Cleveland Triathlon -Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Strong NW wind with 1-2' waves inside the breakwall. No wetsuit-this was a first for me.

I started at the front- a new strategy since I realized swimming is my strong suit relative to others typically. I couldn't find any open water until the turn for the breakwall, then the waves hit. Wowza! My heart was fine and I wasn't stressed out, but I just wanted the swim to be over... hahahhahaha! (This will be a recurring theme.)

At the turnaround, I was hung up on the bouy line since I cut it so close and the wind was blowing the bouy taut.

I am also a little skeptical about some of the swimming results. Possible skipped bouy at the end??? The pro finished in 23 minutes (entirely possible), but there seemed to be too many finishing in the early 20s when the pro woman was 7 minutes behind her time from last year. (I was 6 minutes behind... more of this to come later!)

Nothing. This was great practice for Rev3 at Cedar Point! This was my first real opportunity to swim against waves. Considering the weather, I think I did just fine!

Easier without a wetsuit!

Put my socks in my cycling shoes. duh.

Strong headwinds westbound. Strong crosswinds on bridges and against buildings. I thought this would be easier than the swim. I just wanted it to be over by lap 2...

The course had many unmarked large potholes. There were at least 4 flats that I counted. I wanted to go faster this year, but alas, I only improved by 3 minutes over last year... BUT that was with a huge wind, so I'll take that as a victory!

I couldn't do anything differently. Just had to cope!

Again, the thing I don't like about one in-out is I have to go allllll the way back in transition to switch. Oh well. At least no one was in my way this year!

nada.

Well, I had to work harder for the swim. I had to work harder for the bike. That can only mean one thing-- I had to work harder for the run. By the time I started the run, I was reaching my limit. I was thirsty for water (thankfully, that was coming), hot, and my legs were beat. I exited T2 with the "orange shirt girl" and we paced each other for about half of the run. She was better at the uphills, I was better at the downhills. Unfortunately for me, there were more ups than downs.

Heading east, it felt like no breeze since it was at my back, and it was FULL SUN. Got water, dumped it on my head, kept going, and going, and I realized we ran farther to the turnaround than last year. That was not mentally helpful. I also realized that my shoes were soaked from all the water I dumped on me. I don't care. I'd rather have soggy shoes than pass out from heat.

OSG and I kept changing "leads" and on the 3rd turnaround, she accellerated and stayed in front of me. That was ok. It gave me motivation to keep going. I couldn't let her out of my sight.

Made it up the dreaded uphill to Lakeside and was just waiting for the end of the run. They could really use another water station there, BTW. Did not have the kick from last year down behing the stadium and into the finish line, but I was determined to finish with running, not walking. OSG finished 45 seconds earlier than me... oh well. I wanted to thank her after the race, but couldn't find her.

I don't know. I gave it all I had. I'm disappointed with my time being 1 min slower per mile than my last race, but conditions were completely different and it looks like everyone was in the same boat.

Massage and chillin' with the family. Ate lots of fruit and that kept my stomach happy.


Weather conditions and maybe a poor July???? (illness)


"Rate this race" --> my performance = stinks, but proud of my effort. --> Cleveland OLY = LOVE IT! It's great to do a race that means so much to so many people--UCP.

I thought this was a great practice for Cedar Point in 1 month. I have never been able to practice in these conditions this summer.

Without detailed analysis, but with the naked eye, it looks as though even the female pro was 10 minutes behind last year. I was 8, so I shouldn't complain. The times added to this year from weather conditions over last year were comparative. She added 7 minutes to the swim and 1' per mile pace to the run (but faster on the bike!!! WOW!). I added 6 to the swim (3 minutes faster on the bike!! WOW!) and 1' per mile pace to the run.

Note: I am only comparing my time to the pro b/c she is the only one I found who did the race from last year besides me.

I felt the racing company wasn't as "together" as they were last year. The boat for the bouys was late, potholes weren't marked, mileage signs for the run were missing, it just felt a little "off". Hopefully they get their mojo back for next year. I will be back to check!