St. Anthony's Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

As it turned out the event I felt the most confidence in was the one that let me down the hardest. As we swam the days leading up to the race I felt good even with 3'-5' waves. As the gun went off I proceeded in to the water and about waste deep stared swimming out watching the Pier the whole way. I had a hard time as the waves rolled in. I could not find the rhythm that I had in the practice secessions the days before. As I made the first turn using the technique that Bostic described from his swim class (which worked like a charm and I will continue using) I started down the second leg where all heck broke loose. After a few strokes I received a large dose up my nose and down into my gut which immediately turned around and I puked. At this point all I could think of was my poor wife who even on a calm day has a propensity to chum the fish and sea gulls. In my mind I always knew she was really sick but she always laughed it off and had fun with it. I for one will never find it very amusing again as I puked at least 6 more times between that turn and the water exit. When I did finally get there I was very weak and disoriented (I know not much different for those of you who know me) As I grabbed the railing and started up the stairs I sort of fell back on the girl who helped pull me out of the water she pushed me up and off I went.

I really do not know other than do not puke and quickly find a good swimming rhythm

When I got into T-1 Denise Bostic (BonBon Neaser) held me up, gave me my insulin pump and pointed me to my bike. To her I just want to say thank you a kind word and a point in the right direction I cleared my head and slowly moved to my bike. I really just plodded along but at that point I was happy I was moving and planning on continuing the race. At this point I knew all hope of making any of my goals (even the undisclosed ones) were lost so just finishing was the new plan. As I was leaving T-1 my normal occurrence of leaving my insulin pump on top of my bad happened again. I just sat my bike down right where I was and went back and got it.

Not get sick on the swim

The bike was just slow from the fatigue and a very sick stomach. Luckily the first half of the course was pretty easy and I had a decent pace. I had to stop one time after about 5 miles to puke again. I could not puke on the move as some other more talented pukers are able to do. I guess I was drinking Gatorade too fast but I could tell I was really getting dehydrated. The second half sucked because it was mostly up hill and against the wind. I had no energy at all by the end of the bike and my back and neck had become increasingly stiff. I headed into T-2 more determined than ever to finish this race and take in every amount of experience I could.

Train more on the bike and not get sick on the swim.

Actually a pretty good transition..... I was feeling much better and I was about a minute faster in T-2 than I was last year (go figure) I even checked my blood sugar and everthing was smooth at this poit.

move my a$$

I was spent and and my back and neck really hurt. I ran walked most of the first three miles. Puked at miles one again I think I just drank the Gatorade to fast on an upset stomach. Saw Rick (rkreuser) and got a high five in the first couple of miles and really was the first friend I saw all day. That lifted my spirits as I continued on running more and walking less the rest of the way. I saw Wendi (g8rsax) and seeing my wife is always a comfort and a motivation. So after that I decided to run the last 1.2 miles... I was able to do it and have a decent kick or at least I picked up speed on the way in. With about 100 yards to go I saw my kids (Ben and Beka) and they crossed the finish line with me. My family is so important to me so to have them there and know Wendi was still out on the course makes everyday great even if my race was not what I had hoped or planned for.

Train more not get sick!

Got an ice towel and walked around with the kids then back down the course to wait for Wendi to finish so the kids could cross the finish line with her.


the puking on the swim


This was not what I had hope for but I think I can take what I learned and say this was a day I was not a Pu%$y (to quaote a famous BTer) and my mental toughness went up several notches in my book.