Cranberry Trifest - TriathlonOlympic

The swim is easily my worst event. However, given that at the start of last summer, I could barely swim 100 yards of crawl, I have to keep telling myself that swimming a mile without stopping or drowning means I've come a pretty long way, even if it takes me over 40 minutes to do it. I wanted to work on my sighting, and got some new bigger, untinted goggles, which definitely helped with that. I also managed to swim (mostly) in a straight line from one buoy to the next, compared to my zigging and zagging at the Dam Triathlon, so again, a step in the right direction. Now, I just have to work on this whole technique thing... Of course, the only wave behind mine was the relay, who can pick swimming specialists to do this leg, so I was being passed very quickly. But I hung in there, overcame a minor heart-racing, "I can't breath" panic attack, and finished the swim feeling okay, but knowing I was already way back in my age group and the field overall.

I have to work on technique now. That's the project for the winter - join a Masters class to get some idea of what I'm supposed to be doing when I swim. Time to stop relying on trying to translate what I read in books and articles and get some real help.

Pretty smooth transition. Working on doing everything in the right order, and still have some problems with the wetsuit, but time was okay given the time it takes to get to the transition area here

My plan for the bike segment was to keep the cadence a bit higher than in previous races, and to try and not push too hard so I had something left for the run. I managed to stay on that plan, and was feeling pretty good for the first 3/4 of the ride. Starting from pretty near the back of the field meant that I could pass a few people, and still feel I was working hard, but not too hard. Drank plenty - 3 bottles in total, to make sure dehydration would not be a problem. But then in the last 3 miles, it all went off track a little, as I could feel cramps beginning in my calfs. Got a major cramp in my right leg, just as I was going up the last little hill about a mile before the end. I didn't feel too tired, which was what surprised me. I slowed right down and almost stopped pedaling just to get to the top, and was even passed by a couple of the faster runners... Managed to cruise in once I got over the hill (ha!) but added at least 5 minutes to my time in the last couple of miles. The slower time was a disappointment, as I was on track for about 1:25 before then, which I would have felt good about.

Better conditioning and longer rides before. My training rides generally max out around 30 miles (mainly due to time constraints) so maybe I need to go longer

I ride in sneakers, so this is an easy one

The run was pretty ugly. I was hoping I was going to feel good coming into this part of the race, but the bike segment had already not gone according to plan. And then I was no more than a couple of hundred yards in when I got cramps in both my thighs, a big knot just above my knees, so bad I couldn't even walk, let alone run. I seriously thought I would not be able to finish at this stage, which would have been hard since this was my first Oly and the race I had been building for all summer. So I stopped for a minute and tried to stretch them out, which seemed to work a little, then walked for about 2 minutes and slowly the cramps seemed to disappear. Got lots of support and encouragement from fellow racers which really helped also. Started running gently again, and then managed to keep going slowly for the rest of the 6 miles. Walked all the drink stations and drank plenty. I couldn't increase the pace at all, but managed to keep running and pass a few people. By this time, it must have been pushing 90 degrees, so everybody was hurting anyway.

Just get fitter

Drank lots and tried to find some shade


Overall, I was expecting a slow swim, so I was okay with that, but unhappy with the run (and the bike), which meant I missed by target by 10 minutes. However, I managed to finish which was my main objective for my first Oly, and on a very hot day also. My family was waiting as I crossed the finish line, with the cramps coming back, and agreed that I looked pretty bad, so I felt like I gave it pretty much all I had.

I've done a lot of reading about avoiding cramps since this race, because this is the number one factor which is slowing me down. The consensus seems to be to just work on general conditioning, so that is my plan over the winter, along with the swimming technique. I like the Olympic distance, just need to get to the stage where I can enjoy it more.

I really don't like hot weather, which is unfortunate since this is a summer sport... I'm going to definitely do another Oly next summer, but will look for one at a cooler time of year maybe.


Race was well-organized. It attracts a serious crowd, so for relative newbies like me, you're going to be lower-placed than in some other races. Bike course and run courses are great. Swim feels long.

Food after was okay, but not outstanding. Not much in the way of refueling materials for immediately after the race. It was nice to have the band, but it was a little loud for me (tough to have a conversation over lunch) Sorry if that makes me seem old, but maybe that's just what Tris in general do for you...