Portage Lakes Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Nobody in our age group wanted to go first. I waited until half the guys were across the mat before I took off. The dude in front of me didn't want to swim I think. He stayed on his feet until we got to the first orange buoy. Once I got past him, I was on my way. I stayed to the right of the crowd and concentrated on making sure I was relaxed and didn't go out to fast. I was trying to monitor my breathing and settled into a nice even stroke. I couldn't help it...I could tell I was cruising in high gear. Couldn't slow it down. It was too cold. After I made the turn at the first yellow buoy (I was passing everyone in front of me one at a time) I started to have problems with the arches of my feet and my calves. Cramps! How is that possible? I haven't done anything yet! I focused on keeping my stroke fluid and strong and tried to relax my feet while stretching out my arches..I never stopped swimming. I do believe it was the cold that caused the cramping. Then after coming out, I took my time climbing the mountain to the transition area. I started out jogging up that sucker but decided to walk and get my breath.

I will consider a wetsuit for the future. It's a big investment but I think it would help. I never did get really warm from the swim. I think I should have been more aggressive running up that hill and getting to the transition area. I could have saved some time here.

Yikes! In my defense, I must say the transition area was long and I was at the farthest end away from the beach. It's all relative I know. I only had to walk my bike 10 feet to the exit. I have no idea how I chewed up that much time here. I think I was slow =). My wife and son and a bunch of friends were right there next to the transition area screaming encouragement to me and taking pictures. What a hoot.

Pick up the pace a bit =).

I had a great ride. I couldn't help but push. The adrenaline was flowing and after the first loop the sun came out. The weather turned out to be absolutely beautiful for the race. There was an awesome example of commitment and strength on the worst hill. The only wheel chair participant (that I knew of) was half way up the hill with the brakes on. He also had a support guy behind him on a bike with his brakes on keeping him from going backwards. He could only go forward 1/2 foot at time. He had to rest. Very moving to see.

Nothing

I didn't push here at all. I didn't think I was in here that long, but again, the transition area was LONG.

Run with the bike.

I think I shouldn't have had that 2nd endurance shake. I was hydrated enough but I felt bloated and I felt it more on the run than anywhere else. After 5 miles I actually felt really good and picked up the pace. My last mile was better than any of my first 5.

I could have pushed harder on the run. I didn't think my time was as good as it was so I was slacking a little bit. This was my weakest leg. I think it was partly due to my over ingesting and also my last 3 weeks of not feeling all that well.

My family and friends were at the finish and I heard my wife yell out you're going to make your goal. It was exhilarating. I walked over to my wife and we hugged (what a good sport..I was gross). It was so exciting for both of us to share together. I got a water bottle exiting the finish and worked on that a bit while we talked and took pictures.


Experience, over ingestion, and aggressiveness (especially on the run).


This was an awesome weekend for me. I had a great race for my first official Olympic Tri. Note: the last picture is my wife and I on our sofa massaging each other's feet =).