Hansen Dam Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Swim was good. It was a running start and I made sure to line up on the front row on the left side as the first buoy was just past the dock on the left. Headed out at a good pace...still not fast enough though. I really don't like going hot to start and then slowing into a doable pace. I like to build to my pace. I need to work on this. I need to be able to sprint the first 100-200 yards and then settle down...to get away from the people. I saw one cap starting to get away and I couldn't hang with him. We turned left at the first buoy and then sun was RIGHT in my eyes. Couldn't make out the next buoy at all. I just put my head down and swam by braille. Didn't do too bad of a job and was able to make the first right pretty uneventful. I then saw one guy on my right that was going the same pace as me. So I hopped into his wake...at least I tried to. The problem was, we were now catching the wave in front of us. There were people everywhere and I was dodging and diving all over the place.

Rest of the swim was just pacing and make sure my breathing was good. I kept the guy I tried to draft off right next to me and we exited the water together. I came out of the water in 4th and left T1 in second...so the decision to not wear the wetsuit paid off.

The course was also really long. No way it was 500 yards. The timing mats were 30 feet from the exit so I know what the times should have been. This course was probably in the 650 yard range based on the times.

I'm not sure. This was a good swim. I could say go harder off the start, but I want to try that in practice first to make sure I don't work myself right off the bat and mess up the whole race. I mean, leaving T1 in second, not much more you can really ask for.

Perfect...not much to do here as I didn't wear a wetsuit. I just grabbed my helmet and glasses and I was off. Went from 4th to 2nd

Nothing

Oh boy, this is when I realized I was in trouble. Started off down the path to bike exit and hopped on my bike and everything went great with my shoes and such. The first little street was a very very slight incline...like a false flat and I started to get up to speed and my legs just laughed. They were so sore from the day before that I had ZERO power. I could barely turn the peddles. Luckily the next street was slightly downhill. But, at the bottom, I was quickly passed by two riders in my age group...lol...there was nothing I could do. The course was all up hill and flats for the first half and I was struggling. I couldn't even stand up on the bike, that's how sore my legs were...it became comical at one point.

Well, the ride was pretty uneventful and at the halfway point headed back down hill which was nice. I was thinking the whole time, "how is this going to affect my run..?? Am I screwed when I get off the bike?"

Came down and dismounted fine and was happy to be off the bike. I only got passed by two riders in my division so that was good, I was now in 4th.

Don't absolutely smoke your legs on a ride the day before....duh.

Just fine. I did struggle with my Garmin for a split second...but no big deal. T2 time was still up with all the fast guys.

Nothing.

Headed out of transition and was immediately passed by someone who caught me on the bike and ran out of T2 faster than me. For a split second, I though, ok, just stay with this guy...then he slowed down...I was like, ummmm, ok, adios. I just went around him and dropped him pretty quick. I actually felt "ok" at the start of the run...it was on pavement around the lake. But once the run hit the dirt, it started to hurt. I don't run on trails at all...i only run on pavement. So my muscles aren't really used to it. My pace through the first mile was good though at 6:44. I was thinking to myself, if I can hold this pace, I'm fine. I did get passed right before the 2nd mile and there was nothing I could do about it. He was in another gear. Second mile was a 6:57 and I was really hurting. The funny thing was, I wasn't even winded, I wasn't even sweating...my hair was dry...lol...I was just in so much pain, there was nothing I could do. Anytime the course went up hill, I was just dieing.

I managed to hold onto my spot and finished the last mile in 6:50...so that was fine.

Again, my legs were just shot. I felt fine otherwise.

Nothing...walked back to transition and got my bike and left. The good thing was there was a TV right at the finish with the results. I saw I was in 5th and didn't need to hang around for awards, so I was gone.


38 Mile Tempo ride the day before absolutely shot my legs. I had NO power when I needed it.


Very fun race. Definitely would have been in contention for a podium had I come in fresh. I just need to be smarter about my prior day's workout. It's ok to train through races and not formally taper into them, but don't go out and kill yourself the day before...just dumb. Live and learn.