good months to play with the FOP boys.

I rocked T-2. Feet were out of the shoes, jumped off the bike with speed, and a short run to the rack. I stayed standing to put my shoes on which really helped. I remembered Dan A. telling me that one. I felt strong as I started to run for the exit.

I could have shaved some time with the run to the exit. I had woozie legs and could not move as fast as my mind was screaming.

I am very happy with the run. I don't care what anyone says, that is a hard 10K course. As I was leaving the run, I was thinking...I have not seen Coldfire yet....new goal: finish before him. I knew he was making up time on me since he had a later swim start. I got going and did not push to hard at the start. I wanted to finish strong and needed to marshal my resources. I told myself run strong for the first 3, then let's see what is in the tank. I saw Coldfire at the 5 mile turn around. Ugh. He is going to get me. I tried to open it up, but no gas in the tank. He got me with .7 left.

While I need more endurance to run faster, I will take this one. Good progress.

I did not feel as completely destroyed as last year. I hung with Coldfire at the finish, then got something to eat. I packed up and headed out.

My result was a 2 min. PR for Tug.


Power on the bike & run endurance. With that said, I made good progress.


Two negatives - long swim course & parking was way too far from the start line.