Pokagon State Park Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

This was one of the tougher swims, for the first half there seemed to always be someone glued to me, with unnecessary close arm swings, etc

The field thinned out around one third in, it felt like there was an unsually large number of people this time who overpaced in the beginning and then fell back in the second half

Sighting was great, I think I swam pretty much in a straight line for most of it.
Drafting was poor as always, tried it two or three times, but I simply do not like swimming in the bubbles, and so far at least I have never really felt a big advantage from it. Will keep trying..

Swim time included again the run up the stairs to hell, was in pretty good shape this time and jogged at least half of it. Was surprised that nobody passed me there, several people were walking

Nothing really, just trying to stay away from the crowded areas. But starting even faster is not a good plan for me, I rather stay steady pace

7th in AG, 36th overall

Had my usual gel and Heed

Saw Dave coming in just as I got my bike off the rack

Have not managed to master keeping the shoes on the bike, but the grass towards the mount line was pretty dirty so I think running with shoes was better overall anyway

Not sure where to cut a few seconds here, maybe skip the drink?

This was the highlight of the day for me!
For the first time, I was riding with the smaller (read faster) guys and held my ground on the bike. Plus, this is my first ride ever more more than 21 mph avg
I got passed by two or three but passed just as many, some actually looking pretty serious with aero helmets and disk wheels

Started with HR in the mid 170s and it took me a long while to get it lower, but I felt in control

At the turnaround, I could see that I was in around 10th place plus I saw Dave and some other guys not too far behind

Around the mid point, there was a 30ft stretch on which there was approx 6 inches high standing water (you had to go through the middle of the road)
I was extra careful and slow and that was where Dave caught up with me

The roads were still wet from the downpour of last night and there was a slight drizzle towards the end of the bike. The cooling from that though was actually quite good

Bike handling needs improvement still, I am getting up too much for cornering

I am think about an aero helmet...

6th in AG, 53rd overall

Could have left the shoes on the bike, but decided to run with the shoes because of the dirt

Get Bodyglide on Zoots
Just grab the gel and eat while running

Well, this was still my fastest trail run ever

However, I was hoping to be able to push harder, especially the guy in my AG who passed me on mile 5 was disappointing
At least I was able to hold off the slower swimmers until around the mid point, then I got passed by around a handful of people

Got truly chicked around mile 1 when the women's leader passed me, wow she was fast!

The volunteers at mile 2 had all drinks prepared but were sitting and I missed to grab a cup. I am definitely still thankful that folks are volunteering but handing out drink would be even better:-)

Loose weight mostly

Hanging around and watching Rusty, Dave and Ralf coming in

Unfortunately missed placing by one spot


Still need to improve on bike and run, more so on the run now
Plus pay more attention to detail in the transitions


Finally broke 2:30, YAY!

While the swim was certainly too short, my disadvantage on the trail run should about level that out. So I am hoping to break 2:30 again at other races this year!

Great season opener!