Las Vegas Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

First of all - having us to trot across a HUGE amount of rocks isn't exactly what I liked about this Lake. It's no fun. A lot of people were complaining about that. I brought swim shoes with rubber bottoms, but I wasn't sure if they were legal, so I just left it in my bag. Got to the start, and waited a while. Getting in the lake (the same lake that I freaked out a few weeks ago), wasn't too bad. Very rocky though. Got stuck in quicksand under the water, which made a hilarious sight for my friend. After 30 minutes of waiting, I finally went off. Seeded myself near the front and side. I was more worried about being nauseous than anything else. It took a about 200m to get my groove and stroke form back. I think I should have warmed up first. :-) Went around the first buoy, and feeling like my neck is too constricted, so I did a quick backstroke and readjusted the neck on my wetsuit. Passed a lot of people by the second half. Ran up the long transition, took off my wetsuit very easily. I must have been smiling the whole time! Googles did not fog up, got my wetsuit off very easily, and best of all - NO NAUSEA issues, even after swallowing a little bit of water (this time I made sure that my head is more turned for getting air.

NOTHING!! Perhaps learn how to draft, and sight a little better.

I ran to T1 instead of walking. I think I should have walked (breathing was a little bit too erratic). Yanked off my wetsuit, CI on, sunglasses on, helmet on, socks and shoes on. Cursed at myself for forgetting to loosen up the velco on my bike shoes, lost a few seconds, so I don't think it really mattered. Got to the mount line, mounted easily and off I go!

Make sure my bike shoes are ready to be easily slipped in.

Passed a few people on the way up a nice big hill. Told myself that I wanted to push myself, so I did. Rolling hills, but some areas are steep. Turnaround points are easier than Lake Las Vegas Tri. Pushed it really hard on the descents and some of the ascents. There was a few points that I nearly felt like I was going to fall over with erratic breathing and high HR (probably), but luckily, the descents helped to lower the breathing and HR. Passed a few people on the bike (however, since all three distances were on the same course, I have no idea where I'm placed as I was riding). Got up the LAST big hill before a huge descent to Bike In. There are two forks to get to the Bike In area. There were two volunteers standing there and not really directing me to which one to pick. I picked the WRONG fork, as I was following a guy, but I was so pissed off because as I was going down, I saw the Bike In on the OTHER side. At the bottom, I was cursing pretty loudly, because I really wanted to get a good PB for the bike. He decided to turn around and go back up the big hill. I decided to haul my a$$ and run across the gravel/rocky/prickly plants terrain. Yanked off my shoes and ran across there with my socks on, and got to the Bike in timing mat. I probably lost a few minutes here - if I went down the RIGHT way, I would have easily gotten a 16.8-17 mph avg as the Bike In was parallel the road that I was on. ;-( Saw a friend and nearly crashed into her. I was really PO'd, but the anger just settled out on the run. These things happens and I should be grateful that I wasn't DQ'd or had anything worse.

Nothing with the ride, but definitely get more familiar with the course as bike in/bike out. Having the volunteers shouting doesn't help me (as I discovered later!). Signs does. Do better nutrition-wise or hydration. I wasn't affected at all, but it's definitely will be a lousy one if it was longer course. Best bike split for my triathlon though!

I just quickly yanked off my helmet, put on my running shoes (remember, I already had my bike shoes off!), grabbed my race belt, and off I went, didn't go the wrong way this time. :-)

Nothing!

Ran at the start instead of walking this time. I think I should have walked the first few minutes to get my HR and breathing down. It took about 1.5 miles (yeah, half way, but whatever), to finally feel "normal". Drank water three times (once at start, mile 1, mile 2), and poured water on my head to keep myself cool. Even though I tried to push myself, but my high breathing, and HR affected me. I was alright with that, in fact, I was just happy that I wasn't nauseous! Running from Bike in/T2/Run Out wasn't exactly a good idea, as it kept my HR high and breathing high. I'll walk next time. Damn limiters. :-) The last .5ish mile, was downhill, and forced myself NOT to stop because I wanted to see how I will do. I did very well actually! Ran across the damn rocky terrain, and got my medal. Nearly ready to fall over, which was a good sign that I felt like I gave it all. My legs were not feeling tired or sore at all (hence why I think I could have pushed myself a bit here), but my breathing and HR was a little too high for my comfort, so I learned from this race to do better for my Oly!



Walk the first few minutes and be a little more stricter with sticking to my walk/run plan. Slowest run split in a tri, but a learning experience.

Nearly ready to fall down after going through the finish chute. Walked a couple miles trying to find Roy. He missed me on the bike (because I missed the Bike in), and he was wondering why I was going so slow. LOL! Oh well. Ate two watermelons, ice pop, and had chocolate milk. I like REAL food for recovery, not some other crap. I'm just so happy that I wasn't feeling icky at all. Legs were a little scratched up with the prickly plants that I walked through, not once, but several times! Sweat salts rubbing in the wounds made it painful.


Simply put, running after a bike. :-) Running is my limiter, and probably always will be, but I'm slowly improving. It only takes time and more running. :-)


Lack of volunteers on this race kind of messed up with the Bike in. I think they should have had a sign there just like they had it everywhere else. Although with the lack of volunteers, I liked this better than Lake Las Vegas Tri, but not better than IronGirl.