St. Anthony's Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Started at the back of my wave to set my own pace. I knew it was not going to be a smooth swim due to the chop and wind. I looked like absolutely everyone had left me behind. Kept bumping into a lot of other clydesdales in my wave and couldn't really get rid of them. I stopped about 4 times to gain my bearrings and they seemed to be looking at me for guidance (HA! If they only know how lost I was at times).
By the time I was approaching the last turn bouy I saw 5 guys get pulled out of the water. One of them was gasping for air enough that I had to ask him if he was alright - he was OK and hanging on to one of the orange bouys waiting for a life guard (felt bad for him but glad he at least toughed it out and went as far as he did).
I noticed the older clydesdales and women were passing me but that was OK still by me (keeping my own pace).
I felt the race was going to be fine after reaching the stairs to get out of the water. I was beginning to get desperate but I know I still had more in me if need be.

Train more in open water. I would rather not use a wet suit (especially in 70+ degree temps). My goal for next year (yes, I'm signing up of next year), it to do the same without a wet suit.........and a much faster time too (suit or not).

The wet suit was fine and kept my body temp at just slightly above my comfort zone but still was OK. For that reason I wanted to use the bib only but was not able to leave the top anywhere nor with anyone at the time, also, I didn't know how if it would absorb water like a pocket without the top. I was impressed by it's bouyancy and it's ability to "naturally" put me in a swimming position. If I change my mind about the wet suit, it would only be to swim with the bib only next time.

Had trouble moving the zipper up to take the suit off. I couldn't tell if the zipper was all the way up so a voluteer confirmed it was by yanking the top up over my head for me. Must have been a funny sight to see me with my top over my head running in the middle of all those bikes like that. Being tired from the swim didn't help either so I walked almost all they way to the bike.

Practice removing the suit more. Since the zipper strap doesn't reach to the back of my neck I'm thinking of making an extension for it to easy the zipper dilema.

Like a duffus, I forgot to set my Cat Eye again and had to stop only 20 feet from exiting T1.
The course felt longer than I expected but in the end, it was just right. I'm happy to say I didn't see any accidents but was cautious of all the gel packs laying on the floor (some used, some still unopened).
Got comfortable right away on the areobars but lack of practice and what felt like slightly pulled left ham spend only about 50% of the time on them. Aero position was spent mostly during wind gusts (which there were plenty of).
I was happy to say that my motorcycle training helped in the turn an awful lot. I applied the same techniques on it and it really paid off. Those that became my targets and I slowly closed in on were immediately passed then and never saw them again. Surprisingly, there were a number of Athenean women that I could not shake for the longest time but but the time we got to the water station, they too were history.
Got a scare from a race marshal on the last 3-ish mile approach to the finish (just after a tiny bridge). She was clearly writing some of my target up and one of them protested while riding but the scare came when she told the MC driver to slow down and keep pace with me. She took careful note of my number and started jibbering all kinds of stuff on her little writing pad. I asked her if I was getting a penalty but she just shot me a look that almost knocked me off the bike. I figured as long as I'm not DQ'ed, I'll be fine. (thankfully, results show now penalty but I'm still curious why she took so much interest in me......was it for my phone number? :)

I need to ride more. Of all three the bike is my strength (as weak as it is). I feel my ambition to do better has been rejiuvinated. I'd like to average 20mph for next year.

Overall, I thought my T2 performance was good. I'm still not at the level of riding with shoes on bike but that is one my goals for this season.
Knocked the bike partially off the rack by leaning into it too much as I tried putting my shoes on but was OK still.

Nothing really. I was tired by the end of the bike and that made me stumble a little bit but it was fine.

Still no sight of any BTers' tattoos. My tats are fading but still visible.

CRAMPS!!! I HATE THE DAMN THINGS!!!
The slight pull on my left ham that I felt on the bike became the absolute crippler on the run. I managed to run about 1/4mi before they started kicking in. I walked for at least 1/2 of the first 2mi (on and off). Every time I would walk, I would feel perfectly fine until about 30 fee later. By the time I got to 2.5mi my left ham had a solid grip on me so I had enough sense to stop altogether and give myself a good stretch for a few minutes. It was dissappointing to see just about everyone pass me by, even the walkers after doing 8:35min/mi pace during practices.

Started running a 9min/mi after mile 3 and met up with a very nice lady, Victoria from the Delaware area. I started the conversation with "Man, you sure are panting like you're trying to do a triathlon" (laughter). It was the first time I ever ran with someone and talked. Now I realize how it is that people like to run with others. It certainly took the struggle out of this and we both agreed we would not have done as good as we did from that point on without each other's company. We walked during the water stops and picked up a pretty good pace during the (now very long), stretch home (last 1/4mi). We both wondered out loud "Where the hell is the finish?". It was an awesome experience running with her, she was good company.

Practice bricks and stretch constantly. These freakin cramps have me tired already. I wish they would just go away for good. Also I feel that increasing my distances would help an awful lot.

No warm down but I did stretch a lot while waiting to get back in to the transition area. Would have loved a massage but those lines (for anything), were way too long.


Lack of training and diet. I could certainly lose more weight too.


This race was good enough that I can't wait to register for next year. I'm so happy I came to this event. I learned an awful lot and had just as much fun doing it.
Fortunately, I got a killer spot in the transition area (right by the exit which was right by where I parked the car). Crossing my fingers for next year. That was huge transtion area.
Sad I didn't meet any BTers and couldn't make it to the post race party (that was a real bummer). I thought I saw the BT logo someplace near the transition area but I was way too exhausted to turn back when I remembered it. Other duties had urgency as well.