West Point Lake Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

I felt really good at the start and up the first straight leg. I passed some people and really had a good groove going. However, I went too wide which cost me some time. I really need to stay closer to the buoys because it is adding yards to the effort. I will work on that in the next race.

I worked on drafting. I picked a few people that I had problems passing. I would drift back to their hip and sit. It was great to get a free ride for a period of time. On the last turn home, I hooked up with a guy and we yo-yoed back and forth all the way.

New goggles! Keyanna from Aqua Sphere were excellent. I love them.

Overall, I felt like it was a good swim, but the time was much slower than I thought. 5th in AG is a good marker. I did hear people with Garmins indicate the course was long. I guess you look for excuses when you time is not what you wanted!

Stay closer to the buoys. I think this is adding more time to the swim than I think. I am adding too much distance. Otherwise, I things went as planned.

8th fastest in AG. Coming out of the water, I felt slow. Went through the progression properly. I forgot rubber bans, so I had to run in the shoes up hill to the mount area. I know I left at least 20 seconds in T1. I am happy that I am holding my own in the transitions.

Move quicker and remember rubber bands.

I was determined to finally pace myself on the bike. Normally, I let it all hang out. I wanted to average north of 19.5, but not more than 20. Since my hamstrings were in a weak state, I knew I needed to save some for the run. This course can/should be really fast, but I stayed disciplined. In shape, this is a 21 MPH course for me.

At mile 5 my hamstring flicked to remind me to be careful. It relaxed and was not a problem the rest of the bike. I had a gel about 45 minutes into the bike and took two eCaps at 1 hour into the bike. I think the decision to take the eCaps saved me on the run. They did turn my stomach some.



I am going to leave this one alone. I could have gone faster, but the run would have been even more of a disaster. I had a pacing plan and stuck with it.

3rd in AG. Not bad at all. I got out of my shoes before the line which was the right decision. I passed a bunch of people trying to run in cleats up the hill and trying not to slip going down the racks.

Once I hit my rack, again, I was slow in getting through the progression, but it was not terrible. I got slowed up putting the shoes on as the feet were wet and the foot did not go in smoothly.

Just need to move quicker. Not much else to do differently.

First two miles were at pace, then the first crossing of the dam. I could feel my body temp rising and slowing down at the same time. My hamstrings were tight and I was constantly thinking "if I push, they are going to let go on me". I had my Garmin for the run, so I could see my pace slipping at the miles went on. I can honestly say the fight left me at this point.

There was no talking on the course. It seemed like most people were in the zone dealing with the heat. I saw Darrel at his "bad" spot in the race coming the opposite direction. I yelled some encouragement and shuffled forward. I saw Fred at a rough point for him and encouraged him. I yelled to Brian, but he was in the zone and not looking around at all.

On the trip back across the dam, I could tell it was time to shut down. My head was thumping which is a sign of heat exhaustion. I was determined to not walk on the dam. Got the aid station, got 2 cups of water and walked for about 50 yards. I did the ironman shuffle to the line.

I did not expect much from this run. There is no excuse for this time, so I will not make one. I was happy, given the conditions, to get through with no cramping.

I had challenges coming into the race. I made decision to not go deep based on my condition. It certainly cost me on overall time, but it could have been a bad ending. I was happy that I listened to my body (for once).

I hit the soaker tent for about 15 minutes. I stumbled over to the ATC tent, talked with the crew and ate some food. I could not get myself back on even ground. I felt woozie and 100%. So, I hit the soaker tent again, headed over to transition to pack up. I was going to have lunch with a bunch of BT people, but I did not feel good and the thought of BBQ was turning my stomach.


Heat was a big factor. I do not do well when it is that hot.

My hamstrings were coming off stained status and had just settled down late last week. I had not worked out much from mid-May. I could feel the run form was just not there.


Ga MS generally does a good job. The soaker tent was a brilliant idea. The food was poor and sitting in the sun getting warm. I was a little disappointed but they did offer the basics.

The bike course is just asking to be crushed. With a flat run, it should be crushed.

The results posting was over 24 hours after the race. All the other races post same day. It is a minor knock, but I am putting it out there.