Pinehurst Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

I started way right so I wouldn't be too caught up in the madness. Worked pretty good and there were no real collisions; just people hitting my feet alot.
The first 1000m went great. I was swimming faster than expected but shortly after I turned around the last buoy it went downhill. My goggles were fogging up a bit and I just kept swimming until I could feel I was alone. I stopped to clear my goggles and realized how far off course I was. I couldn't get my goggles from leaking after that and the rest of the swim sucked.

If you can't see, fix it now. Don't assume you're swimming a straight line ('cause you're probably not!)

There were two guys just ahead of me leaving the transition area. Both of them ran to the mount line and STOPPED!... completely blocking my way. I had to jump over some cones to get pass them. Jumped on the bike fine but my right shoe came off the rubber band early and hit the ground cause the back tire to pop up. Managed to stay on and the rest was fine. Put on my arm warmers and garmin wrist band while riding.

Came in 28rd of 553 overal. 5th in age group.

I had done this route twice before and had been doing hills... lots and lots of hills... for the past month and it paid off.
I averaged 20mph on the first 10 miles and didn't slow down that much for the rest of the race. There was a lot of people on the course so blocking and drafting was inevitable. I had one and a half packs of chomps and just over one bottle of water.

Other than ride more hills, I think I did a damn good job.

I took my feet out of the shoes WAY, WAY too early. I also jumped off the bike too early but that wasn't my fault. The lady told me to get off and pointed on the ground by the corner but I had another 50' before I need to be off. Ran good, racked the bike good, got my shoes and hat on quick and headed out. I rolled my race number and had been wearing since the start of the swim. I did forget to switch my garmin from the bike to my wrist so I didn't know how I was doing on the run until I finished.

Tied for 3rd of 553 overall. 2nd (by 1sec) in age group.

Pay attention to mileage and dismount lines.
I could have put my shoes on first and just grabbed the hat while running out. Putting my hat on first was a waist of time.

Pain! The first 2 miles were pure pain in my calves. I have never hurt so bad on a run before. I don't know if some of it's from the brutal bike leg or the angle my foot was at (and I don't stretch enough) but it just hurt. I walked the 2mile aid station and ran the rest of the way. I was pretty disappointed because my heart and lungs were fine and raring to go but my legs just couldn't. I nearly always get negative splits but I just couldn't kick it up at the end. Hell, I wasn't even out of breath when I finished. The run over the damn to the finish was pretty though. I did think it was cute they had "last big hill... c'mon... you got this!" written on the road about 5miles in.

Stretch more, run more hills, never sign up for this run again.

Found the family for and talked with them for a bit. Easy run back to the car (I forgot my phone this morning) and back. Found the rest of our crew and grabbed some grub.


poor navigation on the swim and sharp pain on the run


It was an incredibly beautiful day for a race. A little cool at the start but you warm up quick. Seeing the sunrise over the lake was picturesque. I met some cool people walking from the parking lot and just had a great experience.