Ozark Valley Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

This was far the longest open water swim I have ever done (Rt 66 sprint distance was 500 meters). Really nervous and wasn't sure how this was going to go. Due to other races and lack of pool time (school let out for the summer, YMCA pool is juiced with kids swimming lessons) I had not trained in almost 2 months. And my training had peaked at 800-900 yards swim sessions in a 25 yd pool with walls to kick and push off of. So this was a different beast. Felt my sighting went well and when I needed a break I flipped over for some back stroke time. Need to train so I stay on my belly or side and not have to resort to the back stroke.

Train more. This is a very long swim for a Sprint Tri so it is not normal, but then again my training wasn't normal.

Thought it was a good transition until I saw the time. Forgot that at this race the transition time starts when you exit the water. Well from the water to the bike rack is a 200-300 meter run uphill. Takes some time as you get your legs back underneath you.

Buy a one piece swim/bike/run top. It would help cut some of the wardrobe time out.

Hills, hills. Could be a fast course if I had anything in the gas tank. In fact by the time I hit mile marker 10 I was spent (partly due to hill and partly due to 2 hours of sleep the night before). Weaver Hill at mile marker 5 is a steep one. 200 foot elevation increase in about a half mile or less. Had a bird fly up behind (saw the shadow silohuette on the road in front of me) and try to land on my helmet. Heard the click-clacking of talons on plastic. Never turned around as I didn't want to wreck but it flew away. May have been a hawk, or a Pterodactyl.

Tried to get a couple bites of a Mojo bar but that was a mistake. All dry in my mouth and even with some water wouldnt soften up to swallow. Spit out on the way thru transition.

Pass on the Mojo for energy. At this point of a race I need liquids more than food.

Four miles in the heat and up these four distinct hills during the race. Walked over 2 miles of the 4 miles. It was brutal for Clydesdales as the hills and heat caused me to slow down to a crawl going up. On the way down I would run but had to stop at one point due to shortness of breath. Like an asthma attach except I don't have asthma.

Train for hills. Politely ask they do the race in May instead of 90+ degree June.

By the time I got to the finish line, no bananas and no orange slices. Left with only the hot food which was OK.