Tri-ing for Children's OLY - Triathlon

I had several people ask me where to start on the swim.. One guy I told to start dead front and center – he was a strong swimmer. Another I advised to go in the back and wait 2 seconds before starting. She was in no rush and a average swimmer. The I used the advice I gave another person – front line to the far right. This should allow the better swimmers to get out and I will not impeded them. Also, it lets me drift into the pack. Great idea.

One problem. If the people to your left pull right, you ay get pushed away from the pack. Thus the start to my race. I had to stop after about 200-300 yds just to let them go their way because we were drifting too far right. Once they were gone, I could draft off a few individuals. This allowed me to pull myself into a decent pace. I kept a fairly straight line, better than EL. The problem was that I did not have the mojo today. I just could not turn it over fast, I felt strong but just not efficient. So I held my pace for the 2 laps and then tried to burst more thru the sprinter traffic to get past them. Then I coasted in the last 100 yds so to not blow the HR – I wanted a solid ride today.


Hopefully have a better swim and not get misdirected by errant swimmers.

I got out of the water and ran over the first timing mat, then I dropped to get the wetsuit off. I know that it is easier to pop off the suit ASAP and again it did. It is not great trying to run on the cement, I saw someone on the grass – great idea, but just not what I did. I found my bike very easily – at the front and Jeanne was gone. Scott told me she smoked the swim. I grabbed the gear and flipped it on and ran the ride out. I hopped on fast and rode off.

Bike

This was a hard effort ride. In the park I just held steady, hit a good pace and slipped the feet in the shoes. Once out of the park – all bets were ON. I laid into the pedals and just cranked it out. I was flying. At one point I looked own and 24.4 was my pace. I also think my HR was blown – I drank some HEED/Sust Energy mix and it bounced back up. I just kept going. The pace stayed high, but the HR and fluids were ot reacting well together. It bounced again. I decided to step it back a bit. My HR dropped from a igh 160’s in the first segment to 160 for the last 15 miles.

I did catch Jeanne on the western leg of the first loop. She was riding strong. I just kept pushing it out the whole ride. I passed at least 100 if not 200 peopl on this ride. I enjoyed the whole ride, especially knowing that I was over 23 mph and my goal was to be over. Check. I even heard a few people make noises of disbelief as I flew past them. Also, my favorite word of the day – “left”

One note was the course set up. I enjoyed the route, the only problem was the crossing of traffic to start the loop. The course should have gone to the northern end first and then west so there would be more merging and no crossing over. But everyone had to do it.

Uneventful. I racked, stripped and threw on the shoes. I was flipped so quick I stood there dazed for a few seconds because I was shocked how easy that was. But off I ran and it was time to suffer

I love to run I love to run I love to run.

I chanted this over and over. When in fact I wanted to say - “I don’t know what I ve been told, but running is getting mighty old.” The course was clever, but unfortunately the flood of 2010 made a few areas a mud pit. I felt like I ran on a tight rope style so to not hurt myself. This run did hurt the whole time, but my typical plan is to hammer hammer hammer the bike and then see what is left for the run. Today, not much. This run was slower than last year, partly from the mud, but mostly from the leg fatigue. At 8:18 I am happy though. It is not the sub 8’s of last year, but the 9th OA bike made the rest a mute point. But I wanted that bobble head trophy. I saw one guy my size around me most of the run. He actually passed me around mile 4. I asked him if he was AG, and he was. So I did not see many Clydes out there. I just kept pushing to in the end find out I won by 12 minutes over 2nd. I guess I may have to race AG now.


Mybe ease up on bike to have more for the run - or just push harder and suffer more - if possible

wandered around and talked to people. Stretched a bit and ate some food. also drank about 3 bottles of water and 4 bottles of gatorade.


pssibly partying the nite before. good thing I avoided the drinkies, but the food was yummy and too hard to pass up completely


Fun day adn success was mine - not only winning th Clyde division - but crushing the comp by 12 mins. Solid race and effort. just needed to get more out of my swim Congrats to all the Donks and GG's - solid effort today